Talk:Biblical archaeology

Re-work the links section

It has a link for a resource of religious bigotry in its purest form, Christian Answers. That is not a valid archaeological reference, they claim the world is as old as civilization ( 6000 years ) and although they aknowledge the age of the dead sea scrolls they consider radiocarbon dating not valid.

Stop being so close minded, there is archeaological evidence for both evolution and the bible. Have you ever heard of Enki or the Temple of Eridug? They actually existed. I like to try and prove that something is true and if I have a large statistical average between the said things, places, people, etc of elements of the main subject than I would then believe in that subject. We all need to study, I like to study, and if we don't study those subjects and if we have almost meaningless statistical thoughts like "but the odds are so high, that's what I think" without using observations of seeing the objects than we close our minds. I have great evidence that evolution and things, places, and people in the bible are both true. Evolution precedes history in the bible.--24.22.111.99 02:36, 19 March 2007 (UTC)Kyle McKenzie Street, age 16

What! not even in Leviticus?

"Though not mentioned specifically in the Bible, Warren discovered the first Israelite inscriptions..." (—from the entry. Wetman 13:28, 25 Mar 2005 (UTC))

People in the Bible confirmed by archaeological evidence

This needs to be expanded there is quite a large list. Kuratowski's Ghost 14:52, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I'll try and add a section with details. Here's a provisional list, only for the pre-Persian period:

Pharaohs: -Shoshenq I ("Shishak") -Necho II -Apries ("Hophra")

Judean kings: -David (Tel Dan stela) -Jehoram (Dan stele) -Ahaziah (Dan stele) -Ahaz -Hezekiah -Manasseh -Jehoiachin

Ephraimite kings: -Omri -Ahab -Joram (Dan stele) -Jehu -Joash (paid tribute to Adad-nirari III) -Jeroboam II (his cylindar seals) -Menahem -Pekah -Hoshea

Other Levantine monarchs: -Hazael of Damascus -Ben-Hadad son of Hazael -Mesha of Moab -Baalis of Ammon (mentioned in Jeremiah)

Prominent Judeans just before and during the Exile: -Sheshbazzar (mentioned among Jehoiachin's sons in the Babylonian ration records) -Baruch the scribe (?- heard his seal might be among Oded Golan's forgeries, not sure) -members of the Shaphan family mentioned in Jeremiah

Mesopotamian monarchs: -Tiglath-pileser III -Shalmeneser V -Sargon II -Sennacherib -Merodach-Baladan II -Esarhaddon -Ashurbanipal (the "Osnappar" of Ezra) -Nebuchadnezzar II -Amel-Marduk ("Evil-Merodach") -Belshazzar (viceroy)

--Rob117 04:03, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

• This content belongs on List of Biblical figures identified in extra-Biblical sources. I'd recommend deleting it from this Discussion page.--Funhistory 14:47, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

"POV" intro

The intro is very POV. Many consider Biblical archaeology to be simply the part of Near Eastern Archaeology that deals with areas typically mentioned in the Bible. Kuratowski's Ghost 14:52, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Gee, thanks Wetman, not only have you put back all the POV you have spammed the article with quotations and snide remarks. Hopefully someone will wade through it and organize relevant points in a section on controversy surrounding Biblical archaeology. Kuratowski's Ghost 05:21, 1 May 2005 (UTC)

Quotations from respected archaeologists working in the field and a list for further reading help bring this entry up to Wikipedia norms. A list of names said to be "confirmed" by non-Biblical sources, with no context, seems less than useful. What's it for? "POV" when looked at for a moment always seems to mean "not my POV." These cards have been played. --Wetman 07:15, 1 May 2005 (UTC)

Well the list had been started by someone else, I'm just adding to it. There is still a lot more names that can be added, taking time cos one has to check that it isn't an Oded Golan forgery that was used as confirmation. I think a lot of people would find the list interesting, but perhaps it should be moved to its own article and expanded with info on the confirming evidence. All in good time. Kuratowski's Ghost 07:58, 1 May 2005 (UTC)

Bringing in sourced information is helpful, but please reorganize your information in a more encyclopedic manner. You should use quotes sparingly, and put the references into footnotes, not in the body of the text. --Blainster 07:34, 1 May 2005 (UTC)

• Wikipedia readers are invited to survey the edit history at the left, to assess whether the suppression of material is justifiable and see how judicious "pruning" can warp quotations. I shall return in due time and correct any grossfalsehoods I find, but I leave this as it stands for the time being. --Wetman 08:36, 1 May 2005 (UTC)

"Social Science"?

