10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY

Biblical archaeology studies the archaeological sites and remnants of the historical and
cultural environment where events recorded in the Bible occurred and the Holy Scriptures
were formed. Using specific methods and tools, she researches and reconstructs the
historical, cultural, religious, and political background of certain Biblical events and their
characters, and helps to better understand their context and meaning of Biblical texts.
Ten things you should know about biblical archaeology, told by an enlightening project
Біблійна археологія with link to Epic Archaeology https://epicarchaeology.org

1. Biblical archeology is over 130 years old

Biblical archeology as a science takes its beginning more than one hundred and thirty
years ago, in 1890, when British archaeologist Sir William Matthews Flinders Petry
learned innovative methods of excavations from German archaeologist Henrikh
Schlimann at the famous site of the the ancient Troy in Asia Minor. Petry learned
stratigraphy (studying the layers of mountain species represented in an archaeological
site) and analyzing ceramics for dating each layer of a mound (or calf). Petri used these
new methods to explore Tel el Hesi in the Land of Israel. This is where scientific, biblical
archeology begins.

2. Every New Testament city was discovered by archaeologists

Archaeology is primarily the study of the past using artifacts — things left behind by
former civilizations. The artifacts can include ceramics, jewelry, statues, or even entire
cities. Since the beginning of scientific archaeology, every large New Testament village
and city has been discovered by archaeologists. Capernaum, the site of Jesus in Galilee,
was a first-century village first identified in the nineteenth century by early biblical
geographer and explorer Charles Warren (1840-1927).

3. The Book of Acts of the Apostles contains accurate geographical links to Roman trade
paths
In addition to being a reliable source of historical and archaeological sites, it is also
reliable in geographical detail. The book of Acts, written by Luke, has over 84 confirmed
accurate geographical references, including the direction of prevalent winds off the coast
of Malta (“And days we sailed slowly, and the violence against the Book of the Book of
Acts sailed, and the wind would not let us go.” kaw, we swam down to Crete at Salmon"
(Acts 27:7)), the depth of the water, and also accurate knowledge of local geography and
political figures. Only an eyewitness could know such details. Luke's close acquaintance
with politics, geography, and nomenclature in Asia Minor [Turkey], Greece and Ancient
Rome [Italy] convincingly confirms the authenticity of the Book of Acts as an accurate
historical description of Paul and P's missionary travels. liver.

4. Many artifacts that confirm biblical history have been discovered by "non-biblical"
archaeologists
People who are skeptical of the Bible often claim that "biblical archaeologists" seek to
"prove the Bible" and thus find what they are looking for, but there are dozens of
archeological discoveries that confirm biblical history to contradict this claim Yu, were
made by "non-bible" archaeologists. Osuarius (bone urn) Caiaphas, an inscription
mentioning Pontius Pilate, Pilate's seal ring and Tel Dan stela have been found by
"unbiblical" archaeologists. This demonstrates the reliability of the Bible as a source of
credible historical information.

5. Ordinary ceramics is a vital tool for biblical archaeologists

Due to the influence of popular archaeology movies, a large portion of the public views
biblical archaeology as the search for sensational artifacts, such as the wheels of
Pharaoh's chariot sunk in the Red Sea or the legendary Ark of the Covenant. However,
household items like ceramics and tiles are the most important tools for a biblical
archaeologist.
Discussions in biblical archeology sometimes focus around pottery’s interpretation and
dating it through an archaeological object. Pottery may even have historical inscriptions
(these are the so-called ostracons—the skulls of an inscribed pot), such as the Lachian
letters, which give us insight into Judea’s last days before the Babylonian invasion in
587/6. to the n. well.

6. Teli are ancient buried cities

Biblical archaeologists usually, but not always, spend excavations in calves. "Tel" is an
Arabic word which means "ruins" or an artificial mound of consecutive cities built on one
another.
One question that is often asked is why do people of the past continue to rebuild in one
place for centuries. There are three main factors as to why ancient people rebuilt
settlements in the same place:
1. The proximity to water, as well as the presence of rich agricultural lands and other
natural resources.
2. Proximity to trade routes and/or roads.
3. These are often naturally protected places - hills, rocky appearances, etc.
7. Archaeological excavations are a slow, metodičnij process

Archeology research is not a fast process at all! Archaeologists working in the Middle
East (Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon/Syria) often spend several years analyzing and
understanding an archaeological site. Such places rarely, if they never reveal their secrets
quickly. The understanding of an archaeological object is similar to photography, which
manifests itself very slowly. Over the past few decades, new technologies have made the
archaeological process much more rational and efficient.

8. Biblical archeology is a team effort

It is rare (or not ever) for a lone archaeologist to work at an archaeological site in Israel
or Jordan like Indiana Jones. This is a multidisciplinary science. Archaeological
excavations is a teamwork that involves scientists and experts from a wide range of
disciplines, including, but not limited to: osteologists (or physical anthropologists),
geologists, ceramists, philologists, numismatics, input specialists no data, surveyors,
metal detectors, biologists, zoologists, botanists and many other specialists. Most
archaeological projects also involve extensive volunteers (or non-professionals), typically
from universities, colleges, and/or churches.
9. Historical synchronism is when the Bible and archeologícal discoveries perfectly
coincide
One of the main differences between those who identify as “biblical archaeologists” and
Middle-Eastern archaeologists is that historical synchronism is important for biblical
archaeologists — that is when archaeological evidence and the Biblical text agree. Citing
historical synchronism, archaeologist Scott Strepling argues that “fixed dates in the Bible
can be used to determine the dates of archaeological remains. For example, Babylonians
destroyed Jerusalem in 586 to the n. well. , so it wouldn't be hard to date the layer
destruction of the Iron Age IIC in Jerusalem or Tel Lakhish 586 BC. well.
Another example of historical synchronism is the siege of Lahish and the siege of
Jerusalem by Assyrian king Sanheriv in 701 BC, an event confirmed in both Assyrian
historical and archaeological records as well as in the Old Testament text (Isaiah 36-37; 2
Kings 18:17; 2 Chronicles 32:9). Ancient Middle Eastern archeology has many historical
synchronisms to the Bible, so biblical archaeologists maintain and defend the historical
authenticity of the biblical text.

10. The Bible is a reliable source for understanding the archaeological discoveries of the
ancient Middle East
Biblical archeology as a scientific discipline emerged in the last century, but then
declined sharply with the advent of new archeological approaches and methods that were
heavily influenced by social sciences. In addition, the Copenhagen School of Bible
Interpretation and biblical minimalism has also emerged a more cautious and openly
skeptical view of the Bible. This school taught that the Bible cannot be considered
reliable evidence of what happened in ancient Israel and that Israel itself is a problematic
subject of historical study.
But as Old Testament researcher Dr. Eugene Haynes Merrill argues: “Contrary to the
exaggerated assertion of those adopting new archaeology, biblical archeology is
preserved outside Evangelical circles [Protestant Evangelical denominations—Prime.
translator. []. Israeli scientists, in general, continue to use it to determine the direction of
their work in explaining the biblical texts and reconstructing the history of their
ancestors. This also applies to scientists who do not adhere to any particular religious
tradition or at least do not make faith a publicly proclaimed motivation for their scientific
efforts.. apparently the rumors of the death of biblical archeology, to paraphrase Mark
Twain, are greatly exaggerated."

So, the Bible continues to be a very reliable source of ancient history and what
archaeologists find when excavating biblical grounds.
Alexandra Obrevko