defending our faith
AI shedding new light on ancient texts
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.
defending our faith
See where they laid Him?
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.
defending our faith
A tiny discovery with a dramatic impact on Biblical studies
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).
defending our faith
One man’s quiet legacy
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.
