ZACHARY WONG, EL-ARAJ EXPEDITION

BIBLICAL BETHSAIDA? Archaeologists may have new evidence to identify the site of El-Araj with Bethsaida of the gospel accounts. Located by the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee near the estuary of the Jordan River, the fishing village under excavation dates to the time of Jesus. Even more important, El-Araj boasts an early Christian basilica, which reportedly grew over the original house of the apostles Peter and Andrew, who, according to the Gospel of John, called Bethsaida their home.