Watch where you tread

November 7, 2005 - 12:02 PM by

News item – “A mosaic and the remains of a building uncovered recently in excavations on the Megiddo prison ground in Israel may belong to the earliest church in the world, according to a preliminary examination by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The excavation was begun prior to the issuing of building permits for a new wing of the Megiddo prison, which houses Palestinian security prisoners. Some 60 inmates from the prison took part in the excavation. The site is close to Tel Megiddo, believed to be Armageddon of the New Testament book of Revelation.”

Now, I know Megiddo prison well – having spent over six months of my life there during seven or eight stints of reserve duty between 1991 and 2003. I was in charge of bringing those security prisoners to see their lawyers, doctors, and family members on visiting days, as well spending more time than I care to remember in guard towers watching cows on the other side of the fence.

My home away from home - Megiddo Prison.

So watching the reports on TV last night of the Meggido find made me laugh and then cringe, as they showed the cordoned-off area where the remains were found.

I recognized the spot intimately, if you will. It was one of many locations where my fellow soldiers and I would relieve ourselves while on guard duty in the middle of the night. I feel terrible now, knowing that I was peeing on the site of an ancient church.

But while I was standing there, if only I had dug around a little, perhaps it would have been my name that would have eternally identified with this major archeological discovery.

Tags: • Category: General 

Comments

One Comment on Watch where you tread

  1. Karin Kloosterman on Thu, Apr 30th 2009 1:38 PM

    2. A friend of mine from Israel was walking around Berlin and suddenly need to pee badly. He found a little alleyway and did what he had to do. After the act, he noticed that he’d peed on a Jewish grave…

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