In the mid-nineteenth century, archaeological explorers were drawn to the Holy Land in search of the past. Their collective efforts focused on one central thought: to determine the accuracy of history chronicled in the Bible. After 150+ years of searching, the results obtained by the archaeological community have been staggering. In essence, archaeologists have discovered corroborating evidence from extra-biblical sources, and on numerous occasions have demonstrated the reliability and plausibility of what was recorded thousands of years ago. Through ancient artifacts, scientists have given the modern world a glimpse into life that once was, revealing a voice that speaks to us from the past.
JESUS CHRIST
Although historians had documented the life and death of Jesus Christ, archaeologists had no written artifacts with which to substantiate his existence—until now. Found on an ancient bone box was the following inscription: "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Written in an ancient language called Aramaic, the words show a cursive form of writing that reflect a narrow window in history: A.D. 10 to A.D. 70. Noted paleographer André Lemaire verified the inscription's authenticity.
The inscription itself is dated to approximately A.D. 63. Testing has revealed that no trace of modern elements has been found on the bone box, and that the limestone used in its construction came from the Holy Land.
This archaeological artifact provides not only dramatic extra-biblical evidence of Jesus but also of his father Joseph and his brother James—a family relationship that is documented in Scripture (Matt. 1:16; 13:55-56; Gal. 1:18-19). It can be argued that all three names were relatively common in ancient times, but the statistical probability of all three appearing in the cited combination is low. Additionally, it is uncommon for a brother to be included in identifying marks—giving credence to the fact that this Jesus must have been an eminent figure.
MOSES
Moses is considered to be the founding father of monotheism: the belief in the one and only God. Throughout the twentieth century, archaeologists have searched for evidence that would shed light on the story of Moses and the exodus (the Israelite journey out of Egypt to the Holy Land).
The Bible narrative states that while in captivity, the Israelites built cities for the Egyptian Pharaoh: "And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses" (Exodus 1:11 KJV).
Although there are no modern cities in Egypt called Pithom and Raamses, there was a Pharaoh called Raamses. Historical records in Egypt state that he built his capital city in the Nile river delta, calling it "The House of Raamses."
Recently, in the same delta region, archaeologists uncovered tantalizing ruins such as the base of a statue and a column. The inscription on the column revealed that it was part of a temple to Raamses II. With this evidence in hand, archaeologists expended effort to further research what the past would divulge. They discovered a city 20 miles square, confirmed to be "The House of Raamses." Therein, the story of Pharaoh's treasure city had been given life—verified in stone.
A second archaeological find gave credibility to another record in the Bible: the story of Pharaoh's charioteers pursuing the escaping Israelites. The narrative states that as Moses led the children of Israel across the Egyptian landscape, Pharaoh had a change of heart regarding the exodus. "So he [Pharaoh] had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt. . . . [And he] pursued the Israelites" (Ex. 13:6-8). Of the chariots that raced after the Israelites, the "six hundred" were considered to be Pharaoh's personal chariots.
Recently, on an archeological dig in the site of Pharaoh's capital, German archaeologists discovered a tethering stone (used to secure a horse) and found a hubcap for a chariot wheel. Once fully excavated, the site revealed enough stables to house nearly 500 horses and chariots. Therewith, archaeologists provided evidence that the large number of chariots described in the Book of Exodus could not be dismissed as impossible.
DAVID: KING OF ISRAEL
For years, scholars doubted the existence of King David because there were no written records outside of the Bible documenting his reign in Jerusalem (c. 1000 B.C.). To explain the story of David, skeptics speculated that an Israelite scribe must have recopied documents at a much later date, seeking to upgrade the history of Israel by adding the David legend.
However, with the turn of a shovel, this skepticism was overturned because in 1994, archaeologists discovered an inscription at the ancient city of Dan that refers to the "House of David." Written upon a stone in Aramaic, the inscription dates to approximately the ninth century B.C. This "House of David" inscription is significant because it is the first extra-biblical reference to King David ever discovered.
THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
The Dead Sea Scrolls, which have been referred to by scholars as the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times, were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves along the shore of the Dead Sea. Among the 800+ scrolls are the oldest known versions of all but one of the books of the Old Testament. The rest offer an intriguing picture of life in the Holy Land at the time Jesus taught in Jerusalem.
The conclusion drawn by scholars is that the biblical texts found in the scrolls are in substantial agreement with translations of the Old Testament used today. Significant among the scrolls is a virtually intact copy of Isaiah; it predates the earliest known Isaiah manuscript by 1,000 years.
Based on carbon 14* dating, the Dead Sea Scrolls were transcribed between the years 200 B.C. and A.D. 68. The critical biblical manuscripts were dated prior to 100 B.C. This is dramatic because the biblical scrolls found in the twentieth century provided irrefutable scientific evidence that the Messianic prophecies (about the first coming of Christ) were written before the dawn of the first century.
Note: An archeological dig near Jerusalem revealed a silver scroll in an ancient tomb that predates the Dead Sea Scrolls by over 400 years. Dated to the seventh century B.C., the text on the silver scroll matches word for word the biblical text found in the Book of Numbers.
*Carbon 14 dating is a highly accurate process that measures the decay of carbon 14, a radioactive element that erodes at a constant rate over time.
THE ANCIENTS: SODOM AND GOMORRAH
Recorded in the Book of Genesis is the account of two notorious cities known as Sodom and Gomorrah. Each met a fiery end at the same point in time: "Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens" (Gen. 19:24). Just as renowned as the story itself has been the archaeological quest to determine whether these fabled cities truly ever existed.
Throughout the twentieth century, archaeologists dug in the sands along the shore of the Dead Sea and uncovered a wealth of knowledge—buried for over 4,000 years. What they discovered were the ruins of two ancient neighbors: Bab edh Dhra and Numeira. Carbon 14 dating revealed that these sister cities succumbed to a violent, fiery end—destroyed at the same point in history. Bones found under collapsed walls indicate that the inhabitants were caught in the middle of a traumatic finish. (Because there are no volcanoes in the area, scientists have ruled out a volcanic eruption as the cause of the destruction.)
Pottery found among the ruins dates the cities to the early Bronze Age: 3300 to 2050 B.C. Scholars agree that if Sodom and Gomorrah existed, it would have been during this time frame. Hence, archaeologists found two sister cities identified to be in the correct biblical location at the right place in time.
It should be noted that the archaeological evidence—although significant—never yielded conclusive remains (i.e., a sign that says "Welcome to Sodom"). However, the overwhelming amount of evidence has compelled archaeologists to set forth the following theory: Bab edh Dhra is Sodom and Numeira is Gomorrah.
THE EGYPTIAN PHARAOH SHISHAK
Shishak is the first Egyptian Pharaoh mentioned by name in the Old Testament; he founded the twenty-second Egyptian dynasty and ruled from c. 945 to 924 B.C. According to the biblical record, his troops marched up from the Nile delta into the Holy Land and plundered the temple in Jerusalem. "In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace" (1 Kings 14:25, 26). A second biblical record states that "with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of the Libyans, Sukites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt, he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem" (2 Chron. 12:3). This military campaign is found not only on the pages of the Bible but also on the walls of the ancient Karnak temple (located along the Nile river). There, among the ruins, the Shishak "relief" reveals Egypt's victory over Rehoboam's kingdom of Judah (c. 925 B.C.).
Note: It should be mentioned that the Egyptian name inscribed on the relief is "Sheshonk," and that archaeologists have confirmed that he is the "Shishak" of the Old Testament record.
Photo is courtesy of NASA: http://heritage.stsci.edu/gallery/galindex.html
