Archaeological discoveries announced in 2025

I've been negligent in recent years when it comes to mentioning archaeological discoveries. It will take too long to reproduce the articles, so this post just includes headlines and links (sometimes more than one article per item). For those interested in biblical archaeology, I recommend the blogs theoarch and Ferrell's Travel Blog.

Byzantine monastery with mosaic inscription from Deuteronomy discovered near Kiryat Gat (January 6, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists solve mystery of missing cave art in the Levant (January 8, 2025)

Ritual Complex Dating to First Temple Period Discovered in Jerusalem’s City of David also Ancient Jewish private ritual bath is unearthed in Jerusalem's City of David (January 27, 2025)

Researchers Uncover Ancient Worship Site Near First Temple in Jerusalem (January 16, 2025)

Roman Boundary Stone Found in Israel Links Talmudic Accounts to Diocletian’s Lost Villages (January 28, 2025)

Ancient Aramaic inscription finally deciphered reveals Jewish name in the heartland of Judea (January 31, 2025)

Archaeological Proof of King David: The Ancient Stone That Confirms His Dynasty (February 3, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists continue search for Pool of Siloam in ancient City of David (February 12, 2025)

American tourist discovers rare ancient Jewish coin from Hasmonean period in Shiloh, Samaria (February 27, 2025)

Archeologists find evidence of Josiah, the last king of Judah (March 12, 2025)

Scientists: “Evidence suggests that the Genesis flood story might have a basis in reality” (March 13, 2025)

Exciting new discovery in Judean Desert from time of Maccabees mystifies archaeologists (March 25, 2025) also Mysterious Pyramid Discovered in Judean Desert Unveils Hellenistic Era Secrets (March 25, 2025)

Excavations under Church of the Holy Sepulchre reveal evidence of ancient garden, supporting Gospel of John (March 25, 2025)

Ancient and Unique Clay Jug Featuring Camel Decorations Unearthed in Yatir Forest Excavations (March 30, 2025)

Archaeologists Confirm Biblical Armageddon Site at Megiddo in Northern Israel (March 31, 2025)

Little girl discovers 3,800-year-old Canaanite seal on family trip near Beit Shemesh, Israel (April 1, 2025) also Israeli preschooler stumbles on 3,800-year-old artifact near Beit Shemesh; Israeli Toddler Uncovers 3,800-Year-Old Scarab at Biblical Site (April 2, 2025); 3-Yr-Old Girl Finds Canaanite Scarab Where David Faced Goliath (April 2, 2025)

Dyeing for royalty: Ancient tools reveal economic power behind biblical Israel (April 17, 2025) also Archaeologists Discover Ancient Facility that May Have Produced Scarlet and Blue Dyes Used in Temples (April 27, 2025); Israeli scholars find ancient manufacturing site of purple dye near Haifa (May 3, 2025)

Historic Stone Capital with Menorah Set for Exhibit Ahead of Independence Day (April 29, 2025) also 1,500-Year-Old Stone Column Element with Menorah Design Unveiled for First Time (April 29, 2025); Rare menorah-carved capital found near Jerusalem is unveiled for Israel's Independence Day (April 30, 2025)

New Israeli Study Shows Ancient Names Reflect Cosmopolitan Biblical Israel (May 13, 2025)

Rare 1,500-Year-Old African Figurines Discovered in the Negev Desert (May 14, 2025) also Archaeological discovery hints at African Christian community in ancient Israel (May 14, 2025)

Tiny treasure discovered in Jerusalem's City of David: Second gold ring found in less than a year (May 21, 2025)

The buried truth: Unearthing Jewish history on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (May 22, 2025)

From Battleground to Holy Ground: How Archaeology Proves Israel’s Ancient Heritage (May 29, 2025)

Treasured 14th-century Shem Tov Bible finds its way home to Jerusalem (May 30, 2025) also World’s Oldest Known Complete Tanach Returns to Israel (June 3, 2025)

1,700-Year-Old Roman Sarcophagus Depicting Pagan Drinking Contest Discovered in Caesarea also Roman Sarcophagus Discovered in Caesarea Provides Clue to Size of the Ancient City (June 9, 2025)

New evidence for why King Josiah went to meet Pharaoh Necho in Megiddo (June 9, 2025)

New technology gives earlier dates for Dead Sea Scrolls, challenging doubts about book of Daniel (June 27, 2025)

Can the Bible be trusted? A fresh look at the word 'Ebenezer' through the lens of modern research (June 28, 2025) also The dawn of settlement: Uncovering the secrets of ancient Israelite Izbet Sartah and Earliest Hebrew alphabet found at Izbet Sartah reveals surprising Israelite literacy in the Iron Age (July 7, 2025)



1,900-year-old lion-headed bronze discs discovered in Israel likely used in pagan burial rituals (June 29, 2025) also Roman-Era Burial Discs Discovered in Israel Shed Light on Ancient Funeral Customs (June 30, 2025)

Discoveries at Shiloh that back up the Bible: A conversation with archaeologist, Scott Stripling (July 1, 2025) also Excavating Biblical History: New Discoveries at Shiloh and the Search for the Ark’s Gateway (July 25, 2025); Shiloh’s Tabernacle mystery: What the Bible and archaeology reveal (July 26, 2025)

Unearthing the Truth of Salome’s Tomb: New Research Reframes Centuries-Old Christian Tradition (July 7, 2025)

Rare 15th-century Biblical manuscripts shed light on Ethiopian Jewish heritage (July 9, 2025) also 15th Century Manuscripts Reveal Insights into Ethiopian Jewish Traditions (July 15, 2025)

Lost Christian site discovered in Jordan using ancient map of the Holy Land (July 19, 2025)

‘I saw a yellow color’: Volunteer uncovers 2,000-year-old Galilee treasure (July 24, 2025)

Golden Treasures from Jesus’ Time: Discoveries at Sussita Illuminate Biblical History (July 27, 2025)

First ever: 5,500-Year-Old Blade Workshop Found Near Goliath Battleground (July 28, 2025) also Discovery of early Bronze Age workshop sheds light on Canaanite industry (July 28, 2025); Sophisticated 5,500-year-old flint blade workshop unearthed near Kiryat Gat, Israel (July 31, 2025)

Israeli researcher claims finding 'this is from Moses' written in ancient Egyptian mine (July 30, 2025)

Rare First Temple-era seal impression found in Jerusalem (July 30, 2025) also Ancient clay seal with biblical name found near Temple Mount in Jerusalem (August 1, 2025); First Temple Clay Seal Validates Biblical History: May Reference King Josiah’s Servant (August 15, 2025)

