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Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, shows off an ark, or stone shrine model, that was found during excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, an ancient settlement southwest of Jerusalem.
An archaeological dig near Goliath's biblical hometown has yielded evidence of Judean religious practices 3,000 years ago, pointing up fresh historical connections to the stories of King David and King Solomon.
"We have a city with a population relating to the Kingdom of Judah," Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told me today. "This is totally different from Philistine, Canaanite or the cult in the Kingdom of Israel."
The site, known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa, is about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem, on top of a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. For the past five years, Garfinkel and his colleagues have been excavating the ruins of a fortified city there, situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath. In the Bible, the giant Goliath came out from Gath to face the Israelites, and was smitten by a rock hurled from David's sling.
Garfinkel can't vouch for the story of Goliath, but he says the weapons, the cult items and even the animal bones found around Khirbet Qeiyafa support his view that the settlement was a key military outpost for the historical House of David, riven by conflict. "There was something here quite military and quite aggressive," he said. "It was not a peaceful village."
Based on radiocarbon dating of burned olive pits found at the site, archaeologists believe the ancient city lasted for only 40 years, from 1020 to 980 B.C., before it was destroyed. Some skeptics have suggested that Khirbet Qeiyafa was just another Canaanite settlement, and that David was at best a minor chieftain, or perhaps a folkloric figure like Robin Hood. But Garfinkel said the items found at the site strengthen the connection to King David and the religious practices specified in the Bible.
"Over the years, thousands of animal bones were found, including sheep, goats and cattle, but no pigs," he said in a news release from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Now we uncovered three cultic rooms, with various cultic paraphernalia, but not even one human or animal figurine was found. This suggest that the population on Khirbet Qeiyafa observed two biblical bans — on pork and on graven images — and thus practiced a different cult from that of the Canaanites or the Philistines."
Garfinkel told me that the absence of human imagery was peculiar to the Judeans. "In the northern Kingdom of Israel, you find human representations," he said.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
One of the cultic standing stones can be seen in this picture of the Khirbet Qeiyafa site.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
This basalt altar was found during excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
A decorated clay shrine model was found at the Khirbet Qeiyafa site.
The cult objects included five standing stones, two basalt altars, two pottery libation vessels and two portable shrines. Garfinkel said the shrines reflected a Mesopotamian architectural style that went back centuries before the era of King David, and probably inspired the look of the palace built by Solomon, David's son. "It seems that Solomon didn't want to be Canaanite and took a different model from Mesopotamia," Garfinkel told me.
The shrines are boxlike containers made of stone or clay. "I think they were called in Hebrew 'Aron,'" Garfinkel wrote in an email. "This had been translated into English as 'ark' and became a mystic artifact. I think that the Hebrew name was just a simple technical term: a box for keeping god symbols."
Such shrines were probably similar in look to the "Ark of God" highlighted in the Bible as well as in such movies as "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
The clay shrine has an intricate facade, featuring two guardian lions, pillars and birds standing on the roof. The stone shrine was painted red, and its facade is decorated with characteristic triglyph symbols as well as a triple-recessed doorway in front. Garfinkel said the Bible may have referred to those architectural features in its description of Solomon's palace. The technical term usually translated as referring to pillars ("Slaot") may actually be talking about triglyphs, while another term that was thought to refer to windows ("Sequfim") might instead refer to the doorways.
"Now you can see by the model that you have triglyphs at the roof, and you have recessed doorways," Garfinkel said. Such features are also mentioned in biblical references to King Solomon's temple, which was built decades after the age that gave rise to the shrines found at Khirbet Qeiyafa.
Will these finds settle the debate over the historical David? Garfinkel would like to think so. "Various suggestions that completely deny the biblical tradition regarding King David and argue that he was a mythological figure, or just a leader of a small tribe, are now shown to be wrong," he said in today's news release.
But The Times of Israel quoted Bar-Ilan University's Aren Maeir, who's in charge of the dig at Gath, as saying the discoveries don't provide any dramatic new evidence for either side in the debate. For example, the fact that the clay shrine was decorated with lions and birds undercuts Garfinkel's claim that no graven images were found at the site. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted another expert, Tel Aviv University's Nadav Na'aman, as saying that the Canaanites, like the Judeans, observed a ban on eating pork.
Maeir said the distinctions between the various peoples mentioned in the Bible — including David's Israelites and Goliath's Philistines — were "fuzzier than the way they are often described."
"There's no question that this is a very important site, but what exactly it was — there is still disagreement about that," Maeir said. In a blog posting, Maeir said "what is clearly missing is a close interface with mainstream biblical and [Ancient Near East] textual scholars."
What do you think? Feel free to weigh in with your vote in the poll above, or add your comments below.
