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Frequently Asked Questions on Archaeology
- Ark Of The Covenant
- Bible Archaeology
- Ancient Jericho - The conclusion of many scholars is that the city was conquered at the time of the harvest, but was burned, instead of looted. This evidence matches the biblical account of Joshua 6.
- Ancient Jerusalem – The City of David - David conquered ancient Jerusalem in approximately 1004 BC and it became known as the City of David.
- Babylon and the Ishtar Gate - The Ishtar Gate is one of the most dramatic finds from ancient Babylonia. Covered with dragons and bulls, Nebuchadnezzar dedicated the huge, ceremonial gate to the goddess Ishtar.
- How did the discovery of the lost Hittite civilization provide evidence in support of the biblical record? - How did the discovery of the lost Hittite civilization provide evidence in support of the biblical record? What is the significance?
- How does the ancient city of Haran play into Bible history? - How does the ancient city of Haran play into biblical history? Is it significant in biblical archaeological finds?
- Megiddo - Megiddo is an ancient city located in the Jezreel Valley of northern Israel. With approximately 26 layers of civilization at the archeological site, Megiddo has assumed a huge role throughout history, from the earliest recorded conflicts, through the Israelite conquest of Canaan, to the decisive battle between the British and the Ottomans in 1918. Also known in the biblical text as Armageddon, Megiddo is the location of the final battle between Jesus Christ and his enemies (Revelation 16).
- Tel Dan - The gatehouse below dates to the ninth century BC, and was probably constructed by King Ahab. It’s this exact area where the “House of David” Inscription (Tel Dan Inscription) was discovered in 1994.
- The city of Ur - Why was it such an important find? - Learn facts about this biblical city and its biblical significance. Why was it an important find in archaeology?
- Why was the city of Shechem an important find? - Was this archaeological find important to biblical research? This ancient city plays a prominent role in the Bible.
- Biblical Archaeology
- Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser - This artifact is another important source that corroborates the biblical account of the early Israelites. The depiction of Jehu is one of the earliest surviving pictures of an Israelite. Discovered in 1846 in Nimrud, Iraq, the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser currently resides in the British Museum.
- Epic of Gilgamesh - One of the tablets comprising the Epic of Gilgamesh contains an extensive flood story that’s similar in many ways to the biblical account in Genesis.
- House of Yahweh Ostracon - The House of Yahweh Ostracon (a writing on pottery also known as the “House of God Ostracon”) was discovered in Arad, an ancient Judean city. Written in ancient Hebrew and dated to the early 6th century BC, it is considered to be one of the earliest references to the Temple in Jerusalem outside of the biblical accounts.
- Moabite Stone - Mesha’s account of his rebellion against Israel is found on a large stone monument known as the Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele).
- Shishak Relief - The Bible records the attack from Judah's perspective in 2 Chronicles 12, but the Shishak Relief in the Karnak Temple gives much greater detail.
- The House of David Inscription - The House of David Inscription (also known as the “Tel Dan Inscription”) was discovered in 1994 during excavations at the ancient city of Dan. It is considered by many to be the first reference to the "House of David" discovered outside the biblical text.
- What do ancient cuneiform tablets teach us about biblical times and the biblical record? - What is it about ancient writings that keep archaeologists returning to them? There’s much discovered, yet perhaps even more to come.
- What is the Sumerian King List? - Information about ancient list of Mesopotamian rulers, Dr. Raul E. Lopez, who has written about antediluvian patriarchs and pre-flood kings.
- Why was the Hammurabi Code of Law such an important archaeological discovery? - Read about two codes of laws and how the "eye for an eye" principle is compared; one view is discredited.
- Why was the Merneptah Stele a significant archaeological discovery? - The Merneptah Stele is significant to biblical archaeologists because it is the earliest extra-biblical reference to the nation of Israel yet to be discovered.
- Carbon Dating
- Churches of Revelation Video
- Dead Sea Scrolls
- Evidence For Jesus
- Bethlehem - On the horizon in the picture below, in the distance, is the Church of the Nativity that marks the traditional place of Christ’s birth. This is the view the shepherds would have had on that awesome night about 2,000 years ago (Luke 2:8).
- Caiaphas - Do we have any evidence for Caiaphas outside the biblical texts? Check out this image of the ossuary where “Joseph son of Caiaphas” is written!
- Capernaum - Check out this picture! It’s at Capernaum where we have early accounts of Jesus teaching both Jews in the synagogue and Romans in the homes.