This sentence: "The purpose of this social science is to establish the historical accuracy of Biblical texts..." is contradictory. The way it is phrased suggests that biblical archaeologists are looking for evidence to validate the bible. If so, then drop "social science". Otherwise, I'd suggest changing "establish" to "examine". I'd suggest removing social science, as biblical archaeology is a bit fringe to mainstream anthropological archaeology (i.e., it is less concerned with human behaviour and more concerned with history, and thus closer to a humanity than science), but I'm happy to be contradicted. Rattus 15:17 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)

'Social science' removed. Rattus 15:00 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)]]

Jericho's walls?

There have been many cities found in Tell Sultan (ancient Jericho), and since 8500 BC most of these cities were fortified. The Jericho at the time of Israel's emergence in Canaan, however, was not fortified. The site is neither a confirmation or refutation of the Biblical story. The rubble of the walls could have been entirely removed or the walls may never have existed at that time. --Cypherx 00:16, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Actually, I've seen studies claiming quite the opposite. This was about 6 years ago. The finding demonstrated a wall with an unusualcollapse pattern. One that would be consistant with the wall being knocked over from the inside pushing out. I was unable to verify this claim because whenI was in Israel it wasunder palestinian control and they wouldn't let foreigners in. --Home Computer 13:31, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

That would be pretty difficult as Kathleen Kenyon established pretty definitively that Garstang's "walls of Jericho" dated to the Middle Bronze Period, and that it was against Egyptian policy (until at least 1150 BCE) to allow walled cities in Canaan which could resist Egyptian policing actions. Walled cities only developed again once there was a centralised administration such as we find in the periods of the Monarchy (eg as at Lachish and Jerusalem under Hezekiah).John D. Croft 21:47, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Neutrality template needed?

One editor put up the "Disputed Neutrality" template, and commented that the article should be "reworked into non-religious POV", but declined to elaborate as the template states he will. Biblical archaeology exists as a separate subject from Near-Eastern archaeology because of its religious pov. The science involved is to put the Biblical records to (neutral, refereed) archaeological test. There are multiple views represented in the article, and I toned down the rhetoric in the opening paragraph and one of the quotes. The quoted commentary has been moved to a separate section, where it can be expanded/changed as needed without interupting the flow of the article. So I am removing the template. If you still think it should be there, please explain why on the talk page. --Blainster 04:32, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Thank you, Blainster, Exemplary handling. --Wetman 06:31, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Sorry about that. I put up the NPOV notice and forgot about it. My impression of the article is that it is biased towards the proving of the Bible. Upon second inspection this isn't nearly as bad as I first thought. Still could use improvement of POV. I'm quite certain Jericho's walls did not exist in the time period of the Israelite invasion. And certainly if Canaanite cities whose remains support the Biblical narrative of Joshua are included, why not mention the city of Ai, whose remains seem to exclude the possibility of a destruction by Israelites in the Late Bronze Age? --Cypherx 11:47, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Because those views were subsequently shown to be erroneous?

Evidence at Jericho Supports Biblical Testimony

Was Ai a ruin at the time of the Conquest? Kuratowski's Ghost 13:50, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I'll look into the Ai article later when I have time, but your Jericho link refers to Wood's redating which has been disqualified.

"when Wood first published his claims, there was only one radiocarbon measurement available for City IV. It was from a piece of charcoal dated by the British Museum to 1410 plus or minus 40 years B.C. (Wood "Israelites" 53). Unfortunately, this date was later retracted by the British Museum, along with dates of several hundred other samples. The British Museum found that their radiocarbon measurement apparatus had gone out of calibration for a period of time, and thus had yielded incorrect dates during that period (Bowman 59-79). The corrected date for the charcoal sample from City IV turned out to be consistent with Kenyon's ca. 1550 B.C. date for the City IV destruction."

