ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE

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.

The following articles are taken from two major sources:

1) The Israel Antiquities Authority, (IAA) is the leading professional body in the study of the archaeology of Israel

2) The Biblical Archaeology Society, (BAS), publishes the Biblical Archaeology Review, and carries articles by respected scholars on current archaeological finds and topics.

JERUSALEM

• The 1,800 Year Old High-Level Aqueduct of Jerusalem was Exposed Next to Jaffa Gate in the Old City (10 Feb 19) (IAA)

• For the First Time the Main Road of Jerusalem, from 1,500 Years Ago, was Exposed (11/2/2010) (IAA)

• A large and Magnificent 2,000 Year Old Miqve was Exposed in Jerusalem (9/23/09) (IAA)

• Second Temple Period Stepped Street Discovered (9/14) (IAA)

• A Silver Coin That Was Used To Pay The Half Shekel Head-Tax To The Temple Was Found In Jerusalem (March 18,2008) (IAA)

• They also ate fish in Jerusalem at the time of the Kingdom of Judah (September 29, 2005) (IAA)

• Finds of the Second Temple Period from the New Exc (IAA)

LIFE OF JESUS

• For the Very First Time: A Residential Building from the Time of Jesus was Exposed in the Heart of Nazareth (12/21/09) (IAA)

• One of the Oldest Synagogues in the World was Exposed at Migdal (9/13) (IAA) (Mary Magdalene)

• The Museum of the Good Samaritan opens to the public (6/7/09) (IAA)

• Excavations conducted by the Antiquities Authority in Kfar Kana (13.3.06) (Cana) (IAA)

• Canal where Jesus gave sight found (04 Dec 24)

Workers repairing a sewage pipe in the Old City of Jerusalem have discovered the biblical Pool of Siloam, a freshwater reservoir that was a major gathering place for ancient Jews making religious pilgrimages to the city and the reputed site where Jesus cured a man blind from birth, according to the Gospel of John.  Check out the two articles.

http://www.cbac.org/documents/Siloamnewexcavations.pdf http://www.bibleplaces.com/poolofsiloam.htm

• The “Jesus Boat”

According to Carbon 14 dating, the so-called “Jesus Boat” was constructed in about 40 BC and was in use in the 1st century AD. During this period, the lakeside communities witnessed the ministry of Jesus and the unrest of the Jews under Roman control. Read the story of this amazing discovery

• New Studies in the Galilee, 2002 (Cana) (IAA)

• Kfar Cana, Early Remains in Kfar Cana (Dec, 01) (IAA)

• Banias, General background (Caesarea Philippi) (IAA)

• Chorazin, Overview (IAA)

GALILEE

• The Israel Antiquities Authority recommends the prison to be transferred to a new location. (3^rd Century Church) (IAA)

• MIgdal, Fishing Boat from Migdal (85-86) (IAA)

DEAD SEA SCROLLS

• The Importance of the Discoveries in the Judean Desert (IAA)

• The Dead Sea Scrolls Go Digital – 8/27/08 (IAA)

• Sixty Years Since the Discovery of the Dead Seas Scrolls (IAA)

• The New Excavations (IAA)

• The Qumran Library (IAA)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Herod’s Tomb and Grave Found at Herodium 07 May 08 http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/856808.html

• One of the most important finds of early Christianity (05 Nov 6)

Israeli archaeologists unearthed what they believe is the oldest church discovered in the Holy Land. The church dated from the third century, decades before Constantine legalized Christianity across the Byzantine Empire. Early Christian church unearthed near Megiddo http://www.cbac.org/documents/EarlyChristianchurchunearthednearMegiddo.pdf

• After 13 Years of Being Covered –One of the Most Impressive and Largest Mosaics in the Country will be Re-exposed (Lod) (IAA)

HOLIDAYS

• Shavuot – Pentecost (IAA)

• The Holidays of Tishri (IAA)

• Purim (IAA) (Book of Esther)