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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.
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The debate ends as it began... What is needed is a refresher in who or what God is...
GOD is not limited by time, space, or reason...He is GOD.
Does not need to proove anything , nedd anything , or lack anything. He is GOD.
He is never worried or afraid of any thing or anyone.He is GOD.
He is subject to no-one .He is GOD.
Ten billion in alliance against him , He is still GOD over them.
Has no limitations, owes no-one anything, and dances to no-ones tune.
Has always been , and always will be with or without his creation.
If His creation rejects Him , no worries He can create those who will openly recieve Him .
He is not weakened by your opinion, nor does He feel threatened by all your Human intellect ,
He is not subject to death or decay,and can do anything He chooses to when He chooses to and has no clock to punch.
He is not fooled or manipulated by anyone or anything,He even often uses foolish things to confound the wise.
All that man has accomplished on earth , has never been done without His knowing for all of our great discoveries He knew in advance and has put everything in its place that they might be used ,and discovered.
To all of the self professing Gods out there, Who among you has accomplished the task of spinning straw into Gold . Now would be the time to do it. Many have tried, none have suceeded.
God will not reveal himself to you if you do not believe He is there.You first have to have an open mind and seek to understand, first.
If you tie His hands and limit him then He is bound by your belief and limited by your limitations.
If your God is Humanity then it dies with it.
Put GOD at His rightful place at the center of it all and He will show you just how right you are.
He remains silent because you have silenced Him .He is not like us who need to seek Glory for all of creation Glorifies Him even if you will not.
He doesn't need to impress anyone,He is Higher intelligence then we could ever become even as a whole.
HE IS GOD>look up the definition, understand this first before you try tackling the bigger peices of meat , you choke on to your own shame.
He is a God who created the BIG BANG, when He exploded in extasy , giving of HIMSELF to His creation, much like your god of sex , and what happens when we poor ourselves into the act of love making to procreate.
All things evolve, God is not on a time clock , it takes 9 months for a child to evolve from an egg and sperm.
And along the way many different forms of the final creation appear on the journey till the full result is achieved.
And all you did was dispense the the seed of life to achieve it.
I know where did GOD come from .If GOD were created He would not be God would He?
Get over it He is GOD and you and I are not
What about gender, is He limited in that department?
#106.1- Thu May 10, 2012 7:41 AM EST In most languages that I am aware " Gender " has more then the " Male Female " connotation, it also has " emotional and power " meanings, look them up, then let me know and IF you want we can continue!
Not:Antropomorphoses used in the Biblical narative is as what would be needed to " explain the impossible " to a group that has yet to learn basics.
Sexist crap !
Everything you just said a baseless theory drawn from what you were force fed as a child.
You believe that wall of text defending your God because you were told to do it when you were a child.
Give me one logical, well thought out reason for your beliefs other than "because."
I've yet to meet a single worshipper of ANY religion who can do it.
#106.4 - Fri May 11, 2012 1:24 AM EST
Yes Like I have noticed about your " Fanatical religious Faith "!
God is revealing that He is Who He says He is and His Word is the inerrant Word..not fiction but fact. King David was, as was King Solomon as was all who came against God's people. Can we learn from history?
I left the typo's to prove that I am not perfect nor am I a God of any sort.
" Be perfect as I am Perfect " Jesus said and then his statement " I and the Father are One just as YOU and I are one " so yes " relative perfection " as a " new born child is Perfect!"
I was driving down the road one day, and i started to have a stroke, my entire right side and my right vision was gone, i was coming into intersection with a lot of cars, and i had in my mind i was going to try and make it to the hospital over the hill and a couple turns. They could drag me out of the car and i was there's, never to go home, just some health care facility forever. There just happened to be a church on the corner of the intersection and a large shopping mall over the hill to the right also. I saw the cars ahead, wasn't sure how i was going to stop or turn the wheel with any confidence, so i called out loudly "God what do i do", Well the windows were up and the radio was off and i literally heard the word "Urine" in a voice through my ears, and instantly saw a head on the dash board of my car drinking something light yellow and i said "Gross" and God came back with "Goggle Urine". It tried to turn my head back up to the ceiling and said "Goggle? Goggle?" If i went to the hospital i was theirs. So i went to the shopping mall parking lot, and prayed the paint off the car. a good 20 minutes later i was able to hobble around the car. I got back in, drove home, Goggled Urine and it saved my life and changed my life. 6 Months after starting Urine Theropy the pre-stroke tingling went away never to return, and i still follow the words of my God and drink 3 oz. of my urine every morning one hour before i eat breakfast, it's changed my life. I've noticed other life long simptomes also went away. Goggle Urine!
