Archaeologists recently discovered a fortress and sword dating back to the reign of an Egyptian pharaoh believed to be linked to the Old Testament book of Exodus during the enslavement of the Israelites. Reports indicate that the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed the discovery was from the era of Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC).
Reportedly, within the fortress, archeologists found barracks that were used to store weapons and food supplies. Researchers managed to find a variety of artifacts, including weapons, jewelry and other items of importance. “The weaponry demonstrates the place was well armed and may even have been able to produce some weapons on site,” according to Peter Brand, a professor at the University of Memphis in Tennessee.
Notably, biblical accounts reference a place named after the Egyptian Ramesses II. However, academics disagree on which pharaoh was present during the period of time that occurred in the book of Exodus, with various theories having been proposed.
“One of the most popular theories claims that the pharaoh during the Exodus was Ramesses II, a 13th century pharaoh,” claimed Christopher Eames. “Despite this popular identification, numerous biblical passages — including the singular verse highlighted by Ramesside proponents (Exodus 1:11) — reveal that neither Ramesses II nor any of the Ramesside Dynasty pharaohs could have been the Exodus pharaoh.” He added, “When it comes to biblical chronology, the biblical text clearly points to the Exodus occurring during the 15th century b.c.e. — within the Thutmosid Dynasty.”
Eamers further stated, “Digging down into the details, however, it becomes evident that no other Egyptian period, dynasty and pharaoh gets nearly as close to matching the biblical text as the New Kingdom period’s Thutmosid dynasty pharaoh, Amenhotep II.”
“And so, amid the multiplicity of theories about the Exodus pharaoh’s identity from scholars, ancient and modern, should it come as any surprise if the very earliest historians to mention his name — Egyptians, no less — got it right? More than 2,000 years ago, Manetho and Chaeremon — both Egyptian priests and historians — insisted that the pharaoh of the Exodus was, as they identified him in their Ptolemaic Greek language, a pharaoh named Amenophis,” he concluded.
The Christian Tribune reported on another major discovery for Christian archeology, where an ancient mosaic was unveiled. The Megiddo Mosaic was recently opened as a display at the Museum of the Bible, which was found in one of the oldest Christian worship halls in the world. The piece of art reveals that early Christians believed firmly in the deity of Jesus Christ, where an inscription referred to him as God.