Traveller Manifesto

Judaea – About 1000BC.

Anderson was not at all impressed with anything he had seen in the period of around 1000 BC. In fact, he never understood why everyone seemed so intent to fight over this parched strip of land in the first place. It had been Professor Cowen’s smart idea to engage in an extended patrol, and who could blame him? As indicated in the flyover by the UAVs, Beersheba, or Be’er Sheva as the Israelis called it, was little more than a dusty shithole of a village and not worth any visit by ground personnel. They were thus compelled to hike through the maze of wadis that surrounded their camp and Area of Convergence. To avoid a repeat of the near-disaster with the Romans, their immediate locale was carefully scanned and mapped by the mini ‘Dragonfly’ UAVs that were perfect for the task. One of the first observations was that the region was more temperate than modern Israel, with extensive vegetative cover and significantly more animal life. The miniature drones documented herds of deer, wild donkeys, and even a pride of lions and families of cheetah.

Human settlements of semi-nomadic family groups of goat and sheep herders dotted the surrounding countryside. Though the Travellers made little effort to avoid locals, so far there had been no contact. Like their previous mission in Mississippi and the Turkish mission to Constantinople, a large, high altitude drone surveyed their progress and kept them in constant touch. They used electronic Pads to monitor their progress in real time and were able to access high resolution aerial images the UAV supplied.

For their destination was to the north. To Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was impossibly ancient and exotic, especially in the years immediately after 1000 BC. If they were correct, they were currently placed around 970 - 980 BC. Dressed in their best representation of flowing robes and kaffir that equated to local garb, the party of a dozen soldiers and Professor Cowen included two faithful donkeys. As a precaution, each of the soldiers was armed to the teeth.

Drone footage revealed that Jerusalem existed, so to not visit the enigmatic city was never even considered. For Jerusalem was what this mission was all about. While it was not necessary for the Special Forces members of the patrol to be experts on the history of the period, they took pride in becoming more than conversant on the history of the famous city. A few of the soldiers were practising Christians or Jews, so to them the mission had taken on more than a professional significance. This was reputed to be the biblical period when wars would wrack the land, when David, the shepherd boy who slew Goliath with a stone and sling, would become warlord and then King. King David would be followed by his son, King Solomon, and together they would build the Kingdom of Israel into a powerful nation.

***

One of the most outstanding regrets the Israel Traveller mission planners had experienced was their inability to send a patrol to Jerusalem 20AD. With the proximity of the Roman military, which had the Traveller camp and any human traffic under close surveillance, they had little freedom in taking a patrol to the ancient capital. Much to Professor Cowen’s obvious distress, command made the call to limit exploration of the great city to UAV surveillance only.

Even to Anderson, the famous Temple had been impressive. Oh sure, it was not as large as structures of their 21st Century, but to the Jewish Israelis it had been a heart-wrenchingly momentous place. The Professor Cowen had gritted his teeth as they viewed the drone footage, where the shining, white limestone blocks and Lebanese cedar pillars made for an imposing edifice that was undeniably magnificent. In the morning light the Temple shone like nothing Anderson had ever seen, for the walls were decorated with beaten gold and semi-precious stones that, against the pure white stone, shone like a snow-covered mountain. The pillared porticos of the Temple were an artistic masterpiece guarded on all sides by massive walls and King Herod’s Antonia Fortress in the north.

For the builder had been the same King Herod described in his children’s Bible stories, the same Herod who was reputed to have made every effort to murder the infant Jesus.

As the gathered team watched, they saw how monumental stairs approached the Temple from the south, while on the west a bridge doubled as an aqueduct that carried water to the sacred precinct. The Royal Citadel and Palace were also decorated with beaten gold and silver domes while ornate mosaics added artistic scenes to the walls. This was a structure that could never be duplicated, even with modern technology, for the costs would be prohibitive.

But the Temple was the Israeli Traveller team’s real focus. Jewish members of the mission looked upon the glorious temple as the realisation of a dream, a dream for all Jewish people. When they watched the images transmitted from the drones, Colonel Lieberman had cried out, “Yes!” and clutched the Star of David medallion he wore about his neck. Some of the soldiers who watched, both men and women, shed silent tears of pride.

