Clifford A. Wilson<\/b><\/p>\n
Garry Stone<\/b><\/p>\n
Year Found,<\/p>\n
Date. Language\/<\/p>\n
Name\/Location<\/p>\n
Excavator\/Discoverer<\/p>\n
Script<\/p>\n
Contents\/Biblical Significance<\/p>\n
Rosetta Stone, near village of Rosetta, Egypt<\/p>\n
1799, Captain Boussard of Napoleon\u2019s Army. Translated by J.F. Champollion in 1822.<\/p>\n
Approx. 200 B.C.; Greek, Demotic, Hieroglyphys (latter two are Egyptian).<\/p>\n
Decree by priests of Memphis honoring Ptolemy V, Epiphanes. Same decree in three languages, Greek at bottom. Champollion produced Hieroglyphic grammar and dictionary \u2014 door opened to deciphering other inscriptions.<\/p>\n
Sheshonk Inscription, Karnak (Thebes) temple of Amun, Egypt<\/p>\n
1825, then 1896. Flinders Petrie recognized significance in 1896.<\/p>\n
920 B.C. (approx.) Egyptian Hieroglyphys.<\/p>\n
Sheshonk\u2019s victories over various towns of Israel. Confirms record of this campaign in 1 Kings 14:25\u201326.<\/p>\n
Tayior Prism, Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
1830, J.E. Taylor.<\/p>\n
685 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
691 B.C. Annals of Sennacherib. Includes siege of Jerusalem, Isaiah 37: Hezekiah shut up \u201clike a bird in a cage\u201d.<\/p>\n
Behistun Rock, Zagros Mts., Iran<\/p>\n
1835, Henry Rawlinson.<\/p>\n
521-485 B.C.; Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian.<\/p>\n
Tri-lingual inscription of Darius of Persia. Opened door to translation of cuneiform (Akkadian) writing.<\/p>\n
Sargon\u2019s Palace, Khorsabad, near Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
1843\u20131844, Paul Emile Botta (Victor Place, 1851\u20131855).<\/p>\n
722-705 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
Included many bas-reliefs and annals. He claimed to have captured Samaria. Includes campaign by his commander (Tartan) referred to in Isaiah 20:1.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 49<\/p>\n
Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser, Calah (Ancient Nimrud), Iraq<\/p>\n
1846, Austin Henry Layard.<\/p>\n
850 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
Military victories of Shalmaneser III of Assyria. Depicts Jehu of Israel (or emissary) paying tribute \u2014 an event not recorded in the Bible.<\/p>\n
Sennacherib\u2019s Palace, Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
1849\u20131851, Austin Henry Layard (Hormuzd Rassam 1853\u20131877).<\/p>\n
Approx. 700 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
Over 70 rooms lined with scuiptured slabs of military accomplishments, including 13 showing the siege of Lachish. Confirms record of 2 Kings 18:14 that Hezekiah sent tribute to Lachish.<\/p>\n
Ashurbanipal\u2019s Palace, Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
1850\u201354, Layard and Rassam.<\/p>\n
Ashurbanipal ruled 668-626 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian) and earlier.<\/p>\n
Collected clay tablets for his library, including many ancient records. Copy of earlier creation and flood records (see below).<\/p>\n
Enuma Elish (seven tablets), Library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
c. 1850 (Chaldean account of Genesis\u2019 Geo. Smith, 1876), Austin Henry Layard.<\/p>\n
Seventh century B.C. (now other copies dating to 18th century B.C.), Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian, other fragments in Old Babylonian).<\/p>\n
Seven tablets with polytheistic account of creation \u2014 copy of older Akkadian record. Grotesque in various ways. Similarities, but also great differences to Genesis Chapter 1. Bible record is dramatically superior with God transcending creation. Man was created to be His friend, not His menial servant.<\/p>\n
