Bruno Pugh
Take a step back in time with us as we explore 15 remarkable archaeological finds that confirm the stories in the Bible. These incredible discoveries bring biblical tales to life, offering tangible evidence and deeper insights into the events that have shaped history and faith. So, let’s discover the past and see the Bible in a whole new light.
Ketef Hinnom Scrolls
In 1979, Prof. Gabriel Barkay discovered the Ketef Hinnom scrolls in southwest Jerusalem. Initially too fragile to open, Israel Museum conservators eventually unrolled them to reveal verses from Numbers 6 and Deuteronomy 7. Found in a tomb near the Hinnom Valley, these pure silver scrolls are tiny, with the longest measuring just 9.5 cm by 2.5 cm.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Unearthed between 1946 and 1956 from the Qumran Caves, the Dead Sea Scrolls are a treasure trove of ancient Jewish manuscripts from the Second Temple period. Spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, these scrolls encompass the earliest known texts of biblical scriptures and other important writings.
Siloam Tunnel
Hezekiah’s Tunnel, or the Siloam Tunnel, is an ancient water passage carved through the City of David in Jerusalem. Believed to date from the late 8th century BCE during King Hezekiah’s reign, it is mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20. Scientific dating of the tunnel’s plaster supports this timeline, highlighting its historical significance.
Tel Dan Stele
This 9th-century BCE artifact, with an Aramaic inscription, is the earliest known extra-biblical mention of the House of David. The inscription details the killing of Jehoram, King of Israel, and Ahaziah of Judah. The stele, which also features lines of ancient Hebrew, is on display at the Israel Museum and is cataloged as KAI 310.
Babylonian Chronicles
The Babylonian Chronicles are a collection of approximately 45 tablets documenting major events from Babylonian history. These tablets are written in Babylonian cuneiform and represent an early form of historiography. Most were acquired by the British Museum in the 19th century from antiquities dealers and unidentified excavations.
Walls of Jericho
Built around 8000 BCE, the Walls of Jericho were massive stone structures surrounding a Neolithic settlement. Standing at least 13 feet high with a 28-foot watchtower, these walls were designed to protect the settlement and its water supply. They are famously associated with the biblical story of the Battle of Jericho, where the walls are said to have fallen.
Pool of Bethesda
The Pool of Bethesda, mentioned in John 5:2 of the New Testament, is where Jesus is said to have healed a paralyzed man. Described as near the Sheep Gate and surrounded by five porticoes, it is also known as Bethzatha. Today, it is identified with a pool site in Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter, excavated in the late 19th century.
Cyrus Cylinder
Dating from the 6th century BCE, this ancient clay cylinder, inscribed with Akkadian cuneiform, belongs to Persian king Cyrus the Great. The fragmented artifact corroborates the biblical story of Cyrus, permitting the Israelites’ return to Jerusalem and linking historical events with biblical accounts.
Nabonidus Chronicle
The Nabonidus Chronicle is an ancient Babylonian text inscribed in cuneiform on clay tablets. It offers a rare contemporary perspective on Cyrus the Great’s rise to power and is a key source for understanding the events leading to the fall of Babylon and the transition of power during that era.
Siege of Lachish
In 701 BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire laid siege to and conquered the town of Lachish. This event is documented through various sources, including the Hebrew Bible, Assyrian records, and the Lachish relief—a detailed series of carvings that once adorned King Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh.
Mesha Stele
Also known as the Moabite Stone, the Mesha Stele dates to around 840 BCE and features an inscription by King Mesha of Moab. This long Iron Age text is vital for understanding the Moabite language and the Moab-Israel relationship, and it parallels a biblical account in 2 Kings 3:4–27.
Pilate Stone
The Pilate Stone is a carved limestone block measuring 82 cm by 65 cm. Its partially intact inscription mentions Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26–36). This inscription is the earliest surviving contemporary record of Pilate, supplementing his mentions in the New Testament, Josephus, Philo, and Roman historians like Tacitus.
Bubastite Portal
At Karnak’s Amun-Re temple complex, the Bubastite Portal showcases the conquests of Shoshenq I from around 925 BCE. Positioned between the temple of Ramesses III and the second pylon, this striking relief, also known as the Shishak Inscription, is linked to the biblical figure Shishak and vividly depicts ancient military victories.
The Seal of Baruch
In 1975, about 250 clay seals were found 44 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Among them were seals bearing names from Jeremiah 36, including one inscribed with “Berekhyahu son of Neriyahu the scribe.” This seal identifies Baruch, son of Neriah, the scribe for the prophet Jeremiah, linking it directly to Biblical history.
Lachish Letters
These letters are a collection of ancient Hebrew inscriptions on clay shards, written with carbon ink. Exchanged between military officers, they reveal the high-stakes atmosphere of Judah in its final days before the exile, offering a rare and vivid glimpse into the kingdom’s dramatic last moments.
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