The courts of the Temple ascended in diminishing size as they increased in sanctity. Non-Jews and Jews alike could enter the Court of the Gentiles, but a wall encompassing the Court of the Women exhibited a warning in an ornate, gold embossed inscription:

Foreigner!

Do Not Enter the Grill and Partition Surrounding the Temple.

He Who is Caught

Will Have Only Himself to Blame

For His Death Which Will Follow

Steps led up to the Court of Israel, open to any male Jew, then led to the Court of the Priests. Here the modern researchers witnessed the great walls in their glory, recognising the 21st Century remnants of what was now known as the Ha-Kotel Ha-Maʿaravi, described as the Western or Wailing Wall, a most holy site for all Jewish people. Within that stood the Hekhal itself, the Place of the Lord, the Holy of Holies. It rested upon the very rock attributed to be where Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac and was the place where King David was to have built his altar.

The Jews watched the images with increased anxiety, for Anderson was not a Jew. For a non-Jew, a Gentile, to witness this most holy location was an anathema. Even the female Jews instinctively turned away. Yet the American watched, unfazed, as the vision was received and recorded.

What was not lost upon each of them was how the world of the 21st Century had altered the sacred location called the Temple Mount. Upon the very place the Jews considered most holy, now sat the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam and the world’s most provocative location. The contentious Dome of the Rock of the 21st Century was sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews and there was little desire by any to share.

Anderson eventually looked away, more out of respect for his fellows than any feeling of obligation. The Jewish Temple had been destroyed on a number of occasions, with the final destruction at the hands of the Romans in 70 AD. Titus, the Roman General and son of the Emperor, took such extreme action because the troublesome Jews of the Roman Province of Judaea had continually rebelled. Titus soon tired of their contention and settled the matter once and for all. In true Roman fashion, the Temple was burned and then torn down, block by block while, and according to the historian Josephus, the slaughter had been horrendous.

Most of the Jews on the mission would have gladly risked death to see the great Temple with their own eyes and stand upon that sacred mount. But that was not to be. The risks were too great. They had to be satisfied with the UAV footage. Professor Cowen had plainly been astonished. “My God! This is more grandiose than modern scholars had imagined,” he exclaimed. Herod the King had been wealthy and the ostentation of the great collection of buildings that were known as the Royal Palace, Citadel and Temple were equalled only by some of the ancient Constantinople structures viewed by the Byzantine Travellers. But the scholar of ancient Israel had been jubilant. Anderson knew his motivation. There was no way this could be rivalled. Here, at this religious centre of the world, was a sacred place invested with raw emotion. Here was a place of reverence gazed upon by all Jews who witnessed the UAV transmission with overwhelming religious awe.

But their inability to visit the Temple stung many and plans were already being hatched. Some suggested that there might be a way of flying a team over the Roman sentries in the dark of the night. It was risky, but Professor Cowen and some of the Generals were in deep discussion. There would be little doubt that this footage would lead to reservations being overturned, that plans for a researcher visit would be fast-tracked.

No matter, thought Anderson. He would proceed as ordered. Their current emphasis was to access Jerusalem of one-thousand years earlier.

So now, as they slowly hiked their path of around 1000BC, Anderson pondered on the nature of this Israel Traveller project. Like Leishman, his old Traveller companion who had led the research team in Mississippi Traveller, there seemed to be a vested interest in proving certain facts. After all, this was supposed to be a few years after the Bible’s description of King David’s sack of the city. What could be described as a city was definitely subjective, for the settlement they had viewed through the cameras of the various reconnaissance UAV’s was little more than a small, walled town. Granted, some of the walls were impressive, thick more than they were high, but there were no grand structures at all.

Their trail was dusty. Just ahead, rabbits crouched under scraggly bushes. The small creatures froze as they cautiously peered to watch the men and donkeys pass. “I think it could be just ahead,” nodded Rahmer. “The topography looks similar, though there’s no town, no Hebron,” the Israeli grunted as he looked to the hills and then the sky, which was half overcast. A few eagles soared and, closer, smaller hawks watched curiously. Far above, they knew two UAV’s hovered.

Anderson thought the situation ironic, that one of the most contested areas between the Israeli Government, Jewish settlers still considered to be technically illegal, and the Palestinians who had lived in the land for generations, was now deserted in the era of one-thousand years before Christ. A small herd of long-legged antelope looked up and scattered, to then stop and gaze across at the dusty Travellers in jaunty surprise.

