<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en-US" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss">
  <title type="text">Joel Klenck - ReleaseWire - Press Releases </title>
  <link href="http://feeds.releasewire.com/atom/search/?q=Joel+Klenck" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml"/>
  <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/search/?q=Joel+Klenck" rel="alternate" type="text/html"/>
  <link href="http://sbwire.superfeedr.com/" rel="hub"/>
  <logo>http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=68004&amp;size=small</logo>
  <updated>2026-10-01T06:42:59-05:00</updated>
  <author>
    <name>ReleaseWire</name>
    <email>support@releasewire.com</email>
  </author>
  <id>http://feeds.releasewire.com/atom/search/?q=Joel+Klenck</id>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Noah's Ark Prehistoric Site Exhibits Unique Placement of Artifacts</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-unique-placement-of-artifacts-196500.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-unique-placement-of-artifacts-196500.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-25T14:28:48-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-25T14:28:48-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeological remains, from a monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat, indicate later cultures venerated the locale by placing artifacts at an entrance to the site.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/25/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that a prehistoric site on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah&amp;#039;s Ark by several religious organizations, exhibits a unique division of artifacts.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck remarks, &amp;quot;Archaeological sites on Ararat, which comprise a monumental wood structure, smaller wood edifices, and a cave, originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). Inside the monumental wood structure, there is a very interesting placement of artifacts.&amp;quot; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist states, &amp;quot;To access the structure, later cultures excavated a sharply angled passage through rocks and glacial ice to access an entrance to an ancient monumental wood structure. This entrance, Locus 4, is also sharply angled and features a rudimentary stair-like feature, a notched log, in the center of a narrow passage made of cypress wood. The base of Locus 4 comprises a rectangular installation, exhibiting a series of cypress planks on the floor covered by a dark bitumen or resin material, which leads to four other loci at the site. In Locus 4, cultures from the Pottery Neolithic Period (7,000-5,800 B.C.) to the time of the Bronze-Iron Age transition (around 1,350 B.C.), deposited ceramic containers and other artifacts. These mostly small bowls were filled with libations or other materials as evidenced by stains in the interiors of several of these containers. Other artifacts found at the base of Locus 4 include a basalt figure resembling a claw or foot, a limestone artifact, and an artifact of unknown composition&amp;mdash;perhaps originating from a naturally occuring petroleum-based substance.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck continues: &amp;quot;It is extremely interesting that the ceramic bowls from later periods were only found in Locus 4. Farther into the interior of the structure there appears to be no ceramic remains but artifacts from the Late Epipaleolithic Period comprising stone bowls, wild grains and legumes, a non-ceramic container, and bone and flax artifacts. The placement of the artifacts suggests that later visitors venerated the locale by leaving ceramic artifacts and other objects at an entrance to the site without significantly disturbing the interior of the wood edifice with their own material culture.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist remarks, &amp;quot;The deposition of small ceramic objects at temples is a very familiar practice in the Levant during the Bronze Age (3,000-1,200 B.C.). During this period, worshippers would leave small votive bowls or juglets in pits within a cult area. Two examples of this practice are the archaeological sites of Byblos in Lebanon and Tel-Haror in Israel. What is interesting about Locus 4, in the monumental wood structure on Ararat, is that the ceramic artifacts represent cultures temporally separated by thousands of years. The ceramic artifacts evidence that cultures, from the Pottery Neolithic Period (7,000-5,800 B.C.) to the time of the Bronze-Iron Age transition (around 1,350 B.C.), considered the monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat to be special&amp;mdash;so special that they deposited whole ceramic bowls and other artifacts at the entrance to the structure without significantly disturbing the interior of the edifice.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist concludes, &amp;quot;The placement of the artifacts in the monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat is unique and reveals that the site was considered a place of veneration for thousands of years by different cultures. These acts of veneration helped preserve the more ancient material culture, from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.), within the interior of the structure.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-unique-placement-of-artifacts-196500.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-unique-placement-of-artifacts-196500.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196500&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196500&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Noah's Ark Prehistoric Site Exhibits Lithic Figures</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-lithic-figures-196467.