Emory's Program in Mediterranean Archeology, part of the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, hosts two upcoming guest lectures.

On Sunday, Jan. 24, Jodi Magness presents "Samson in Stone: New Discoveries in the Ancient Synagogue in Israel’s Galilee" at 3 p.m. in the Oxford Presentation Room. Magness is Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since 2011, she has been directing excavations in the ancient village of Huqoq in Israel's Galilee.

The excavations brought to light the remains of a monumental Late Roman (fifth century) synagogue building that is paved with mosaics, including depictions of the biblical hero Samson, and the first non-biblical story ever discovered decorating an ancient synagogue. In this slide-illustrated lecture, Magness will describe these finds, including discoveries made in the summer 2015 season.

On Sunday, Feb. 7, Michael Galaty discusses "Mycenaean Memories: Results of the 2014 Excavations at Ksagounaki, Mani, Greece" at 4 p.m. in the Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall. Galaty is professor and department head of anthropology and Middle Eastern cultures, as well as interim director of the Cobb Institute of Archaeology, at Mississippi State University.

The Diros Project was designed to complete analysis of thousands of artifacts from the Neolithic site of Alepotrypa Cave, located in the western Mani, Greece, and to place the site into a regional archaeological context through intensive survey of Diros Bay. Surveys identified a large open-air Final Neolithic settlement outside the cave, named Ksagounaki, which was excavated in 2010-2014. The 2014 excavations revealed evidence for the village's monumental construction using megalithic boulders, an enigmatic double burial, and an unexpected, later Mycenaean ossuary.'

Both lectures are free and open to the public.