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Collins is the chief archaeologist and co-director of the [[Tall el-Hammam]] Excavation Project in [[Jordan]], working with the [[Department of Antiquities (Jordan)|Department of Antiquities]] of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,<ref name = Byers>{{cite web|url = https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics/tall-el-hammam-field-reports/4108-tall-elhammam-2008-a-personal-perspective|date = January 12, 2009|archive-date = November 27, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201127192813/https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics/tall-el-hammam-field-reports/4108-tall-elhammam-2008-a-personal-perspective|title = Tall el-Hammam 2008: A Personal Perspective|first = Gary|last = Byers|website = Tall el-Hammam Field Reports, Biblearchaeology.org|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|access-date = September 25, 2021}}</ref> that began in 2005. This archaeological investigation found the remains of a fortified city that was destroyed circa 1850–1650 BCE, which Collins has argued is likely to be the location of the biblical city of [[Sodom and Gomorrah|Sodom]].<ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|title = Sodom: The Discovery of a Lost City|journal = [[Bible and Spade]]|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|volume = 20|issue = 3|year = 2007|page = 72|url = https://www.galaxie.com/article/bspade20-3-03|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|title = A Response to Bryant G. Wood's Critique of Collins' Northern Sodom Theory|journal = [[Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University]]|issn = 1938-694X|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|volume = 7|issue = 7|year = 2007|page = 27|url = https://trinitysouthwest.com/product/response-bryant-g-woods-critique-collins-northern-sodom-theory/|url-access = subscription|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090815164929/http://www.biblicalresearchbulletin.com/uploads/BRB-2007-7-Collins-Response_to_Wood.pdf|archive-date = August 15, 2009}}</ref> The Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project is located in Jordan, about {{convert|14|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the [[Dead Sea]], an area east of the Jordan River straddling [[Highway 65 (Jordan)|Highway 65]], just north of the Dead Sea ({{coord|31|50|25|N|35|40|27|E}}).<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/dig/tall-el-hammam-2/|title = Tall el-Hammam, Jordan|publisher = [[Biblical Archaeology Society]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|year = 2021}}</ref><ref name = GravesBook />{{rp|193}} Burnt brick and melted pottery were found at the site and in the Jordon River valley near Sowayma.<ref name = Gerson>{{cite magazine|first = Ian|last = Gerson|title = Making the Case for Sodom|date = June 5, 2014|access-date = May 14, 2017|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/making-the-case-for-sodom|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008202835/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/making-the-case-for-sodom|archive-date = October 8, 2017}}</ref> The melted pottery resembles [[trinitite]], a glassy rock formed by intense heat such as in the testing of atomic weapons or in a meteor strike.<ref name = meteor>{{cite news|title = Signs of a Cosmic Blast: Local researchers find evidence of fiery end for Sodom in Bible|first = Cindy|last = Beamon <!--- According to http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1516/2016lecompte_swindell/ --->|newspaper = [[Elizabeth City Daily Advance|The Daly Advance]]|date = May 11, 2016|url = https://www.dailyadvance.com/features/local/local-researchers-find-evidence-of-fiery-end-for-sodom-in-bible/article_eb697598-4e16-5137-b01b-5e994fef51ff.html|access-date = May 14, 2017}}</ref> Astrophysicist Malcolm LeCompte has identified evidence supporting an "'aerial burst of cosmic material' [that was] hot enough to melt iron"<ref name = meteor /> having occurred at the Tall el-Hammam site in Jordan about 3,700 years ago. LeCompte noted similarities in the damage patterns in the Middle East and in Russia from the June 1908 [[Tunguska event]], which did result from an aerial meteor burst. Consequently, the biblical account of the destruction of Sodom could be a description of a meteor which burst in the air.<ref name = meteor /><!--- The sentence "The skeletons at the site were twisted and mangled." has been commented out as unsupported by either the "meteor" or "Gerson" references --->
