Biblical Archaeology

Ivory Pomegranate Fraud

This ivory pomegranate was on the staff of the ancient high priest in Jerusalem. It was discovered in 1979 by French paleographer André Lemaire. It contains an inscription in Hebrew script that says, "Belonging to the Temp[le of Yahw]eh, holy to the priests." This artifact proved recently to be a forgery: "The Israel Museum removed the ivory pomeg...

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The Pontius Pilate Inscription

Does this stone contain an inscription from Pontius Pilate? In June 1961 Italian archaeologists led by Dr. Frova were excavating an ancient Roman theater near Caesarea Maritima and uncovered this interesting limestone block. On the face is an inscription which is part of a larger dedication to Tiberius Caesar which clearly says that it was from "Po...

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Gold of Ophir Inscription

Does this inscription mention king Solomon's gold? This fragment of an ancient pottery jar was discovered at Tel Qasile near Jaffa in Israel. It contains an inscription which mentions "Ophir gold" and the temple of Horon, a Canaanite deity. The Gold of Ophir Inscription is important in the study of Biblical archaeology. It corresponds with what th...

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Lion and Bull Battle Relief

Could this ancient battle symbolize Darius the Persian mentioned in the Bible? This relief of a lion battling a bull is seen at the ancient throne room of Darius in his palace at Persepolis, the seat of his vast Achaemenid Empire. The lion is seen in Persepolis as the symbol of absolute power and heroic triumph. The bull is also a symbol of power i...

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Shishak Relief

Did Shishak invade Israel as a punishment from God over their civil war? Shishak was the first king of Egypt mentioned by name in the Bible. Egypt knew him as Pharaoh Shoshenq I, founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt and he reigned from 944-924 B.C. After Solomon died the Kingdom of Israel divided in half and 5 years later during the reign of Rehobo...

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Bust of Sargon I of Akkad

Could this be Nimrod of the Bible? Sargon I king of Akkade/Agade (2467-2412 BC). Sargon I was the founder of the Akkadian Dynasty and first king of Accad in the land of Shinar. His name Sargon "Sharru-ken" means "the legitimate king." Many identify him as the Nimrod of the Bible (Genesis 10:10). This Sargon I head discovery, if it is indeed him, is...

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Sargon with Tartan Relief

Could this staff of Sargon have been the very object of the Lord's words of anger? Sargon II with his Staff in Hand is seen here with a high official which could be Sennacherib. Sargon is easily recognized with his truncated cone headdress. This 10 foot tall wall relief was discovered in the ruins of ancient Khorsabad by the French archaeologist P...

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Stele of Hammurabi

Was this monument of ancient laws written by one of the kings who captured Abraham's nephew Lot? This shining black diorite pillar called the Hammurabi Stele, was discovered in 1901 at the acropolis of ancient Susa by a French archaeological expedition under M. J. de Morgan. The stele is decorated with a bas-relief of Hammurabi being commissioned b...

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King Sargon Relief

Could this be the same Sargon who is mentioned in the Bible? Sargon II relief. This wall relief was discovered in the ruins of ancient Khorsabad by the French archaeologist Paul Emil Botta in 1842. It is considered an important discovery in Biblical Archaeology confirming the Biblical account. The Sargon Inscription The Sargon Inscription says ...

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Colossal Statue of a Lion

Could this 15-ton Lion of War have been carved with the destruction of Israel in mind? This gigantic roaring lion, once stood as part of a pair of lions at the entrance of an Assyrian temple dedicated to Ishtar, the goddess of warfare, and fertility. The temple was adjoining the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883-859 BC). The temple was e...

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