Paul Calvert speaks to Father Eugene Aliatta from the Terra Sancta museum in Jerusalem, about the archaeology that uncovered the artefacts from Jesus' time and the early Church, as well as their connection with the Franciscans.

Father Eugene: The artefacts came from excavations done in very important places in the Holy Land like Nazareth, Capernaum, Mount of Olives, and Herodium. Excavations done by Franciscan archaeologists, because of that we have the objects with us.

Some of the objects are from the market of antiquities, which is strong in Jerusalem still today.

In the past when something important was seen, there were attempts to buy these important items. We will show them in our place, for now mostly those are related to the life of Jesus and the early Church.

Paul: So these archaeologists have been a real blessing to you, because now you are able to start a museum.

Father Eugene: Yeah, the museum is very helpful. First of all for the students of the biblical institution and then we open also to the general public and to the pilgrims who come to the Holy Land, not only to venerate the places, but also to understand them.

We see archaeology is a beautiful tool, attractive and very helpful for understanding the Bible and the holy books.

Paul: What sort of archaeological books do you have here?

Father Eugene: We have got items belonging to some of the palaces of the kings, like Herod who was a king at the time of Jesus.

We have also got items from the daily life of the people, like the kitchen, the table, the purification, the market place, and the coins and so on. Everybody through these objects can understand better the daily life in that time.

Paul: So not only can you see this archaeological evidence, you can also walk on the Roman stones here as well can't you?

Father Eugene: Yes, there are also not only objects, but also the antiquities that are preserved in the same place.

Also here in this place you can see Roman antiquities, Byzantine antiquities, medieval antiquities and you can touch them and walk through them.

Paul: As people see all these things do you think it will open up the Bible for them?

Father Eugene: Certainly the objects are a means to make people more interested, but the final aim is to invite people to read the Bible and to understand the significance of the teachings that are in the Bible. They are teachings that are very good and helpful for the life of the person.