Collins is the chief archaeologist and co-director of the [[Tall el-Hammam]] Excavation Project in [[Jordan]], working with the [[Department of Antiquities (Jordan)|Department of Antiquities]] of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,<ref name = Byers>{{cite web|url = https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics/tall-el-hammam-field-reports/4108-tall-elhammam-2008-a-personal-perspective|date = January 12, 2009|archive-date = November 27, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201127192813/https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics/tall-el-hammam-field-reports/4108-tall-elhammam-2008-a-personal-perspective|title = Tall el-Hammam 2008: A Personal Perspective|first = Gary|last = Byers|website = Tall el-Hammam Field Reports, Biblearchaeology.org|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|access-date = September 25, 2021}}</ref> that began in 2005. This archaeological investigation found the remains of a fortified city that was destroyed circa 1850–1650 BCE, which Collins has argued is likely to be the location of the biblical city of [[Sodom and Gomorrah|Sodom]].<ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|title = Sodom: The Discovery of a Lost City|journal = [[Bible and Spade]]|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|volume = 20|issue = 3|year = 2007|page = 72|url = https://www.galaxie.com/article/bspade20-3-03|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|title = A Response to Bryant G. Wood's Critique of Collins' Northern Sodom Theory|journal = [[Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University]]|issn = 1938-694X|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|volume = 7|issue = 7|year = 2007|page = 27|url = https://trinitysouthwest.com/product/response-bryant-g-woods-critique-collins-northern-sodom-theory/|url-access = subscription|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090815164929/http://www.biblicalresearchbulletin.com/uploads/BRB-2007-7-Collins-Response_to_Wood.pdf|archive-date = August 15, 2009}}</ref> The Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project is located in Jordan, about {{convert|14|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the [[Dead Sea]], an area east of the Jordan River straddling [[Highway 65 (Jordan)|Highway 65]], just north of the Dead Sea ({{coord|31|50|25|N|35|40|27|E}}).<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/dig/tall-el-hammam-2/|title = Tall el-Hammam, Jordan|publisher = [[Biblical Archaeology Society]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|year = 2021}}</ref><ref name = GravesBook />{{rp|193}} Burnt brick and melted pottery were found at the site and in the Jordon River valley near Sowayma.<ref name = Gerson>{{cite magazine|first = Ian|last = Gerson|title = Making the Case for Sodom|date = June 5, 2014|access-date = May 14, 2017|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/making-the-case-for-sodom|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008202835/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/making-the-case-for-sodom|archive-date = October 8, 2017}}</ref> The melted pottery resembles [[trinitite]], a glassy rock formed by intense heat such as in the testing of atomic weapons or in a meteor strike.<ref name = meteor>{{cite news|title = Signs of a Cosmic Blast: Local researchers find evidence of fiery end for Sodom in Bible|first = Cindy|last = Beamon <!--- According to http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1516/2016lecompte_swindell/ --->|newspaper = [[Elizabeth City Daily Advance|The Daly Advance]]|date = May 11, 2016|url = https://www.dailyadvance.com/features/local/local-researchers-find-evidence-of-fiery-end-for-sodom-in-bible/article_eb697598-4e16-5137-b01b-5e994fef51ff.html|access-date = May 14, 2017}}</ref> Astrophysicist Malcolm LeCompte has identified evidence supporting an "'aerial burst of cosmic material' [that was] hot enough to melt iron"<ref name = meteor /> having occurred at the Tall el-Hammam site in Jordan about 3,700 years ago. LeCompte noted similarities in the damage patterns in the Middle East and in Russia from the June 1908 [[Tunguska event]], which did result from an aerial meteor burst. Consequently, the biblical account of the destruction of Sodom could be a description of a meteor which burst in the air.<ref name = meteor /><!--- The sentence "The skeletons at the site were twisted and mangled." has been commented out as unsupported by either the "meteor" or "Gerson" references --->