Rare first century coin declaring 'For the Redemption of Zion' discovered in Jerusalem (July 31, 2025) also “For the Redemption of Zion” – a rare coin from Year Four of the Great Revolt discovered in Jerusalem (July 31, 2025); Coin minted during the Jewish Revolt uncovered near the Temple Mount (July 31, 2025)



Unearthing Shiloh: Inside the ongoing search for the biblical Tabernacle (August 2, 2025) also Ancient Structure at Shiloh May Have Housed the Ark of the Covenant, Archaeologists Say (August 12, 2025)

Ancient Jewish Sages Were Key Players in Mediterranean Wine Industry, New Study Shows (August 6, 2025)

'Extremely rare' ancient Aramaic inscription discovered in Dead Sea cave (August 10, 2025)

Archaeologists Find Earliest Evidence of Bronze-Making in Land of Israel (August 10, 2025) also New study reveals evidence of 3,000-year-old bronze production site in Samaria (August 15, 2025)

Israeli Archaeologists Uncover World’s Oldest Known Nursing Home (August 18, 2025) also Christian Nursing Home Found in Northern Israel: Uncovering the Earliest Byzantine Elder-Care Institution (August 19, 2025)

New Analysis Suggests 3,800-Year-Old Egyptian Inscription Mentions Moses (August 19, 2025)

Rare Hellenistic Weight Inscribed with Name of Official Seized in Jerusalem (August 20, 2025) also Ancient lead weight of fair-trade official found by Israel's antiquities theft unit (August 20, 2025)

Rare Gold Coin of Egyptian Queen Berenice II Unearthed in the City of David (August 20, 2025) also Ancient gold coin discovered in Jerusalem, shedding light on Second Temple period (August 20, 2025); Small but significant: Ancient Egyptian coin reshapes view of Jerusalem between Temple periods (August 21, 2025)



STUDY: Silver Was Currency in the Land of Israel Long Before Coins Appeared (August 24, 2025)

Ancient Dam Uncovered in the City of David Linked to Kings of Judah (August 26, 2025) also New dating of dam discovered in City of David opens floodgate of questions about Jerusalem’s history (August 26, 2025); Archaeologists Unearth Israel’s Largest Ancient Dam in City of David (August 27, 2025)

Ancient Baptisery, Cathedral Found While Renovating French Shopping Hall (August 28, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists discover 2,000-year-old Hebrew inscription in City of David (August 28, 2025) also Discovered in City of David: A 2,000-Year-Old Receipt Reveals Daily Commerce in Second Temple Jerusalem (August 29, 2025)



Inside Israel’s vast archaeological world (August 30, 2025)



4,000-Year-Old Lamp Wicks Unearthed in Yehud Among Oldest in the World (August 31, 2025) also 4,000-year-old lamp wicks shed light on ancient burial rituals; Israeli archaeologists unearth well-preserved 4,000-year-old lamp wicks (September 2, 2025)



Bethsaida discovery? Israeli archaeologists believe they found Peter’s hometown by Sea of Galilee (August 31, 2025)

Ancient Samaritan Estate With Colorful Mosaics Unearthed in Kafr Qasim (September 2, 2025) also 1,600-year-old Samaritan estate unearthed in central Israel (September 2, 2025); A Glimpse into a Lavish Samaritan Agricultural Estate at Kafr Qasim (September 2, 2025); Archaeologists uncover 'magnificent' Samaritan agricultural estate in central Israel (September 3, 2025)



Israel unveils digital archaeological database with millions of ancient records (September 9, 2025) also Israel Unveils One of the World’s Largest Digital Archaeological Databases (September 12, 2025); Israeli researchers develop computer tool to study Dead Sea Scrolls (September 17, 2025); Vast collection of antiquities now online as Israel launches new archaeological database (September 21, 2025)



New discovery in the City of David changes what we knew about the Pool of Siloam (September 17, 2025)

Rare coin hoard unearthed in Galilee reveals hidden chapter of Jewish revolt against Rome (September 18, 2025) also Ancient coin stash used by Jewish rebels in fight against Rome discovered (September 18, 2025); Hidden Galilee Complex Yields Coins from Last Jewish Revolt Under Rome (September 18, 2025); Ancient Coin Hoard Reveals Last Chapter of Jewish Resistance in Roman Judea and Samaria (September 19, 2025)

Hoard of Gold Coins and Jewelry Discovered During Excavations at Hippos (September 25, 2025) also Trove of ancient gold coins discovered on Golan Heights (September 25, 2025); Archaeologists discover 'one of the largest hoards' of Byzantine era coins found in Israel during Galilee dig (September 25, 2025)

Evidence for the biblical Temple of Solomon: Ancient beams and modern discoveries (September 19, 2025) also A small but unique discovery: Phoenician presence and Solomon’s Temple (September 27, 2025) and Was King Solomon real? Archaeological clues to Israel’s golden age (October 18, 2025)



Cosmic Rays Reveal Hidden Chambers Beneath Ancient Jerusalem (October 1, 2025)

Archaeologists uncover 1,500-year-old synagogue in Golan Heights (October 5, 2025) also Ancient synagogue discovered in the Golan, testifying to Jewish ties to the area (October 5, 2025); Ancient 1,500-Year-Old Synagogue Unearthed in the Golan Reveals Flourishing Jewish Life in Antiquity (October 6, 2025); 1,500-Year-Old Synagogue Unearthed in Golan Heights Reveals Ancient Jewish Presence (October 9, 2025); https://www.facebook.com/reel/786188881066853

For the first time in Jerusalem: an Assyrian inscription from the First Temple period was discovered (October 22, 2025) also First Temple era artifact unearthed in Jerusalem (October 22, 2025); Rare First Temple-era Assyrian inscription found in Jerusalem confirms connection with ancient Judah; Ancient Assyrian Tax Inscription Found Near Temple Mount (October 23, 2025)





Archaeologist says Jordan sites match biblical account of Sodom’s fall (October 26, 2025) also New Archaeological Evidence Points to Sodom and Gomorrah’s Location Near the Dead Sea (October 31, 2025)

Foxes in Bethsaida: Hints of Lamentations Prophecy and Harbinger of Hope for Jews and Christians in the Holy Land (November 3, 2025)

Ancient Winepress and Canaanite Ritual Artifacts Unearthed Near Tel Megiddo Reveal Early Settlement Expansion in Jezreel Valley (November 5, 2025) also ‘Smoking gun’ of ancient wine production unearthed in northern Israel (November 5, 2025); 5,000-Year-Old Winepress and Canaanite Relics Discovered in Northern Israel