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-lithic-figures-196467.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-25T12:26:45-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-25T12:26:45-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist reports prehistoric site on Mount Ararat in Turkey exhibits two carvings made of volcanic stone.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/25/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah&amp;#039;s Ark by several religious organizations, exhibit anthropomorphic carvings of basalt and pumice. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck remarks, &amp;quot;Archaeological sites on Ararat, which comprise a monumental wood structure, smaller wood edifices, and a cave, originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). From the monumental wood structure, a variety of stone artifacts including percussor or hammer stones, flakes or debitage, and lithic bowls were observed and analyzed.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist states, &amp;quot;Two of the lithic objects retrieved from the monumental wood structure or Area A comprise very unique artifacts. The first artifact is made of pumice, a lightweight volcanic stone. This artifact was found on the surface in Area A and exhibits a rectangular carving on one side of the object. Another faint incision appears on the opposite side of the artifact. Observed from an angle, the object exhibits two eye-like impressions and a nose. This anthropomorphic face design resembles other artifacts at Epipaleolithic and Neolithic sites&amp;mdash;several on the edges of grinding stones. Anthropomorphic figurines are rare in Epipaleolithic assemblages and this artifact is one of very few carved from pumice. The other carving comprising a basalt figure, less than ten centimeters in length, resembles a foot or claw. This artifact was found in Locus 4 with other ceramic votive objects from later periods.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck concludes, &amp;quot;The figures associated with the monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat are important because they reveal artistic expressions at a prehistoric site with mostly utilitarian features such as storage areas, habitations, and small installations&amp;mdash;several with animal dung.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-lithic-figures-196467.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-site-exhibits-lithic-figures-196467.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196467&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196467&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Noah's Ark Prehistoric Sites Exhibit Advanced Carpentry Methods in Ancient Architecture</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-advanced-carpentry-methods-in-ancient-architecture-196386.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-advanced-carpentry-methods-in-ancient-architecture-196386.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-22T10:24:42-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-22T10:24:42-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist reports prehistoric monumental wood structure and smaller installations on Mount Ararat in Turkey evidence a range of complex joinery methods.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/22/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah&amp;#039;s Ark by several religious organizations, exhibit advanced wood joinery features that were previously unknown to exist during this period.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck remarks, &amp;quot;Archaeological sites on Ararat, comprising a monumental wood structure and smaller wood edifices originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). Various loci from the monumental wood structure around 4,200 meters above sea levels (Area A) and smaller wood edifices at elevations around 4,000 meters (Area B) exhibit joinery methods in wood working that show a remarkable degree of complexity.&amp;quot; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist continues: &amp;quot;The monumental wood structure or Area A exhibits large mortise-and-tenon joints, notched cross-beams, and shaped ends of logs. The smaller wood structures in Area B are just as interesting. Locus 1 in Area B represents a small collapsed wood structure. The remains from Locus 1 exhibit refined joinery techniques including planks with dowel joints, stub mortise-and-tenon joints, and deep rectangular notches. Several stone tools are located in this locus including a retouched scraper. At both prehistoric sites, the ancient inhabitants of Ararat exhibited complex carpentry skills.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
   &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck concludes, &amp;quot;With the wood structures at Ararat, archaeologists are able ascertain a wider range of carpentry methods during the transition from the end of the Stone Age to the advent of farming communities.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-advanced-carpentry-methods-in-ancient-architecture-196386.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-advanced-carpentry-methods-in-ancient-architecture-196386.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196386&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196386&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Noah's Ark Prehistoric Sites Exhibit Array of Ancient Stone Artifacts</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-array-of-ancient-stone-artifacts-196370.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-array-of-ancient-stone-artifacts-196370.