Biblical Archaeology

Tuesday Watchdog: D’Souza’s Talking Stones

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The Stones Are Still Talking

For years, skeptics have dismissed parts of the Bible as legends written by ancient people who didn’t know any better. But that narrative keeps getting debunked because archaeologists keep digging stuff up.

Dinesh D’Souza told Fox News that a three-year investigation into biblical archaeology convinced him that discoveries coming out of Israel and the surrounding region provide remarkable support for the Bible’s historical reliability. His findings are the subject of his upcoming book, The Stones Cry Out: Biblical Archaeology, Prophecy, and the Last Days. (Fox News)

Consider Pontius Pilate. For centuries, skeptics questioned the historical evidence for the Roman official described in the Gospels. Then archaeologists discovered the famous Pilate Stone at Caesarea Maritima bearing his name and identifying him as prefect of Judea—the same title associated with his period of rule.

Then there’s Balaam, the mysterious diviner from Numbers who was hired to curse Israel. An ancient plaster inscription discovered in Jordan refers to “Balaam son of Beor”—a striking parallel to the biblical figure.

And how about Caiaphas, the high priest connected to the trial of Jesus?

Archaeologists discovered an ornate first-century ossuary—a stone box used to hold human remains—inscribed with a name commonly translated “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” Once again, somebody we meet in the pages of Scripture appears in the archaeological record.

Does archaeology prove every theological claim in the Bible? No. But it keeps reminding us that the Bible is rooted in real geography, real cultures, real rulers, and real people.

Jesus wasn’t introduced with “Once upon a time.” Christianity makes historical claims—and historical claims can be investigated.

Jesus once said:

“I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” — Luke 19:40 (KJV)

Two thousand years later, that’s a pretty interesting choice of words.

So What?

Don’t believe the Bible simply because somebody tells you to. But don’t dismiss it because somebody on TikTok tells you to either. Investigate it. Read it. Ask hard questions.

And pay attention to what keeps coming out of the ground. Read the Fox News article

Biblical Archaeology: Early Christian Church Discovered

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Here are three of the most recent biblical archaeology discoveries that have made news:

Rare Roman Mosaic Found Near the Biblical City of Perga (Turkey)

Archaeologists uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved third-century A.D. Roman mosaic in the ancient city of Aspendos, near Perga, where the Apostle Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in Asia Minor (Acts 13:13–14).

The mosaic, measuring roughly 20 × 25 feet, decorated what appears to have been a ceremonial pool and features a rare depiction of the river god Eurymedon. Although pagan in theme, the discovery provides valuable insight into the cultural environment encountered by the early Christian church during Paul’s missionary journeys. (New York Post)

Ancient Egyptian Settlement Discovered from the Period Often Associated with the Exodus

Excavations at Tell el-Koua in Egypt’s Wadi Tumilat uncovered a substantial settlement dating from the Second Intermediate Period through the early New Kingdom—the era many scholars investigate when discussing the historical context of the biblical Exodus.

The site includes:

  • Residential buildings
  • Mudbrick tombs
  • Storage silos
  • Ovens
  • Bronze tools
  • Scarab amulets

While the discovery does not prove the Exodus, it provides important archaeological evidence about life in Egypt’s eastern Nile Delta during the period often examined in Exodus research. (New York Post)

Earliest Christian Church Identified Beneath Ancient Italian City

Archaeologists excavating beneath a former fish market in Oderzo (ancient Opitergium), Italy, uncovered what is believed to be the city’s earliest known Christian church, dating to the 4th or 5th century A.D.

Among the discoveries were:

  • Intricate polychrome mosaic floors
  • A large basilica with a central nave and side aisles
  • Several Christian burials associated with the church

Although this find is post-New Testament, it offers significant evidence for the rapid spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire in the generations immediately following the apostolic era. (New York Post)

Biblical Archaeology: 2000 Year Old Scroll Fragments

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A recent article from the Daily Mail with very interesting information and a personal story from a scholar about some of the oldest New Testament scroll fragments ever discovered:

Tucked away in Oxford University’s historic library are the oldest surviving New Testament fragments, papyrus texts nearly 2,000 years old that are among Christianity’s most treasured writings. 

For Dr Jeremiah Johnston, who has studied the Magdalen Papyrus P64 extensively, being one of the few people allowed to hold the pieces of historic scripture was ‘the single most awe-inspiring experience this side of heaven.’

‘I’m holding that fragment, and to know that it’s 2,000 years old, and to know that it’s true, and that the scales of truth tip in the favor of Christianity, was transformational for me.’
From the Daily Mail

Watchdog Alert: Recent Biblical Archaeology News

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on discoveries and news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers.