Gilgamesh Epic (12 tablets). Library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, Iraq<\/p>\n
1853 (\u2018Chaldean account of the Deluge\u2019 Geo. Smith 1872\/73).<\/p>\n
Seventh century B.C. (other fragments as early as 2300 B.C.), Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
12 tablets of seventh century B.C., being copies of Akkadian records. Tablet 11 refers to flood and subsequent events. Similarities to biblical Flood record, but many more dissimilarities. The Bible record is greatly superior and historically acceptable.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 50<\/p>\n
The City of Susa, in steppe country east of Tigris, Iran<\/p>\n
1851, Wm. K. Loftus.<\/p>\n
Sixth Century B.C., various, from semi-pictographic early Elamite, and, later, others.<\/p>\n
Evidence of very early occupation and records of happenings through centuries. This was biblical city of \u2018Shushan\u2019. Light on Persian city of Esther and Nehemiah.<\/p>\n
Moabite Stone, Dibon in Moab, Jordan<\/p>\n
1868, Rev. F. Klein.<\/p>\n
840 B.C., Moabite.<\/p>\n
Mesha, King of Moab, rebelled against Israel. Confirms and supplements 2 Kings 1:1 and 3:5.<\/p>\n
Cyrus Cylinder, Babylon, Iraq<\/p>\n
1879\u20131882, Rassam.<\/p>\n
539\/7 B.C., Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Records his conquest and subsequent freeing of captured peoples. Confirms general pattern of \u2018return\u2019 \u2014 see 2 Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1.<\/p>\n
Siloam Inscription, Jerusalem<\/p>\n
1880, young boy, then A.H. Sayce translated.<\/p>\n
701 B.C., Hebrew.<\/p>\n
Details concerning the construction of Hezekiah\u2019s Tunnel. Confirms 2 Kings 20:20, and shows what cubit length is.<\/p>\n
Nabonidus Chronicle, Babylon, Iraq<\/p>\n
1882, T.G. Pinches.<\/p>\n
555-539 B.C., Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Annals of King Nabonidus who was absent in Teima while his son, Belshazzar was in Akkad (Babylon). Nabonidus neglected New Year religious festivals. Other tablets show Belshazzar was \u2018king\u2019 in his father\u2019s absence. See Daniel 5:7, 29 (Daniel \u2018third in the kingdom\u2019).<\/p>\n
Amarna Letters (300 tablets). Tell el Amarna, Egypt<\/p>\n
1887, Egyptian woman (Flinders Petrie and others excavated).<\/p>\n
14th century B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Assyrian).<\/p>\n
Correspondence between Akhenaten and kings of city-states in Palestine. Reveals the political situation at about the time of the conquest.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 51<\/p>\n
Elephantine Papyri, Elephantine Island, Aswan, Egypt<\/p>\n
1893, C.E. Wilbour (student) bought from Arab woman.<\/p>\n
Fifth century B.C., Aramaic.<\/p>\n
Family archives and correspondence of Jewish colony at Elephantine. Relevant to Jeremiah\u2019s warning in Jer. 42:18\u201322. Confirms historicity of Sanballat (Neh. 2:10).<\/p>\n
Merneptah Stela Thebes, Egypt<\/p>\n
1896, Flinders Petrie.<\/p>\n
1220 B.C., Egyptian Hieroglyphys.<\/p>\n
Large black granite stela found at mortuary chapel of Pharaoh Merneptah. Only mention of \u2018Israel\u2019 in Egyptian inscriptions. Merneptah boasted he subjugated Israel in his fifth year (1220 B.C.). Indicates Israel was then in Canaan as established people.<\/p>\n
Oxyrhynchus Papyri, Oxyrhynchus, Egypt<\/p>\n
1897\u20131900, B.P. Grenfell with A.S. Hunt.<\/p>\n
The centuries immediately before and after NT., Koine Greek of \u2018common\u2019 people.<\/p>\n
Documents from trash cans of priests. Throw great light on every-day language of NT. Illustrates Mark 12:37, The common people heard Him gladly\u2019. Note Greek was not slang, but language intelligible to \u2018ordinary\u2019 people.<\/p>\n
