Biblical archaeology is archaeology relating to the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures. It was founded in the 19th century as scholars began to demonstrate that scientific research could prove the accuracy of the bible. Biblical archaeology began after Edward Robinson publicised his travels through Palestine in the early 19th century. His publication showed large similarities between Biblical city names and Arabic place names. Another highlight from the 19th century was Charles Warren’s work in the 1860’s. Warren discovered the foundation stones of Herod’s Temple, the first Israelite descriptions and the water shafts under the city of David.
Archaeologists have found confirmation of events in the Bible most notably the worldwide flood (Noah’s Ark) described in Genesis. Babylonian documents have been found describing the same flood and Sumerian tablets have also been found which speak of an ark, animals being taken on an ark, the ark landing on a mountain and a sacrifice being made upon landing.
At one time the Bible provided the structure for the understanding of biblical times. Today however biblical archaeologists place less significance on biblical texts and draw more heavily on science. In 1970 archaeologists rejected the comparison between the narratives of the bible to archaeological finds. In 1974 Thomas L. Thompson concluded that “not only has archaeology not proven a single bit of the narratives to be historical, it has not shown any of the traditions to be likely”.
Archaeologists have found confirmation of events in the Bible most notably the worldwide flood (Noah’s Ark) described in Genesis. Babylonian documents have been found describing the same flood and Sumerian tablets have also been found which speak of an ark, animals being taken on an ark, the ark landing on a mountain and a sacrifice being made upon landing.
At one time the Bible provided the structure for the understanding of biblical times. Today however biblical archaeologists place less significance on biblical texts and draw more heavily on science. In 1970 archaeologists rejected the comparison between the narratives of the bible to archaeological finds. In 1974 Thomas L. Thompson concluded that “not only has archaeology not proven a single bit of the narratives to be historical, it has not shown any of the traditions to be likely”.