Current Events Articles: April 2016

View Presentation of Biblical Artifacts: "From Genesis To Jesus" posted by Bryan Windle

The University of Pikeville will be hosting the "Khirbet el-Maqatir: A Journey Through Biblical History" exhibit from January to June 2017. Exhibit Director Tommy Chamberlin recently filmed a presentation for PikeTV entitled, "From Genesis To Jesus." In it he uses the exhibit's artifacts from the world of Abraham through to the time of Jesus to illuminate stories from the Bible. This exciting presentation highlights such stories as Abraham's 318 trained warriors rescuing Lot, featuring a Middle Bronze age axe head that was likely used as a weapon, and Jesus' parable of the 10 virgins, illustrated with a first-century oil lamp. You can view the one-hour presentation, and learn about 30 biblical artifacts from the exhibit, by following the link below.  
 
Off-site Link:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guh9iEyp5_k

3200-Year-Old Egyptian Amulet Discovered in Jerusalem posted by Bryan Windle

A 12-year-old girl at the Temple Mount Sifting Project recently discovered an amulet bearing the name of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III. The artifact is a small pendant, which is missing its bottom part and displays a partial cartouche (an oval frame around Egyptian hieroglyphics) bearing the name of the 15th century BC Egyptian ruler. Its inscription has been reconstructed based upon an identical pendant found in northern Israel in 1978. Thutmose III is known for his military conquests, referring to himself as "the one who has subdued a thousand cities." The amulet probably arrived in Jerusalem sometime during the 300 years it was under Egyptian control during the Late Bronze Age.
 
Off-site Links:
- https://templemount.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/rare-egyptian-amulet-bearing-name-of-ancient-pharaoh-found-in-earth-discarded-from-temple-mount/

- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Rare-Egyptian-amulet-bearing-ancient-pharaohs-name-discovered-in-Jerusalem-451688
 
Comments:
 
I was just reading a story, from jewishpress.com, about the amulet bearing the name of Thutmose III discovered in sifted soil from the Temple Mount. I'm of the opinion that this adds to the evidence for the early date for Exodus. I was curious as to ABR's take on this, as I value the opinions and research of your worthy organization.

Yours in Christ,

Jeffrey E. Sams — "Jeff"


Greetings Jeff!

Thank you for contacting ABR with your question. The discovery of the Thutmose III amulet was another find of great interest, although, in terms of archaeological context, it has very limited value. I did share your question with Dr. Wood, and he provided this brief response: "Scarabs of T III are fairly common, as he was revered for centuries following his reign. Since we have no context for the scarab, it cannot help us to date the Exodus."

Some scarabs, like that of Nefertiti, are of much greater significance because of their rarity, and because efforts were made to eradicate her from Egyptian records and memory.  Also, when a scarab is found in situ — in its isolated, protected context at an archaeological site, we can determine dating with much greater certainty.  Unfortunately, Thutmose III was such an important figure his scarabs/amulets were continually produced well after his death, limiting their value for dating.

Thanks again for your important question!

Scott Lanser, ABR Director

Analysis of Inscriptions Suggests Widespread Literacy in Judah posted by Bryan Windle

A new analysis of 16 inscriptions on ancient pottery shards (called ostraca) previously unearthed at the Judahite military fortress of Tel Arad points to a widespread level of literacy in the Kingdom of Judah by 600 BC. The researchers from Tel Aviv University developed a computer software program to reconstruct and perform handwriting analysis on the ancient Hebrew inscriptions. The high-tech study suggests that the ostraca were written by at least six different authors, ranging in rank from a top military commander down to a subordinate who worked in the fortress warehouse. The authors of the report have concluded that this implies an education system that would have supported the composition of biblical texts before the destruction of the First Temple.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-look-at-ancient-shards-suggests-bible-even-older-than-thought/
- http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/spring-2016/article/ancient-inscriptions-testify-to-widespread-literacy-in-judah-by-600-bce

Bronze Artifacts Found at Biblical Site posted by Bryan Windle

A bronze incense shovel and bronze jug were recently unearthed in archaeological excavations at Magdala, a 2000-year-old Jewish community on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and the site traditionally known as birthplace of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' followers. The Israel Antiquities Authority has been leading excavations at the site for several years and previously uncovered the remains of a first-century synagogue, along with the famous Magdala Stone, which depicts a carving of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and a menorah. These latest finds were discovered lying exposed on the floor of some ancient storehouses. The incense shovel fits the description given in Exodus 27:1-3: "You shall make the altar...you shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans; all its utensils you shall make of bronze." According to the chief archaeologist, "The incense shovel that was found is one of ten others that are known in the country from the Second Temple period."
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4190
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/2200-year-old-bronze-artifacts-found-at-biblical-site/

ABR's Dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir is Proceeding posted by Bryan Windle

Join the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) in our archaeological excavation of Khirbet el-Maqatir – the probable remains of the city of Ai, which Joshua conquered (Joshua 7-8). Recent excavations at the site have also revealed the remains of a city from the time of Jesus – possibly the city of Ephraim mentioned in John 11:53-54.

ABR has monitored the situation in Israel carefully, and after prayerful consideration is planning to continue their excavations of the site from May 22 - June 11, 2016. In 2013, a rare 15th century BC Egyptian scarab was discovered (named Christianity Today's top biblical archaeological find of 2013). What will be unearthed this year?
 
The deadline for applications is April 30, 2016, and there is still room available. Contact Henry B. Smith Jr., Administrative Director, for questions and to sign up.
 
Links:
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/page/Volunteer-to-Search-for-Joshuas-Ai.aspx
- http://www.Maqatir.com

New Dig Reveals Philistine Artifacts posted by Bryan Windle

Ancient Philistine pottery has been discovered at Khirbet Arai, the site of new excavations located near Tel Lachish. In the three test squares that were dug, archaeologists discovered an undecorated Philistine bell-shaped bowl as well as painted Philistine pottery. Different structures were discovered and the levels have been assigned preliminary dates of the 12th and 9th centuries BC - the biblical periods of the later Judges and Israelite kingdoms. The dig directors are hopeful that new excavations, scheduled to begin this month, will answer questions about the arrival of the Philistines in the area, the decline of the Canaanite culture, and the development of the Kingdom of Judah.
 
Off-site Link:
- https://lukechandler.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/new-dig-at-khirbet-arai-may-reveal-philistines-kingdom-of-judah/

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