Sun, dirt & the Book

June 3, 2008

My first encounter with archaeology was in my final year of college. I had been searching for a line of study with which I could connect at all levels of my person. As I sat in Dr. Paul Bork's Biblical Archaeology class at Pacific Union College all the lights went on. For the first time I could see and visualize what I had always loved, the Word of God. The Bible suddenly became three dimensional. It was the beginning of a wonderful field of study. I have excavated in Israel, Iraq and Jordan, led students through classes, tours, excavations and personal discussions. My life and the lives of others have been changed as a result of this encounter with the dirt.

Now, writing this in Romania while teaching an extension course here for Andrews University, I want to compile some of the most significant archaeological finds housed in the British Museum which correlate with biblical history. This is not to "prove" the Bible, but to show the historical veracity of the Bible. Yes, the biblical accounts do fit into history. There are archaeological and manuscript evidence which support this quest for an understanding of biblical history. And it is truly exciting! In addition to those finds housed in the BM, I will also be adding significant finds from other museums as well.

I am excited about creating this web site where I can simplify the material and make it accessible to my students and friends. Follow the links and enjoy. And may God bless you in your own personal quest for truth!

I will be adding to this site as I can. It is a work in progress . . .

July 23, 2010

"Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7,8

It is well, to search for substantiation of events in the Word of God within the earthen remains of ancient civilizations. It is commendable to explore cultures and ideologies, religions and beliefs. Knowledge is powerful. But it is faith in the unseen God, faith that will not let go, no matter how difficult the circumstances, faith which brings one repeatedly to one's knees imploring for divine enlightenment and empowerment which is what God is longing to see in us. When God passes by my office, or my home, will God find faith in my soul?

May 2, 2010

A lot of dust has settled under the sun. Occasional whirlwinds and dust storms have destabilized my footing, but in spite of the detours and setbacks, progress for the most part has ultimately been in a forward direction.

Significant Mesopotamian Finds

.
Significant Mesopotamian finds from the Second and First Millennia B.C.

Cuneiform Texts

Mesopotamian Creation Texts & the Biblical Creation

Enuma elish
Atrahasis
The Eridu Genesis

Mesopotamian Flood Stories & the Biblical Flood

The Sumerian King List
The Eridu Genesis
Ziusudra
Atrahasis
The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Neo-Assyrian Period, 9th-7th cent. BC (884-627 BC)

Shalmaneser III (859-825 BC)
Tiglath-Peliser III (745-727 BC)
Sargon II (722-701 BC)
Sennacherib (704-681 BC)

The Babylonian Period, 7th-6th cent. BC (627-539 BC)

Early Neo-Babylonian Period

Merodach-Baladan II (721-710 BC)

Neo-Babylonian & Late Neo-Babylonian Periods

Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC)
Evil-Merodach/Amel-Marduk (561-560 BC)
Belshazzar


The Persian Period, 6th-5th cent. BC (539-331 BC)

Median Empire
Persian Empire
Chronological Chart
Cyrus II (the Great)
Xerxes I (biblical Ahasuerus)
Artaxerxes II

Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther



Reference Resources
.