Ceremonial objects or household items? Non‐destructive μ‐XRD2 and μ‐XRF studies on three Neolithic hematite axes from Qatar

Three small stone axes were collected by the joint Qatari‐German South Qatar Survey Project (SQSP) at two places close to the eastern and western coast of Qatar in autumn 2012. Associated with settlement remains, flint artefacts and pieces of ?Ubaid pottery, the implements have been dated to the fifth millennium BCE. Non‐destructive μ‐XRD² and μ‐XRF analyses could, for the first time, prove the use of hematite as the raw material for the manufacture of these tools in Arabia. The absence of major hematite sources in the region and the special characteristics of hematite — a unique metallic shine of polished pieces and the blood‐red colour that appears during the manufacturing process — suggest the highly symbolic character of these objects.     

An alternative approach to hab 1,2‐2,20

Abstract

In the first part the ideological nature of the OT historical narrative is stressed, which means that it is hardly usable as a historical source alone. Therefore, in the second part three demands are formulated should we decide to use an OT text in a historical analysis: 1) the event we want to investigate has to be mentioned in the OT, 2) must correlate with material from archaeological excavations, and 3) must be mentioned in at least one external written source. The final part is devoted to an overview over the Scandinavian excavations at Tel Fukhar, Jordan.     

“Giving a Voice to Malachi's Interlocutors”

The following article looks afresh at the relation between Malachi and his interlocutors, with the intention to re‐evaluate the negative reputation often assigned to the latter. The form of the book of Malachi is understood as a discussion which reflects actual utterances made by Malachi's interlocutors, accurate to the degree that the latter would recognize these sayings as theirs. By investigating these utterances, we learn how Malachi's interlocutors deny Malachi's accusations and his claim that their wrongdoings were the cause of the miserable situation in Judah. Furthermore, some of their exclamations express their doubts in God's justice. Rather than showing lacking of faith, it is possible that Malachi's interlocutors were expressing thoughts in the realm of theodicy.