Debate about possible locations for the biblical city of Sodom are controversial.<ref name = Govier>{{cite journal|date = April 2008|title = Looking Back: Claims to new Sodom locations are salted with controversy|url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/april/5.15.html|first = Gordon|last = Govier|magazine = [[Christianity Today]]|volume = 52|issue = 4|page = 15|url-access = subscription|access-date = September 25, 2021|archive-date = April 18, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418031354/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/april/5.15.html}}</ref> Collins' view has been supported by the identification of the Tall el-Hammam site on the [[Madaba Map]]<ref name = GravesBook /><ref>{{cite journal|last = Graves|first = David E.|title = Identification of Tall el-Hammam on the Madaba Map|journal = [[Bible and Spade]]|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|volume = 20|issue = 2|year = 2007|page = 35|url = https://www.galaxie.com/article/bspade20-2-02|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref name = Byers /> It has received media attention<ref name = Govier /><ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/june-2012/article/archaeologists-return-to-excavate-possible-site-of-biblical-sodom|url-status = dead|title = Archaeologists Return to Excavate Possible Site of Biblical Sodom|date = June 6, 2012|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = August 1, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018125830/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/june-2012/article/archaeologists-return-to-excavate-possible-site-of-biblical-sodom|archive-date = October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/september-2012/article/archaeologists-excavate-massive-ancient-gateway-in-jordan|title = Archaeologists Excavate Massive Ancient Gateway in Jordan|date = September 2012|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = August 1, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016052656/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/september-2012/article/archaeologists-excavate-massive-ancient-gateway-in-jordan|archive-date = 16 October 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://popular-archaeology.com/article/possible-site-of-ancient-sodom-yields-more-finds/|title = Possible site of ancient Sodom yields more finds|date = September 28, 2015|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|archive-date = December 8, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181208091856/https://popular-archaeology.com/article/possible-site-of-ancient-sodom-yields-more-finds/}}</ref> and comments from other researchers, both supportive<ref name = Byers /><ref name = GravesBook>{{cite book|title = The Location of Sodom: Key Facts for Navigating the Maze of Arguments for the Location of the Cities of the Plain|first = David Elton|last = Graves|edition = 2nd|publisher = [[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]]|year = 2018|isbn = 9781985830837}}</ref><ref name = Gerson /><ref>{{cite book| title = The Destruction of Sodom: What We Have Learned from Tall El-Hammam and Its Neighbors|first = Phillip|last = Silvia|edition = 2nd|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|isbn = 9781945750076}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible: Discoveries That Confirm the Reliability of Scripture|first1 = Joseph M.|last1 = Holden|first2 = Norman|last2 = Geisler|authorlink2 = Norman Geisler|publisher = [[Harvest House Publishers]]|year = 2013|isbn = 9780736944854|chapter = Creation and Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the Cities of the Plain|pages = 203-220|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=b6WGSkPqUyUC&pg=PA214}}</ref>{{rp|214-220}} and critical.<ref name = Merrill /><ref name = Bolen /> Based on the literal use of biblical numbers, Professor [[Eugene H. Merrill (academic)|Eugene H. Merrill]] believes that the identification of [[Tall el-Hammam]] with Sodom would require an unacceptable restructuring of the biblical chronology,<ref name = Merrill>{{cite journal|last = Merrill|first = Eugene H.|authorlink = Eugene H. Merrill (academic)|title = Texts, Talls, and Old Testament Chronology: Tall Hammam as a Case Study|url = https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/wp-content/uploads/MerrillRebuttal.pdf|magazine = [[ARTIFAX &ndash; The Bible Archaeology News Magazine]]|publisher = The [[Institute for Biblical Archaeology]] and the [[Near East Archaeological Society]]|volume = 27|issue = 4|year = 2012|pages = 20–21}}</ref> a criticism also made by Professor Todd Bolen.