More about biblical archaeology:
- In Israel, diggers unearth the Bible's bad guys
- Dig yields what may be the oldest Hebrew text
- Artifact suggests Bible written centuries earlier
- Professor hunts for the 'Lost Ark of the Covenant'
- Gallery: Eight Jewish archaeological discoveries
- Cosmic Log archive on archaeology
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
Leave a Comment:
Ok Truth,hurts, I thought I was done till I saw yours. If there is a 1 being that created everything, there are some obvious thoughts. It isn't a he or she, it isn't angry or loving, it doesn't want you to send 10 percent to a church, pick em, If the bible was so important, it would have put it in our brains like eating and breathing. It would be so big we can't conceive of it. You need it to be on your level. It is what you were taught, oh yes you were, and it makes you feel better. As James Taylor says.."there's a song that they sing when they take to the highways. A song that they sing when they take to the seas. A song that they sing of THEIR HOME IN THE SKY. Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep, but singing works just fine for me." If it helps you to sleep, I am ok with it. Take care.
Interesting story. As for Goliath, the account described of him was that he was one of three brothers. All Giants or at the least, abormally larger then the average man. Some speculation is that they were the remnant of a tribe which inhabited that region, which had been there before the Israelites entered the land of Canan (Modern Day Israel), from out of Egypt.
I like the part many of us live in peace with fully believing in the Bible. I dis-like the part of all these wars in the past because of religion. Billions of innocent people have died from these wars. I feel fortunate being an American. Where I can sit with four different religions and have a peacefull cup of coffee with them plus others that are not believers. If only our world could do this without judging others.
Great find on your dig.
jesus says to love your enemies and not to kill.
This is garbage! There is no god or anything like that - I know it's sad, but true!
Be HUMAN and USE your IQ and SEE what there is!
99% of the world's problems would be gone in an instant if RELIGION was removed....
Think about it...
#24- Wed May 9, 2012 5:32 PM EST So says Your religion, and you seem exceedingly Fanatical!!
The perpetual problem with "religion" is that "believers" try to foist THEIR BELIEFS on others in this world.
Throughout history, it is the conflict between "belief systems" or "religions" that have produced great wars and destroyed countless people....all because one group wants to impose their beliefs on another. IT IS EVIL AND OBSCENE TO DO THIS....
Someone mention my Name "King David" ? heyyyy thats my Stuff their uncovering, that I left there centuries ago,, I want it back too, its mine, so I can post them on this thing they have now called E-Bay,, I need some monies to survive in this messed up world you all created,, it was so much easier back in my time, when I was KING,, anyway, send me my stuff back, David the King !!!
I read most of the comments. If you want answers you can go to the Hope Channel if installed on your T.V. They the hope channel can answer all questions you might want answers to. Even better go to the IT Is Written program. Sunday 10:30 A.M.
Hmmm. "Triglyph"?
Even back then they were trying to come to terms with the Trinity...looks like they are still working on this in spite of everything...
Well, what would one expect from a "stiff-necked" people?
If gas prices go down as we all hope I'm going to the coast I haven't been able to even go for a short ride
there is a lot of people just like me.
Speculative, however, interesting nonetheless.
It is probably best to wait and see if further information arises to determine such Biblical debunking. After all, this is a matter of God. Tread lightly.
Another little contribution to still growing amount of proofs that Bible is not only book of fairy tales, but account of real people and real events.
What is more important, as every believer in YAHWEH knows, Bible is full of professes which are also coming through. Slowly but surely.
Beware, their outcome will effect every individual. It will change whole universe. "For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together ..." Rom. 8:22
Um, are you referring to prophecies? Really? Because you wrote "professes". I propose that you crack open a book or two...soon...very soon.
"Professes" never made the tenure track, and are therefore short of being full professors, so I guess that one could say that they were "unprofessional". But hey, if they made the Bible, then I guess they are doing OK.
ok.. constant mention of " hell " amd total misconception of the biblical account, lets see
1) " You will positively Die " Does not sound like " eternal hell " and
2) " For from dust you came and to dust you will return "
So why is it that a) Some that claim Christianity, do not understand the personality of YHWH nor of the Redeemer he sent named " Jesus Christ " b) Those that Voice hate towards Christianity also have no clue about what it stands for?
And YOUR PROOF of any of this is what??
Oh, that's right, IT'S IN THE BIBLE....
Yeah....right.
A bunch of nonsense. Finding pottery, remains of livestock and spear heads proves practically nothing. Fact remains that outside of the bible, not a shred of evidence remains about a King David or Solomon. Though Egypt, Assyrian and Babylon did name a small duchy where Jerusalem is where the self appointed ruler paid tributes to all three empires in torn for its existence.