Babylon, Palaces of Nebuchadnezzar and Nabopolassar, Iraq<\/p>\n
1898\u20131914, Robert Koldewey.<\/p>\n
600 B.C., Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Fortifications, Ishtar Gate, etc. Illuminates Dan. 4:30. Ration lists include Jehoiachin and his five sons (see 2 Kings 25:27\u201330).<\/p>\n
Code of Hammurabi, Susa, Iran<\/p>\n
1901, M.J. de Morgan.<\/p>\n
1755 B.C., Old Akkadian.<\/p>\n
Codified Babylonian Laws. Similarities to Moses\u2019 law (e.g. Exodus 21:35\u201336) show the latter is ancient. Differences point to the ethical superiority and spiritual uniqueness of Moses\u2019 law.<\/p>\n
Beni Hasan tomb paintings, Beni Hasan, Egypt<\/p>\n
1902\u20131904, J. Garstang. Tombs restored by P.E. Newberry in 1907.<\/p>\n
1892 B.C., Egyptian Hieroglyphys.<\/p>\n
39 Middle Kingdom Tombs. Tomb 3 shows 37 Semites entering Egypt depicting their dress, musical instruments, weapons, etc.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 52<\/p>\n
Sumerian King List, Kish, Iraq<\/p>\n
1906, fragments found. Langdon published tablets in 1923.<\/p>\n
Between 2256 and 2000 B.C., during reign of Utu-hegal of Uruk: Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Tells of eight ante-diluvian rulers who ruled over lower Mesopotamian cities for vast periods of time. Ages of long-living men of Genesis were conservative by comparison! \u2018Before the flood\u2019 shows literal acceptance of the flood.<\/p>\n
Hittite Documents, Boghazkoy (ancient Hattusah), Turkey<\/p>\n
1906\u20137 and 1911\u201312, Hugo Winckler (see also under 1950\u20131963 with Kurt Bittel).<\/p>\n
16th century B.C., Hittite Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Epic of Gilgamesh, myths, historical texts, law code, plus a peace treaty. New light on Hittites about patriarchal times (Genesis 23). Similarities to Moses, especially legal covenant forms.<\/p>\n
Gezer Calendar, Gezer, Israel<\/p>\n
1908, R.A.S. Macalister.<\/p>\n
10th century B.C., Hebrew.<\/p>\n
Records agricultural seasons on schoolboy text. Old Hebrew script, and agricultural practices in Solomon\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
Cyrenius, Syrian Official; Antioch of Pisidia and nearby Hissardi<\/p>\n
1912, Sir William Ramsay.<\/p>\n
10-7 B.C.<\/p>\n
Shows Cyrenius was twice a ruling Syrian official. (Other writings on papyrus show this \u2018poll-tax\u2019 took place very 14 years, commencing in reign of Caesar Augustus.) (See Luke 2:1ff.)<\/p>\n
Ur, the city, and the Royal death pits, (Tell-el-Muquiyar), Iraq<\/p>\n
1922\u20131934 (earlier excavation of city by J.E. Taylor, 1854), C. Leonard Woolley.<\/p>\n
2500 B.C., Cuneiform tablets.<\/p>\n
Gold and silver jewelry, lyres, mathematical and medical documents, etc., showing the advanced state of the culture at Ur. See Josh. 24:15 on worship by Abraham\u2019s ancestors.<\/p>\n
Bethshan, Israel<\/p>\n
1925\u201328, Alan Rowe (others earlier).<\/p>\n
11th century B.C.<\/p>\n
In level V two temples, one Philistine, one Canaanite. Philistines had taken over Canaanite pantheon. Two such temples are indicated in 1 Samuel 31:10.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 53<\/p>\n
Nuzi tablets (thousands), Nuzi, Iraq<\/p>\n
1925\u20131941 \u2014 Edward Chiera 1927, 1930\u201332 and E.A. Speiser.<\/p>\n
15th century B.C., Hurrian dialect of Akkadian (Old and Mid-Babylonian).<\/p>\n
Private contracts and public records. Background of life 300 years after time of patriarchs. Despite challenges, there are important similarities to patriarchal records about marriage, inheritance rights, blessings, etc.<\/p>\n
Ras Shamra Tablets (hundreds), Ugarit (Ras Shamra), Syria<\/p>\n
1929\u20131937, C.F.A. Schaeffer.<\/p>\n
15th century B.C., Ugaritic (Semitic).<\/p>\n