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-21T11:19:06-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-21T11:19:06-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist reports prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey exhibit range of lithic tools from a period that represents the transition from the Stone Age to the advent of farming.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah&amp;#039;s Ark by several religious organizations, exhibit an array of lithic or stone tools.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck remarks, &amp;quot;Archaeological sites on Ararat, which comprise a monumental wood structure, smaller wood edifices, and a cave, originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). From the cave and the interior of the monumental wood structure, a variety of stone tools including percussor or hammer stones, flakes or debitage, stone cores, and basalt bowls.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist states, &amp;quot;Lithic artifacts are prevalent in and above the monumental wood structure. On the surface of the site, near tunnels excavated to enter the structure from the surface, a m&amp;eacute;lange of stone tools were identified including stone cores, debitage, and pounding stones. Another artifact made of pumice appears to be an anthropomorphic or human-like figure. An L-shaped grinding platform was located in Locus 4&amp;mdash;a sharply angled entrance to three other loci. Three stone bowls were found in Locus 7. One stone bowl was identified from Locus 5.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck states, &amp;quot;Several of the stone cores and debitage appear to be from local material. Conversely, the grinding stone is made of limestone and several of the hammer stones do not resemble lithic materials from the surface and are most likely from another locale&amp;mdash;perhaps the Levant. Future petrological analyses should clarify the geographical origins of these lithic artifacts.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist comments, &amp;quot;Currently, there is a debate amongst archaeologist about the origins of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A or roughly the first farming cultures. Turkish professors Oktay Belli and Mehmet Ozdogan suggest the origins of the Neolithic were in the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey. Other archeologists suggest a Levantine origin for the Neolithic. The Ararat assemblage suggests both views might be correct. Several of the artifacts are not from the Ararat area and suggest a Levantine origin or a source somewhere in Jordan, Israel, or Lebanon. Furthermore, there is surprisingly no evidence of obsidian at the site. Obsidian or volcanic glass is visible at many Neolithic sites showing trade with the Nevsehir Province in Central Anatolia. The Ararat sites originate from the Epipaleolithic and its lithic assemblage most likely dates from a period before widespread obsidian trading with sites in Cappadocia.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck concludes, &amp;quot;The prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat will add to our knowledge of the origins of the Neolithic and prehistoric stone tool technology during the transition from the Stone Age to the advent of farming communities.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-array-of-ancient-stone-artifacts-196370.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-array-of-ancient-stone-artifacts-196370.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196370&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196370&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Archaeologist Responds to Attacks on Turkish Professors, Government Ministers, and Prehistoric Sites on Mount Ararat Associated with Noah's Ark</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-to-attacks-on-turkish-professors-government-ministers-and-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-associated-with-noahs-ark-196040.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-to-attacks-on-turkish-professors-government-ministers-and-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-associated-with-noahs-ark-196040.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-19T11:22:59-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-19T11:22:59-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist defends veracity of prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat and conservation of these archaeological features.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (&amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ReleaseWire&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;) -- 01/19/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, defends the veracity of prehistoric sites and efforts by Turkish researchers and government ministers to protect archaeological sites on Mount Ararat in eastern Anatolia, associated with Biblical and Quranic accounts of Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck states, &amp;ldquo;A former American tour guide, Amy Louise Beam, and her Kurdish partners at Murat Camping, Murat and Saim Sahin, have attempted to denigrate the veracity of prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat and archaeologists associated with this research. In 2012, Turkish authorities deported Amy Beam from Turkey for crimes against tourists, being an illegal worker, not having a license to lead tours in Turkey, and having no authorization to provide permits to climb Mount Ararat. Both her and Murat Sahin made hidden videos of tourists and then attempted to extort monies if their demands were not met. They also engaged in harassment by revealing personal items they stole and hidden videos they filmed on the internet. The Turkish government is prosecuting Amy Beam and Murat Camping for their crimes. Court action against Amy Beam is pending in several countries. Currently, Amy Beam lives in the Republic of Georgia and Barbados.