We can be certain Jerusalem did exist, but not really who ruled the city. but it is very obvious that Israel under Solomon could never have had a 1.8 million man army for the king to address all at one time. Why the combined military of the US, active and reserve is only 1.2 million. Historically no nation can support a military of more than 10% of its population and then only briefly during time of war. Such as during WWII the US ad a military of about 14 million. But had they continued with that many after the 4 year long war, the entire nation's economy would have collapsed. The Bible is pure myth. Frankly, the stories of all the greek gods makes more sense.
I guess a hundred years from now ..We will ALL know for certain, what is and isn't true , about Heaven, Hell ,God , Jesus , the bible... My advice is 1) be certain what you believe , is what you Believe.
2) Dont be so certain of what you believe, till you have trully investigated for your self, and when you come to your conclusion let it be your conclusion , for that is what you will be judged on and no one elses opinion will be relevant to your decision, to reject the free gift of eternal life.
3) Please allow your loved ones to know before hand that you wish to be burried in your Big Girl Panties, just incase you may have been wrong about it all.
"It is an open question whether any behavior based on fear of
eternal punishment can be regarded as ethical or should be regarded as merely
cowardly."
a quote from Margaret Mead.
I know these things:
David existed, the Hebrews kept great written records of all of their Kings, just like the Romans, we do not dispute the existence of Julius Ceasar, why then David?
Goliath was the last of the Nethavim (a cross between fallen Angel and Man) one must read the book of Enoch to understand what this is.
Goliath was wearing a helmet when struck down, Biblical texts say he was covered head to toe with bronze and brass armor, (even his feet were covered) all except for a small slit in his helmet for him to see through, it is through this slit that David slung the stone.
Last but not least I know this: most posters on here who claim to know the Bible and still reject it are liars in that they know little of the Bible, if a person reads it for 14 years and still doesn't get it then that person is just plain stupid. If you are going to criticize the Bible, please don't try to quote it while doing so, or at least not until you have actually HONESTLY! read it in it's entirety.
That will be all, now go clean your room.
you dont "know" those things. you believe them to be true. the bible is easily criticized once it is actually read. most christians dont know squat about the bible. they just know the cartoonish stories from childhood. they dont know Jesus himself talked of slavery as if it were a normal thing and never said anything about banning it. most atheists get mad about this because we did read the bible. we did give god a chance and it makes no sense at all. then as i always say if the first story isnt true(adam and eve) then why should i dedicate my entire life to believing the rest of it. that doesnt even get into the immoral things that the bible promotes like gay bashing, women are property, and abraham about to kill his son.
Dont forget stoning people who work on the sabbath.
Wow! It must be sarcasm. Do godly people have that much hate in them? Oh, we're talking about the God in the Old Testament. Surely you've read about his wrath A LOT. I see said the blind man.
Getting back to the actual content of the article... Gotta agree with Aren Maeir. That these particular artifacts parallel and somehow confirm the validity of the pseudo-history of the bible, is tenuous at best.
It's clear that the excavation has been done to try to validate their preconceived Ideology. Not with the open mind of scientific inquiry. These types of excavations are meant to legitimize the seizure of lands in 1967.
J.P: Thanks.
Ladys and Gentelman, lets not squable over minute details provable or not, the finding of such artifacts are well worth the efforts of historical value, if nothing more enjoy the educational and the actual physical value of being able to share these relics with future generations. You Kids crack me up somtimes. God Bless.
If there is no God and we are only physical, why is that nearly all those who contravene Biblical standards of sexual morality (i.e. adulterers, the promiscuous, homosexuals etc) end up in drug and alcohol abuse while those who comply with those standards generally avoid those problems?
The exceptions seem to be those who never begin drinking alcohol or using drugs, those with a medical condition, or those who have "influential" minders e.g. high ranking politicians.
Just a correlation I have been noticing the past 25 years.
that has no connection. people drink and people fornicate. its part of our nature to have sex. those who dont have sex dont normally drink because they have no friends to drink with. we are only natural creatures in a natural enviroment.
Didn't King David do a little fornicating and killing?
Well, according to the narrative, he was deemed to be too violent/militaristic to build YHWH's Temple (2 Sam 7) and thus this task fell to his son. David's adultery with Bathsheba, which he enters into in typical "It's good to be king" fashion when he lusts for the wife of one his mercenary commanders while remaining in his capital while the army was in the field (in defiance of the military traditions of his time) is either proof of the unstinting nature of Biblical accuracy if you believe it (in stark contrast to the sinless lives of many of the same heroes in the Qur'an) or how that Biblical heroes, like their Greek counterparts, were all tragically flawed. It's all in the perspective and what one wishes to see.