Released on = February 28, 2006, 4:12 pm

Press Release Author = Lyn Taecker, Biblical Archaeology Society

Industry =

Press Release Summary = Rare Opportunity for Public to Take Archaeological Tour of
Turkey

Tour Includes Visit to Kerkenes Dag Excavation with Award Winning Archaeologist


Press Release Body = F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Contact: Lyn Taecker, Travel Study Manager
Biblical Archaeology Society
www.biblicalarchaeology.org
travel@bib-arch.org
4710 41st Street NW
Washington, DC 20016
(800) 221-4644, ext. 221



In a rare opportunity for the public, archaeologist Dr. Geoffrey Summers will be
leading a small group on an archaeological tour of Turkey. The tour will focus
largely on Late Bronze Age and Iron Age civilizations and will feature a visit to
the site at Kerkenes Dag. Dr. Summers received the esteemed Rolex Associate
Laureate Award for his innovative techniques used at the excavation of this site.
This is one of the few opportunities the public will be able to accompany Dr.
Summers to the dig site and speak with him about his findings.

The city at Kerkenes Dag, destroyed 2,550 years ago, is located at the strategically
important crossroads where east-west routes between Europe and Asia intersect
north-south passages between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Using excavation
evidence that corresponds to the histories of Herodotus, Dr. Summers has come to the
conclusion that the city at Kerkenes Dag is ancient Pteria, the capital of the
Medean Empire. It is thought that the Medes used Pteria as a base for their
excursions into northern Anatolia.

The tour, sponsored by the Biblical Archaeology Society's Travel/Study program, is
an 18-day trip starting May 7, 2006. In addition to visiting Kerkenes Dag, Dr.
Summers will lead the tour around Turkey, giving participants an archaeological
perspective on various sites and teaching about ancient temples, tombs of ancient
kings, archaeological digs in progress, magnificent cathedrals, Roman baths,
medieval castles and historical monasteries.

The Biblical Archaeology Society has more than 28 years of experience running tours
to the Middle East. Its mission is to inform an educated lay audience about
archaeology in biblical lands. The society's flagship publication, the lavishly
illustrated, full-color magazine Biblical Archaeology Review is in its 30th year.

For more information on the tour to Turkey with Dr. Summers, contact Lyn Taecker at
1-800-221-4644, extension 221, write to the Biblical Archaeology Society at 4710
41st Street, NW, Washington, DC, or go to the Web site at
www.biblicalarchaeology.org/travel. Register by March 6 to reserve a spot and take
advantage of an early registration discount.


Web Site = http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org

Contact Details = Contact: Lyn Taecker, Travel Study Manager
Biblical Archaeology Society
www.biblicalarchaeology.org
travel@bib-arch.org
4710 41st Street NW
Washington, DC 20016
(800) 221-4644, ext. 221