Is Bryant Wood's chronology of Jericho valid?

--Cypherx 15:20, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Hmm thats written by Aardsma who is trying to push his missing millenium hypothesis which does not have much following. Wood defended his dating against subsequent critiques and still has the last word as far as I know. Kuratowski's Ghost 16:43, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

After a little digging it seems that we're both citing Young Earth Creationists, and I think that casts some doubt on their acceptability as scientific sources (not that YECs are necessarily wrong, but fall outside the mainstream of accepted science). I'll try to find a peer-reviewed journal to weight in on Jericho...--Cypherx 17:02, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Wood is indeed a fundamentalist Christian but he is also a respected archaeologist, his Creationist views have nothing to do with his arguments for dating Jericho. There was no sound basis for the recalibration of C14 dating that produced the "corrected date" that Aardsma mentions. Kuratowski's Ghost 17:27, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

"The final destruction of MBA Jericho occurred during the late 17th or the 16th century BC" Radiocarbon --Cypherx 17:45, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

That is one of the disputed recalibrated datings in 1995. Following the excavations in 1997 Wood still concluded that the date of the destruction was late 15th century. Kuratowski's Ghost 23:03, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Do you have a link for that? I'd like to read about it. Also what do you think of what I wrote below? How is the destruction of Jericho matched up with the destructions of Lachish and Hazor? --Cypherx 23:13, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Here is a link critiquing Wood but summarizing his various counter arguments Jericho Debate. Here is another link about Jericho that also discusses Hazor Myth or History: Did Jericho’s Walls Come Down ??. Yadin favoured the 13th century date for the exodus and interprets the c. 1200 BCE destruction of Hazor as Joshua, and earlier destructions with pre-Israelite wars. Those who identify the Jericho destruction with Joshua place one of the earlier destructions of Hazor at the time of Joshua and the 1200 CE one with the Judges Deborah and Barak Kuratowski's Ghost 23:45, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

First link says "Wood cites studies showing regional differences among trees with respect to the quantity of C-14 at given times. Since there is not enough data from local trees to calibrate raw C-14 dates, Wood refuses to accept the above findings for Jericho." but provided no link to the studies Wood cites. This is where him being a Young Earth Creationist really is a problem for me, because I cannot on faith trust his interpretation of scientific data, which on aother issue (the age of the earth) is so drastically at variance with the mainstream. Can you find a link to studies Wood is citing? --Cypherx 01:22, 15 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Also, I wonder if any theory has been put forward to tie together the destruction of Lachish and Hazor (around 1200BC) and the destruction of Jericho several hundred years earlier. Know of any? --Cypherx 17:56, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Discuss Jericho's walls and Israelite settlement patterns

To Kuratowski's Ghost- Why did you feel it necessary to delete archaeological facts about the Israelite settlement? The Israelite villages appear in the archaeological record shortly before 1200 BC. Jericho's walls fell, at the very latest, around 1300 BC, and probably at least a century earlier. But even if the latest date for the walls is accepted, they still predate the Israelite settlement by nearly a century. I do think these facts are relevant, and the article as it stands only reports findings that could be considered corroborations of the biblical record. Material that contradicts or is neutral to the biblical account should not be kept out of the article. If a discovery is both relevant and legit, there is no reason for its deletion from the article.--Rob117 00:06, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Because the usual dating of Joshua is 15th century which is consistent with the dating of the walls. The fact that the earliest villages currently identified with certainty as Israelite are from shortly before the 12th century does not mean that it is universally agreed that Israelites only appeared at that time. Kuratowski's Ghost 00:44, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

The usual dating of Joshua is notthe fifteenth century BCE. Please give reputed archaeological references John D. Croft 21:52, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

In fact, the entire article as it stands seems to be little snippets about certain events and structures mentioned in the Bible. Biblical archaeology is not limited to things mentioned in the Bible; much of the literature labeled as dealing with "biblical" archaeology focuses on the settlement patterns of the Israelites and their neighbors. I think we should include a section on the settlement patterns of the Israelites and neighboring cultures; good references to start with would be stuff by William Dever, Israel Finkelstein, Thomas Levy, and Amihai Mazar, among others. If I get enough time I'll try to make a section about this topic.--Rob117 00:19, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

