Biblical Archaeology
Old Testament History and Recent Archaeology
Dr. Gleason L. Archer, Jr., presents a four part series originally published in Bibliotheca Sacra 127
Evidence for the Exodus and Conquest
Compelling Articles from Bible and Spade
Magazine by the Associates for Biblical Research
The Exodus
Various Authors
Excellent research on the Biblical account of the Exodus of God’s Chosen People from Egypt!
Where is Mount Sinai?
Hershel Shanks
Where is Mt. Sinai? That’s hardly a new question. But it has recently been raised with a somewhat new focus-on a site known as Har Karkom in the Negev of Israel. In a word, is Har Karkom Biblical Mt. Sinai? The investigation and study of Har Karkom has been the life work, not to say passion, of 83-year-old Italian archaeologist Emmanuel Anati. He has been documenting his finds at the site for more than 30 years.
The Top Ten Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology
Bryan Windle
The purpose of the Bible Archaeology Report is to highlight archaeological findings that demonstrate the historical reliability of the Bible. Bryan Windle hopes to make biblical archaeology more accessible to the average person, and in particular, the younger generations.
Top Ten Biblical Archaeology Stories of 2023
Nathan S. Steinmeyer, PhD
From uncovering Jerusalem’s ancient architecture to an early papyrus of Jesus’s sayings to the discovery of several ancient languages, this year provided some incredible archaeological news. Published in Bible History Daily Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2023
Gordon Govier
The major biblical archaeology stories of 2023 contain a lot of doom, destruction, and disappointment.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2022
From papyrus in Montana to ivory in Jerusalem, these are the discoveries that made scholars of the biblical world say “wow” this year.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2021
Evidence of Herod’s green thumb, Roman crucifixion methods, and Philistine bananas add to our understanding of the world of the Bible.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2020
Evidence of idol worship, evil kings, and Christian churches add to our understanding of the world of the Bible.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2019
From Goliath-size walls to clay seal impressions the size of a fingernail, archaeological discoveries announced in 2019 continued to add context to our understanding of the Bible.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries for 2018
Each year, on an almost daily basis, archaeological discoveries help us better understand the Bible and affirm its details about people, events, and culture.
Published in Biblical Archaeology Magazine.
How Bible Scholars and Treasure Hunters Unearthed Modern Jerusalem
Adam Lawler
They were looking for the past. They created the present.
The Greatest Finds in Biblical Archaeology
Although it is not possible to verify every incident in the Bible, the discoveries of archaeology since the mid 1800s have demonstrated the reliability and plausibility of the Bible narrative.
Patterns of Evidence for Jesus’ Shroud of Turin
Fred Baltz
The preponderance of evidence in favor of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin becomes part of a still larger pattern of evidence that speaks to the truth of the entire Bible. This is an extremely interesting article!
The Search for Biblical Sodom
Deborah Hurn, PhD
On September 20, 2021, the open access journal Scientific Reports published a paper entitled “A Tunguska Sized Airburst Destroyed Tall el‑Hammam a Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea”. Could this be Sodom and Gomorrah? Very interesting presentation! (Part 1 of 2)
Deborah Hurn, PhD
Was Sodom in the Jordan Valley, and was this site destroyed by a cosmic airburst? Consider evidence from inside and outside the Bible to close in on the true location of Sodom’s spectacular destruction. Very interesting presentation! (Part 2 of 2)
Sodom Destroyed by Meteor, Scientists Say. Biblical Archaeologists Not Convinced
Gordon Govier
There is no question that this is an amazing site, but they are going to have to put forth more evidence that it’s Sodom.
Exploring Jordan: The Other Biblical Land
Biblical Archaeology Society
Other than Israel, no country has as many Biblical sites and associations as Jordan. Published (72 pages) by the Biblical Archaeology Society. Highly Recommended!
Armchair Archaeology and the New Atheism
Dewayne Bryant, PhD
Archaeology has an air of mystery about it. Whenever the subject is brought up, many people instinctively think of the iconic Indiana Jones and his adventures on the silver screen.
"David" Found at Dan
Avraham Biran
It’s not often that an archaeological find makes the front page of the New York Times (to say nothing of Time magazine). But that is what happened last summer to a discovery at Tel Dan, a beautiful mound in northern Galilee, at the foot of Mt. Hermon beside one of the headwaters of the Jordan River.