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Beam and Sahin have made various allegations against Klenck, other archaeologists, and Turkish officials. Klenck retorts, &amp;ldquo;When I attempted to climb Mount Ararat with Murat Camping, Amy Beam and Murat Sahin illegally searched through my baggage and discovered that I was an archaeologist researching prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat. When I returned to Murat Camping, they threatened to take me to the gendarme [military police] if I did not reveal the locations of the sites and give them thousands of dollars. I refused to tell them what they wanted to know, paid them no money, demanded that they return materials they stole from me, and asked them take me to the gendarme. At the gendarme station, Beam accused me of climbing Ararat illegally, being an archaeologist, and having Kurdish friends that competed with Murat Camping. At the station the officer asked me if I had a permit to climb Mount Ararat. I showed him my receipts for monies, paid to Amy Beam, for a permit to climb Mount Ararat.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist comments: &amp;ldquo;Beam&amp;rsquo;s accusation was similar to a rental car company accusing a customer of riding in a stolen car, which the company rented to the customer. All I had to show is receipts for monies paid to Amy Beam for a climbing permit. The Turkish authorities then focused on whether Beam had the appropriate permits and licenses.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck continues: &amp;ldquo;The officer questioned Amy Beam if she was a legal worker in Turkey and had a license to lead tours in Anatolia. Amy admitted she had no permit to work in Turkey, no license to provide tours in Anatolia, and no permit to lead ascents up Mount Ararat. The officer then defended me and told Beam that it was not a crime to be an archaeologist, research prehistoric sites, or have friends that competed with Murat Camping. The officer then demanded that Amy Beam and Murat Sahin return all the items they had stolen from me. Lastly, the officer drove me to another hotel away from Murat Camping and apologized for the antics of Beam and Sahin. His last comment to me: &amp;ldquo;Amy Beam is crazy.&amp;rdquo; Ten minutes later, Murat Sahin showed up at the hotel, returned all my personal items to me, apologized, and asked me to not report their actions to TURSAB, the organization that oversees tourism in Turkey.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Murat Sahin has condemned Turkish professors, Oktay Belli and Ahmet &amp;Ouml;zbek, and Turkish government ministers stating they received bribes to facilitate an ark hoax. Amy Beam claims that the prehistoric sites represent a fraud and that there are no wood structures on Mount Ararat. Randall Price and Don Patton have printed similar allegations stating the sites are a hoax and that Turkish government ministers are taking bribes and supporting a fraud. Klenck responds: &amp;ldquo;These allegations are false. Worse, these allegations are slanderous and libelous. Who are you going to believe&amp;mdash;a convicted murderer, Sahin; a deported criminal, Beam; and a trio of adventurers&amp;mdash;who have all profited from bogus ark searches? Professors Belli and &amp;Ouml;zbek are excellent scholars and good people. The Turkish government ministers are trying to protect and conserve archaeological sites. It is time for the world to accept the scientific data, reports, pictures, and even a full-length movie exhibiting a prehistoric monumental wood structure and other archaeological sites on Mount Ararat, which are confirmed by a growing number of scholars striving to study and preserve these archaeological features.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist states that Sahin and Beam&amp;rsquo;s attempts to malign archaeologists and prehistoric archaeological sites on Mount Ararat are mostly due to greed. &amp;ldquo;For years Murat Sahin and Amy Beam have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from gullible tourists looking for Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark. They provided illegal expeditions on Mount Ararat and explained to the local gendarme that they were conducting short-term climbs up Ararat. In reality, they guided teams of mostly Americans and Australians led by Randall Price, Richard Bright, and Don Patton, to stay near the summit for weeks digging through annual deposits of snow to look for Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark. These efforts had no scientific merit.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist concludes, &amp;ldquo;That there are prehistoric sites including a monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat, which exhibits excellent preservation, is an absolute fact&amp;mdash;and provides a very big threat to Murat Camping, Amy Beam, and ark search groups. Instead of being able to accumulate hundreds of thousands of dollars from trusting believers looking for the ark, religious adherents and tourists will be able to read surveys and research reports or pay small fees to observe artifacts from the Ararat sites in museums administered by the Turkish government. The prehistoric sites will benefit science by providing archaeologists with wonderful data about the transition from the Stone Age to the advent of farming communities, increase attendance at Turkish museums, and benefit the entire Agri province.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-to-attacks-on-turkish-professors-government-ministers-and-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-associated-with-noahs-ark-196040.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-to-attacks-on-turkish-professors-government-ministers-and-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-associated-with-noahs-ark-196040.