WELCOME

These pages aim at providing a short but reliable and up-to-date summary of nineteen seasons of excavations (1968-1986) conducted in Capharnaum by the late Fr. Virgilio C. Corbo ofm and Fr. Stanislao Loffereda ofm. These are the imposed limits of these Web Pages.

We archaeologists are excavating the material remains of the past, but we are looking for something more. Our final goal is to meet again the past generations, to speak with them and let them speak to the present generations. "The archaeologist, as M. Wheeler used to say, is digging up not things, but people".

When we keep in mind that Capharnaum was "the town of Jesus" and in some way the cradle of Christianity, we may soon realize that the unearthed remains are of a tremendous significance for mankind. If these pages help you to meet the inhabitants of ancient Capharnaum, many of whom you know already by their names, our goal is fully accomplished.

"Then he got into the boat followed by his disciples. Without warning a storm broke the lake, so violent that the waves were breaking right over the boat. But he was asleep. So they went to him and woke him saying, 'Save us, Lord, we are going down!' And he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?' And with that he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and all was calm again. The men were astounded and said, 'Whatever kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him'"(Mt 8:23-27).

© copyright 2001. Text written by Fr. Stanislao Loffreda ofm. Reproduction, retrieval or redistribution of this material is not permitted without prior permission of the author reachable at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (sbfnet@netvision.net)

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