The Center for Near Eastern Archaeology

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The Center for Near Eastern Archaeology

Lawrence T. Geraty and Douglas R. Clark
Center for Near Eastern Archaeology
at La Sierra University

communities from which the artifacts came and the community in which they now reside. As part of an academic institution, it provides educational resources and research opportunities for students, scholars, and the public. By promoting awareness of the past, especially the biblical past, the Center helps construct a better future for religious and secular communities alike.

10/07/2025

It's time for a little 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘! ☀

CNEA will be taking a break from social media communications for the remainder of the summer while we prep for fall quarter and events.

If you need to get in touch with anyone at the center, please email us at [email protected]. We'll be back with more content in September.

𝑆𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛!

30/06/2025

Did you know that the Center for Near Eastern Archaeology at La Sierra University was founded in 2012 - 13 years ago!

Did you know that the founding of the Center was made possible in part by a significant monetary sacrifice by its founder who continued to accept only a small stipend, rather than a typical/expected salary, for the past 13 years?

Did you know that in the past 13 years, CNEA has had the privilege of becoming home to more than 10,000 donated artifacts as well as tons (literal tons) of research materials excavated in Jordan?

Did you know that the Center has, through the incredible generosity of its friends and supporters worldwide over the past 13 years, received monetary contributions is excess of $2M including donations and grants?

Did you know that CNEA has hosted annual events since (and even prior to) its inception, bringing dozens of top scholars from around the world to share about various aspects of Near Eastern archaeology to local and global communities both in-person and online? (And many of these events are available for viewing on our YouTube channel or via our website!)

Did you know that the Center was renamed in 2023 to the Lawrence T. Geraty & Douglas R. Clark Center for Near Eastern Archaeology at the request of the Center's naming benefactor, the late C. Fred Cornforth? Mr. Cornforth long held ties to and was a student of Drs. Geraty and Clark and insisted on honoring the two archaeologists in this way.

Thus it is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of our founding director, Dr. Doug Clark, from his role as Director of CNEA. Doug will continue with CNEA in his newly appointed role (starting today) as Senior Research Scholar, focusing his energies on the research and publication of the excavation seasons conducted at Tall al-`Umayri and in Madaba for the Madaba Regional Archaeological Museum Project.

Thank you, Doug, for all of the (sometimes literal) blood, sweat, and tears that you have poured into making the Center what it is today. You will be greatly missed, but we rejoice with you in your new endeavor!

26/06/2025

Congratulations to our graduates! 🥳 We at CNEA are so proud of each of you for your hard work, dedication, and scholastic achievement!

Luke Poutre, MA Near Eastern Archaeology
Kristy Swartz, MA Near Eastern Archaeology
Brisa Hernandez, BA Archaeology

Keep us posted on where life takes you - all the best in your next chapters!

La Sierra University

PC: La Sierra University/Jon Hwang, La Sierra University/Noemi Hernandez, Raul Zanatta

23/06/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Kent Bramlett on receiving the Distinguished Scholarship Award from La Sierra University! The Archaeology program thrives largely in part to Dr. Bramlett’s deep commitment to thorough scholarship; his well-rounded view of history, archaeology, and historical languages; and his engaging teaching style. The Center benefits from his excellent contributions to fieldwork with the Madaba Plains Project and the Balu’a Regional Archaeological Project. Congratulations, Dr. Bramlett!

lasierrauniversity La Sierra University

PC: La Sierra University

20/06/2025

Dear friends of CNEA, we regret to inform you that, due to ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East, the 2025 excavation season for the Balu’a Regional Archaeological Project (brapjordan Balu'a Regional Archaeology Project) has been cancelled. Stay safe everyone - we hope to see you all again in 2026.

16/06/2025

Welcome to Summer quarter, Eagles! For those taking classes, we wish you all the best in your studies - including all of our Archaeology students who are excavating in Jordan on the Balu`a Regional Archaeological Project! Follow their adventures over at Balu'a Regional Archaeology Project.

15/06/2025

It's Graduation Day! Con-GRAD-ulations to all of the La Sierra graduates but especially to those graduating from the Archaeology program! We are proud of you and look forward to seeing where life takes you.
Congratulations:
- Brisa, BA Archaeology
- Kristy, MA Near Eastern Archaeology
- Luke, MA Near Eastern Archaeology
- Jaime, MA Near Eastern Archaeology

09/06/2025

It's Finals Week, and you're gonna crush it! 💪

06/06/2025

It's National Donut Day! Go get yourself a donut, but more importantly, "donut forget" to register for Fall classes before the end of the the quarter! Registering NOW is your best opportunity to secure your seat in the classes you want for the Fall quarter.

And for those of you who may be wondering, Archaeology is offering:
- Great Discoveries in Archaeology
- Old Testament Archaeology
- Egyptian (language course)
as well as thesis and directed study opportunities!

Other MA Near Eastern Archaeology-related courses offered in the Fall include:
- Greek I
- Research and Writing in Religion

Donut delay - register today!

05/06/2025

Please note that CNEA offices will be closed for the summer (until 1 September) while staff and students are involved with archaeological excavations. If you need to get in touch with anyone at the Center, please do so by noon on Friday, 13 June. Emails and voicemails will be answered when possible, but we cannot guarantee a response time. Thank you for your understanding and have a great summer!

02/06/2025

Finals Week is coming - are you ready? Here are some tips to get you prepared for exam week. You've got this, Eagles!

Study Smarter
- Break up big tasks into smaller chunks. Try 30 minutes with 5 minute breaks.
- Rewrite notes, rewatch lectures when available, and use flash cards (or study apps) to test your knowledge.
- Manage your time by setting timers for study chunks and for break times.
- Join a study group to help you stay accountable and to minimize distractions while studying.
- BONUS: Make a plan - prioritize your studying based on the order of your exams OR by the subjects you have the most difficulty with.

Save Your Sanity
- Squash your stress with breathing exercises, stretch breaks, or both! Short yoga sessions can help you destress and regroup.
- Prioritize sleep by aiming for a minimum of 8 hours each night. Cut off screen time at least an hour before bed to help your brain unplug.
- Don't skip breakfast! And try to fill up on healthy "brain foods" during meals or snacks, prioritizing fruits and veggies, healthy proteins, and whole grains.
- Don't over-caffeinate! It's important to stay hydrated, and caffeine can have the opposite effect. Drink plenty of water.

You've got this!

22/05/2025

Did you know that CNEA has *more* than just artifacts?? 👀 Our research library is comprised of hundreds, maybe thousands, of books and journals on archaeology, prehistory, art history, and more! Volunteers Terri and Howard have spent countless hours working alongside CNEA and Fritz Guy Library staff adding our tomes to the library records and labeling books with Library of Congress numbers. Although the project is still underway, faculty, staff, and students can come peruse our volumes during regular business hours for their research needs.

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(951) 785-2632

Website

http://lasierra.edu/cnea/

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Who We Are

The Center for Near Eastern Archaeology at La Sierra University engages and collaborates with local and global communities to foster interest in and develop appreciation for the cultures of the ancient Near East. Accordingly, the Center sponsors excavations in Jordan, and responsibly conserves and displays artifacts from the Near East in a manner mutually respectful and beneficial to both the communities from which the artifacts came and the community in which they now reside. As part of an academic institution, we provide educational resources and research opportunities for students, scholars, and the public. By promoting awareness of the past, especially the biblical past, the Center helps construct a better future for religious and secular communities alike.