Troweling Down

We are almost finished setting up the new TSU/VIU/TeHEP Archaeology Research Center! In the last episode, we showed a bit of the ARC, while we were still moving things around. We look forward to showing it off all finished and moved in, very soon! In this episode, Gary and Dr. Collins have time to sit down and rest a bit, and discuss a bit about what is going to take place in it. They also bring u...

Introducing our new Archaeology Research Center, a.k.a. The ARC!Gary and Dr. Collins give you a short tour of the brand new facility for studying the Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project. This is very exciting for us. We hope for you, too! Follow Tall-el Hammam and TSU on Social Media: Facebook : X : Instagram : Substack :

Whew! What a month January was! Gary and Dr. Collins will fill you in on some of what has been going on. And, as a first, there is no discussion of Sodom! Watch this episode, just to see how messy Dr. Collins' shirt is, after a hard day of painting! Follow Tall-el Hammam and TSU on Social Media: Facebook X Instagram Substack

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!A lot is happening with the TeHEP team, as we are going full tilt on the massive publication process, this year. It will take several volumes. As we say about this dig, "it's a Lot to love!"We are also proud to be a part of the 2026 International Symposium on Archaeology & The Bible, happening January 28 - 31, in Albuquerque, NM. Go to isabq.org fo...

This episode concludes our series on the treatments for Sodom Derangement Syndrome. In it, Dr. Collins points out that even ancient writers used figurative and metaphorical language, especially regarding the ruination and destruction of civilizations. Now for our (air)burst of inspiration! Symptom #10: ignorance of or ignoring the interpretation of biblical destruction-annihilation language in its...

Tall el-Hammam was a very large city-state, during the Middle Bronze Age. This fact is further indication that it is the city of Sodom. In this episode, Dr. Collins continues his diagnosis and treatment of Sodom Derangement Syndrome. Symptom #9 : Ignorance of or ignoring the primary and secondary geographical data for the location of Zoar  Treatment : A good dose of proper hermeneutics on all the...

Tall el-Hammam was a very large city-state, during the Middle Bronze Age. This fact is further indication that it is the city of Sodom. In this episode, Dr. Collins continues his diagnosis and treatment of Sodom Derangement Syndrome. Symptom #8: ignorance of or ignoring the primary biblical texts in terms of the architectural features of Sodom, and the sophisticated landscape utilization of this M...

Dr. Collins continues his treatment for Sodom Derangement Syndrome symptom seven. Say that seven times fast! Or better yet, just watch this episode! Symptom #7: ignorance of or ignoring the facts of the Genesis Sodom texts regardingthe city itself and associated events, and the archaeological data commensurate withthose textsTreatment: a good dose of textual understanding revealing details about t...

The Bible says a lot about the location of Sodom. To recognize where it is located, you need to understand both the geography of the land and the cultural influence boundaries of ancient civilizations during that time. Dr. Collins continues his series on treating Sodom Derangement Syndrome! Symptom #7: ignorance of or ignoring the facts of the Genesis Sodom texts regarding the city itself and asso...

In this episode, we shift to the nuts and bolts of the Sodom geography found in Genesis 13:1-12, in order to treat one more symptom of Sodom Derangement Syndrome. Symptom #6: Ignorance of or ignoring the primary biblical geography of Sodom. Treatment: A comprehensive understanding of the Genesis geography supported by on-the-ground exploration and experience! For expanded information on this episo...

Dr. Collins continues to deal out the treatment for Sodom Derangement Syndrome! Symptom #5: Ignorance of or ignoring the chronological implications of Abraham narrative geography in the light of the archaeological record. Treatment: A generous dose of the archaeological stratigraphy of excavated cities and towns mentioned in the Abrahamic narratives! For expanded information on this episode's...

Dr. Collins continues discussing his cure for Sodom Derangement Syndrome. In this episode, he treats Symptom #4: ignorance of or ignoring the socio-ethno-cultural dynamics of the Abraham narrativeFor expanded information on this episode's topic, look up Dr. Steven Collins on Substack and become a subscriber.

