In Depth:  archaeology

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AI shedding new light on  ancient texts
defending our faith

AI shedding new light on ancient texts

Chris Sinkinson
Chris Sinkinson

From 1947, the recovery of fragments of Biblical texts in the region of the Dead Sea became one of the most celebrated archaeological discoveries of modern times.

Accidentally found by Arab shepherd boys, the first scraps proved to be part of a trove of over 1,000 manuscripts hidden by Jews from the Romans during the first century. A recent paper has announced new light being revealed from these ancient texts.

See where they laid Him?
defending our faith

See where they laid Him?

Chris Sinkinson
Chris Sinkinson

Recent archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem are helping to pinpoint the location of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus is subject to some controversy. The fact is we don’t really know. There are clues in the Gospels – He was executed outside the city walls at a place called “the Skull” (Matt.27:33) and He was buried in an unused borrowed tomb (Matt. 27:57-60) described as a garden (John 19:41). The site of the crucifixion and burial are also described as being close to each other.

A tiny discovery with  a dramatic impact on  Biblical studies
defending our faith

A tiny discovery with a dramatic impact on Biblical studies

Chris Sinkinson
Chris Sinkinson

One of the most interesting Israeli archaeologists you could meet is Gabriel Barkay. His archaeological career spans the history of modern Israel. As a Jew born in the Hungarian ghetto, he was within a week of being sent to a Nazi death camp.

Instead, he survived the war and emigrated to the fledgling state of Israel at the age of six. Growing up in Jerusalem with an enthusiasm for archaeology, Barkay’s knowledge of the history of the city is second to none. He became a specialist in ancient burial practices and discovered many of the Biblical period tombs around Jerusalem. Barkay carried out an archaeological survey of the famous ‘Garden Tomb’ (dating it to the eighth or seventh century BC).

Confirmation bias in Biblical archeology: A deluge of deception
defending our faith

Confirmation bias in Biblical archeology: A deluge of deception

Chris Sinkinson
Chris Sinkinson

Fake news is nothing new. The internet teems with hoaxes but, long before Microsoft and mobile phones, human beings have been sharing misinformation and counterfeit claims.

Charles Dawson was celebrated as the man to discover the earliest missing link between man and ape.

One man’s quiet legacy
defending our faith

One man’s quiet legacy

Chris Sinkinson
Chris Sinkinson

Archaeological excavations at Corinth have revealed a wealth of remains that help us understand the New Testament and also demonstrate that the books were written during the middle of the first century AD. We have just returned from filming there for a new series on the Bible – it really brings the Bible to life.

Corinth was an important travel hub for the Roman Empire, sitting on a narrow neck of the Greek mainland. Nowadays a canal joins the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea and saves boats a long journey around the coastline. In Paul’s day, boats were dragged overland along a portage road, remains of which can still be seen.