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196040&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196040&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Archaeologist Answers Why Prehistoric Sites Associated with Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat Were Recently Discovered</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-answers-why-prehistoric-sites-associated-with-noahs-ark-on-mount-ararat-were-recently-discovered-196034.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-answers-why-prehistoric-sites-associated-with-noahs-ark-on-mount-ararat-were-recently-discovered-196034.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-19T10:48:41-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-19T10:48:41-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist elucidates why the discovery of prehistoric sites associated with Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark occurred in the last decade.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (&amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ReleaseWire&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;) -- 01/19/2013 -- For centuries, the account of Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark, a Biblical and Quranic account where an ancient family survived a worldwide deluge on a massive wood vessel and repopulated the globe, has fascinated explorers and religious adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In 2009, a Chinese religious organization, Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark Ministries, Inc., with a Kurdish guide, a Turkish geologist, archaeologist, and government ministers announced the discovery of the Ark of Noah. In 2011, Dr. Joel Klenck, a Harvard University educated archaeologist and current president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., confirmed the veracity of the site and its prehistoric origin during the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). In this report, the archaeologist opines why the discovery of prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat only occurred during the last decade. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck states, &amp;ldquo;The first problem is the assumption that this site is only a recent discovery. This claim is not correct. For centuries, there have been reports by a wide array of people from different periods&amp;mdash;including the Jewish historian Josephus in the first century and Russian military officers in the nineteenth century&amp;mdash;confirming the presence of a monumental, ancient wood structure on Mount Ararat, which they associated with the Ark.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist continues: &amp;ldquo;The second problem is that few archaeologists completed surveys of Mount Ararat at elevations above 3,000 meters above sea level. During the last decade, a Turkish archaeologist, Aynur &amp;Ouml;zfirat, completed a series of archaeological surveys on Mount Ararat. His highest recorded site, K73/2, had an elevation of around 2,300 meters above sea level. I believe most archaeologists assumed that no habitations would exist above 3,000 meters on Mount Ararat because above this elevation the mountain is barren of vegetation, difficult to traverse, incurs terrible weather, and much of the area is covered with ice or large boulders. Perhaps another reason the sites were not found is that surveyors had backgrounds in historic periods instead of prehistoric archaeology. They looked for ceramic material but perhaps were not as focused on searching for debitage, lithic tools, or prehistoric features.&amp;rdquo; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
He also doubts proficiency of the adventurers that searched for the ark. Klenck remarks, &amp;ldquo;Randall Price got his degree in biblical studies; Richard Bright was a former pilot; Don Patton is an adventurer. Other ark researchers had questionable degrees from unaccredited schools. It surprises me that none of these so-called expeditions for the ark included a survey archaeologist or someone familiar with anthropological or prehistoric archaeology. Personally, I feel these expeditions were just trying to make money, instead of surveying for cultural material and archeological sites.&amp;rdquo; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck states, &amp;ldquo;I have participated in many archaeological surveys and was taught by, worked with, or was employed by some of the best survey archaeologists in the world. Most archaeologists, with my background and familiar with anthropological archaeology and cultural resource management surveys, would have found the archaeological features on Ararat with relative ease.&amp;rdquo; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist opines why many discounted the discoveries on Ararat: &amp;ldquo;With big discovery comes big drama. Many individuals wrote off the discovery because they were misled by a Kurdish tour guide, Murat Sahin, a convicted murderer who was released from prison in 2009; his American partner, Amy Beam, who was recently deported from Turkey for crimes against tourists; and a trio of ark searchers: Randall Price, Richard Bright, and Don Patton. These individuals opposed the discovery for a montage of reasons: tribal rivalry, hysteria, ignorance, emotion, lack of discernment, bias, and mostly because they profited from bogus Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark searches. As a professional archaeologist, I was trained to look past the drama and dispassionately evaluate cultural material and archaeological features. The prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat are absolutely factual and there is just so much wonderfully preserved archaeological material of great antiquity at these sites.