Ruins of Jericho Confirm Scriptures

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6625, 11 August 1931, Page 8

Ruins of Jericho Confirm Scriptures

LIVERPOOL, July 20. Tho authenticity of Bible records is attested by the findings of archaeological explorers, according to Professor John Garstang, of the University of Liverpool, who has just returned from several. months’ investigations in Palestine on the site of ancient Jericho. There was not a single site mentioned in the Biblical narratives of Joshua and Judges which did not exist In fact, he said. There were 120 such sites, and ho had visited them all. Each belonged to the period of the narrative, before 1200 8.C., and each occupied tho strategic and topographical position which the Bible narrative entitled it to claim. Many' of the sites retained their ancient names, and 00 could be idcntiiicd with certainty. Provided a site was undisturbed, there could be no falsification of archaeological evidence, lie affirmed. Speaking of the explorations in which lie was personally concerned, Professor Garstang said that the walls of Jericho, now located, had fallen in complete ruin down the slopes of the little mound on which they stood. The archaeological date of the destruction agreed with that of the Biblical record, just beforo 1400 B.C. At Ai and Hazor, too, excavations revealed abundant traces of fire and a complete cessation of occupation about 1400 8.C., he said.

The elements of the Biblical narrative illustrated by the visible remains were those which critics said were the “earliest strata of the book of Joshua.” Professor Garstang concluded that lie had had the privilege of examining the whole of those early strata in the books of Joshua and Judges, examining them topographically and strategically on every site, and he had come to the conclusion that there was no radical flaw to be found in the historical narrative.

Professor Garstang was asked by a member of his audience of Rotanans whether archaeologists had formed any conclusion as to what caused the walls of Jericho to fall. Ho said that they inclined to the view that an earthquake was responsible, or, at any rate, that it. had weakened the wells, and Joshua completed the destruction. The walls had cracked and fallen away outward in a way that supported tho earthquake theory. Archaeologists were, however, searching for further evidence.