<ref name = Bolen>{{cite web|last = Bolen|first = Todd|title = Arguments Against Locating Sodom at Tall el-Hammam|url = http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/arguments-against-locating-sodom-at-tall-el-hammam/|publisher = [[Biblical Archaeology Society]]|access-date = July 3, 2013|date = February 27, 2013}}</ref> Collins has responded to these criticisms<ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|url = https://trinitysouthwest.com/product/tall-el-hammam-still-sodom-critical-data-sets-cast-serious-doubt-e-h-merrills-chronological-analysis/|url-access = subscription|title = Tall el-Hammam Is ''Still'' Sodom: Critical Data-Sets Cast Serious Doubt on E. H. Merrill's Chronological Analysis|archive-date = January 25, 2014|journal = [[Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University]]|issn = 1938-694X|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140125054924/http://www.biblicalresearchbulletin.com/uploads/BRB-2013-1-Collins_Answers_Merrill.pdf|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|volume = 13|issue = 1|year = 2013|pages = 1–29}}</ref> and written a book, ''The Kikkar Dialogues'', presenting exchanges he has had with other archaeologists and critics on his identification of Tall el-Hammam as Sodom.<ref>{{cite book|title = The Kikkar Dialogues|first = Steven|last = Collins|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|year = 2014|isbn = 9780615909998}}</ref> He has also published several books on his theory,<ref>{{cite book|title = The Search for Sodom and Gomorrah|first = Steven|last = Collins|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|year = 2014|isbn = 9780615910086}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Tall Al-Hammam Excavations, Volume 1|first1 = Steven|last1 = Collins|first2 = Carroll M.|last2 = Kobs|first3 = Michael C.|last3 = Luddeni|publisher = [[Pennsylvania State University Press]]|year = 2015|isbn = 9781575063690}}</ref> including ''Discovering the City of Sodom'', which attracted praise from some sources.<ref>{{cite book|title = Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City|first1 = Steven|last1 = Collins|first2 = Latayne C.|last2 = Scott|publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]]|year = 2016|isbn = 9781451684384|chapter = Praise for ''Discovering the City of Sodom''|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WYa3CwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Steven+Collins%22&hl=en&newbks=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Discovering-the-City-of-Sodom/Steven-Collins/9781451684377|title = About the Book: Discovering the City of Sodom &ndash; Raves and Reviews|publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|year = 2021}}</ref>
Debate about possible locations for the biblical city of Sodom are controversial.<ref name = Govier>{{cite journal|date = April 2008|title = Looking Back: Claims to new Sodom locations are salted with controversy|url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/april/5.15.html|first = Gordon|last = Govier|journal = [[Christianity Today]]|volume = 52|issue = 4|page = 15|url-access = subscription|access-date = September 25, 2021|archive-date = April 18, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418031354/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/april/5.15.html}}</ref> Collins' view has been supported by the identification of the Tall el-Hammam site on the [[Madaba Map]]<ref name = GravesBook /><ref>{{cite journal|last = Graves|first = David E.|title = Identification of Tall el-Hammam on the Madaba Map|journal = [[Bible and Spade]]|publisher = [[Associates for Biblical Research]]|volume = 20|issue = 2|year = 2007|page = 35|url = https://www.galaxie.com/article/bspade20-2-02|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref name = Byers /> It has received media attention<ref name = Govier /><ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/june-2012/article/archaeologists-return-to-excavate-possible-site-of-biblical-sodom|url-status = dead|title = Archaeologists Return to Excavate Possible Site of Biblical Sodom|date = June 6, 2012|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = August 1, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018125830/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/june-2012/article/archaeologists-return-to-excavate-possible-site-of-biblical-sodom|archive-date = October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/september-2012/article/archaeologists-excavate-massive-ancient-gateway-in-jordan|title = Archaeologists Excavate Massive Ancient Gateway in Jordan|date = September 2012|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = August 1, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016052656/http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/september-2012/article/archaeologists-excavate-massive-ancient-gateway-in-jordan|archive-date = 16 October 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://popular-archaeology.com/article/possible-site-of-ancient-sodom-yields-more-finds/|title = Possible site of ancient Sodom yields more finds|date = September 28, 2015|magazine = [[Popular Archaeology]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|archive-date = December 8, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181208091856/https://popular-archaeology.com/article/possible-site-of-ancient-sodom-yields-more-finds/}}</ref> and comments from other researchers, both supportive<ref name = Byers /><ref name = GravesBook>{{cite book|title = The Location of Sodom: Key Facts for Navigating the Maze of Arguments for the Location of the Cities of the Plain|first = David Elton|last = Graves|edition = 2nd|publisher = [[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]]|year = 2018|isbn = 9781985830837}}</ref><ref name = Gerson /><ref>{{cite book| title = The Destruction of Sodom: What We Have Learned from Tall El-Hammam and Its Neighbors|first = Phillip|last = Silvia|date = 26 June 2017|edition = 2nd|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|isbn = 9781945750076}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible: Discoveries That Confirm the Reliability of Scripture|first1 = Joseph M.|last1 = Holden|first2 = Norman|last2 = Geisler|authorlink2 = Norman Geisler|publisher = [[Harvest House Publishers]]|year = 2013|isbn = 9780736944854|chapter = Creation and Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the Cities of the Plain|pages = 203–220|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=b6WGSkPqUyUC&pg=PA214}}</ref>{{rp|214-220}} and critical.<ref name = Merrill /><ref name = Bolen /> Based on the literal use of biblical numbers, Professor [[Eugene H. Merrill (academic)|Eugene H. Merrill]] believes that the identification of [[Tall el-Hammam]] with Sodom would require an unacceptable restructuring of the biblical chronology,<ref name = Merrill>{{cite journal|last = Merrill|first = Eugene H.|authorlink = Eugene H. Merrill (academic)|title = Texts, Talls, and Old Testament Chronology: Tall Hammam as a Case Study|url = https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/wp-content/uploads/MerrillRebuttal.pdf|journal = [[ARTIFAX &ndash; the Bible Archaeology News Magazine]]|publisher = The [[Institute for Biblical Archaeology]] and the [[Near East Archaeological Society]]|volume = 27|issue = 4|year = 2012|pages = 20–21}}</ref> a criticism also made by Professor Todd Bolen.<ref name = Bolen>{{cite web|last = Bolen|first = Todd|title = Arguments Against Locating Sodom at Tall el-Hammam|url = http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/arguments-against-locating-sodom-at-tall-el-hammam/|publisher = [[Biblical Archaeology Society]]|access-date = July 3, 2013|date = February 27, 2013}}</ref> Collins has responded to these criticisms<ref>{{cite journal|last = Collins|first = Steven|url = https://trinitysouthwest.com/product/tall-el-hammam-still-sodom-critical-data-sets-cast-serious-doubt-e-h-merrills-chronological-analysis/|url-access = subscription|title = Tall el-Hammam Is ''Still'' Sodom: Critical Data-Sets Cast Serious Doubt on E. H. Merrill's Chronological Analysis|archive-date = January 25, 2014|journal = [[Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University]]|issn = 1938-694X|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140125054924/http://www.biblicalresearchbulletin.com/uploads/BRB-2013-1-Collins_Answers_Merrill.pdf|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|volume = 13|issue = 1|year = 2013|pages = 1–29}}</ref> and written a book, ''The Kikkar Dialogues'', presenting exchanges he has had with other archaeologists and critics on his identification of Tall el-Hammam as Sodom.<ref>{{cite book|title = The Kikkar Dialogues|first = Steven|last = Collins|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|year = 2014|isbn = 9780615909998}}</ref> He has also published several books on his theory,<ref>{{cite book|title = The Search for Sodom and Gomorrah|first = Steven|last = Collins|publisher = [[Trinity Southwest University|TSU Press]]|year = 2014|isbn = 9780615910086}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Tall Al-Hammam Excavations, Volume 1|first1 = Steven|last1 = Collins|first2 = Carroll M.|last2 = Kobs|first3 = Michael C.