The Centre for Non-Western Studies at Huntington University and the Focus on Excellence colloquium will present a lecture by Dr. Mark Fairchild, discussing his recent discoveries in Turkey.

The lecture, "Jews, Synagogues, Pirates and Curses in Ancient Cilicia," will take place Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the RichLyn Library conference room on the Huntington University campus.

Fairchild, professor of Bible and religion at HU, has made frequent trips to Turkey to study the societies that lived in ancient Cilicia, the home of the apostle Paul.

While conducting surface surveys, he came upon two ancient sites - in the areas of Kizkalesi (the ancient city of Korykos) and Çatiören (an unknown ancient city) - which contain the remains of two previously undiscovered ancient synagogues.

During his lecture, Fairchild will discuss these discoveries and his research of the sites and how they relate to the apostle Paul.

This lecture is free and open to the public.

The Centre for Non-Western Studies supports inter-disciplinary research and teaching linked by a shared common interest in non-western politics, culture and society.