New Atlas Reveals Roman Roads 50% More Extensive Than Previously Known (November 12, 2025)

Ancient Silver Goblet from Judean Hills Bears Earliest Known Image of Creation (November 16, 2025)

When Migratory Birds Filled the Carmel Plain: New Study Revives a Biblical Landscape (November 21, 2025)

New Radiocarbon Study Reopens the Door to an Exodus Timeline Rooted in the Days of Pharaoh Ahmose (November 30, 2025)

AI Unlocks 1,000 Years of Jewish History Hidden in Cairo’s Sacred Archives (November 30, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists uncover remains of dramatic mountaintop royal palace (December 4, 2025) also Ancient Fortress Excavation Reveals Hidden Jewish Royal Palace (December 5, 2025)

Ancient Hasmonean Wall Uncovered in Jerusalem: Evidence of Maccabean Power and Mysterious Destruction (December 8, 2025) also Archaeologists uncover huge Hasmonean-era wall in Jerusalem as Hanukkah approaches (December 9, 2025); City of David Excavation Reveals Massive Hasmonean Period Wall (December 9, 2025)



First material evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield discovered near Jerusalem (December 10, 2025) also Hanukkah Discovery Evidence of Judah Maccabee’s 163 BCE Battle Uncovered Near Jerusalem (December 11, 2025); Hanukkah miracle: Israel discovers evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield near Jerusalem (December 11, 2025)

Rare 1,400-year-old menorah pendant found near Western Wall sheds light on Byzantine Jewish life (December 15, 2025) also Ancient menorah pendant discovered under Temple Mount puzzles archaeologists (December 15, 2025); Underground Judaism: Menorah pendant discovery from Byzantine era suggests Jews still worshipped in Jerusalem despite being banned (December 15, 2025); A rare, 1,300-year-old lead pendant decorated with a menorah symbol uncovered by Temple Mount (December 18, 2025)

Rare Hasmonean-era oil lamp discovery near Jerusalem revealed on first night of Hanukkah (December 16, 2025)

2,700 year-old Hebrew clay inscription found in Jerusalem reveals first mention of Bethlehem outside the Bible (December 25, 2025)

Rare gold coins, ring discovered in Judean Wilderness point to Byzantine Christian past (December 26, 2025)

Mikveh from final days of the Second Temple discovered beneath Western Wall Plaza (December 29, 2025) also Second Temple-era mikveh discovered near the Western Wall (December 29, 2025); Road Construction Leads to the Discovery of Rare Cave System in Samaria (December 31, 2025); 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath discovered near Second Temple site (January 1, 2026)

Archaeology and biblical history items, September 2022-January 2023

Here are more items related to archaeology and biblical history that I've been too negligent to post. I don't feel like posting entire items, but the reader may find the full articles by clicking on the links below.

Dropping water levels reveal new archaeological sites, artefacts in Euphrates, Tigris rivers (September 8, 2022) (also here)

Rare First Temple-period papyrus found in Montana, returned to Israel (September 8, 2022) (also here)

Extremely rare Judean quarter-shekel coin repatriated to Israel from the U.S. (September 13, 2022) (also here)

Tomb from time of Pharaoh containing ancient finds, discovered on beach in Israel (September 18, 2022)

The ‘most beautiful’ Byzantine-area mosaic floors discovered in Gaza uncovered by local farmer (September 19, 2022)

Ancient burial cave with dozens of unique artifacts found in central Israel (September 27, 2022)

40 pure gold coins found stashed in a wall during excavations in northern Israel (October 3, 2022)

Greek monastery manuscripts tell new story of Ottoman rule (October 21, 2022) (also here)

Research by Israeli universities confirms truth of biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian and Babylonian military campaigns against Israel and Judah (October 25, 2022) (also here)

U.S. archivists find oldest-known star map in Egypt beneath ancient Christian Syriac manuscript (October 28, 2022) (also here)

Ancient Christian monastery discovered in Middle East predates emergence of Islam (November 4, 2022)

Canaanite inscription lamenting a plague of lice unearthed in biblical Lachish (November 9, 2022)

Newly discovered mosaics in Galilee’s “Burnt Church” shed light on early Christianity (November 22, 2022) (also here)

3,000-year-old Canaanite scarab found by Israeli schoolchildren during field trip near Tel Aviv (November 30, 2022) (also here)

Ancient Roman Road discovered in Galilee (December 5, 2022)

2,200 year old Greek “Hercules” sling bullet discovered in central Israel (December 8, 2022) (also here)

Rare Antiochus IV coin discovered in suspected thief's house in northern Israel (December 9, 2022)

2,200-year-old coins found in Judean Desert support historical account of the Maccabees, say archaeologists (December 13, 2022) (also here)

Rare 2,000-year-old ‘Temple tax’ silver coin found near Temple Mount (December 14, 2022)

Roman-era cemetery discovered in Gaza (December 17, 2022)

Israeli archaeologists find earliest evidence of use of cotton in the Middle East (December 18, 2022)

Inscriptions confirm biblical account of King Hezekiah (December 19, 2022)

2,000-year-old tomb associated with Jesus’ midwife Salome uncovered in Judean lowlands (December 20, 2022) (also here)

Israeli children find 2,000-year-old oil lamp in northern Israel (December 21, 2022)

Twenty ancient tombs, full of tiles and amulets, found in city of Damietta in the Nile Delta in Egypt (December 22, 2022)

Scientists use new technology to recreate face of Pharaoh who may have ruled over the Exodus (December 26, 2022)

Biblical Siloam Pool next to Temple Mount to be fully excavated (December 27, 2022)

People in biblical Levant paid in silver 3,600 years ago, study shows (January 8, 2023)

What’s new in the ancient City of David? (January 9, 2023)

Israeli archaeologists uncover 6th-century Church with unique mosaics near Jericho (January 12, 2023)

4,000-year-old ostrich eggs eaten in prehistoric Israel uncovered in the Negev (January 12, 2023)

Archaeologists discover 18th dynasty tomb in Egypt (January 18, 2023)

Mesha Stele Mystery solved: King David was real, researchers say (January 17, 2023)

1,300-year-old luxurious fabrics found in the Arava offer proof of ‘Israeli Silk Road’ (January 19, 2023)

1,000-year-old Jerusalem Old City moat, mysterious carved handprint discovered (January 25, 2023) (also here)

Excavations underneath Western Wall may eventually connect to City of David (January 25, 2023)

Backlog: Egyptian journalist wants to sue Israel for damages caused by Old Testament plagues

To quote Winston Churchill out of context, "Here, surely, is the world's record in the domain of the ridiculous and the contemptible." The journalist in the article below at least performs a service in illustrating the absurdity of recent calls for reparations for alleged sins committed long before the births of those manufacturing grievances. The biblical account of the plagues can be found in Exodus 7:14-11:10; rather than Israel, the journalist should be suing God, since He was the one who sent the plagues. The following item was first published in 2014, but is more relevant now than ever. As reported by Ahuva Balofsky of Breaking Israel News (now known as Israel365 News), March 31, 2014:

Columnist Ahmad al-Gamal of Egypt’s Al-Yawm Al-Sabi daily has proposed his country sue numerous countries for damages – both physical and psychological – inflicted over the past several millennia. Notably, he wants to sue Turkey for the abuses of the Ottoman Empire, France for Napoleon’s invasion, Britain for its 72-year occupation and Israel for causing the Biblical plagues.