|last3 = Luddeni|publisher = [[Pennsylvania State University Press]]|year = 2015|isbn = 9781575063690}}</ref> including ''Discovering the City of Sodom'', which attracted praise from some sources.<ref>{{cite book|title = Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City|first1 = Steven|last1 = Collins|first2 = Latayne C.|last2 = Scott|publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]]|year = 2016|isbn = 9781451684384|chapter = Praise for ''Discovering the City of Sodom''|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WYa3CwAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Discovering-the-City-of-Sodom/Steven-Collins/9781451684377|title = About the Book: Discovering the City of Sodom &ndash; Raves and Reviews|publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]]|access-date = September 25, 2021|year = 2021}}</ref>


Collins's Near Eastern archaeology work in Jordan is the topic of his current book about the location of biblical Sodom. He has appeared on US and international television and radio programs.<ref>National Geographic Ancient X-Files: Season 2 Episode 4-Sodom and Gomorrah http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mwr5a Ghazwan Mattaka Secrets of the Bible: Season 1 Episode 14-The Search for Sodom http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30dv4e</ref> He has also lectured in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trinitysouthwest.com/steven-collins-dmin-phd-prof-biblical-studies-apologetics/|title=Steven Collins, DMin, PhD, Prof. Biblical Studies & Apologetics: Trinity Southwest University|website=Trinitysouthwest.com|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://trinitysouthwest.com/steven-collins-dmin-phd-prof-biblical-studies-apologetics/dr-collins/|title=Dr. Collins : Trinity Southwest University|website=Trinitysouthwest.com|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-collins/67/a85/381|title=linkedin.com, Steven Collins Phd|website=Linkedin.com|access-date=1 August 2017}} {{Dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref><ref>''Encyclopedia of Christian Education'', Volume 3, edited by Kurian, George Thomas & Mark A. Lamport, p. 1608, May 7, 2015.</ref>
Collins's Near Eastern archaeology work in Jordan is the topic of his current book about the location of biblical Sodom. He has appeared on US and international television and radio programs.<ref>National Geographic Ancient X-Files: Season 2 Episode 4-Sodom and Gomorrah http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mwr5a Ghazwan Mattaka Secrets of the Bible: Season 1 Episode 14-The Search for Sodom http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30dv4e</ref> He has also lectured in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trinitysouthwest.com/steven-collins-dmin-phd-prof-biblical-studies-apologetics/|title=Steven Collins, DMin, PhD, Prof. Biblical Studies & Apologetics: Trinity Southwest University|website=Trinitysouthwest.com|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://trinitysouthwest.com/steven-collins-dmin-phd-prof-biblical-studies-apologetics/dr-collins/|title=Dr. Collins : Trinity Southwest University|website=Trinitysouthwest.com|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-collins/67/a85/381|title=linkedin.com, Steven Collins Phd|website=Linkedin.com|access-date=1 August 2017}} {{Dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref><ref>''Encyclopedia of Christian Education'', Volume 3, edited by Kurian, George Thomas & Mark A. Lamport, p. 1608, May 7, 2015.</ref>

Revision as of 05:04, 26 September 2021

Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project map near the Sowayma area of the Jordan River Valley.

Steven Collins (born September 11, 1950) is an American professor with the College of Archaeology and the Executive Dean of the unaccredited Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico,[1] an institution that states that biblical scripture is the "divinely inspired representation of reality given by God to humankind, speaking with absolute authority in all matters upon which it touches".[2] Collins is also the Professor of Archaeology and Biblical History along with Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Veritas International University,[3] which is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools which requires all accredited schools to have a statement of faith that affirms "the inerrancy and historicity of the Bible" and "the divine work of non-evolutionary creation including persons in God's image".[4] He has been working as an archaeologist for 30 years, researching and teaching on Near Eastern archaeology and biblical studies.

