BIBLE archaeologists have uncovered the secrets of an ancient city that may prove the story of Moses leading the people to the Promised Land is true.
The findings were shared by the Israel Antiquities Authority and could be monumental given how little physical evidence we have to support the story.
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The treasures were discovered in the city of Zanoah – mentioned in the Old Testament.
Researchers have found stone walls, pottery and other artifacts dating back more than 3,200 years.
The Bible says that the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land, also known as Canaan, around 1406 to 1407 BC, after wandering for 40 years in the desert.
The team also discovered a broken jar handle that contained the name of a king described in the Bible, appearing to provide further evidence of the biblical story of Moses.
The story of the Exodus is spread throughout the Bible books from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
It starts with the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt, before Pharaoh agrees to free them after being coerced by 10 terrible plagues.
Moses then leads the people to the Red Sea, stretching out his hands and miraculously causing the water to part.
But Pharaoh changed his mind and the Egyptians army They were right behind the fleeing Israelites.
God again ordered Moses to stretch out his hand and the sea swallowed the army.
Once they reached the Sinai Peninsula, scripture says they traveled to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the 10 commandments.
The group then headed to the southern border of Canaan, but too afraid to enter, they were condemned by God to spend decades in the desert.
After spending the years in oasis From Kadesh Barnea, the Israelites then traveled to the eastern border of Canaan, where Moses died and was buried on Mount Nebo.
In the subsequent Book of Joshua, Joshua assumes leadership of the Israelites, leading them to the Promised Land across the Jordan River and conquering Jericho – and Zanoah is mentioned in the Book of Joshua.
Joshua 15:34,56 describes the boundaries and cities within the tribal portion of Judah as they entered the Promised Land, which includes Zanoah.
Researchers excavated the area in 2019 but released their findings in March.
The team discovered walls built from rows of large white stones, which they believed were retaining walls for agriculture terraces used to create level areas for planting and to protect steeper soils from erosion.
Biblical discoveries
‘ALTAR OF MOSES’
At Jabal al-Maqla there is an ancient altar composed of rough granite stones at the base of the mountain and the remains of what appear to be small ancient pillars composed of marble beside it, just as in the Book of Exodus.
Moses is said to have built an altar made of rough stones at the base of Mount Sinai and placed 12 pillars representing the 12 tribes of Israel beside it.
So far, nine pillars with several broken pieces of marble have been found scattered throughout the area.
‘WORSHIP SITE OF THE GOLDEN CALF’
Two more crucial pieces of evidence on this mountain are what is believed to be the place of worship of the Golden Calf and signs of a cemetery.
Chapter 32 of Exodus tells of the Golden Calf incident, where the Israelites make a golden calf, which was an Egyptian god, and worship it while Moses is on Mount Sinai.
When Moses comes down from the mountain, the worshipers of the golden calf are killed for their idolatry.
Mauro said: “Near the mountain, we have this place covered with representations of people worshiping bulls and cows.
“And what’s really significant is that these cave paintings are isolated in this area. It’s not like they’re carved all over the mountain.”
MOUNT HOREB DIVIDED ROCK
On the way to the supposed Mount Sinai there is an imposing rock split on a large hill.
The rock and hill below show signs of massive water erosion – but this is an area that receives very little rain.
Mauro said: “We believe this distinctive landmark may be the rock that God commanded Moses to strike, from which water gushed forth, miraculously supplying the Israelite population.”
‘BURNED MOUNTAIN PEAK’
The real holy site, he says, is in the northwestern province of Saudi Arabia and there is strong evidence to prove it.
The researchers then identified Jabal Maqla, a peak in the Jabal al-Lawz mountain range, as Mount Sinai.
The Bible says that God came down to Mount Sinai like fire.
And they claim that the mountain, with its clearly blackened peaks, suggests that this is the place.
‘SIGNS OF THE WAY UNDER THE RED SEA’
In the Book of Exodus Moses extends his walking stick and God opens the waters and they are able to escape.
The story goes that the water rushed back and crushed the pursuing troops.
The foundation believes Nuweiba Beach is the most likely crossing point because studies have found dirt paths beneath the water.
They argue that this evidence found by Swedish scientist Dr. Lennart Moller reveals the remains of the fleeing army.
It is claimed that they found what they believe to be chariot shapes encased in coral, although the metal and wood had long since dissolved.
Across the Red Sea, there is evidence that it is supposedly a possible match for the biblical camp Elim, which has 12 wells and 70 palm trees, with a dozen water sources remaining to this day.
Preserved pottery was also unearthed and one of them had a stamp on the handle that said “of the King”, which would honor King Hezekiah’s reign in Judah in 701 BC.
Hezekiah’s life is described in the biblical book of 2 Kings, chapters 18-20.
In 2 Chronicles, the king is said to have reopened Solomon’s Temple – “the First Temple” and built it on the site where God made Adam.
Pottery fragments covered the landscape and around 20% dated back to the time the Israelites arrived.
The rest was shaped along the way next 900 years.
Describing a decorated fragment of a cosmetic bowl made of white limestone, the researchers said: “‘It has a wide rim adorned with a decoration of three concentric bands separated by gaps.
“The outer and inner bands are narrow and feature rope decoration, while the central band is wide and characteristics an intermittent grid pattern.”
The researchers also found bowls and jugs – one of which had perforations that suggested it could have been used as a lantern.
Metal objects were also discovered, but researchers did not specify when they were made, only that they were bronze jewelry and included a fragment of a ring and earring.
Other potential evidence that ancient humans lived in the region included iron tools, nails of various sizes and bronze strips used for soldering irons.
The researchers said: “‘Although it is likely that some of the finds originated in the ruins and were subsequently washed down the hillside over the years, most of the finds, especially those falling in love from the early Byzantine period, refer to agricultural activities carried out on the slopes of hills.”
They added that the large number of finds indicates the importance of the site “and highlights [its] potential significance.”
It comes as a new chapter of the Bible containing hidden verses has come to light after being erased by a scribe 1,500 years ago.
The incredible discovery dating back to the 3rd century features chapters 11-12 of Matthew and is one of the earliest translations of the Gospels.
The page came to light thanks to the use of ultraviolet photography in a manuscript in the Vatican Library.
The hidden text was initially erased by a scribe in Palestine – a common practice at the time as parchment was scarce and manuscripts were often erased and reused
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