Current Events Articles: December 2016

A limestone relief that was stolen from Queen Hatshepsut's temple in Luxor was recently returned to Egypt. The relief, which is engraved with hieroglyphics, was stolen from the temple in 1975 and smuggled out of the country. It recently surfaced at an auction in Spain and was purchased by a British collector. Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities, working with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Museum, were able to prove that they were the rightful owners of the relief and it was returned to them. It will be placed back in its place at Queen Hatshepsut's temple, where restoration work is currently being done by Polish archaeologists. While Queen Hatshepsut is never mentioned by name in the Bible, there is evidence that she may have been the "Pharaoh's daughter" who pulled Moses from the bulrushes and raised him in the Egyptian royal courts.
 
Off-site Links to News Reports:
- http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/253502/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Stolen-relief-of-Queen-Hatshepsut-recovered-from-L.aspx
- http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/20/egypt-receives-ancient-stolen-limestone-relief.html
 
ABR Articles Regarding Queen Hatshepsut:
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2009/02/27/Moses-and-Hatshepsut.aspx
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2010/02/04/Amenhotep-II-and-the-Historicity-of-the-Exodus-Pharaoh.aspx

A recent media report (see below) has brought the Jordanian Lead Books back into the news. A group of 70 lead, ring-bound books became news in 2011, although there had been Internet rumous about them as early as 2007. Many scholars have expressed doubt as to their authenticity, or at least urged caution due to the sensationalistic claims were being made about them (i.e., claims that their discovery was of greater significance than that of the Dead Sea scrolls), as well as the lack of information about the lead books that was coming from a single source (authors David and Jennifer Elkington). The latest report presents the findings of tests done on the lead in the codices, showing that they were made of ancient lead (something that was already known from earlier tests that had been done). It also presents the sensationalistic claim that the lead books contain the earliest portrait of Jesus Christ, that "Christ was not starting his own religion, but restoring a thousand-year-old tradition from the time of King David," and that "The God he worshipped was both male and female." As many have pointed out, the fact that the lead used in the books is of ancient origin does not prove their authenticity, as modern forgers are skilled in using ancient materials. Moreover, calls to release the full, unedited findings of the tests and make available all of the photographs of the lead books to critical scholars has gone unheeded by the Elkingtons. Until such time as trained scholars are given access to study the lead books and publish their findings, claims made in the media regarding their authenticity and significance should be viewed with skepticism.
 
Off-site Links:
1. The sensationalistic article in the Daily Mail can be read here:
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3985150/Is-written-mention-Jesus-2-000-year-old-lead-tablets-remote-cave-genuine-claim-researchers.html

2. A scholarly response can be found here:
- http://paleojudaica.blogspot.ca/2016_12_04_archive.html#7108291391090192367
- http://paleojudaica.blogspot.ca/2016_11_06_archive.html#8380115713898171799
 
3. Read ABR's original Current Events post about the Lead Books here:
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2011/03/30/Possible-Discovery-of-Early-Christian-Books-in-Jordan.aspx
 
4. Some helpful summaries of the Lead Books by Todd Bolen from 2011 are here:
- http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2011/03/early-christian-lead-books-discovery.html
- http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2011/04/jordan-lead-codices-evidence-of-forgery.html

The late Charles Ryrie's famed collection of Bibles and manuscripts, one of the largest private collections ever assembled, was recently auctioned off by Sotheby's. Many of the items sold for well over their pre-sale estimates, with the total collection fetching $7,341,818 (it had been valued at $3.5-5.4 million). Ryrie's collection included rare Greek manuscripts, a Luther vellum Bible, and pages from a Guttenberg Bible. The highest-selling item was a Wycliffe Bible which sold for $1.4 million, triple its estimated value. Many items in this auction were the first in decades to hit the open market, and thus Ryrie's splendid collection elicited much interest. While the buyers remain anonymous at this point, perhaps some of these treasures will find their way into museums so that they can be viewed by the public and studied by scholars in the future.
 
Off-site Links:
- https://danielbwallace.com/2016/12/06/ryries-bibles-and-manuscripts-auctioned-off/
- http://artdaily.com/news/92220/-1-7-million-Wycliffite-New-Testament-leads-Bible-Collection-of-Dr--Charles-Caldwell-Ryrie#.WE6PNFzJKcS

ABR Associate Dr. Douglas Petrovich has published his first book, The World’s Oldest Alphabet: Hebrew as the Language of the Proto-Consonantal Script. For 150 years, scholars have puzzled over a series of early inscriptions, identifying some of the pictographic letters and translating a few of the Semitic words, but making little headway beyond that. Dr. Petrovich’s new book solves the puzzle, demonstrating that this early proto-consonantal script was Hebrew, and successfully translating all of the disputed letters in 16 inscriptions dating from 1842 to 1446 BC. In addition, his translation of these inscriptions shows that three biblical people are named (Asenath, Ahisamach, and Moses), and demonstrates the far-reaching impact of early Israelite culture. The Associates for Biblical Research would like to congratulate Dr. Petrovich on his new book.

Off-site Links:

1. Order Doug’s ground-breaking book: http://store.carta-jerusalem.com/forthcoming/734-the-worlds-oldest-alphabet-9789652208842.html

2. See a PDF sample: http://store.carta-jerusalem.com/Carta-preview/The%20World%20oldest%20alphabet%20Sample.pdf

3. View an online discussion forum on Academia.edu about Doug’s book:
https://www.academia.edu/s/6862d5d3ab/the-early-history-of-the-alphabet-an-open-response-to-christopher-rollston

4. Fox News interview: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/12/05/hebrew-may-be-worlds-oldest-alphabet.html

5. Jerusalem Post article: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Expert-claims-inscriptions-from-Egyptian-exodus-proves-Hebrew-is-worlds-oldest-alphabet-474718

In January of 2017 the University of Pikeville will open "Khirbet el-Maqatir & a Journey through Biblical History." This walk-through exhibit will feature over 250 artifacts from the world of the Bible. Of particular interest will be artifacts from the site of Khirbet el-Maqatir - the location of Ai mentioned in the book of Joshua and the possible site of Ephraim of the book of John.

The opening weekend special events will occur from Thursday, January 19 through Saturday January 21. The Thursday night event on the 19 will be an opening dinner where guests can meet and greet with visiting archaeologists and museum curators. A full buffet will be served to include sliced roast beef, herb roasted chicken, salad, vegetables, hot rolls and dessert. A dinner ticket includes admission to the exhibit on either Friday or Saturday and the visitor will be assigned a time for their exhibit visit on one of those days. In order to include this dinner event in your plans you must purchase either the "Opening Weekend Events Pass" or the "Opening Weekend Couples Pass."

Exhibit tickets on Friday or Saturday, the 20 & 21, will allow the visitor access to the historic York House in Pikeville where the 250 artifacts will be showcased. The visitor will also have the opportunity to visit with archaeologists and museum curators who will be on site to share the exhibit with visitors. Donor passes grant visitors admission to the exhibit as often as they desire for one low price beginning on January 27 and all regular business hours after that date. Currently, the exhibit is scheduled to be open every Friday and Saturday from that date through the summer.

Buy your Tickets Today to visit: Khirbet el-Maqatir & A Journey through Biblical History (off site link).

The local Hilton Garden Inn has a special rate for visitors for the exhibit: Hilton Garden Inn (off-site link).