Excavations at Tall el-Hammam

Collins is the chief archaeologist and co-director of the Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project in Jordan, working with the Department of Antiquities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,[5] that began in 2005. This archaeological investigation found the remains of a fortified city that was destroyed circa 1850–1650 BCE, which Collins has argued is likely to be the location of the biblical city of Sodom.[6][7] The Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project is located in Jordan, about 14 km (8.7 mi) northeast of the Dead Sea, an area east of the Jordan River straddling Highway 65, just north of the Dead Sea (31°50′25″N 35°40′27″E / 31.84028°N 35.67417°E / 31.84028; 35.67417).[8][9]: 193  Burnt brick and melted pottery were found at the site and in the Jordon River valley near Sowayma.[10] The melted pottery resembles trinitite, a glassy rock formed by intense heat such as in the testing of atomic weapons or in a meteor strike.[11] Astrophysicist Malcolm LeCompte has identified evidence supporting an "'aerial burst of cosmic material' [that was] hot enough to melt iron"[11] having occurred at the Tall el-Hammam site in Jordan about 3,700 years ago. LeCompte noted similarities in the damage patterns in the Middle East and in Russia from the June 1908 Tunguska event, which did result from an aerial meteor burst. Consequently, the biblical account of the destruction of Sodom could be a description of a meteor which burst in the air.[11]

Debate about possible locations for the biblical city of Sodom are controversial.[12] Collins' view has been supported by the identification of the Tall el-Hammam site on the Madaba Map[9][13][5] It has received media attention[12][14][15][16] and comments from other researchers, both supportive[5][9][10][17][18]: 214–220  and critical.[19][20] Based on the literal use of biblical numbers, Professor Eugene H. Merrill believes that the identification of Tall el-Hammam with Sodom would require an unacceptable restructuring of the biblical chronology,[19] a criticism also made by Professor Todd Bolen.[20] Collins has responded to these criticisms[21] and written a book, The Kikkar Dialogues, presenting exchanges he has had with other archaeologists and critics on his identification of Tall el-Hammam as Sodom.[22] He has also published several books on his theory,[23][24] including Discovering the City of Sodom, which attracted praise from some sources.[25][26]

Collins's Near Eastern archaeology work in Jordan is the topic of his current book about the location of biblical Sodom. He has appeared on US and international television and radio programs.[27] He has also lectured in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.[28][29][30][31]

Books

  • Collins, Steven (1991). Championing the Faith: A Layman's Guide to Proving Christianity's Claims. Hensley Publishing. ISBN 9781563220302.
  • Collins, Steven (2012). Let My People Go!: Using Historical Synchronisms to Identify the Pharaoh of the Exodus. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615687940.
  • Kobs, Carroll M.; Collins, Steven; Silvia, Phillip (2013). Tall El-Hammam Excavation Project Field Manual. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615891828.
  • Collins, Steven (2013). Christian Discipleship : Fulfilling the Great Commission in the 21st Century. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615874487.
  • Collins, Steven (2014). The Search for Sodom and Gomorrah. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615910086.
  • Collins, Steven (2014). The Kikkar Dialogues. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615909998.
  • Collins, Steven; Kobs, Carroll M.; Luddeni, Michael C. (2015). The Tall Al-Hammam Excavations, Volume 1: An Introduction to Tall al-Hammam: Seven Seasons (2005–2011) of Ceramics and Eight Seasons (2005–2012) of Artifacts from Tall al-Hammam. Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9781575063690.
  • Collins, Steven; Scott, Latayne C. (2016). Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781451684384.

References

  1. ^ "Faculty & Administration". Trinity Southwest University. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Doctrinal Position, Trinity Southwest University website, accessed March 10, 2012
  3. ^ http://viu.ves.edu/graduate-post-graduate/
  4. ^ "Accreditation Standards" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-26. page 80 also see: "Biblical Creation. Special creation of the existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms in the six literal days of the creation week." on page 81
  5. ^ a b c Byers, Gary (January 12, 2009). "Tall el-Hammam 2008: A Personal Perspective". Tall el-Hammam Field Reports, Biblearchaeology.org. Associates for Biblical Research. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Collins, Steven (2007). "Sodom: The Discovery of a Lost City". Bible and Spade. 20 (3). Associates for Biblical Research: 72.