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Check out this image! Based on ancient pilgrimage evidence and new evidence under the ceremonial flooring, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered a credible historical site.
- Crucifixion Evidence - Is there evidence for crucifixion outside the Bible? Check out this image of a human heel bone with the nail still in it!
- Galilee Boat - Check out this image of the "Jesus Boat" discovered by local Galilean residents in January 1986 during a major drought at the Sea of Galilee.
- Garden of Gethsemane - It’s a peaceful garden among a grove of ancient olive trees, looking back at the eastern wall of the City of Jerusalem. Check out these images where Jesus prayed before being crucified.
- House of Peter at Capernaum - Here’s a picture of the House of Peter archaeological site before it was covered for protection and restoration by the Franciscan church in 1990.
- Kidron Valley - Many scholars view the Kidron Valley as a major location in “ends times” prophecy. Check out these pictures and scriptures to see why Christians, Jews and Muslims have built huge cemetaries here.
- Mount of Olives - Check out this picture! The Mount of Olives was a significant location in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. However, the Mount of Olives seems to have an even larger role in his second coming to earth!
- Pontius Pilate - Do we have evidence for Pontius Pilate outside the biblical texts? Check out this image where the inscription reads: Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honor of Tiberius.
- Pool of Bethesda - Until the 19th century, there was no archaeological evidence for the Pool of Bethesda (also known as Bethsaida), so skeptics used this as proof that John’s account was written by some later zealot who didn’t have eyewitness knowledge of Jerusalem or an actual pool called Bethesda.
- Pool of Siloam - Check out this image! In 2004, archaeologists stumbled upon the true 1st century Pool of Siloam when sewer engineers uncovered ancient steps during pipe maintenance near the mouth of Hezekiah’s ancient water tunnel. The bulldozers were immediately stopped, and by the summer of 2005, archaeologists carefully revealed the actual Pool of Siloam from the time of Jesus.
- Sea of Galilee - The Sea of Galilee isn’t really a sea, but actually Israel’s largest freshwater lake (13 by 8 miles), located in the northern part of the country. Today, the lake is also known as Lake Galilee and Lake Tiberias. In the Bible, the Sea of Galilee was also known as the Sea of Gennesaret.
- Star of Bethlehem - Under the marble slabs and ornamentation of the Star of Bethlehem, there are natural cave walls and a grotto that many scholars believe is the actual birthplace of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:7). The Star of Bethlehem has become the symbolic destination of pilgrimage for Christians since Constantine.
- Synagogue at Capernaum - The synagogue at Capernaum is a fantastic structure of white stone and ornate columns, probably built in the late third or fourth century AD. Below its foundation, archaeologists have discovered basalt walls of a previous synagogue dating to the first century AD.
- Temple Mount – Jerusalem in Jesus’ Time - Check out these two images of Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the model of what it looked like during the ministry of Jesus.
- The Church of the Nativity - Check out these exterior and interior images of the famous Church of the Nativity. The history of the church is quite interesting...
- Evidence for Jesus Video
- Petra
- Seven Churches in Revelation
- Ancient City of Ephesus - Check out this short video clip on the ancient amphitheater that seated 24,000 people in Ephesus.
- Ancient Laodicea - Watch this great, but concise, video clip on Laodicea which is located in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, near the influential, ancient cities of Hierapolis and Colossae.
- Ancient Pergamum - Ancient Pergamum was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC, and became a Greek and Roman hub for worshipping Aesclepius, the god of healing, and Serapis, the Egyptian god of the underworld. Look at this image of Pergamum.
- Ancient Philadelphia - Take a look at this picture. Philadelphia was known for its variety of temples and worship centers. Due to a series of ancient earthquakes, there isn’t much left of ancient Philadelphia, and archaeology is limited to foundation stones and a few Roman columns.
- Ancient Sardis - An awesome short video clip on the gym complex in ancient sardis. Watch the book of revelation come alive. You have to see this!
- Ancient Smyrna - Check out this incredible video clip on ancient Smyrna of the book of Revelation. Since Izmir is a bustling city with the second largest population in Turkey, very little of ancient Smyrna has been excavated.
- Ancient Thyatira - An image of the ancient city of Thyatira. Thyatira was known for its textiles and dyeing trade, evidenced by a number of artifacts and inscriptions. Today, it is known as the bustling city of Akhisar.
- Shroud Of Turin
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