Radiocarbon Study Rekindles Debate Over Kings David and Solomon’s Biblical Kingdom
Researchers at Gezer in central Israel, led by Dr. Lyndelle Webster, have published a radiocarbon study of early 10th-century B.C.E. ruins that has reignited debates over biblical tales, particularly those about Kings David and Solomon. The international team of scholars from the Austrian Archaeological Institute, Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Israel Antiquities Authority conducted the research, which disputes archaeological views, especially from King Solomon’s building period.
The findings challenged previous assertions that structures such as the six-chambered gates found at Gezer and other sites in northern Israel were built in the ninth century B.C.E., a century after the time traditionally ascribed to David and Solomon. Dr. Samuel Wolff, an archaeologist co-heading the Gezer excavation, highlighted that the study’s samples were collected from well-defined contexts, providing credibility to the results.
According to Creation Ministries, other excavations conducted across various sites in Israel suggest cultural shifts occurring around 1000 BC, aligning with the biblical narrative of the nation’s transition from judgeship to monarchy during the era known as Iron Age IIA. In a recent study, Hebrew University archaeologist Prof. Yosef Garfinkel suggested that King David built a centralized administration in Judah, focusing on data collection from archaeological sites. He emphasized the implications of urban planning and the building activities of Solomon, citing similarities found in his research.
The ongoing debate over the United Monarchy remains a longstanding and contentious issue in biblical archaeology. The study raises crucial questions about biblical accounts and continues to fuel discussions among scholars and researchers.
The recent publication will play a key role in shaping future explorations and discussions surrounding the historicity of King David and Solomon and the existence of a kingdom during their time.
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