First Assyrian Cuneiform Inscription Found in Jerusalem (2025)

Archaeologists uncovered a small Akkadian cuneiform inscription sherd in Jerusalem dated to the First Temple period (about 2,700 years old). The text appears to be an official notice from an Assyrian king to the king of Judah regarding tribute, marking the first known Assyrian inscription discovered within Jerusalem itself. This find provides direct extra-biblical evidence for the political and diplomatic realities of Judah’s relationship with Assyria described in biblical books like 2 Kings and Isaiah. Bible Archaeology Report

Temple Mount Sifting Project: Bulla with a Biblical Name (2025)

Excavations associated with the Temple Mount Sifting Project yielded a clay bulla (seal impression) inscribed with the name “Yed[a‛]yah, son of Asayahu”, dating to the 7th–6th century BC. The name matches a figure mentioned in the Bible during the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:12; 2 Chronicles 34:20). This supports the historicity of individuals in the biblical narrative and helps tie archaeological material culture to known biblical figures. Bible Archaeology Report

Grape and Olive Remains Under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (2025)

Archaeologists working beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem uncovered 2,000-year-old remains of grape seeds and olive pits in soil layers dated to the time of Jesus. These botanical finds match descriptions of the Garden of Gethsemane / Golgotha landscape in the Gospels and contribute to identifying the setting of pivotal events in the life and death of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. New Life

Watchdog Alert: The Latest Biblical Archaeology News

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on discoveries and news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers.

Rare gold coin of Queen Berenice II found in Jerusalem (Aug 20, 2025)
Archaeologists in the City of David uncovered a ~2,200-year-old pure-gold quarter-drachma depicting the Ptolemaic queen Berenice II (3rd c. BCE). It’s the first of its type found in a controlled excavation in Jerusalem and sheds light on Hellenistic-period Jerusalem’s economy and connections with Egypt.
The Times of Israelעיר דוד

“For the Redemption of Zion” revolt coin near the Temple Mount (Jul 31, 2025)
A rare bronze coin minted in Year Four of the Great Jewish Revolt (69–70 CE) was discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden–Davidson Center. The coin’s paleo-Hebrew inscription shifts from earlier “Freedom of Zion” issues to “Redemption of Zion,” reflecting besieged Jerusalem’s mood shortly before the Temple’s destruction.
The Times of Israelעיר דוד

Temple Mount bulla with biblical-era personal names (Jul 30, 2025)
The Temple Mount Sifting Project announced a 2,600-year-old clay sealing (bulla) reading “Belonging to Yed[a]yah son of Asayahu,” names that appear in the Hebrew Bible. Though found in sifted soil (not an in-situ context), it adds to epigraphic evidence for First Temple–period Jerusalem’s administrative activity. OmnesArchaeology

Dead Sea Scrolls redated using radiocarbon + AI (Jun 4, 2025)
A peer-reviewed PLOS ONE study combined new radiocarbon testing (after removing 1950s castor-oil contamination) with an AI handwriting model (“Enoch”). Results suggest many scrolls—some biblical—are older than previously thought, with two fragments potentially contemporary with their presumed authors. This recalibrates timelines for script development and Second Temple-era texts.
Live Science

Watchdog Alert: Biblical Archaeology News

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on discoveries and news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers.

Excavators evacuated from Shiloh amid Middle East tensions

Biblical archaeologists working at Shiloh in Israel were recently evacuated after regional escalation involving Iran. Despite the security threats, the team remains committed to continuing their excavation when conditions stabilize. From the Jerusalem Post

‘Salome Cave’ may be Herodian royal burial, not midwife’s tomb

Archaeologists re-examined a cave once believed to belong to Salome, the “midwife of Jesus.” Now they suggest it may instead be adorned as a royal tomb—possibly for Salome, sister of King Herod the Great (1st century B.C.). From livescience.com

Grapes & olives uncovered under Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Sapienza University researchers have unearthed 2,000‑year‑old grape pips and olive stones beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, aligning with Gospel descriptions of a garden at the crucifixion site (John 19:41). The dig, involving multiple Christian denominations and the Israel Antiquities Authority, temporarily paused during Easter for pilgrims. From The Times

Evidence emerges for ancient Battle of Megiddo (Armageddon)

Egyptian pottery fragments discovered at Tel Megiddo strongly suggest Egyptian military presence during the biblical Battle of Megiddo (c. 609 B.C.), when Pharaoh Neco II defeated King Josiah of Judah. Researchers believe the pottery likely belonged to Egyptian soldiers rather than merchants. From wikipedia

Watchdog Alert: Biblical Archaeology

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Ancient Cave Burial Reinterpreted as Herodian Royal Tomb

A cave southwest of Jerusalem, long venerated as the burial site of Salome, the midwife of Jesus, is now believed by archaeologists Vladik Lifshits and Nir-Shimshon Paran to be the tomb of a Herodian royal, possibly King Herod the Great’s sister, also named Salome. The site’s monumental architecture and ornate features align with elite Herodian-era tombs. Rediscovered in the 1980s, the cave contained hundreds of oil lamps, likely sold to Byzantine Christian pilgrims. While an ossuary inscribed with the name Salome was found, the name’s commonality necessitates further evidence to confirm the tomb’s occupant. – From Live Science

