Embarrassing "Curse Stone" Exposed as Desperate Apologetic (feat Dr Kipp Davis)
Jan 25, 2024
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Archaeologist Dr. Kipp Davis discusses the controversy surrounding an alleged ancient Hebrew text that challenges the Documentary Hypothesis. Topics covered include the archaeological significance of the discovery, wet sifting technology, dating materials found in layers, excavating Mount Ebal, metal recycling in the ancient world, skepticism about the authenticity of the inscription, and the concept of the people of Israel in relation to the Hebrew Bible.
The legitimacy of the Mount Ebal curse tablet discovery and its readings have been widely criticized by experts, raising doubts about its authenticity and significance for challenging existing theories of Hebrew script development.
The legal and ethical complications surrounding the excavation project on Mount Ebal, including the lack of permits and ownership disputes, highlight the potential bias and political motives involved in prioritizing biblical beliefs over proper archaeological procedures.
Deep dives
The Controversial Discoveries and Claims
The episode discusses the controversial claims made by Dr. Scott Stripling, an archaeologist working with the conservative Associates for Biblical Research (ABR). Stripling and his team announced the discovery of a small lead object identified as a defixio or a ritual curse tablet on Mount Ebal in Palestine. They claimed that the object contained writing that dates back to the late Bronze Age around 1400 BCE. However, the legitimacy of the discovery and the readings on the object have been widely criticized by archaeologists, epigraphers, and biblical scholars. The legal and ethical issues surrounding the excavation and transport of the object have also been raised.
The Methodology and Challenge of Recognition
Dr. Kip Davis, a biblical scholar and historian, questions the methodology and interpretation of the artifact. He highlights the difficulty in recognizing any meaningful writing on the object, as many scholars and experts have been unable to discern the supposed letters. The team's claim of finding the divine name Yahweh in the inscription is subject to skepticism and does not disprove existing theories about the development and dating of Hebrew script. Davis also emphasizes the importance of archaeological protocols and the controversial political implications of such discoveries in the West Bank region.
The Legal and Ethical Complications
The episode delves into the legal and ethical complications surrounding the discovery. The excavation project conducted by Stripling and ABR on Mount Ebal did not have the necessary permits, and the activities were condemned by the Palestinian Authority. The object's ownership is disputed, as the site falls under the Palestinian jurisdiction, suggesting that it belongs to Palestine rather than Israel. The contentious nature of the discovery and its potential political motives raise concerns about the prioritization of biblical beliefs over proper archaeological procedures.
The Implications and Misleading Claims
Dr. Davis expresses concern about the potential for misleading claims and the danger of confirmation bias. He warns against the desire for certain discoveries to be true and emphasizes the need for adherence to the evidence. The episode emphasizes the importance of seeking facts and understanding the complexities of biblical archaeology, including the discrepancies between the biblical texts and the archaeological record. Davis urges listeners to approach such claims critically and to consider the wider implications and consequences of misinterpretation or misrepresentation of historical and cultural findings.
Have archaeologists uncovered an ancient proto-Hebrew text 200 years earlier than the previous one? Does this support the traditional authorship of Moses and Joshua and challenge the Documentary Hypothesis? Last year, archaeologist Scott Stripling and his team dropped a "bomb" on archaeology by announcing this find at Mt. Ebal. Now, his team has published a peer-reviewed journal article, and Scott gives his first interview about the state of the evidence.
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