New Technology Aids Archeologists

New technology gives on-site assessments in archaeology, is a EurekAlert article (public release 11/17/10) telling of a process capable of determining the origin of crystals i.e. whether they were formed by humans or by natural processes. The answer can be important in making inferences about ancient archeological sites but up to this point testing methods could take months to provide the needed information.

The device, connected with this discovery process, is easily transported and utilizes infrared light to gather spectral fingerprint information. The infrared spectroscopy exploits the fact that light is absorbed differently by different molecules. The differences account for distinct spectral peaks, or molecular fingerprints. Naturally formed calcite crystals are generally more tightly organized than those formed by humans.

The new process was a collaborative effort by physicists, materials scientists and archeologists. Testing was performed at an ancient site at Tel Safit in Israel, said to be near the location where David slew Goliath.

An Archeological Find in Jerusalem Relates to the Book of Nehemiah

The Bible contains narratives of many events which were alleged to have taken place during various ancient historical periods. Included in the accounts are interactions with different non-Jewish civilizations led by kings whose names are recorded. The specification of nations, places and named individuals allows for the possibility that physical evidence could affirm or negate biblical claims. The branch of science often used for this purpose is archeology.

Recently archeologists discovered a black stone seal with the name Temech engraved on it in Jerusalem. The stone had an image engraved on it as well and was dated between 538-445 B.C. The image shows two bearded priests standing by an altar. Their raised hands are consistent with a worship position. A crescent moon, the symbol of the chief Babylonian god Sin, is on top of the altar. The crescent moon symbolized the chief Babylonian god Sin.

What does the name Temech and the image mean? The Book of Nehemiah points to the significance of the name Temech. Nehemiah was a Jewish exile and a cupbearer for King of Persia Artaxerxes. Note the second chapter of the Book of Nehemiah, verses 7-9 (NIV):

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

The Persian king authorizes and assists the return of Nehemiah to Jerusalem after Nehemiah had asked the king to send him there so he could rebuild it. There are historic claims made and names of individuals and places are linked to them. That's a basis upon which relevant physical evidence can be sought and assessed according to the biblical claims.

The seventh chapter of the Book of Nehemiah names exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah. Verse 55 mentions Temah:

55 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

The Temech family is alluded to in this account from The Jerusalem Post:

The seal of one of the members of the Temech family was discovered just dozens of meters away from the Opel area, where the servants of the Temple, or "Nethinim," lived in the time of Nehemiah, Mazar said.

"The seal of the Temech family gives us a direct connection between archeology and the biblical sources and serves as actual evidence of a family mentioned in the Bible," she said. "One cannot help being astonished by the credibility of the biblical source as seen by the archaeological find."

An unexpected archeological find provides evidence connecting specified people to events within a known time period. The Bible is viewed as an accurate source of historic accounts by believers. With respect to the Temech family and the rebuilding of Jerusalem supporting evidence has been found.