Media watchdog Middle East Media Research Institute first noted the March 11, 2014 column. In the column, al-Gamal demands compensation for the “backwardness” imposed on his country by Turkey. He accused the Ottoman Empire of plundering the country of its precious resources, as well as its human capital, conscripting both to the Empire’s own needs and plunging the country into intellectual darkness at a time when the rest of the world was experiencing development.

He likewise charged modern Britain with similar misdeeds, saying it “took part in preventing [Egypt] from realizing the fruits of its stupendous victory” against Israel in 1956, 1967 and 1973.

He added, “We want compensation for 72 years of British occupation that imposed backwardness and dependency upon us, stole the resources of our country, drove a wedge between the sons of the homeland and turned [the members of] one social stratum into [British] agents who took no pity on the Egyptian poor…” He traced the roots of this injustice to Napoleon’s 1798 invasion, and added France to the list of responsible countries.

Most startling, however, were the allegations leveled at Israel, or more to the point, their Biblical origins. Al-Gamal quoted the Hebrew Bible in asserting the country should repay Egypt for the harm caused by the plagues, as well as the theft of precious commodities used to build the Tabernacle in the desert.

He claims the Bible’s collective punishment of the Egyptian people was uncalled for, as it was Pharaoh himself alone who was responsible for the suffering of the Israelites. He does not afford the French the same assumption regarding Napoleon’s decisions, though.

“We want compensation for the [Ten] Plagues that were inflicted upon [us] as a result of the curses that the Jews’ ancient forefathers [cast] upon our ancient forefathers, who did not deserve to pay for the mistake that Egypt’s ruler at the time, Pharaoh as the Torah calls him, committed. For what is written in the Torah proves that it was Pharaoh who oppressed the Children of Israel, rather than the Egyptian people. [But] they inflicted upon us the plague of locusts that didn’t leave anything behind them; the plague that transformed the Nile’s waters into blood, so nobody could drink of them for a long time; the plague of darkness that kept the world dark day and night; the plague of frogs; and the plague of the killing of the firstborn, namely every first offspring born to woman or beast, and so on.

“We want compensation for the gold, silver, copper, precious stones, fabrics, hides and lumber, and for [all] animal meat, hair, hides and wool, and for other materials that I will mention [below], when quoting the language of the Torah. All these are materials that the Jews used in their rituals. These are resources that cannot be found among desert wanderers unless they took them before their departure…”

He went on to reference specific Biblical passages. “The stories of the Holy Scriptures state that the Israelites set off from the [Nile] valley at night and went to the Sinai Peninsula. This is known to be a desert, where there is no use for large quantities of gold, silver, precious stones, meats, oils, fabrics and the like. Therefore it is clear that the Israelites took all these things from Egypt before they left.

Chapter 25 of Exodus, on the [Israelites’] departure [from Egypt], states: ‘The Lord said to Moses: Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering… These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Have them make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other [Exodus 25:1-12]’…

“[Exodus 38:24 states]: ‘The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel…’

“I call upon everyone with an interest in Torah studies to instruct us on a scientific basis what is the [precise] meaning of the word ‘talent.’ How many grams is it currently worth, what was the weight of the sheqel during those days, especially as it was made out of solid pure gold and pure silver…”

It seems as though Mr. al-Gamal wasn't alone in allowing hatred of Jews to influence the Egyptian view of history; as reported by Simcha Jacovici of Breaking Israel News (Israel365 News), September 15, 2014:

The Egyptian archaeological community is in a tizzy. They are accusing foreign Egyptologists of being Israeli agents hell bent on altering their history. It seems Israel’s ultimate goal is to reclaim the Pyramids. This charge was recently laid by Amir Gamal of the “Non-Stop Robberies” movement. It was published in Egypt’s Elaph newspaper. Not long ago, Egyptian journalist Ahmad al-Gamal encouraged his government to sue the Jewish state for losses incurred during the 10 plagues, visited upon Egypt during the biblical exodus. Also, the Torah claims that the Israelite slaves took Egypt’s gold with them to the Promised Land. Al-Gamal wants the gold or an equal sum in U.S. dollars – with 3500 years of compounded interest – paid by Israel to Egypt.

Some of this is funny, and some of this is not. When I filmed archaeology in Egypt in 2004 for a documentary film on the biblical Exodus, the Egyptians were watching us like hawks. In Egypt, the bible is current history. Even though the Qur’an says that the biblical Exodus is a historical fact, modern Arab regimes see Mideast history as a zero-sum game – if it’s good for the Jews, it’s bad for the Arabs. So any archaeology connected to the biblical Exodus is suppressed for fear that it might support Israel’s claims in the area. For example, a statue discovered at Avaris in the Delta is thought by some scholars to be a representation of the biblical Joseph. Because of the possible connection with the Jewish patriarch, the statue has now “disappeared” from the Cairo museum. It wasn’t easy for the statue to disappear, since it weighs a ton.

More than this, Egypt’s obsession with biblical archaeology influences the views of Egyptologists. If you claim you have found proof of the biblical Exodus, they ban you from Egypt. If you’re an Egyptologist, that’s a big problem. So – not surprisingly – Egyptologists tend to find nothing connected to the Israelites. Recently, Charles University professor Miroslav Barta tried to connect the bible to Egyptian archaeology. As a result, he’s being accused of working for the Mossad. His mission: falsify Egyptian history. Not exactly a climate for free academic debate.

Here’s what I think: they can keep the Pyramids, we didn’t build them. They had been around for a thousand years before Moses was born. Having said this, in return for us dropping our claims to the Pyramids, they should pay us for years of slavery and stop bullying Western academics.