Canaanite literary epics, dictionaries, alphabet tablet. Poetry important. Language close to Hebrew. Highlighted differences between Hebrew and Canaanite religion. Poetry throws light on some Psalms \u2014 local color.<\/p>\n
Eshnunna Legal Code, Tell Asmar (Eshnunna), Iraq<\/p>\n
1930\u20131936, Henry Frankfort.<\/p>\n
20th century B.C., Akkadian.<\/p>\n
Code of King Bilalama, with 60 law paragraphs. Similarities to Moses, e.g. Ex. 21:28\u201332 on ox goring.<\/p>\n
City of Persepolis, in time of Darius the Great, Iran<\/p>\n
1931 (earlier minor excavation in 1878), Ernst Herzfeld.<\/p>\n
Approx. 500 B.C.; Persian, Eiamite, Akkadian cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Plan of ancient city traced, palaces, public buildings \u2014 evidence of great destruction by Alexander the Great. City where Ezra was \u2018Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs\u2019 (Ezra 7:12). Confirms names of Persian kings at Ezra 4:5\u20137; 6:1; 7:7, 11; Neh. 2:1; 13:6; Esther 1:1\u20132; 10:1\u20133.<\/p>\n
Khorsabad King List, Sargon\u2019s Palace, Khorsabad, Iraq<\/p>\n
1932\u20131933 (earlier excavation at this site by Botta in 1844), Edward Chiera. Published by Arno Poebel.<\/p>\n
Early third millennium to about 600 B.C., Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
List of Assyrian kings, plus military and political events and astronomical occurrences such as solar and lunar eclipses. From Eponym Lists such as this correlations with biblical history have been possible, especially by Prof. E.R. Thiele, First king listed <\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 54<\/p>\n
is now also known from Ebla.<\/p>\n
Mari Letters (22,000), Tell-Hariri (Mari), Syria<\/p>\n
1933, Andre Parrot.<\/p>\n
18th century B.C., Akkadian (Old and Mid-Babylonian).<\/p>\n
Extensive third Millennium B.C. city-palace, archive \u2014 mainly diplomatic correspondence. Includes relatively common names such as Peleg, Nahor, Serug (Gen. 11:16, 23\u201324, 27). Parallels to patriarchal customs.<\/p>\n
Lachish Ostraca, Tell ed Duweir, Israel<\/p>\n
1933\u20131938, James L. Starkey.<\/p>\n
588 B.C., cursive Phoenician.<\/p>\n
Twenty-one letters \u2014 political and military situation just before Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. (Only one-third legible.) Note use of fire signals (cf. Jer. 6:1). Letters 3, 4 and 6 of most interest. Lachish, Jerusalem, and Azekah mentioned. Similarities to Jer. 34:7 and 38:4.<\/p>\n
John Rylands Papyrus, Egypt<\/p>\n
1935, C.H. Roberts.<\/p>\n
About 125 A.D., Greek.<\/p>\n
Excavated many years earlier by B.P. Grenfell and sent to John Rylands Library in England. Dated to first half of second century A.D., and circulating in Egypt about 130\u2013150 A.D. On one side of this small fragment was part of John 18:31\u201333 and on the other side part of John 18:37, 38 \u2014 part of trial of our Lord. Proves that John composed his Gospel earlier than 125 A.D.<\/p>\n
Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumram, Israel<\/p>\n
1947, Bedouin Goatherd then E.L. Sukenik, John Trever and W.F. Albright.<\/p>\n
Second century B.C. and later, mainly Hebrew and Aramaic.<\/p>\n
Ancient Hebrew religious writings, including fragments of every O.T. book except Esther. Confirms high fidelity of Massoretic Text of O.T. No break between Isaiah 39 and 40.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 55<\/p>\n
Parts of O.T. in Hebrew 1, 000 years earlier than previously known. Messianic prophecies were collected.<\/p>\n
Law Code of Lipit-Ishtar, King of Isin (seven tablets and fragments), Nippur, Iraq<\/p>\n
1948, translated by Francis R. Steele. (Recovered by University of Pennsylvania at Nippur in 1899\u20131900 but not then studied.)<\/p>\n