“Contact, eleven o’clock,” muttered one of the two soldiers at point. Anderson immediately located the outline of a surprised shepherd who immediately ran off. Thirteen men with two donkeys was not a party that could be easily accosted by an average gang of brigands. Though they were obviously not a military force, they were large enough a group to discourage unfriendly bandits.

The figure soon vanished.

“So, do you think there will be a camp there?” asked one of the soldiers who had been carefully selected for the mission because he was a devout Christian.

Rahmer gave a snort, “Not a large camp, if there is one. They might even run before we get there. But the drones have shown that something’s there.”

They trudged on silently and the miles passed swiftly.

“We didn’t see it,” commented Anderson. “It seems we passed without even noticing.”

“There has been some disagreement as to the location of the tomb,” agreed Professor Cowen. “We know it was a sacred place because it was the grave of Abraham’s wife; Rachel. In the 21st Century it’s the third holiest site in Judaism and it is located on the north of Bethlehem, not the south. According to the scriptures, a mazzebah or monument was originally erected at the site of Rachel’s grave and was held in esteem equally by Jews, Muslims, and Christians”.

“But not where it was expected!” exclaimed one of the more overtly religious soldiers, as if frustrated. Anderson had selected two Christians to be included on the patrol; one a Catholic named Russo who was of Italian extraction, and Maxwell, an Evangelical Christian from the Deep South. There were also two practicing Jews. Professor Cowen had insisted on the inclusion of soldiers active in their religious faith to give perspective to their findings. Naturally, each in the team had been thoroughly trained in the history of the time but, Anderson knew, the religious soldiers had also been heavily indoctrinated by their respective clergy. While being taught in Bible School was one thing, being here made all the difference.

“To be honest, nobody’s sure where it could be,” continued Professor Cowen. “We’ve now confirmed it isn’t to the south of Bethlehem. We should’ve seen Rachel’s Tomb if it was in existence.” He shrugged. “This’s what lies at the heart of this Traveller research. The fact that Rachel’s Tomb isn’t where we thought it was isn’t a sign that something is wrong. The identification with the area south of Bethlehem is suggested to have been based on a copyist’s mistake. The Judean scribes described Ephrath, or Bethlehem, to distinguish it from a similar toponym Ephrathah in the surrounding region. Some consider Rachel’s tomb lay to the north, in Benjamite, not in Judean territory, and that the Bethlehem location represents a Judean appropriation of the grave to enhance Judah’s prestige. If I recall correctly, the Rachel’s tomb in the First Book of Samuel is located in the ‘territory of Benjamin at Zelzah’.”

Russo snorted cynically. “So, it is more tradition than reality?” he replied. He seemed unperturbed.

“Well, yes,” confirmed the academic. “We’ll find a lot of convenient truths will be changed because of our research. That is the nature of all Traveller missions, to sift the truth from traditions. We’re finding that history is often not only recorded by the victors in military or cultural conflicts, but also the victors of scholarly debate.”

“So, don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story?” added Rahmer with an evil chuckle. His cynicism regarding any religion was well known.

“Precisely!” agreed Professor Cowen with a relieved smile.

“But isn’t there some concern that the past to which we have been sent is not even the confirmed past?” replied Maxwell. “We may be in a parallel world, where the events we know to have taken place might not have even happened.”

“Events you know took place, how?” asked the academic with a small frown.

“Well, from the Bible, of course,” replied the soldier defensively.

They walked for a few moments in silence. Anderson noticed that Professor Cowen was deeply in thought, as if measuring his words carefully.

“The issue as to whether the past into which we have been sent is or is not the actual past is, as we know, an issue of intense debate,” began the academic. “We don’t know if the Saxon Aengland into which Michael Hunter was sent, and where Major Anderson here was sent to bleed and kill Vikings, was our actual past, or not. We just don’t know. We also don’t know if the Mississippi civilisation we visited, or if the Byzantine Empire, or ancient New Zealand the Travellers visited, were of our actual past. There is no data to suggest this is not the actual past. We can’t tell. Everything is as we theorised it would be based on actual archaeological evidence. In fact, the reason we are here is, of course, to find the truth.”