I'd include Kitchen for balance. Kuratowski's Ghost 00:44, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Kitchen is not a biblical archaeologist, he's an Egyptologist. He's a good Egyptologist. But he is not a biblical archaeologist, and quite obviously has a vested interest in proving the reliability of Genesis. IMHO, he's not a valid source for this topic, and including him here would not be balanced, as on this subject he is not a mainstream source. Amihai Mazar accepts the basic historicity of the Patriarchs, and both Mazar and Levy accept the Exodus, so that should be balanced enough. As for Finkelstein, I'll reference his 1988 work on the Israelite settlement(this was before he proposed his chronological revisions, so that won't be present), and while I do intend to mention his chronological revisions and his 2001 The Bible Unearthed, I will make sure to note that they are currently accepted only by a minority of archaeologists (I personally am on the fence with regard to Finkelstein's revisions, although I tend to lean toward the conventional chronology). I have no intention of using the Copenhagen drek, if that's what you're worried about.--Rob117 01:16, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

That depends on your definition of "Biblical archaeology" I think. I, and more importantly people like Dever and Moorey, draw a distinction between the archaeology of the Levant/Syro-Palestine (call it what you will) and Biblical archaeology. The former is anything archaeological in the area, while the latter is applying these archaeological discoveries to the interpretation of the Biblical text. So, by that definition Kitchen (and the Assyriologist Alan Millard) is a Biblical archaeologist. So, I think we need to include both these POVs and also the POV of the Copenhagen idiots here (but I wouldn't want Kitchen or the Copenhagen school on the History of Levant page). --G Rutter 08:24, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Dating Joshua to the 15th century is based solely on biblical genaeologies. So far as I know, this date is common among conservative theologians. Moderate and liberal theologians have largely abandoned this dating in favor of the 13th-12th century dating based on archaeology and other biblical references- for example, Exodus 1 states that the Israelites built the city of Rameses (Pi-rammese), and this has led to the popular identification of Rameses II (1279-1213 BC) as the pharaoh of the oppression. Granted, this is speculation, as we really don't have much evidence for an exodus in the first place. But my main point is that the 15th-century dating has been largely abandoned, and saying there "might have been" Israelite settlements before the late 13th century that we just haven't found yet is pure speculation without any archaeological basis. We can't omit archaeological evidence just because it might offend some people.

Perhaps a separate "Israelite Archaeology" or "Levantine Archaeology" article is in order that does not focus exclusively on the Bible as this page does, and can discuss the archaeology of Israel from a historical-anthropological point of view. The Bible would still be used as reference material, but secondarily to archaeology.--Rob117 19:56, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Sorry for the delay in replying. We've got two somewhat overlapping articles on this (not including this one): History of the Levant and History of Palestine. There's also History of Israel but that's just the modern history. At the moment things are a bit of a mess and really need sorting out- it's one of those things I keep on meaning to do. --G Rutter 07:26, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

Anyway, I reinserted the info about the walls predating the Israelite settlement in a form that I hope would be considered more neutral in tone, simply stating that this is the current majority opinion. It is important to leave this info in, as it is relevant to the subject in question.--Rob117 04:10, 17 September 2005 (UTC)

Is this really the majority opinion though? And is it not simply a case of the agreement being that the destruction predates earliest currently known confirmed Israelite site - not the same thing as saying that the majority opinion is that it predates the Israelites. Kuratowski's Ghost 21:49, 17 September 2005 (UTC)

It is the majority opinion. Aside from Kenneth Kitchen, I have not read anything from an archaeologist that disagrees with the late 13th-12th century date for the Israelite settlement. Archaeologists don't like to invoke "ghost settlements" when they don't have to (occasionally they do have to, such as for the Byzantine period in Jerusalem, but this is very rare. The Israelite settlement does not appear to warrant invoking this).--Rob117 23:21, 17 September 2005 (UTC)