1864-1854 B.C., Sumerian.<\/p>\n
Includes legal text with 38 regulations, many being similar to Hammurabi Law Code. Shows Moses\u2019 laws superior to law-givers preceding him, and critical argument that Moses\u2019 law is \u2018too early\u2019 is nonsense.<\/p>\n
Hittite Documents (10,000), Boghazkoy (Ancient Hattusah), Turkey<\/p>\n
1954\u20131963, Kurt Bittel (see earlier, 1906\u20137 and 1911\u201312, Hugo Winckler).<\/p>\n
16th century B.C., Cuneiform (Hittite).<\/p>\n
Legends, myths, and a law code which gave pattern of formalities in making of covenants. Shows early existence of Hittites (see Gen. 23). Also Covenant forms as in Mosaic legislation.<\/p>\n
Babylonian Chronicle, Babylon, Iraq<\/p>\n
1956, Donald Wiseman.<\/p>\n
626-594 B.C., Akkadian (Neo-Babylonian).<\/p>\n
Four new tablets translated, including details of campaigns of Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar. Confirmations of 2 Kings 24:7, Jer. 46:2, and 2 Kings 24:1. Date of capture of Jerusalem was 15\/16 March, 597 B.C.<\/p>\n
Megiddo, Israel<\/p>\n
1960, 1965\u201367. Yigael Yadin (earlier excavators include C.S. Fisher, P.L.O. Guy, and G. Loud in the 1930\u2019s).<\/p>\n
First millennium B.C.<\/p>\n
Various buildings from times of Israelite kings. Same pattern of city gate as Gezer and Hazor \u2014 Solomonic blueprint, (See 1 Kings 9:15ff on store cities and chariot centers.)<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 12:1-2 (Winter-Spring 1983) p. 56<\/p>\n
City of Jerusalem, area of walls near Pool of Siloam, Israel<\/p>\n
1961\u20131967 (as well as earlier and later). Kathleen Kenyon and Roland de Vaux.<\/p>\n
About 1000 B.C.<\/p>\n
Showed that Davidic Jerusalem was larger in area than earlier thought. Wall excavated possibly shows how Nehemiah could build one in 52 days (Neh. 6:15) \u2014 built on ruins of earlier wall. Possibly explained 2 Sam. 5:8 regarding David\u2019s men getting into the city \u2014 by the tunnel (tsinnor<\/i>) as one branch could have led to INSIDE and not OUTSIDE the city.<\/p>\n
Pontius Pilate Inscription, theater at Caesarea, Israel<\/p>\n
1961, A. Frova.<\/p>\n
26\u201336 A.D., Greek.<\/p>\n
\u2018Tiberium (temple?)… Pontius Pilate, Prefect of the Judea…\u2019 Shows exact title of Pilate. Pilate already known in documents, and now in inscription.<\/p>\n
Ebla tablets (15,000 fragments). Tell Mardikh (Ebla), Syria<\/p>\n
1974 to present, Paolo Matthiae.<\/p>\n
2300 B.C., Eblaite and N.W. Semitic Cuneiform.<\/p>\n
Social customs, legal documents, trading details with lists of towns, many biblical. Also common names such as Abraham, Ishmael, David. Earliest yet creation tablet, in some ways close to Genesis 1. Literary practices of Genesis not late after all \u2014 nor words such as \u2018tehom,\u2019 \u2018deep,\u2019 in common use at Ebla.<\/p>\n
Copyright 1983 Dr. Clifford Wilson, 18 Pamela St., Mt. Waverley, Victoria, 3149. Australia.<\/p>\n
Bible and Spade 12:3 (Summer 1983)<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Clifford A. Wilson Garry Stone Year Found, Date. Language\/ Name\/Location Excavator\/Discoverer Script Contents\/Biblical Significance Rosetta Stone, near village of Rosetta, Egypt 1799, Captain Boussard of Napoleon\u2019s Army. Translated by J.F. Champollion in 1822. Approx. 200 B.C.; Greek, Demotic, Hieroglyphys (latter two are Egyptian). Decree by priests of Memphis honoring Ptolemy V, Epiphanes. Same decree in … Continue reading “\u201cTRUTH
\nSHALL SPRING OUT OF THE EARTH\u201d
\n(PSALM 85:11)
\nA CHART SHOWING A MAJOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL\/BIBLICAL FIND EVERY
\nDECADE”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14972\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}