Dr. Collins continues discussing his cure for Sodom Derangement Syndrome. In this episode, he treats Symptom # 3: ignorance of or ignoring the non-etiological, factual nature of the Abraham narratives. For expanded information on this episode's topic, become a Substack subscriber. Follow Tall-el Hammam and TSU on Social Media: Facebook X Instagram

In this episode, Dr. Collins discusses the second symptom of Sodom Derangement Syndrome. The Doctor is in!

No, it is not a Space Shuttle mission. It is Dr. Collins' newly coined name for the typical issues that characterize someone who does not agree with Tall el-Hammem being Biblical Sodom. It stands for Sodom Derangement Syndrome. In this episode, Dr. Collins begins addressing the core symptoms of SDS. Get out your Bible, the Doctor is in! Become an Inner Circle Partner :

Happy New Year! Dr. Collins welcomes in the year by discussing some new terminology he is employing, regarding Tall el-Hammam as Biblical Sodom. He and Gary Byers also talk about some new archaeology that may show that alphabetic writing is older than previously thought. Join us for our first episode of 2025!

In English, a South Paw is left-handed, but in Hebrew it would be right-handed. Dr. Collins speaks about the use of the Hebrew word "yamin" (יָמִין), in Ezekiel 16:46. Many new English translations translate it as "south". The Septuagent uses the word "dexios" (δεξιός), meaning right hand, or place of honor. Find out how this passage in Ezekiel is important to the discussion of the location of Sod...

No, this episode isn't about a new romance movie, coming to a theater near you. It's about chronology and synchronisms. Dr. Collins discusses who the Pharaoh of the Exodus is. Grab some popcorn and we'll see if CB – that is Mr. DeMille – got it right or not. Grab some popcorn and we'll see if CB – that is Mr. DeMille – got it right or not. Become an ⁠Inner Circle Partner⁠ Follow Tall-el Hammam and...

Genesis chapter 13 gives the geography of Sodom and the cities of the Kikkar. It defines the location of the Kikkar (Disk) of the Jordan. Without a clear understanding of the limits of the geography, people have looked for these cities at the southern end of the Dead Sea. Dr. Collins explains how the Hebrew text is very specific in placing Sodom, and the story of Lot, northeast of the Dead Sea.

We have a special guest with us in this episode! Dr. David Graves has been involved in excavating the Roman area at Tall el-Hammam since the project began. Dr. Graves explains the Bath House complex that was discovered. When you go roamin' around at Tall el-Hammam, you find all kinds of amazing stuff! Subscribe now for new episodes on the first Friday of every month! Become an Inner Circle Par...

This episode wraps up the discussion between Dr. Collins and Dr. Byers about the extreme heat evidence from the air-burst event that destroyed the civilization at Tall el-Hammam, during the Middle Bronze Age. Subscribe now for new episodes the first Friday of every month! Become an Inner Circle Partner Follow Tall-el Hammam and TSU on Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram

Happy New Year! It is now 2024! In years past, the TeHEP team would be headed off to Jordan during January. But, it's the next chapter in the dig. The main focus now is collating and analyzing the mountain of information that has been collected over the last eighteen-plus years! This episode of Troweling Down continues the story of the curious pottery and mud bricks that came out of the ground...

Tall el-Hammam was chosen to excavate as the possible site of Sodom, based not on the destruction evidence, but on the geography listed in the Bible. The idea of it having been destroyed by a cosmic airburst event was hit upon during the first season. Dr. Collins recounts how and why this theory was proposed, based on the evidence coming out of the ground during that initial excavation. Subscribe...

Why do archaeologists love to collect pottery sherds? If they find enough pieces, they might have enough to reconstruct a vessel–that they can keep their candy in! Smashed vessels are the original 3D puzzles. In this episode, Dr. Steve and Gary discuss how the scattered sherds collected over sixteen seasons at Tall el-Hammam are proving to be a collection archaeologists have not seen elsewhere in...

Sure, the pun was intended! The airburst destruction evidence at Tall el-Hammam (Sodom) continues to be investigated and shared. Dr. Collins and Dr. Byers talk about some of the new discussions by scientists and journalists.  Here is the link to to Jerusalem Post Article mentioned in this episode. Subscribe now for new episodes on the first Friday of every month!  Become an Inner Circle Partner Fo...