Biblical Exodus confirmed? New findings in Samaria say yes

Among the three-millenia-old artifacts uncovered in ancient Shilo was a rare Egyptian seal, which researchers say may corroborate the biblical story of the Exodus. 

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

Several unique findings recently uncovered at the Tel Shiloh archaeological site in Samaria have stirred excitement among researchers who say they can corroborate the biblical story of the Exodus from Egypt.

A rare Egyptian scarab seal, possibly belonging to a senior Egyptian official, was found at the site. Archaeologists estimate it to be 3,000 years old.

Scarabs were carved in the shape of a dung beetle, a creature of cosmological significance in ancient Egypt. Numerous scarabs have been found in archaeological excavations in Israel.

Researchers say the artifact offers evidence that the Israelites journeyed from Egypt. They eventually made Shiloh their capital.

The Bible recounts how Joshua set the Tabernacle in Shiloh after conquering the Promised Land, and for more than three centuries the city served as the center of Israelite life.

Archaeologists uncovered a stone, horn-shaped edge of an altar, dated to the Iron Age.

The Iron Age, also referred to as the Israelite period, run from 1200–586 B.C.E.

Volunteers from 12 countries converged on Tel Shiloh  this summer to resume the third season of archaeological excavations at the site.

Led by Dr. Scott Stripling, the provost at The Bible Seminary in Katy (Houston), Texas, and Director of Excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), the group seeks to uncover the secrets of the multi-layered site, and especially those of the Tabernacle.

Yisrael Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council in which Shiloh is situated, said that the “rare findings at ancient Shiloh are exciting, powerful and prove in a forceful way our historic truth and our hold on the Land of the Bible.”

Ancient ShilohExodus from EgyptIsraeli archaeologyJewish historyJudea and Samaria