I love watching people defend their God by using tons of hypocrisy, theories and downright absurd BS, amuses me to no end.
There is not a mythical being in the sky watching us masturbate, only to send us to spend eternity in a lake of fire for doing so.
Look at a theory I made up one day;
You take an island HUNDREDS of miles from civilization. You take two adults who, punishable by death, may never speak of ANY religion on that island. You then bring in half a dozen babies less than a week old.
Then, the children get raised on the island. You teach them that Bill Cosby created the universe, which extends to the water. Oh, you may swim in that water, but do not go too far, or Cosby will capture you, and never let you return. Jello Pudding is the sacred dessert of the island...
Now, the ONLY way there could be a shred of merit to any religion, is if these kids grow up and start worshipping one of those religions without EVER being told a sinlge word of it from ANYONE.
Won't happen, and you know why?
You Bible thumpers were force fed as a child. If your parents had told you to pray to Bill, you WOULD HAVE DONE IT.
I just dug up some green rocks in my garden, must be proof that Martians were here a few thousand years ago and left me a gift for the rock garden. Geesh! People are so gullible looks like a interesting find but how does this prove the biblical stories were fact?
Amazing. You're all debating the facts of a book, a story which is based on BELIEF.
If Religion never existed, Would there be a Heaven or a Hell? In my opinion Religion, Heaven, and Hell are all simply a State of Mind.
Also, if Religion never existed, What would these Archeologists think these "artifacts" actually where?
#113 - Fri May 11, 2012 8:34 AM EST
That is why it is important to understand WORDS in Context, Sentience automatically brings about " religion " for the full meaning of that word means a " re-lyance " so when one becomes sentient, then one starts relying on previous knowledge of events about to come.
This article will better explain what I meant:: http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/05/10/11641048-ancient-mayan-workshop-for-astronomers-discovered
Khirbet Qeiyafa is not "situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath." It does sit across from the biblical city of Azekah. Gath is 3-5 miles to the west.
As I read these entries, my heart was grieved that so many people have doubted the God who created them, but I can't help but agree with many of the honest questions people have here. While it would be overwhelming to go through and try to answer every one of them, the one thing I will do is tell you truthfully that I have had many questions myself, but the truth is that if you seek God with these questions and an open heart, I believe that you will find Him. There are many questions I think I would still have if it hadn't been for something outside of myself revealing the answers to me in very real ways. Furthermore, God doesn't give up on us or condemn us for our honest questions. That just shows we are seeking something more. My concern is for those who have convinced themselves that they have it figured out. For those who don't believe or have questions, I would plead with you to bring those to God and His Scripture and see if He answers them for yourself. But don't come half heartedly, rather come with your whole heart. God hasn't given up on us yet... don't give up on Him.
You do realize speaking like that makes people think you're nuts, right?
believe is not bad , but the bad is believe with a price !
Why?? ...Did PP ask them selves when the human race appeared on this Earth ?? and before us what are they ?? who did build the Earth ?? why Earth belong to the Sun system ?? and the Sun system belong to what ?? where ?? and why ???
The idea of a single god started in Egypt with Pharaoh Akhenaten 1353-1336 BC.
The 3 western religions have destroyed the history of man in their wake. And rewritten it to suit their beliefs.
Furthermore all 3 have spent the past 2000 years killing each other all in the name of this "God"...
All three of the "Western" religions are in fact "Eastern". Religions with their origin in the West would be Greco-Roman and Norse paganism, and perhaps Druidism.
It really doesn't matter what your opinion about God is, as it doesn't matter what your opinion about about the wind is. Your opinion (or mine) doesn't make things real or unreal. Either they exist or they do not. Some people take the Bible at face value (I am one of those 42) and the Bible says of itself, that it is foolishness to those who are perishing.
What is truly sad is peole without an open mind...just because you cannot see does not mean that it does not exist. Suppose just for a second that there is a God...would you want to be left behind due to stupidity and doubt. "Blessed are those that believe without seeing...they shall inherit the Kingdom of God." Would not want to be the skeptical closed minded person that ends up with nothing and is left behind due to ignoranc. Aleast those of us that do believe in something have hope and we have fellowship and are not alone, negative, cynical and lost.
Just like you can't prove anything to a Democrate,,, You can't prove anything to an Atheist,, they are ALL knowing and above anything that does not make their exsistance and their believes what matters most in this universe!!!!!
You mean. like those that " Know the Universal Laws " when they have yet to make " it out of the Egg " :-)