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As Catholics can we rely on the findings of biblical archaeology?
Science and religion don’t mix right? Wrong. Biblical archaeology has long been a respected pursuit within the scientific community. It is a blend of religion, history and scientific method to uncover our true heritage. Recently, the Biblical Archaeology Society celebrated the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. While the scrolls, believed to contain lost books of the bible, was and continues to be a worldwide event – biblical archaeology is also responsible for a number of other discoveries. These include recent revelations such as the possible discovery of King Herod’s tomb and the more controversial claim that archaeologists have discovered the family tomb of Jesus Christ. While many fantasize that biblical archaeology is about finding the Holy Grail or other “magical” items, those practicing the science will tell you it’s anything but an Indiana Jones-esque adventure through the wilds of any exotic country. Rather, most archaeologists spend years, if not decades, pouring over texts and other historical documents to focus their search. Very few digs are of such a sweeping scale that they span acres. Actually, money is usually so tight that digs only last a few weeks and are staffed with volunteers and students. Weather and the availability of government permits also serve to shorten dig times. Instead of searching for gold and treasure, archaeologists are usually searching for the remains of tools, structures or even areas where refuse was tossed. Indeed, a refuse pile can be a goldmine to an archaeologist, revealing what people ate, what tools they used, how often they used these tools or items, etc. Additionally, all research is based on the scientific method, not hunches, prayers or secrets revealed during the practice of ancient rituals. The scientific method is comprised of several key factors: observation, hypothesis, prediction based on hypothesis, testing the predictions, repetition of results. If you’re interested in learning more about biblical archaeology and scholarship, try these resources:
If these aren’t enough, take a browse through your local library or book store and become an armchair archaeologist yourself. Most archaeological books make great coffee table books because of their fantastic photographs and illustrations. Get one, get your bible and follow the tracks of Jesus.
The copyright of the article Biblical Archaeology in Catholicism is owned by Michelle Anderson. Permission to republish Biblical Archaeology in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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