Archaeology: Biblical Ally or Adversary?
Paul L. Maier
The hard evidence unearthed by archaeologists digging in the Holy Land will unfailingly support the Biblical record.
The Patriarchal Age: Myth or History?
Kenneth A. Kitchen
The Biblical data match objective facts from the ancient world in an uncanny way, establishing the reliability of Biblical dates.
Biblical Archaeology: Factual Evidence to Support the Historicity of the Bible
Paul L. Maier
Evidence for the Inspiration and Historicity of the Bible
Kevin Simington
As an evangelical Christian I believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and timelessly authoritative in its entirety. Significant evidence supports such a high view of the scriptures.
Jericho: Does the Evidence Disprove or Prove the Bible?
Bryant G. Wood, PhD
Kathleen Kenyon declared the Biblical story to be false and the academic world accepted her conclusions. Do her conclusions hold up to scrutiny?
Jericho!
Bryant G. Wood, PhD
Here are a number of fine articles Dr. Wood has written that will take you further in your understanding and study of Jericho.
Where Did the Queen of Sheba Rule—Arabia or Africa?
Francisco Del Rio Sanchez
The story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba appears in the biblical books of Kings and Chronicles: An unnamed queen from Sheba travels to Jerusalem bearing gold, jewels, and spices. A seeker of knowledge, the queen has a special interest in the reputedly wise Solomon and tests him with some “hard questions.” Solomon meets the challenge and lavishes hospitality on the queen, who reciprocates with gifts.
How Archaeology Affirmed the Historic Stature of a Biblical King
Gordon Govier
Once, the House of David seemed like a folk tale. Now, the rocks testify to its historic significance.
Recommended Resources
These excellent resources come highly recommended. Links to printed information as well as numerous audio/visual presentations on Biblical archaeological discoveries.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Jeremiah's Journey to Egypt
Various Authors
Scholarly, but fascinating research!
Highly recommended!
Sacred Prostitution in the Story of Judah and Tamar
BAR Staff
Some Biblical scholars have interpreted the story of Judah and Tamar as a case of sacred prostitution. According to Genesis 38, the unsuspecting Judah mistook his daughter-in-law Tamar for a veiled “prostitute” (Hebrew zonah). For her services, Judah promised Tamar a sheep and gave her his seal as assurance the debt would be honored. When Judah’s friend returned to redeem the pledge, he asked in a nearby village where he could find the qedeshah (a Hebrew word most Bibles translate as “cult prostitute”).
Cult Prostitution in Ancient Israel?
Edward Lipiński
Contrary to the claims of some 20th-century scholarship, the Hebrew Bible never refers directly to cult prostitutes. Many modern Bible translations are simply misleading in this respect. Much of the confusion results from a misunderstanding of a few Biblical texts that mention qedeshot, the plural of qedeshah, which is related to qodesh, “holy place.” Originally qedeshah referred to a “consecrated maiden,” but Biblical authors used it in the sense of “harlot.” Excellently detailed, but graphic, explanation!
Top Ten Discoveries Related to Abraham
Bryan Windle
Abraham was the first and greatest of the Hebrew patriarchs; his story unfolds over 15 chapters in the book of Genesis (from Gen. 11:26-Gen. 25:8). The Lord called him out of his own country to a new land and promised to bless the earth through him (Gen. 12:1-3). Here are the top ten discoveries in biblical archaeology related to Abraham. Archaeological evidence is almost always fragmentary and incomplete, especially the father back in time one looks.
That said, there are numerous finds which demonstrate that the patriarchal narratives of Scripture accurately reflect the time period in which they are set.
Top Ten Historical References to Jesus Outside of the Bible
Bryan Windle
This article is going to focus on non-biblical references to Jesus. In order to make this list, I’ve used the following criteria: (1) The sources must be from the first or second century, not later. So, for example, while some quote rabbinic references to Jesus from the Talmud (ca. AD 400-700) or the Toledot Yeshu (ca. AD 1000), I have left them off this list. The reality is that they are really of little or no value in determining the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth. (2) Secondly, the sources must reference Jesus, not just to Christians.
The Apostle Peter in Rome
Nicola Denzey Lewis, PhD
Jesus’ chief disciple, Peter (also called Simon Peter or Cephas), has been associated with Rome for nearly 2,000 years. But is there any Biblical evidence that Peter ever went to Rome?
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