Archaeology
Discoveries from the ground that shed light on the Bible and Christian history.
Archaeology
The below artifacts and photos are from a trip to Saudi Arabia in the area of Midian, describing the Split Rock at Horeb, Mt. Sinai, the Battle of Rephidim and more, in the year 2020. Some of the pieces, such as the oil lamps and jars, came from a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt in 1983.
Finds from the Ground
1st Century Herodian Oil Lamp
A small clay lamp from the era of the New Testament, the kind that would have lit a home in first-century Judea.
1st Century Herodian Oil Lamp
Another view of this small clay lamp from the New Testament era, the kind that would have lit a home in first-century Judea.
1st Century Roman Terra Cotta Jar
An everyday vessel from the Roman world of the New Testament, used for oils, and other liquid herbs, spice and/or essential oils.
1st Century Spice Jar
A small jar once used to hold precious spices, the kind of household good common to everyday life in the first century.
2nd Century Oil Lamp with Etching of a Boy
A later clay lamp decorated with the etched figure of a boy, showing how everyday objects carried personal touches of artistry.
3rd Century Byzantine Oil Lamp
A later lamp reflecting the continuing craft of lamp-making across the centuries following the New Testament era.
Artifacts from Mt. Sinai in Saudi Arabia
Finds from the Mt. Sinai region, part of the ongoing exploration of sites connected to the biblical narrative.
Artifacts from the Rebellion Cemetery at Mt. Sinai
Finds from the Rebellion Cemetery near Mt. Sinai, another window into the region's ancient history.
Artifacts from the Altar Set Up by Moses
Remains connected to the altar Moses set up as an offering, another tangible link to the biblical narrative of the exodus.
Artifacts from the Split Rock at Mt. Horeb
Finds connected to the split rock at Mt. Horeb, another tangible link to the biblical account of the exodus journey.
Artifacts from the Cave of Jethro in Midian
Finds from the cave of Jethro in Midian, another site connected to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Artifacts from the Midian Well of Moses
Finds from the well of Moses in Al-Bad, Midian, another tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Jehovah Nissi
Another find connected to Jehovah Nissi, "The Lord is my Banner," continuing this window into the biblical account of the exodus journey.
Jehovah Nissi
A further find connected to Jehovah Nissi, "The Lord is my Banner," continuing this window into the biblical account of the exodus journey.
Jehovah Nissi
This is a view of the Altar of Jehovah Nissi with the Split Rock in the background.
Jethro's Caves
These were the cave homes of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, in the land of Midian.
Moses' Well
A view of the well of Moses in the land of Midian, another tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Moses' Well
Another view of the well of Moses in the land of Midian, continuing this tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Mt. Sinai
A view of Mt. Sinai, continuing this tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Mt. Sinai
Another view of Mt. Sinai, continuing this tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Mt. Sinai
A further view of Mt. Sinai, continuing this tangible link to the biblical account of Moses' journey before the exodus.
Mt. Sinai
These marker stones were used at the base of Mt. Sinai for the children of Israel to be used as their border.
Mt. Sinai
These marker stones are round white marble, a stone that is not indigenous to the area, used at the base of Mt. Sinai to mark the border for the children of Israel.
Mt. Sinai
These are petroglyphs near the base of the camp at Mt. Sinai, depicting aspects of revelry and rebellion among the people.
Mt. Sinai
These were the animal pens at the base of Mt. Sinai, used for sacrificial offerings.
Mt. Sinai
This is the website author with a local Bedouin, with the Golden Calf altar in the background, the site mentioned in Exodus 32:5.
Mt. Sinai
These are petroglyphs at the base of the Golden Calf altar.
Mt. Sinai
These are more petroglyphs at the base of the Golden Calf altar.
Mt. Sinai
A view of the Golden Calf altar site at Mt. Sinai.
The Split Rock
This is the Split Rock where the water came out for the children of Israel. The rock itself is approximately 60 feet tall and sits on a base that is approximately 60 feet tall.
The Split Rock
This was the battlefield area of the Battle of Rephidim with the Amalekites.
The Battle of Rephidim
These petroglyphs, written in Paleo-Hebrew, were a description of the battle that took place here with the Amalekites.
The Split Rock
Another view of the Split Rock, where the water came out for the children of Israel.
The Split Rock
This shot shows the Split Rock from a distance.
At the Sphinx
Kevin Michalek on location at the Sphinx in Egypt, during research travels connected to this archaeology section.
The Battle of Rephidim
This footprint describes the possession of the territory by the Israelites, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:24 and Joshua 1:3.