Christian History Institute

A tiny golden bell found in a Jerusalem drainage channel has reminded archaeologists and laymen of the Biblical description of Aaron’s robe.

In Exodus 28 God commanded Moses: “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.”

The bell, which is thought to date back to the time of Christ, may or may not have once been attached to a high priest’s garment, but it fits the general description and gives rise to excitement and speculation.

Tradition has long contended that one of the biblical Philips (either the apostle or the evangelist) was crucified upside down at Hierapolis (in modern Turkey). However, until now no one has been able to find the grave.

Recently Italian archaeologists discovered the ruins of a small church about 150 feet from the martyrium which had been the focus of research. At the new site was a grave, thought to be that of the apostle. It appears his remains were moved in the fifth century.

For more details, see the July/August issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.

Scholars have found what may be a reference to Balaam of Beor, who appears in the Bible. Although the text is from about 600 BC, it may allude back to the prophet who tried to curse Israel but could not and so taught the Israelites to sin with Moabite women, instead.

The text, which was found at Deir Alla, near the region of ancient Moab, refers to Balaam several times and uses words and expressions similar to those included in the Biblical account. To read more, with attempted translations of the text, visit these typical sites: Rabbi Leibel Reznick’s or Kathryn QannaYahu’s.

A find from 2008 exhibits the oldest Hebrew text unearthed so far. A pottery shard from 3,000 years ago, or about the time of David (dated through pottery comparisons and radiocarbon analysis of associated material) is written in an early Canaanite script, a precursor to modern Hebrew. The find was from the region of Elah, near where David killed Goliath.

Its importance is in helping show the development of writing in Israel, and in demonstrating the cultural level of that time. To read more, visit this page at the New York Jewish Times.

In 2002 Oded Golan, an antiquities collector, was accused of forgery when an old stone box for storing bones turned up in his possession with the inscription “James son of Joseph brother of Jesus.” No one disputed the age of the box, which was about 2,000 years old. Scholars even accepted the first half of the inscription, “James, son of Joseph.” Where experts disagreed was on the second half, “brother of Jesus.”

This, some claimed, was inaccurate grammar and faked. However, molecular evidence shows that the patina (a film caused by oxidation) is natural and is at least 200 years old. Most who followed the five-year court proceeding felt the prosecution had completely failed to prove its case. Even Dan Bahat, the lead prosecutor, admitted in court that if the ossuary had been the only exhibit in the trial, he would probably not have proceeded with the case, which was based in part on alleged forgeries found in Oded’s studio, including a stone tablet referring to Joash, which also passed molecular tests.

The judge is now considering his verdict, which could be months in coming, given the extent of expert evidence presented at trial.

Archaeologists love it when they can turn up remains of a figure mentioned in ancient history. This does not happen as often as they might wish. Sometimes the best they can hope for is an archaeological find which supports the general picture of a period.

The recent discovery of an old pottery handle in Jerusalem provides that kind of evidence for a little-known king of Israel. The 3,000-year-old handle is inscribed with the name Menachim (or Menahem), which was also the name of an Israelite king near the demise of the Northern Kingdom. Menachim reigned ten years and, according to 1 Kings 15, did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes. Nonetheless, he died a natural death and was succeeded by his son Pekahiah.

The importance of the find is that it shows the king’s name was in use during the period for which the Bible records it. In other words, the Bible is not anachronistic in its use of the name.

For more on this story, see Ancient handle with Hebrew text found in Jerusalem.

Some archaeologists disputed the Biblical chronology for Edom. Edom, they said, did not appear in history until two centuries after David. Once again the Bible proves more correct than its opponents. Recent finds show that Edom was a flourishing center of metal working at least as far back as the time of David. You can read more about the Edom finds at Reasons to Believe.

For centuries, thinkers have speculated as to the means by which huge stones could be moved for the pyramids, stonehenge, and other ancient structures. Now a Michigan man has demonstrated a simple but workable technique, single-handedly building his own “Stonehenge.” View him in action at ttp://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/moving_big_rocks Although this has little to do with the Biblical archaeology usually featured in this blog space, it eliminates some of the wilder speculations about ancient structures (UFOs not needed!) and indicates that such works required smaller economies and fewer workers than previously thought.

Recently Dr. Eilat Mazar discovered a small clay seal near a tower which was about to collapse at the ancient site of Jerusalem. This seal refers to Gedaliah son of Pashur, one of Jeremiah’s accusers. To read the full story, visit Royal Seal of Prophet Jeremiah’s Accuser Found.

Biblical Archaeology Review announces the finding of a cave in Jordan which appears to have been used as a church between AD 30 and 70. Details at Oldest Church Found?