I've never understood the mentality that says something never existed because archaeological evidence hasn't been found. I know of many examples of buildings that I have seen in my own lifetime which no longer exist and for which absolutely no evidence remains. Kuratowski's Ghost 01:09, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

We're talking entire towns, not just buildings. We're supposed to give what mainstream scholars say, not our own personal opinions.--Rob117 03:48, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

And I keep seeing timelines placing Joshua in the 15th century and arguments rejecting Rameses II as the pharaoh and arguing against a 13th-12th century dating for the exodus. Kuratowski's Ghost 12:30, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

Where are you seeing them? The only place I've seen the 15th century date given is from old books (1970s and earlier), and from modern-day apologetics, which are not a valid source.

Does Kenneth Kitchen even give a 15th-century date? I was under the impression that he thought Rameses II was the pharaoh of the Exodus.--Rob117 23:33, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

In his excellent book, Israel in Egypt (published in 1996 and dedicated to Ken Kitchen), James Hoffmeier (Professor of Biblical Studies and Archaeology at Wheaton College, Illinois) discusses the dating of the Exodus (p122-126). He notes that a literal reading of the 480 years given in 1 Kings 6:1 would give a date for the Exodus of 1445 BC (which, for example, is the date given in the timeline in the NIV Study Bible). He notes there are problems with trying to make this number symbolic, but concludes (p126):

"It is clear that even after over a century of academic inquiry into the date of the exodus, we are no closer to a solution today. ... If there is a prevailing view among historians, biblical scholars, and archaeologists, an exodus in the Ramesside era (1279-1213 B.C.) is still favored. The Merneptah stela (ca. 1209/8 B.C.) serves as a terminus ad quem for arrival of Israelistes in Canaan. The question remains: How long had they been there prior to Meneptah's time?"

Hope that helps! --G Rutter 11:12, 20 September 2005 (UTC)

• Noting the following section: "In Biblical Archaeology Review Cyrus Gordon is noted to be a scholar of enormous range. He is one of the few proponents that the Semites arrived in the Western Hemisphere as early as 800 B.C.E. and that the inscription at Bat Creek, Tennessee reads "for Judea"... etc etc. If this isn't too zany for the rest of you, why should I be one to complain? --Wetman 13:53, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

POV Problem!

I think the lengthy quote by Devers under "Professional Commentary" is highly biased and antagonistic against the Bible and Biblical archaeologists. It implicitly assumes certain motives on the part of the archaeologists and certain preconceptions about the historicity of the Bible. There should at least be opposing quotes by authorities who hold different points of view, or it should be removed.216.90.56.122 20:12, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

ditto Kuratowski's Ghost 21:59, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

The commentary is by a "professional" Biblical archaeologist. If Biblical archaeology is above criticism in its own field what is its value? If Biblical archaeology ever expects to be taken seriously it must stand peer review from its own new archaeologists. Revision is expected in science. If you can find quotes by other professional Biblical archaeologists that disagree with Deaver by all means add them. Blowing my stuff away seems to me to be sneaky way of avoiding and hiding the problem. Whatever pleases you tickles me to death. User:Kazuba 25 Jun 06

I don't think anyone has a problem with a sensible section on Methods of Biblical archaeology and sensible academic discussions on the role of BA, but you insist on putting in an off topic paragraph dealing with some eccentric commnents by Gordon while mistitling it as Methods of Biblical archaeology. Its pretty clear that you are not trying to be serious. Similarly the Devers stuff over represented raw quotes of Devers instead of a distilled neutral summary of various points of views. Kuratowski's Ghost 12:37, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

It would appear Kuratowski's Ghost doesn't think the snobbery of early Biblical archaeologists, who refused to dirty their hands and their approval of the use of whips on arab excavators worth mentioning here in Biblical archaeology. So I will remain silent. This will avoid creating anxiety. User:Kazuba 25 Jun 06

This phenomenon wasn't confined to archaeology let alone Biblical archaeology and reflects a general attitude Europeans had to non-European labour so it doesn't deserve special attention in this article. Kuratowski's Ghost 13:01, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

William F. Albright the Dean of Biblical Archaeology and other American and British Biblical archaeologists were not Europeans! It does deserve special attention in this article. It illustrates character when these indivividuals were away from home excavating in Biblical lands for RELIGIOUS artifacts using laborers of the possible ancestors of Biblical people until 1948; when Isreal put a stop to this seemingly common brutal practice.User:Kazuba 26 Jun 06

Dude stop clowning around. Your Methods section is not all about Methods of Biblical archaeology, its a POV interview "soundbite" intended to create a negarive impression. Kuratowski's Ghost 23:19, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Who's clowning around?

