Archaeology & History

Evidence of biblical earthquake discovered

By T.K. Randall
August 10, 2021 ·  0 comments

The damage was extensive. Image Credit: YouTube / Israel Antiquities Authority Official Channel Headed up by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the Ir David Foundation, the excavations, which were undertaken in the neighborhood of Silwan in Jerusalem, uncovered damaged buildings, broken pottery and other indicators that a natural disaster had taken place there.

The researchers were careful to rule out other possible explanations - such as a fire or flood - however they ultimately concluded that an earthquake had been responsible.

Intriguingly, such an event - which dates back to the eighth century BC - coincides with references to a similar event in the biblical books of Amos and Zechariah.The Book of Amos, for example, references "two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah", while the Book of Zechariah contains a passage which reads "you will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah."

It is now believed that the newfound evidence points to the earthquake described in these texts.

"Destructive earthquakes in Jerusalem are possible, as shown by the well-recorded earthquake of 1927," said archaeologist Israel Finkelstein from Tel Aviv University.

"The early layer of the book of Amos includes materials which relate to the eighth century and hence it is possible that a devastating earthquake left a strong impression and was recorded."


Source: Smithsonian Magazine | Comments (0)

Tags: Earthquake, Israel, Bible