Technology

World-famous biblical artifact from Israel on display in Oklahoma

Published

2 years ago

September 3, 2024

‘House of David’ Tel Dan Stele at Armstrong Auditorium starting September 22

EDMOND, Okla., Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Armstrong International Cultural Foundation; the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology; The Israel Museum, Jerusalem; and the Israel Antiquities Authority announce that the world-famous Tel Dan Stele archaeological artifact will be displayed for public viewing from September 22 through November 25 at Armstrong Auditorium on the campus of Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma.

This sensational 9th century BCE monument fragment is on loan from The Israel Museum and will be featured as part of the “Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered” exhibit. The exhibit is open through January 2025, and admission is free.

“This is a colossal honor for Oklahoma and the Armstrong Foundation,” said exhibit curator Brad Macdonald. “This artifact provides an extraordinary snapshot into biblical history and is possibly Israel’s most important archaeological discovery ever. This is only the second time the stele has been to America.”

The Tel Dan Stele was the first archaeological confirmation of King David as a genuine historical figure. Discovered in 1993 by Avraham Biran while excavating Tel Dan in northern Israel, the basalt victory stele was erected by King Hazael of Syria after he defeated King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah. The inscription is engraved with a reference to a “king of the House of David,” a direct reference to Israel’s greatest monarch and his royal dynasty, and a match with the Bible’s historical record.

“The discovery of the stele caused an earthquake in the archaeological community,” Macdonald said. “It vanquished the common belief that King David was a fictional character and bolstered the credibility of the Bible as a valuable historical source. This is just one reason that it is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever found.”

The stele will complement the “Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered” exhibit, which includes more than 50 artifacts from the United Monarchy period of the Kingdom of Israel, and has included the world premiere of the extraordinary Ophel Pithos Inscription, which has been linked to the biblical Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon, and the world premiere of the Ophel Electrum Basket Pendant, a Phoenician artifact that is likely the oldest piece of gold jewelry ever discovered in Jerusalem.

The exhibit is presented and funded by the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation in association with the Jerusalem-based Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, The Israel Museum, the Israel Antiquities Authority and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

For more information, visit ArmstrongAuditorium.org/exhibit or call +1-405-285-1010.

Links:
The Israel Museum: https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/371407-0
Armstrong Auditorium: https://www.ArmstrongAuditorium.org/exhibit
YouTube: @ArmstrongInstitute
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongInstituteofBiblicalArchaeology
X (Twitter): @ArmstrongIBA

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Technology

Why We Still Appreciate Bada Shanren’s Works Today

Published

6 minutes ago

October 19, 2026

NANCHANG, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): The year 2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Bada Shanren. He was an outstanding master of Chinese calligraphy and painting. His works are treasures of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting, embodying profound Chinese aesthetics and humanistic heritage, and exerting a far-reaching influence on international art.

Recently, the Event for the 400th Birth Anniversary of Bada Shanren “The Cosmos as Inner Heart: International Youth Step Into Bada Shanren’s World of Art” was held in Qingyunpu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province— the hometown of Bada Shanren. Chinese and foreign youth representatives and guests from 19 countries and regions including the United States, Russia, Morocco, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea participated.

Brushstrokes Without Borders: A Cross-Cultural Art Dialogue

Four hundred years of ink transcends borders. Even with different cultural backgrounds and languages, people can transcend cultural differences and feel the resonance brought by art. Khollii, a Tajik student studying in Jiangxi, was captivated by the distinctive charm of Bada Shanren’s artworks and shared her story about brushstrokes, “This powerful personal expression aligns closely with the pursuit of individuality in Western modern art.”

Bada Shanren’s 400-Year-Old Inner Story Unfolds to Twin Students

Mexican twin international students Luis and Erick are studying in Jiangxi. At first, they were confused by Bada Shanren’s paintings, depicting fish and birds with upturned eyes amid expansive blank spaces. After learning about the artist’s life, they sensed the unyielding emotion in his brushwork. They hope to act as a cultural bridge, sharing the timeless charm of this Jiangxi master’s art with global audiences.

Why We Still Appreciate Bada Shanren’s Works Today

Why do we still appreciate Bada Shanren’s works today? As a foreigner, Mickie from Panama has her answer. To understand Bada Shanren’s works do not need mastery of classical Chinese, thorough knowledge of the complex history of the Ming Dynasty, or deep research into every detail of his life. “Simply feeling the emotions conveyed in his paintings can spark a spiritual dialogue across hundreds of years.”

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SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)