On a related note, Jewish slaves built the Colosseum in Rome. Jewish masons cut the stone, and the money that financed the project came from the Roman looting in 70 C.E. of the Temple in Jerusalem. There is an inscription that proves this. We built it, we paid for it, it’s time to get it back. I would move it to Israel’s south, near the border with Gaza. First of all, I could get exclusive documentary filming rights to the process of moving the Colosseum from Italy to Israel. Besides, this feat of modern engineering would right a historical wrong, increase tourism to an area that has been suffering under Hamas rockets fired from Gaza and make the world more sensitive to those rockets – because instead of landing in Israeli towns, they would now be landing on a UNESCO cultural site.

Archaeology and biblical history items, July 2021-June 2022

This blogger has been negligent in recent months in posting items related to archaeology and biblical history. I don't feel like posting entire items, but the reader may find the full articles by clicking on the links below.

Largest Ritual Bath from Temple Period has Just Been Uncovered Under Temple Mount (July 8, 2021)

In response to archaeological discoveries proving Jewish presence in the city, Hamas accuses Israel of ‘falsifying’ Jerusalem’s history (July 16, 2021)

New Dead Sea Scroll Study Suggests Essenes Held Annual “Covenant Renewal Ceremony” at Qumran (August 31, 2021)

Jerusalem: Archaeologists Discover Temple Period ‘Cheat-Weight’ Proving Accuracy of Bible (September 2, 2021)

New Study Confirms Location and Cause of Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: Heavenly Fire (September 24, 2021)

Ancient Hebrew document could reveal why Dead Sea Scrolls were placed in Qumran (September 30, 2021)

Actual Location of Mount Sinai Discovered, Researchers Now Claim (October 3, 2021)

Gilgamesh Tablet Returned to Iraq on Anniversary of Torah Reading of Noah (October 5, 2021)

2700-Year-Old Toilet from First Temple Period Unearthed in Jerusalem (October 5, 2021)

12,000-Year-Old Fishing Techniques Uncovered in Archaeological Dig in Northern Israel (October 7, 2021)

World's Biggest Wine Factory from 1,500 Years Ago Discovered in Central Israel (October 11, 2021)

Israeli archaeologists discover first evidence of Crusader encampments in Holy Land (October 19, 2021)

Ancient Crusader Encampment Discovered for First Time in Galilee (October 20, 2021)

Rare Biblical ‘Balm of Gilead’ Engraving Found on 2,000-Year-Old Seal in Jerusalem (October 21, 2021)

Archaeologists Find More Clues to Solve the Mystery of Bethseda (October 25, 2021)

Spectacular Ancient Gold Ring Unearthed in an Excavation in Yavne (November 2, 2021)

Jacob's Stone Altar of Beit El Discovered in the City of David (November 19, 2021)

For First Time: Building from Time of Sanhedrin Uncovered (November 29, 2021)

Hasmonean Sling Stone Discovered in the Hebron Hills (November 29, 2021)

Oil Lamp from Hasmonean Period Found in City of David (November 30, 2021)

Archaeologists Discover Second Ancient Synagogue on the Shores of Sea of Galilee (December 12, 2021)

Ancient underwater treasures, including Christian artifact, discovered off Israel’s coast (December 23, 2021)

Israeli Researcher Unearth First Ever Bronze Age Victims of Volcanic Eruption Discovered After 3,500 Years (December 30, 2021)

Ancient Toilet from First Temple Era Reveals: Poor Sanitary Conditions Caused Jerusalem's Elite to Suffer Diseases (January 4, 2022)

Clay Seals from First Temple Treasury Discovered in Rubble from Temple Mount (January 10, 2022)

Ancient Egyptians were Consumers of Successful Copper Industry in Arabah Region, Say Tel Aviv University Archaeologists (January 10, 2022)

Ice-Age Remains Near the Kinneret Show Ancient Residents Thrived as Ice Melted Rather than Starving to Death (January 26, 2022)

Ancient Hebrew Amulet Unearthed at Altar of Joshua (January 27, 2022)

Fifth-century Byzantine church unveiled in the Gaza Strip (January 27, 2022)

Prehistoric Human Vertebra Discovered in the Jordan Valley Tells the Story of Prehistoric Migrations from Africa (February 2, 2022)

Evidence of ‘biblical giants’ found in northern Israel (February 15, 2022)

Ship sunk 3,200 years ago near Caesarea reveals unknown ancient trade links (February 21, 2022)

River Prophesied by Ezekiel Accidentally Discovered in Jerusalem (February 22, 2022)

American tourist discovers ancient jug in the Judean Desert – by accident (March 9, 2022)

Turkey Returns Ancient Siloam Inscription Describing Hezekiah's Tunnel (March 11, 2022)

Report: Turkey has agreed to return to Israel an ancient Hebrew inscription bearing direct evidence of biblical accounts, Jewish connection to Jerusalem (March 13, 2022)

Iranian Jews Bought Tomb of Queen Esther and Mordechai, Israel's National Library Reveals (March 13, 2022)

Italians Shocked to Discover Phonecian Harbor is Actually a pool, Temple to Baal (March 20, 2022)

Ancient Curse Amulet Discovered from Mount Ebal (March 25, 2022)

Archaeologists believe they found the oldest Hebrew text in Israel – including the name of God (March 25, 2022)



Archaeological site with Christian mosaic to take the place of Israeli prison (March 30, 2022)

Archaeologists Reveal: Wine from Second Temple was Flavored with Vanilla (April 4, 2022)

Israel’s archaeological findings continue to prove the Bible’s authenticity (April 4, 2022)

Hamas Discovers Ancient Canaanite Idol ‘Anat’; Thinks it “Proves Palestinian History in the Land” (April 27, 2022)

Mesopotamian City Built Five Centuries After Abraham Discovered Under Tigris River (June 1, 2022)

Archaeological Find Reveals Proof of Conversion to Judaism After Roman Invasion of Jerusalem (June 2, 2022)

Ancient Jewish Bath Discovered While Building Controversial Western Wall Elevator (June 3, 2022)

July 4, 2022 update:

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Board Game Goliath May Have Played (June 14, 2022)

Earliest Use of Sluice Gate Discovered in Hezekiah's Tunnel (June 15, 2022)

Remnants of oldest ‘domesticated’ olive tree discovered in Israel (June 15, 2022)

40 years ago: Israel and Egypt establish diplomatic relations

On January 26, 1980, Israel and Egypt established diplomatic relations, exactly 10 months after the signing of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in Washington, six months after the Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

It's interesting to note that Egypt isn't mentioned as one of the nations attacking Israel in Ezekiel 38--an attack which is yet in the future:

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Ezekiel 38:1-6

Go here for a brief commentary on the nations mentioned in the passage above.

