ADN

What may be the oldest known Hebrew text, found on a hilltop above the valley where David is said to have battled Goliath, could lend historical support to some Bible stories, archaeologists say.

The 3,000-year-old pottery shard with five lines of text was found during excavations of the Elah Fortress, the oldest known Biblical-period fortress that dates to the 10th century B.C.

It is the most important archaeological discovery in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls, according to lead researcher Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University's Institute of Archaeology.

His team believes the text may provide evidence for a real-life King David and his vast kingdom, the existence of which has been long doubted by scholars.

Carbon-14 dating of olive pits found at the archaeological site, as well as analysis of pottery remains, also place the text to between 1000 and 975 B.C., the time King David, head of the Kingdom of Israel, would have lived.

"This means that historical knowledge of King David could pass from generation to generation in writing—and not just as oral tradition."

The exact nature of the text— believed to be Hebrew written in Proto-Canaanite script, a type of early alphabet—has yet to be determined, but a number of root words have already been translated, including "judge," "slave," and "king.

Source: http://snipurl.com/51seh [news_nationalgeographic_com]

man, i could read most of it. Proto-hebrew for the win!!!

i saw this weeks ago, and i think the mythology of david's reign was based on A reality... i am cautious though.

No doubt more than a few tales from the book must be at least "based on true events" as Hollywood is so fond of saying. It's when you bring virgin births, resurrection, massive, all-inclusive animal cruise ships and rib-women that it gets exciting, provided you don't hold it as "Truth".

Xen, good to see ya, sir!

No doubt more than a few tales from the book must be at least "based on true events" as Hollywood is so fond of saying.

The "Bible" is based on a static interpretation of Hebrew texts based on oral and written tradition, that passed down and through various tribes. These were syncretized into one text, to standardize their heritage, and strengthen their nation to prevent civil war with strong enemies on the borders.

It's when you bring virgin births, resurrection, massive, all-inclusive animal cruise ships and rib-women that it gets exciting, provided you don't hold it as "Truth".

This is why the Bible is to be contemplated, not believed. I can tell you "there is this cool cat named Raum." and you know i mean a "fun or interesting guy"

If I say "neko-no samui nokame raum desu." That is japanese for "There is this cool cat named Raum." but the context is lost.

For example, some crap about ribs - Heva (eve) was even as early as the latin was described as creates from the "Baculus" of Adam.... not his "rib". It is just that the word "tzalah" can mean several things - and it implied Baculus - which was why the jews used the "tzalah" as a wand of power in the holy of Holies. In fact the Seven-Branched Candlestick in the Temple of Solomon was called Tzalah Ha-Eloah Achad Olam or "The Baculus of The God of All Worlds."

Baculus should be word of the day, sometime.

fascinating to see ancient texts no matter what they are

we do realize that many parts of the bible are contradictory due to the different authors and sources that were involved