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck concludes, &amp;ldquo;I am just the first archaeologist to survey the site, analyze the archaeological material, and the first Western archaeologist to confirm the veracity and prehistoric origins of these archaeological features. More archaeologists and researchers from excellent research institutions will follow me. For an archaeologist, the prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat represent the Super Bowl of Archaeology&amp;mdash;sites elucidating the origins of the Neolithic or age of farming and associated with an ancient account of greater magnitude than the Trojan War. I feel fortunate that I was able to play a part in the research, defense, and advocacy of these tremendously important prehistoric sites. I congratulate Ahmet &amp;lsquo;Parasut&amp;rsquo; Ertugrul, his family, and friends on the discovery of this site; Noah&amp;rsquo;s Ark Ministries for their faith; and Turkish and Kurdish scholars and government ministers for their continued advocacy of these absolutely significant archaeological features.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide  archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-answers-why-prehistoric-sites-associated-with-noahs-ark-on-mount-ararat-were-recently-discovered-196034.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-answers-why-prehistoric-sites-associated-with-noahs-ark-on-mount-ararat-were-recently-discovered-196034.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196034&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196034&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Noah's Ark Prehistoric Sites Exhibit Ancient Textiles and Cords</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-ancient-textiles-and-cords-196015.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-ancient-textiles-and-cords-196015.htm</id>
    <published>2013-01-18T16:58:47-06:00</published>
    <updated>2013-01-18T16:58:47-06:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Archaeologist reports prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey exhibit artifacts of flax and wool.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/18/2013 -- Harvard University educated archaeologist and president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., Dr. Joel Klenck, reports that prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in Turkey, associated with Noah&amp;#039;s Ark by several religious organizations, exhibit wool textiles and an array of ropes and strings made of flax.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck remarks, &amp;quot;Archaeological sites on Ararat, which comprise a monumental wood structure, smaller wood edifices, and a cave, originate from the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). The cave and monumental wood structure exhibit course wool textiles and cords of various widths made of flax.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist states, &amp;quot;The cave site exhibits wool textiles made of a simple fabric design called a flat weave. Also, in the cave are strands of flaxen ropes and strings of different weaves and diameters. A thick flax rope, measuring three centimeters in diameter, is also located at the base of Locus 2. This locus comprises a sharply-angled and narrow installation that extends ten meters into the center of the monumental wood structure.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Klenck continues: &amp;quot;The artifacts, materials, and vegetal products in the cave suggest the site was used to manufacture and dye ropes and textiles. The function of the thick flaxen rope in Locus 2 of the monumental wood structure is unclear. Remains made of organic materials such as flax and wool normally decompose. Exceptions include a textile fragment showing a fish-net weave in Shrine VI.A. from &amp;Ccedil;atal H&amp;ouml;y&amp;uuml;k and textile impressions on Early Neolithic ceramic artifacts in Hungary from the K&amp;ouml;r&amp;ouml;s Culture. At the Ararat sites, these artifacts are wonderfully preserved due to the high elevation, freezing temperatures, and because the cave was entered only twice to obtain photographs&amp;mdash;and then resealed without removing any artifacts.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
The archaeologist concludes, &amp;quot;The excellent preservation of artifacts in the prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat and their minimal disturbance for thousands of years will add to our knowledge of textile manufacturing during the transition from the Stone Age to advent of farming communities.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
About PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and research.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-ancient-textiles-and-cords-196015.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/noahs-ark-prehistoric-sites-exhibit-ancient-textiles-and-cords-196015.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;President&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;PRC, Inc.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/196015&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=196015&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274687" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <title type="text">Modern Sacrifice Rituals in the Levant Reveal Diversity of Beliefs</title>
    <link href="http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/modern-sacrifice-rituals-in-the-levant-reveal-diversity-of-beliefs-133724.htm" type="text/html"/>
    <id>http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/modern-sacrifice-rituals-in-the-levant-reveal-diversity-of-beliefs-133724.htm</id>
    <published>2012-03-26T11:49:59-05:00</published>
    <updated>2012-03-26T11:49:59-05:00</updated>
    <author>
      <name>PRC, Inc.</name>
    </author>