  7. ^ Collins, Steven (2007). "A Response to Bryant G. Wood's Critique of Collins' Northern Sodom Theory" (PDF). Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University. 7 (7). TSU Press: 27. ISSN 1938-694X. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009.
  8. ^ "Tall el-Hammam, Jordan". Biblical Archaeology Society. 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Graves, David Elton (2018). The Location of Sodom: Key Facts for Navigating the Maze of Arguments for the Location of the Cities of the Plain (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781985830837.
  10. ^ a b Gerson, Ian (June 5, 2014). "Making the Case for Sodom". Popular Archaeology. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Beamon, Cindy (May 11, 2016). "Signs of a Cosmic Blast: Local researchers find evidence of fiery end for Sodom in Bible". The Daly Advance. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Govier, Gordon (April 2008). "Looking Back: Claims to new Sodom locations are salted with controversy". Christianity Today. 52 (4): 15. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  13. ^ Graves, David E. (2007). "Identification of Tall el-Hammam on the Madaba Map". Bible and Spade. 20 (2). Associates for Biblical Research: 35.
  14. ^ "Archaeologists Return to Excavate Possible Site of Biblical Sodom". Popular Archaeology. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  15. ^ "Archaeologists Excavate Massive Ancient Gateway in Jordan". Popular Archaeology. September 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  16. ^ "Possible site of ancient Sodom yields more finds". Popular Archaeology. September 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  17. ^ Silvia, Phillip (26 June 2017). The Destruction of Sodom: What We Have Learned from Tall El-Hammam and Its Neighbors (2nd ed.). TSU Press. ISBN 9781945750076.
  18. ^ Holden, Joseph M.; Geisler, Norman (2013). "Creation and Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the Cities of the Plain". The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible: Discoveries That Confirm the Reliability of Scripture. Harvest House Publishers. pp. 203–220. ISBN 9780736944854.
  19. ^ a b Merrill, Eugene H. (2012). "Texts, Talls, and Old Testament Chronology: Tall Hammam as a Case Study" (PDF). ARTIFAX – the Bible Archaeology News Magazine. 27 (4). The Institute for Biblical Archaeology and the Near East Archaeological Society: 20–21.
  20. ^ a b Bolen, Todd (February 27, 2013). "Arguments Against Locating Sodom at Tall el-Hammam". Biblical Archaeology Society. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  21. ^ Collins, Steven (2013). "Tall el-Hammam Is Still Sodom: Critical Data-Sets Cast Serious Doubt on E. H. Merrill's Chronological Analysis" (PDF). Biblical Research Bulletin: The Academic Journal of Trinity Southwest University. 13 (1). TSU Press: 1–29. ISSN 1938-694X. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014.
  22. ^ Collins, Steven (2014). The Kikkar Dialogues. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615909998.
  23. ^ Collins, Steven (2014). The Search for Sodom and Gomorrah. TSU Press. ISBN 9780615910086.
  24. ^ Collins, Steven; Kobs, Carroll M.; Luddeni, Michael C. (2015). The Tall Al-Hammam Excavations, Volume 1. Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9781575063690.
  25. ^ Collins, Steven; Scott, Latayne C. (2016). "Praise for Discovering the City of Sodom". Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781451684384.
  26. ^ "About the Book: Discovering the City of Sodom – Raves and Reviews". Simon and Schuster. 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  27. ^ National Geographic Ancient X-Files: Season 2 Episode 4-Sodom and Gomorrah http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mwr5a Ghazwan Mattaka Secrets of the Bible: Season 1 Episode 14-The Search for Sodom http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30dv4e
  28. ^ "Steven Collins, DMin, PhD, Prof. Biblical Studies & Apologetics: Trinity Southwest University". Trinitysouthwest.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  29. ^ "Dr. Collins : Trinity Southwest University". Trinitysouthwest.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  30. ^ "linkedin.com, Steven Collins Phd". Linkedin.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017. [dead link‍]
  31. ^ Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Volume 3, edited by Kurian, George Thomas & Mark A. Lamport, p. 1608, May 7, 2015.
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