Egypt announces plans to renovate its Jewish heritage sites, as Cairo holds interfaith Hanukkah celebration

As reported by Smadar Perry of Ynet News, December 12, 2018:

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will allocate $71 million to renovate Jewish heritage sites and synagogues in Egypt, Minister of Archeology Khaled Al-Anani revealed, as the country marked the festival of Hanukkah with an interfaith gathering.

The Egyptian government has some 500 items collected from synagogues, which will be presented to the general public. Cairo has 13 synagogues, but only three of them are active: the Shaarei Shamayim Synagogue, the Ben Ezra Synagogue in the Abbassia neighborhood and the synagogue of the Karaite community. Al-Anani said that some of the synagogues would cease to serve as houses of worship and would instead become tourist sites open to the general public.

"There is significance in rehabilitating Jewish synagogues, similar to renovating pharaonic, Islamic and Coptic heritage sites," the minister said. But he added: "It should be remembered that the Jewish articles and the synagogues belong to the Egyptian government."

Sisi stressed that there would be no "foreign involvement" in the renovation process - an indirect reference to attempts by Jewish organizations abroad to intervene in and finance the renovation work. He said that all the work would be carried out by Egyptians only, using Egyptian government funds.

"Most of the synagogues are currently in very poor condition and must be renovated in order to turn them into visitors' centers," explained al-Anani, during a special presentation at the Egyptian parliament. He also said that an anti-smuggling authority operating in the UAE city of Sharjah located hundreds of items from Egyptian synagogues that were destined for Europe.

According to al-Anani, Jewish, Islamic and pharaonic artifacts were also smuggled into Italy, "and we are negotiating with the Italian government for their return."

Meanwhile, Cairo for the first time celebrated Hanukkah with a joint event for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The head of the Egyptian Jewish community, Magda Haroun, invited dozens of non-Jewish guests to the Shaarei Shamayim synagogue on the outskirts of Cairo for a ceremony at which she explained the meaning of the holiday.

Fewer than a dozen Jews, most of them elderly, remain of what was once a large Egyptian Jewish community.

Scholarly re-examination of radiocarbon dating leads to re-evaluation of King David and the Exodus

The Tel Dan Stele referencing King David

It comes as no surprise to this blogger to read that radiocarbon dating may not be as scientifically precise as is commonly promoted. As reported by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz of Breaking Israel News, July 2, 2018 (links in original):

A recent study into carbon dating may reset the archaeological timeline, adding fuel to an ongoing debate as to whether King David ruled over a large unified kingdom or whether he was a tribal chieftain, overly glorified in the Biblical narrative.

Prof. Sturt Manning of Cornell University recently published a paper, Fluctuating Radiocarbon Offsets Observed in the Southern Levant and Implications for Archaeological Chronology Debates in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) Journal. His study of radiocarbon testing in the southern Levant suggests that the current model for carbon dating is inaccurate when applied to Israel. His data point to more recent ages for archaeological findings, suggesting a timeline that may be earlier by as little as a few years or as many as several decades.

“If the difference in the carbon dating sets a new date 20 years earlier then it is not significant,” Professor Avraham Faust, an archaeologist some of whose findings at Tel Eton were carbon dated, told Breaking Israel News. “If it is set 60 years earlier then it might be significant.”

The difference in those years for the archaeological timeline is literally of Biblical proportions.

“The debate between the high chronology (the earlier timeline) and low chronology (the later timeline) draws the public interest because it might have consequences as to whether David was a tribal chief or a larger polity,” Faust stated.

Manning’s study could reset carbon dating as it is applied in the Middle-East. Carbon dating is calibrated by the IntCal13 curve based on securely dated findings taken from trees, usually oaks or conifers, from the northern hemisphere. Manning’s study investigates whether the unusually long and hot summer in the Middle East would lead to different results for carbon dating. Using juniper trees in southern Jordan, he utilized calendar-dated tree ring studies from the years 1610-1940. He correlated these findings with the Carbon-14 in the rings’ annual growth. The study found a difference of about 20 years during the 330-year test period when compared to the IntCal13 curve. When applied to artifacts from the early Iron Age in Israel, he estimated that this could mean a difference of 50-100 years in the dating.

Faust noted that Manning’s findings seemed to indicate the low chronology.

“When there were differences, they always indicated that the date should be newer in the Middle-East,” Faust said. “If this difference is also applied to earlier periods than what Manning tested, findings from the 10th century BCE for example, this might support the low chronology, depending on how much later the new dates would be.”

But Faust cautioned that at this point, the study is not conclusive regarding its application to findings from the Biblical period.

“There are many ‘ifs’ before we can assess the importance of this study this to our findings from the Iron Age in Israel,” he said. “If there is indeed a difference in the carbon dating between Europe and the Middle East, and if that difference gives a lower date in antiquity, and if that difference is significant, then it has an impact on the debate over Biblical David.”

Faust explained that the Biblical chronology places the united monarchy of David and Solomon in the 10th century BCE. Archaeological finds like his at Tel Eton, close to the Hebron Hills, seems to fit with the story, showing cities and public buildings with a relatively sophisticated social infrastructure, which might be associated with David’s kingdom in the highlands during that period.

“This can be in line with at least some of the Biblical description of a kingdom centered in the highlands,” Faust said. “If, however, you go according to the low chronology placing these cities and public buildings at a later date, then there are many fewer finds that can correlate with a central kingdom in the highlands at the time in which King David was supposed to have existed. This would mean that David could not have been as important a king.”

A thorough scientist, Faust cautioned that even if the reset of the carbon dating is shown to be applicable, consideration will still be required.

“When you discuss a historical question, you should rely on as much as evidence as possible,” Faust cautioned. “Carbon 14 dating is just one of them and is not necessarily definitive or final, as the study shows. In archaeology we have a huge amount of evidence, and all the surrounding evidence needs to be considered as well. It needs to fit into a coherent picture, not simply be taken on a site-by-site basis.”

It is important to note that the discussion among scientists is not whether King David existed but how he ruled. Faust confirmed this.

“It is my experience that the vast majority of scholars believe that a figure by the name of David existed, mainly because 9th century BCE sources mention a dynasty named after him,” Faust said. “Most scholarly views fall within a spectrum, with one side of it seeing David as a local, insignificant chief, and the other conforming to an image more consistent with the Biblical description of a ruler of a kingdom centered in the highlands and ruling even beyond it. Most scholars are located somewhere along this spectrum. Very few, if any, serious scholars would say that David was a completely mythical figure, and that no person by that name ever existed and that this figure was not regarded as a founder of a dynasty of rulers already at an early stage.”

