High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Biblical Archaeological Institute Wuppertal (BAI) was established in 1999 by the Protestant Church of the Rhineland. It constitutes an institute of the university "Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal" as well as an associated institute of the Bergische Universität Wuppertal and holds the right to award doctorates at both universities. The necessary financial endowment is provided by a Circle Of Friends (e.V.). Since 2001 the institutes research focuses on the exploration of the Gadara region. The largest site in the area is the Tall Zira'a which comprises over 5000 years of settlement history. At this place in 2001 a survey was conducted. In 2003 started the first excavations a long term project which is scheduled until 2015. Since 2004 the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology Amman is a partner of the project. Since 2006 the corresponding institute in Jerusalem participates likewise.