Maxwell gave a snort. “But the differing versions of the Bible in Saxon Aengland, and the rise of the Forest Green cult indicates that the past may not be the past, surely?”

Professor Cowen stopped and looked to the soldier, who appeared uncharacteristically angry and indignant. “Based on what comments and learning do you make this proposal?”

“Based on the truth, on the teachings of the Bible!” replied the soldier defensively.

As described by …?” continued the academic.

Maxwell looked embarrassed as his fellow soldiers looked on. Anderson noted that some looked bemused, as if having had many similar conversations. Maxwell was known to be a superb soldier, as long as the topic of religion was never raised.

“My Pastor, who is good man and a learned man of God,” replied the soldier defensively.

Professor Cowen simply nodded and continued walking, causing the remainder of the patrol to resume their journey. The two at point looked back to the main body of the patrol. “All is well,” murmured Anderson into his headset. The soldiers nodded and continued their watchful forward deployment.

“We don’t know what is right, what is true, what is anything,” admitted Professor Cowen. “Without any science to indicate otherwise and with the data to suggest this is the actual past and not an alternate universe, we have no choice but to assume that, until faced with alternative data, that this is the past. All I can do, as an academic and historian, is carefully examine and record what is before me. I must approach this in a neutral, scientific manner which, as you know, is not how Christian scholars have approached their study of the history of this highly contentious part of the world.” He looked to Maxwell and Russo as he continued. “Your inclusion in the mission was on the understanding that you are Christians. I understand your beliefs in regard to the documented life of Christ and your interpretations of the Bible. I also understand the beliefs of our Jewish brothers here. Your beliefs and the way they shape your lives, I respect. But, with the greatest respect, when faced with here, what is actually happening in this place and at this time, you have to respect that I have no choice but to call this the truth. I can’t take the version of history as according to my beliefs or your beliefs into account. Naturally each of you has the freedom to make observations which I might miss, for I’m only human.” A rabbit fled from the shelter of a bush, while one of the donkeys snorted and then gave a deafening bray of complaint. At the sound, each of the soldiers scanned their surroundings to make sure the animal had not attracted any untoward attention.

The academic continued, “But we must be wary of cognitive dissonance. Those with strong belief systems often refuse to accept alternatives, even if proved without a shadow of a doubt. You will recall that we discussed this issue in our mission briefings. This, of course, can happen to any scholar and can even happen to me. We all know the original scriptures in the Bible and the Torah have been altered throughout the ages. What we’re hoping to achieve here, in this most essential of the Traveller missions, is to determine the truth of the stories as listed in those scriptures. Is there a King David in Jerusalem? What are the prevailing religious and cultural beliefs? This is not because we’re of the Devil, or if the Transporter is anything but what we understand it to be; that is a portal to the past.” He looked to Maxwell and to the other soldiers who listened carefully. “But you know all this. We warned you of this, but I must reiterate, your inclusion is a calculated act. We need your eyes to be open. None of us will undermine or in any way disrespect your beliefs, whether they be Christian or Jewish. But when we seek the truth of History, we will do so with an open, inquiring mind.”

Professor Cowen glanced to Anderson before he trudged onward. Each of them knew that religions globally had become increasingly more indignant at the use of the Transporter to uncover the past. But Anderson trusted the dedication of each of his team, regardless of their beliefs.

But as they walked, for some reason the conversation bothered him.

Some hours later they crossed a wide creek where crystal-clear water bubbled over a gravel bed. There they paused to wash their feet, for their garb included sandals. A few of the men had developed blisters on their heels. Once pallid feet were now tanned and toughened, for their foot patrol had so far lasted for three tedious days.

As advised by the drone operators, a small camp was positioned in the mouth of a grotto in the heart of an ancient grove of olives and date palms. While the limestone hills along their journey had been littered with small caves, nearby a larger cave had been adapted to make a residence of sorts. The soldiers approached the scene cautiously, ready to explode into violence if required. Anderson was ever watchful, but thankfully their vigilance appeared to be unnecessary. A few goats browsed or rested while a couple of older gentlemen reclined by a fire. A few young men nervously stood by.