And as reported by Mr. Berkowitz in Breaking Israel News, August 27, 2018 (links in original):

A recent breakthrough in carbon dating may help archaeologists give a more precise dating for the Exodus from Egypt, linking it to a catastrophic volcanic eruption that many claim explains some of the more spectacular aspects of the Biblical story.

A University of Arizona study led by Dr. Charlotte Pearson was published two weeks ago. The study used high-resolution radiocarbon dating methods to establish a more precise date for a cataclysmic volcanic blast that took place in the 16th century BCE in Thera, an island in the Aegean Sea near Greece. Their results will be used to re-calibrate carbon dating around the world.

“What we are trying to do is be part of the global realization that the radiocarbon calibration method is ready for an improvement. Because now the technology is there to measure the radiocarbon in every single tree ring, and we’re just pulling out one treasure from the box — in this instance the carbon-14, and seeing how that can be applied to improve the way we date material in the Mediterranean… and anywhere in the world,” said Pearson, in a video explaining her project.

Despite its massive scale as one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the last 4,000 years, archaeologists and historians have always had difficulty assigning a specific date to the Thera eruption. The devastating results of the eruption are evident on the island to this day, as are the results of an earthquake and tsunami generated by the volcano.

The eruption is a key marker for the Bronze Age chronology of the Eastern Mediterranean world. It provides a fixed point for aligning the entire chronology of the second millennium BCE in the Aegean, as evidence of the eruption is found throughout the region. Despite the evidence, the exact date of the eruption has been difficult to determine. Archaeologists have traditionally placed it at approximately 1500 BCE.

Radiocarbon dates corresponding to the eruption, including analysis of an olive branch buried beneath a lava flow from the volcano that gave a date between 1627 BCE and 1600 BCE, suggest an eruption date more than a century earlier than suggested by archaeologists. Thus, the radiocarbon dates and the archaeological dates are in substantial disagreement.

The Thera eruption was so transformative that major historical events in the region have been attributed to it. The discoverer of the Akrotiri archaeological site, suggested that the Minoan eruption is the basis of Plato’s story of Atlantis.

Some egyptologists believe ancient Egyptians wrote about the Thera eruption. Times of Israel wrote that Nadine Moeller, associate Professor of Egyptian Archaeology at the University of Chicago, believes the Thera eruption was referred to an the Tempest Stela. Attributed to Pharaoh Ahmose I who ruled from 1539–1514 BC, it describes a great storm striking Egypt during this time, destroying tombs, temples and pyramids and the work of restoration ordered by the king. The storm was accompanied by darkness, earthquakes and flooding.

“It is now time to consider the possibility that the Tempest Stela is indeed a contemporary record of the cataclysmic Thera event,” Moeller wrote in a 2014 article.

In 1981, Professor Hans Goedicke, chairman of the department of Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University and a world-famous Egyptologist, attributed several aspects of the Biblical account to the eruption at Thera. His theories were based on his opinion that the Exodus took place 1477 BCE in the reign of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, 200 years earlier than most historians previously believed. Goedicke believed the splitting of the Red Sea and the swallowing up of the Egyptian army was the result of a tsunami generated by the eruption at Thera. Initially well-received, Professor Goedicke was ridiculed for his theory and his claims labelled a hoax.

This theory was resurrected by two-time Emmy winner Simcha Jacobovici and world-famous film director James Cameron in a 2006 documentary titled “The Exodus Decoded.” In additon to espousing Goedicke’s theory attributing the splitting of the sea to a Thera generated tsunami, the film also suggests that Thera may have been the source of the Biblical pillars of fire and smoke.

This connection between the eruption at Thera and the Biblical Exodus was also suggested in books by geologist Barbara J. Sivertsen.

When asked by Times of Israel if her results were significant for the dating of the biblical Exodus story, Pearson answered ambiguously.

“All I can say is that continued work to improve chronological frameworks is essential for the study of past civilizations,” she wrote in an email.

In her study, she writes, “No definitive calibrated radiocarbon range for the Thera eruption is currently possible, but the altered position of the 14C plateau indicates that improved calibration has much to offer chronological synchronization of human and environmental timelines in this period.”

Of course, if you can come up with a "scientific" explanation for the Exodus, then you can omit God from the event, and explain the Biblical account as merely a Jewish mythological explanation for a natural event. The Bible, however, allows for no such explanation of the Exodus, stating that it was clearly a miraculous intervention by God into both human history and nature:

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. Exodus 14:19-31

Coptic Orthodox monk in Egypt confesses to the murder of the bishop

Some of the old mystics were really mistakes. They tried to be more saintly by living in caves. Living in a hole never made anybody holier. Vance Havner, Pepper 'n' Salt, 1966

More evidence that monasticism doesn't produce godliness, as reported by Gianni Valente in La Stampa, August 11, 2018 (updated August 12, 2018) (bold in original):

The Coptic bishop Epiphanius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Macarius, was killed by one of his monks. He smashed his head with an iron rod, in the early hours of Sunday 29 July, while Anba Epiphanius, after leaving his cell, was on his way to church to start the Sunday liturgy with the morning prayer.

The killer’s name is Wael Saad Tawadros and the Egyptian media report that, under the pressures of the investigators, he confessed his crime, and also revealed where to find the murder weapon, which he had carefully hidden in the monastery’s warehouse.

The murky affair is causing dejection and dismay throughout the Coptic Orthodox community. In the meantime, Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II reiterates that the Church “must not hide anything” and invites everyone not to get upset in this trial, trusting that “faith does not need protectors” because the Lord guards it.

A murder and two suicide attempts

Facts have occurred around the tragic end of the bishop-abbot, and objectively disturbing details continue to emerge: internal struggles, human miseries, complicity, ecclesiastics who profane the sanctity of monastic life and do not hesitate to attempt suicide when they see the suspicions and pressures of the investigators coming their way with regard to the murder in the monastery.

Wael Saad Tawadros, 34, had been ordained monk of the monastery of Saint Macarius in 2010, with the name of Isaiah al Makary, but last August 5, in the tense spiritual atmosphere after the murder of Anba Epiphanius, Wael was expelled from the monastery and defrocked, with a decree approved by the Patriarch Tawadros that justified this provision by referring to acts “incompatible with the monastic conduct”.

The day before, Wael had attempted suicide by ingesting insecticide. But in those days Father Boulos Halim, spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, declared that the expulsion measures ordered against the former monk were not to be related to the investigation of the death of Anba Epiphanius: they were the culmination of a canonical disciplinary process begun as early as the beginning of 2018 – said Father Halim –, and whose first punitive disposition imposed against Wael – the expulsion for three years from the monastery, and the transfer to another structure – was not implemented after some of his confreres signed a petition in his defence.