    <media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274744&amp;amp;size=small"/>
    <content type="html"><![CDATA[&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;newsbody&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p class=&amp;quot;subheadline&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Animal sacrifice rituals performed by Bedouin in the Levant reveal diversity of beliefs.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Miami, FL -- (&amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ReleaseWire&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;) -- 03/26/2012 -- Harvard University educated anthropologist and president of the Paleontological Research Corporation, Dr. Joel Klenck, conducted a study of Bedouin sacrificial rituals that reveal a diversity of beliefs in Arab populations in the Levant. Sponsored by a grant from the Joe Alon Museum, Klenck conducted a study of Bedouin sacrificial rituals completed in 2012 and featured in a forthcoming publication. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Rarely revealed by Western researchers, Arab pastoral nomads practice several types of sacrificial rituals other than the main feast of sacrifice or &amp;ldquo;Id al &amp;lsquo;Adha&amp;rdquo; that occurs the tenth day of the Hadj or &amp;ldquo;Dhul Hijjah&amp;rdquo; and is practiced by all observing Muslims. Three other rituals include sacrifices to spirits or &amp;ldquo;ginn&amp;rdquo;, ritual slaughters to ward off curses and bless newly married couples, and commemorations to deceased family members. Another type of sacrifice practiced by Bedouin in the Levant comprises sacrifices to a &amp;ldquo;weli&amp;rdquo; or revered person. Klenck states, &amp;ldquo;Bedouin sacrifice sheep, goats, cattle and occasionally a camel to a weli to redeem vows, incur healing, give thanks or insure fertility. Individuals performing the sacrifices believe the weli will act as a mediator between them and Allah to facilitate their requests.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Around 1771, Muhammad Ibn &amp;lsquo;Abd al-Wahhab, a cleric who traveled throughout Saudi Arabia and Iraq, began to influence the ruler of Dara&amp;rsquo;iya, Muhammad Ibn Sa&amp;rsquo;ud, whose tribe created the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The religious leader al-Wahhab formed a movement that denounced Bedouin believing in the special powers of a weli, punished individuals performing sacrificial rituals to these revered persons and largely eradicated these practices.  &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Although sacrifices to Bedouin saints are mostly forbidden in Saudi Arabia, these rituals continue to be practiced by Muslim pastoral nomads in the Levant and North Africa. Klenck states, &amp;ldquo;I was able to observe Bedouin venerating the tombs of Sheikh Abu-Hurreira, Ibrahim, Hussein, Falougie, Nebi Musa, and the adjacent sepulchers of Al-Azzam and Al-Nabari. The sheikhs&amp;rsquo; tombs vary in their size, care and decoration. The tombs often feature sticks of wood mostly of palm with white or green cloth tied to each structure. According to the Bedouin, the white cloth represents peace and goodwill and is a beneficial omen for those petitioning Allah through a weli. The Bedouin consider the color green to be very holy as its significance stems from their traditions and because they allege the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad and the Kabbah in Saudi Arabia are covered with green tapestries. At the tombs the Bedouin often light candles and sometimes leave salt, sugar, matches, and coins in the sacred area.&amp;rdquo; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
While Bedouin women perform prayers and light candles at the tombs, the men perform animal sacrifices near the sepulchers. At the tombs of Al-Azzam and Al-Nabari, the trees surrounding the sacred areas exhibit slash marks where Bedouin hang animal carcasses during butchery activities. After the sacrifice, the meat is boiled and everyone participates in the subsequent feast, especially the poor. Several Bedouin stated that in past centuries, individuals left valuable possessions at the sheikh&amp;rsquo;s tombs knowing that no Bedouin would dare steal from the tomb for fear of being cursed. Klenck concludes, &amp;ldquo;Studies of Bedouin animal sacrifices reveal a diversity of beliefs and are important in understanding cultures and ritual activities in the Levant.&amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For more information on this press release visit: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/modern-sacrifice-rituals-in-the-levant-reveal-diversity-of-beliefs-133724.htm&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/modern-sacrifice-rituals-in-the-levant-reveal-diversity-of-beliefs-133724.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h2&amp;gt;Media Relations Contact&amp;lt;/h2&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Joel Klenck&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Telephone: 786-277-4844&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Email: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/contact/133724&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Click to Email Joel Klenck&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Web: &amp;lt;a rel=&amp;quot;nofollow&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.paleorc.com/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;https://cts.releasewire.com/v/?sid=133724&amp;amp;amp;s=f&amp;amp;amp;v=f&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; height=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; alt=&amp;quot;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;]]></content>
    <link href="http://media.releasewire.com/photos/show/?id=274744" rel="enclosure" title="Logo for PRC, Inc."/>
  </entry>
</feed>