In true traditional fashion, the visitors were welcomed with open arms as the older gentlemen cried out a word that seemed similar the ‘welcome’ any Jew or Arab would exclaim. The language was difficult to decipher, but with a flick of their wrists the older men sent their younger companions scampering. Before long, a couple of complaining, hardy goats were milked and flat cakes were baked on the open fire while fresh dates were handed around. Meanwhile, the travellers reciprocated with dried meats and roast almonds which had their hosts exclaim in delight and admiration.

As the afternoon faded, they decided to stay. Their host was a patriarch by the name of Abiel, a stooped, short man of typical ‘Middle-Eastern’ appearance with a dignified aquiline nose and noble bearing. He made sure his guests were accorded every comfort. The younger men might have been his sons or grandsons, it was difficult to decipher as some might have had a family resemblance, while others had darker complexions. They worked briskly. Two young goats were slaughtered and skewered to roast over coals. Eventually, Professor Cowen managed to become understood and was assisted by an Israeli soldier whose family had spoken a similar language where they lived in the southern desert. The young men watched the Travellers fearfully, never really relaxing. Anderson stationed guards, while he and Rahmer accompanied Abiel who gestured proudly to guide Professor Cowen further into the grotto into which their camp was built.

They later discussed their findings around the campfire. “We were so fortunate,” the academic whispered with uncharacteristic excitement. “We will have captured some most impressive footage. This grotto is undoubtedly a sacred place and has been for thousands of years. Even now, one thousand years before the Christian Era, it is dedicated to Ashera, who was the wife of the great God. The Sumerians knew of him as Anu, the Ugarites as El, and later as Yahweh, the God of Israel and Judah.”

“What do you mean?” asked one of the Jewish soldiers. “Yahweh does not have a wife!”

“Not in our time,” nodded Professor Cowen. “But we must all remember that at this time polytheism is the norm. This continued through what is called the Jewish Exile, when the Assyrians expanded to the region and took many of the peoples into slavery. This was a process begun by Tiglath-Pilser lll in what will be about 250 years from now, which I think will be around 733 BC. The Assyrians were ruthless, so the fact that any of the House of Israel survived at all can be considered a mercy. You see, if our mapping is correct, this is the Cave of St Jerome, which popular culture suggests is the place where Christ was born!”

“But wasn’t that in a manger?” asked Maxwell, plainly mystified that Jesus was born in a cave dedicated to a pagan Goddess.

“Absolutely,” agreed the academic as if anticipating the question. “Many believe that it was a manger in a cave. Right here, in the 21st Century, lies the Church of the Nativity, though you must note that the sacred nature of the location might have simply been adopted by the burgeoning Christian religion, just as early Christians adopted the popular pagan festivals such as Christmas and Easter.”

Maxwell stood a moment, his cheek muscles bunched as he chewed on the academic’s words like gristle. “Are you suggesting Jesus was never even born here?”

Professor Cowen shrugged wearily. “That’s impossible to confirm, isn’t it? All we can do is ask questions and seek answers. What we can confirm is this is the location of Bethlehem. Because it’s a water-rich area, it became an important rest stop and staging area for travellers between Syria and Egypt. A town called Ephrath will eventually be built here in around 800 years, so let’s say about 200BC. The actual Church of the Nativity was built in 339AD, was destroyed by the Samaritan revolts in the 6th Century, and then rebuilt by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian soon after.”

Anderson watched Maxwell, who was having difficulty with Professor Cowen’s account. He frowned as if to object, but Anderson interjected. “Maxwell, take it easy. This isn’t an attack on anyone, especially your beliefs. This is to learn what is happening here, now! Keep your eyes and ears open and we’ll all benefit.”

Maxwell blushed and gave an immediate, “Yes Sir!”

Professor Cowen continued quietly as their hosts watched curiously. “I’ve asked our friend of Rachel’s tomb, but he knows nothing of one. That doesn’t mean there’s no tomb, only that our friend doesn’t know.”

“So it could still be to the North?” asked Rahmer.

“Exactly. It might even be to the north of Jerusalem,” nodded the academic.

The night with their generous hosts continued peacefully. There was some singing, especially by one of the local lads who had a sweet voice. He was accompanied by a small drum and exuberant clapping. Abiel made sure Professor Cowen was accorded every courtesy. Anderson was satisfied their hosts were not hostile, though two guards were posted.

On the morrow, they would push on to Jerusalem.