On Monday, another monk from Saint Macarius, Faltaous al-Makary, attempted suicide, cutting his veins and jumping from a four-storey building of the monastery. He is now in serious condition in a hospital in Cairo. According to the reports of the Egyptian media, including Wataninet, it seems that the security cameras of the monastery have recorded scenes of tension and quarrels between some monks and the abbot-bishop Epiphanius, in the hours before his killing.

Many indications suggest that the tragic end of Anba Epiphanius is the result of personal resentments cultivated in the days marked by the rhythms of monastic life, in the shadow of religious zeal. But the story is becoming an upheaval for the Coptic Church, and above all, for its monasticism. With speculations that involve divisions and latent contrasts within the entire Coptic ecclesial structure and its hierarchy.

Contrasting passions have been raging in the monastery of Saint Macarius for decades. In the late sixties, Matta el Meskin arrived at the monastery. He was a prominent figure in the rebirth of Coptic monasticism and of all the Coptic spirituality in the second half of the last century. A strong and charismatic personality, who experienced a significant clash with Patriarch Shenouda III, the other great protagonist of the Coptic awakening of the last decades. Among the reasons for the clash, there were character incompatibilities, theological contrasts and even a different approach to relations with politics: the monk criticised the politicisation of the Church and the excessive activism of hierarchies in opposing established powers.

In the confrontation between Shenouda and the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat – who forced the Coptic Pope to exile himself in the monastery for years – Matta justified the choices of the latter, arguing that the Church was betraying her nature, conceiving herself as a political party, in which “the mind replaced inspiration, and planning replaced prayer”. At the culmination of the confrontation, Shenouda went as far as to prohibit the spread of the works of Matta el Meskin in the Coptic parishes.

Things have changed with his successor, the current Pope Tawadros, who put an end to the damnatio memoriae (“condemnation of memory”) against Matta el Meskin and offered support for the rebirth of the monastery of Saint Macarius, where the monks who had studied with him – including the late Anba Epiphanius – guarded his memory. But in the Coptic hierarchy, most of the active bishops were ordained by Patriarch Shenouda, therefore they shared a feeling of opposition or at least mistrust towards Matta el Meskin’s teaching. Now, the serious episode of bloodshed occurred in the monastery of Matta is also used as a pretext for operations of ecclesiastical politics, perhaps aimed to create new obstacles and problems for the ministry of Pope Tawadros, pastorally cautious and open-minded, but also opposed by a part of the Coptic establishment.

The murder of Anba Epiphanius has been perceived as a serious and alarming signal by the pastoral concern of Patriarch Tawadros and his collaborators. On Friday, August 3, the committee for the monasteries of the Orthodox Coptic Holy Synod established 12 rules – ratified by the Patriarch – by which all those who live the monastic condition in the Coptic Orthodox Church should abide. These measures aim to guard monastic life as a condition of seclusion from the world, marked by moments of prayer, work and silence.

Among other things, the Coptic monks and nuns were asked to take leave from social media and shut down their personal accounts and any blogs they managed, considered by the Patriarch as instruments used to “waste time”, to spread confused ideas and foster personal polemics. The intention of the current Orthodox Coptic leadership is obviously to react to the processes of mondanisation underway within the ecclesial structure. But this desire does not rely primarily on disciplinary measures or rhetorical statements on a “zero-tolerance”.

In his last, traditional Wednesday sermons, Pope Tawadros used other words to try to comfort and confirm into faith the people of Coptic believers: he exhorted everyone not to give in to agitation; he remembered that evil has always existed and that even Judas committed suicide when he betrayed his Master; he repeated that the monks are men, with their fragility, and that many of them have fallen in the course of history because Satan has always besieged monastic life with particular fury; he expressed its confidence that the monastic communities will dwell in the Egyptian deserts “until the end of the world”. He reiterated that the Church has nothing to hide because the treasures that she has as gifts and that keep her alive cannot be dispelled by weaknesses, mistakes, sins and crimes of individuals. Above all, Tawadros invited everyone to recognise that Christian faith is a gift guarded by the Lord, and for this “it does not need other guardians”.

90 years ago: An apocalyptic prediction derived from the Great Pyramid proves false

Apocalyptic predictions for particular dates are not just a recent phenomenon. Belief in the supernatural properties of Egypt's Great Pyramid were popular from the late 19th century through the 1920s. The idea was popular with believers in British Israelism (the teaching that today's British and American people are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel), and was part of Jehovah's Witnesses teaching from 1881-1928.

Two "experts" who wrote much in the 1920s on the subject of the Great Pyramid were David Davidson and "Discipulus," whose real name was Basil Stewart (a search for both authors at Advanced Book Exchange turns up works by both authors, especially Mr. Stewart). One of the apocalyptic predictions of this period, supposedly deriving from the Great Pyramid, was that Weymouth, England would be destroyed by a tidal wave at 3:53 P.M. on May 29, 1928. 20,000 people gathered at the sands in Weymouth at the appointed time to see whether the prediction would come true; it didn’t. 20 minutes before the time set for the tidal wave, a stunting machine fell into the sea, and the pilot, A. G. Cooper, drowned in the cockpit before he could be reached.

I don't feel like spending any time on my own critique of "Christian" pyramidology when I can recommend the anonymous article The Pyramid Prophecies, originally published in Bible League Quarterly. I found it reprinted in, of all places, the Seventh Day Adventist publication The Present Truth, May 24, 1928 (pp. 8-11, 13), and the reader can download it free by clicking on the link. I don't agree with Seventh Day Adventist doctrine, but they were correct in their criticism of "Christian" pyramidology.

Belief in the supernatural prophecies of the Great Pyramid remains popular with some New Agers. Southwest Radio Church has long taught that the Great Pyramid is "God's Bible in stone," which has led them over the years to make some foolish and erroneous predictions, which is the natural result of going beyond "that which is written" (I Corinthians 4:6) and adding extrabilblical sources to the Bible in order to obtain information about the future. It should be kept in mind that the oracles of God were committed to the Jews (Romans 3:2), not to pagan Egyptians, and there's no evidence that the Great Pyramid or any other pyramids were built by anyone other than pagans as part of the worship of pagan gods. For further reading, I recommend Soothsayers of the Second Advent (1989) (pp. 173-187) by William M. Alnor and Witnesses of Jehovah (1988) by Leonard & Marjorie Chretien (pp. 29-31).