Evidence of Garden at Crucifixion Site Unearthed

Italian archaeologists from Sapienza University have uncovered 2,000-year-old grape and olive traces beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, traditionally identified as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. This discovery supports the Gospel of John’s account of a garden at the crucifixion site. Soil and pollen analyses revealed ancient grape pips and olive stones, indicating cultivation before Emperor Hadrian’s reign, aligning with the time of Christ. The excavation, part of a restoration project begun in 2022, has been conducted with sensitivity due to the site’s religious significance, involving collaboration among major Christian denominations and the Israel Antiquities Authority. – From the New York Post

3,800-Year-Old Canaanite Scarab Found by Toddler

At Tel Azekah in Israel’s Shephelah region, a 3-year-old named Ziv Nitzan discovered a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab amulet during a family outing. The artifact, shaped like a dung beetle and dating to the Middle Bronze Age, was verified by expert Daphna Ben-Tor as a seal used for religious or status purposes. Scarabs held sacred symbolism in ancient Egypt, representing life and creation. Tel Azekah is historically notable for its biblical association with the story of David and Goliath. The find underscores the site’s historical richness and provides a tangible link to the ancient past. – From the New York Post

Subatomic Imaging Reveals Hidden Structures in Ancient Jerusalem

A team of Israeli archaeologists and physicists has employed muon detectors—devices that utilize cosmic-ray muons—to non-invasively explore subterranean structures in ancient Jerusalem. Focusing on “Jeremiah’s cistern” near the City of David, the detectors have begun mapping hidden voids and structural anomalies beneath the surface. This innovative approach allows researchers to investigate areas that are otherwise inaccessible due to practical and political constraints, offering new insights into Jerusalem’s 5,000-year history without the need for destructive excavation methods. – From Christianity Today

Royal Seal Of King Hezekiah Found

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As reported in Bible History Daily from the Biblical Archaeology Society, a recent discovery has unearthed, literally, a stamped clay bulla bearing the seal of King Hezekiah.

King Hezekiah in the Bible: Royal Seal of Hezekiah Comes to Light

From the article:
“The royal seal of King Hezekiah in the Bible was found in an archaeological excavation. The stamped clay seal, also known as a bulla, was discovered in the Ophel excavations led by Dr. Eilat Mazar at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The discovery was announced in a press release by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology, under whose auspices the excavations were conducted...


…Who Was King Hezekiah in the Bible?

King Hezekiah in the Bible, son and successor of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah (reigning c. 715–686 B.C.E.), was known for his religious reforms and attempts to gain independence from the Assyrians.“

As always, Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on the latest news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers. Stay tuned.

Biblical Archaeology Watchdog: Noah’s Ark And Gath

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Noah’s Ark Evidence

Analyses of the Durupinar formation near Mount Ararat in Turkey revealed traces of marine deposits and a ship-shaped structure matching biblical dimensions of Noah’s Ark.

From Townhall.com – This past week, the Jerusalem Post reported that “analyses revealed traces of marine deposits and a ship-shaped structure matching biblical dimensions” of Noah’s Ark. The “ship-shaped” mound, called the “Durupinar formation,” was first discovered in 1948 by a Kurdish farmer near Mount Ararat’s summit in Turkey. Modern studies beginning in 2021 have found more convincing evidence. Thus, if this discovery is Noah’s Ark, one can anticipate more “magic show” tales waiting to be revealed through advanced archaeological technology. 

Rephaim Valley Location

A study suggests the biblical Valley of Rephaim may lie closer to the ancient Philistine city of Gath, rather than near Jerusalem as traditionally thought.

From Greek Reporter – A new study challenges long-held beliefs about the biblical Valley of Rephaim, offering a fresh perspective on its location and historical meaning. Researcher Sabine Kleiman suggests the valley may lie east of the Elah Valley, closer to the ancient Philistine city of Gath, rather than near Jerusalem as traditionally thought.

Latest Fascinating Discoveries In Biblical Archaeology

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Bible Rebel continues to update readers from the world of biblical archaeology. Here’s the latest.

Ancient Gold Processing Facility Discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,000-year-old gold processing complex at Jabal Sukari, near the Red Sea. The site includes grinding and crushing stations, filtration and sedimentation basins, and ancient clay furnaces used for gold smelting. This discovery sheds light on the mining techniques used by ancient Egyptians. See more from Bible Archaeology Report

Ancient Tomb in the Negev Highlands

A 2,500-year-old tomb compound was discovered in the Negev Highlands, containing the remains of dozens of individuals. The burials are believed to be associated with trade caravans from Arabia, as the site is situated at a junction of ancient trade routes. Artifacts found include copper and silver jewelry, Egyptian scarabs, and alabaster beehive jars. See more from Bible Archaeology Report

Deciphered Dead Sea Scroll Reveals 364-Day Calendar

Researchers have recently deciphered one of the last two remaining Dead Sea Scrolls. Written in code, the scroll describes a 364-day calendar used by the Qumran community that lived in the Judean Desert. See more from BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY

Israel’s Oldest Chinese Inscription Found on Mt. Zion

Excavators with the Israel Antiquities Authority and the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology made an unexpected discovery while excavating on Jerusalem’s Mt. Zion. They found Israel’s oldest Chinese inscription, adding a new layer to the historical connections between these regions. See more from BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY