American Archaeologists Meet, Marry, and Work at Ancient Shiloh Amid Conflict

American archaeologists Clayton and Abigail Van Hess met at the ancient archaeological site of Shiloh, where they later married in a ceremony held at the site itself. Abigail was supervising Clayton during the excavation season, and their relationship blossomed amid their work uncovering rare artifacts such as ancient pottery and a unique purple shell found in a ritual bath. Despite the ongoing conflict and missile interceptions over the site, the couple continued their work and even held their wedding ceremony with their families watching live from the United States. Following the closure of Ben Gurion Airport, they left Israel via Egypt in what they called a "reverse Exodus." Clayton described Abigail as his greatest discovery, while Abigail said she had never found anything better than Clayton in her years of digging.

Now, the couple is considering settling in Israel, with Clayton planning to continue his studies at Ariel University. Israel Gantz, head of the Benjamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, praised Shiloh as the birthplace of the Hebrew celebration of love and highlighted the couple’s story as a testament to how the site connects people worldwide to Israel’s roots alongside its historical findings.