Homework Question on Biblical Archaeology
- Discuss THREE finds that Cline considers truly relevant to the Biblical stories. Obviously he considers finds regarding other cultures living in and around the Holy Land important but I want you to focus on Biblical Stories. Conclude your essay with your own assessment of the three finds you select to discuss.
- Most archaeologists consider the evidence of a ‘kingdom’ in early Israel to be sparse. Discuss thoroughly what archaeological evidence (artifacts, building projects, written material etc) related to Saul, David and Solomon as represented in your texts, lecture, and film (if you desire).
- Do YOU think the desire to prove an archaeological link drives the projects and analysis of these elements? Why or why not?
Directions:Write a 3 page academic essay for your chosen response. Please include a bibliography page at the end.
Please document all quotes and paraphrased references as shown below.
Book used: Eric H. Cline Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press 2009
You must use any of the following to cite the texts we are reading.
Use any of the following formats for citation. History Majors usually use the Chicago Style, English Majors MLA, Others follow APA.
MLA citation guide line if you prefer https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
MLA Example: (Cline p. 107) (Magness p. 27)
Chicago Manual of Style https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/01/
APA https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Homework Answer on Biblical Archaeology
Archaeology deals with proof of existence of people, things, places and animals in the past. The nation of Israel is famous because it is the focus of the Bible as God’s chosen nation. A lot of research has been done to prove the existence of people, places and events that took place in the bible such as the reign of the biblical kings and events such as the wars that were engaged in. This paper will therefore discuss these proofs as found by different archaeologists. It should however be noted that it has been difficult to find artifacts and writings pointing to the reign of kings since the Israelites used to write on papyrus which are known to be perishable.
Archaeological evidence of King David’s existence
- The Tel Dan inscription (House of David Inscription).
The first archaeological evidence that proved the existence of David as stated in the bible was the discovery of old writings at the Tel Dan site in the year 1993. These inscriptions, which were written in Aramaic, seemed to have been written in the 9th Century by an Aramean King. He wrote the words to commemorate his victory over “The King of Israel” and “The King of the House of David.”
These kings are believed to have been King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah. The inscriptions do not just prove that King David of the Bible actually existed but also that the nation of Israel is not a myth (“Archaeological Evidences Proving the Accuracy of the Bible Biblical Archaeology : Ancient Civilization, Pg. 14”).