You are wrong I am not clowning around. You are the one who keeps changing their mind with what is wrong with my entries. Just read the previous discussions, and your other comments. First, it is this, than it is that, than something else. So far anytime there is any criticism about Biblical Archaeology you jump. My material is simply historical and from the inside professionals themselves. I am not trying to create a negative impression. I don't like keeping secrets in an encyclopedia. Archaeologists are only people, it seems here they were proud of being snobs. They are not to be unquestioned Gods. Things are never black or white accept within cognitive distortions, Dude. User:Kazuba 27 jun 06

So what do other people think? Should the first section in a serious encyclopedic article on Biblical Archaeology start with this:

The past methods of Biblical archaeology

In Biblical Archaeology Review Cyrus H. Gordon, noted to be a scholar of enormous range, informed Hershel Shanks that William Foxwell Albright, Ovid Sellers, and other educated people, including himself, found soiling their own hands by digging beneath their dignity. (This changed when the Isrealis were running the place, after 1948). Arab laborers were supervised by taskmasters that used whips. Gordon explained,"That's the only communication they understood". [1]

Kuratowski's Ghost 08:42, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

First, let's get this straight, the interview is in Biblical Archaeology (magazine), obviously the magazine is focused around Biblical archaeology. The acknowledgement of the violation of human rights of humble people and the prejudice and pride of a so-called pious scholarly elite, who wouldn't dirty their hands, is more important than the collection of the musty artifacts and ruins that will make these jerks famous in the religious world. User:Kazuba 28 Jun 06

The fact that an article is about practices in a particular field doesn't make it unique to that field or even particularly a "method" of that field. The fact that it is covered in a magazine whose remit is in one area doesn't make every comment it makes exclusive to that subject. Please calm down a bit and pause a bit here. I agree that this practice was and is reprehensible. However we must target the correct culprits. Yes "biblical" archaeologists were at fault, but so were archaeologists of many nations and persuasions. Highly valid criticisms, but the problems were deeper and more pervasive than you might grasp from the short section. Also technically speaking this is nothing about "method" in the archaeological sense, but you could perhaps say it is a flawed practice. Also as this criticism is not the "main2purpose of this article it is inappropriate to place this matter at the head of the article. :: Kevinalewis : ^{(Talk Page)}/_(Desk) 12:21, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

3rr rule

I hope everyone is keeping in mind the 3RR rule. You are not going to get your content in the article by simply adding it and adding it over again. That isn't how wikipedia works. You can't force things like this to get a sounds resolution. Please, everyone, talk this out on this talk page before editing this section again. Seriously.--Andrew c 14:51, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

More Up to Date Research

A group called the BASE Institute has recently reexamined a variety of texts for the purposes of locating Noah's Ark, the anchors from Paul's Shipwreck off of Malta, and Mount Sinai (as well as the events leading up to the encampment at mount Sinai.) Rather than post their findings here, I will provide their home page web address for reference: http://www.baseinstitute.org/

Their research supports a different route taken by the wandering Hebrews, including altars, pillars, boundary markers, a raised sand bar(land bridge), bitter springs, fresh springs with palms, and a charred mountain top. At the very least, it is interesting to consider.

Mr. N.

False research

Hello, I'm very interested in helping this article expand. First thoughI wanted to ask about Ron Wyatt. I've read several disturbing repots and had a chance to meet the man in person. I do not believe his research to be legitimate. Where ever there is truth there is also an imitation of it. How do you all propose we deal with this? SHould I show some examples and we could discuss them further? --Home Computer 13:37, 2 October 2006 (UTC)