Jerusalem Archaeology

I have always enjoyed history and in the same way I’m fascinated by archaeology.

This was why I picked up a book that was recommended to me called When the Stones Speak: The Remarkable Discovery of the City of Davd & What Israel’s Enemies Don’t Want You to Know by Doron Spielman.

He describes his work in the field of archaeology in Jerusalem, seeking to uncover as much as possible about the city’s history. And the extent to which archeology confirms the Biblical record of Jerusalem as an Israelite, Jewish city, against those who claim that the Biblical narrative was a modern Zionist fiction.
Many Israeli presidents and prime ministers promoted Biblical studies, often developing their own theories and encouraging archaeological research. Over time, different schools of thought came to dominate the field.

Some take everything in the Bible as fact.  Others have thought that much of the Biblical historicity, locations, and narratives could be objectively verified, at least in part. In contrast were those who claimed that early Biblical narratives were totally unreliable and there had never been a serious Jewish state in the land of Israel. Stories about David and Solomon were either fictitious or unverifiable. Professor Israel Finkelstein and his followers at Tel Aviv University made a career out of denying Biblical reliability, claiming that there was no evidence of a significant Jewish presence in Jerusalem going back thousands of years. As supporters of Palestinian ideology have always maintained.

Serious archaeology is a relatively recent science. Not until the nineteenth century did Europeans begin to seriously excavate in and around the old City of Jerusalem. Animated as much by religion as by science. But there was little hope of finding much since the city had been destroyed so many times. Many of the earlier archaeologists were antagonistic towards a Jewish perspective. But excavations did uncover a great deal about what became known as the City of David. Not where the old City lies today, but down towards Silwan south of the Temple Mount and now called “The City of David.”

Opposition from other religions and politicians continued to deny a connection with Judea or the House and city of David in the face of clear scientific evidence. Israel and Jerusalem were indeed ancient Jewish sites, dating back over 3,000 years. This is quite apart from whether or not all Biblical stories were necessarily facts.
The Merneptah Stele, from Egypt around 1,200 BCE, referred to Israel. The Tel Dan Stone reference to the House of David around 900 BCE, the Moabite Mesha Stele around 850 BCE as well as excavations at Hazor, Megiddo and Tel Gezer all revealed seals, engraving and pottery all from the Iron Age period (1200 -550 BCE). Yet the desire to eradicate the Jewish presence in Jerusalem persists to this day.

That is why this new book by Doron Spielman is so important. He has worked on the ground in Jerusalem alongside major specialists such as the late Eilat Mazar (1956-2021), and he sets the record straight on the extent to which the stones of Jerusalem undeniably support the Jewish narrative of a presence over millennia.

Spielman also records the international and even national attempts to politically prevent progress within and without because of the sensitivity of the discoveries. And how the archaeologists had to rely almost entirely on outside financial support to ensure that the excavations could continue and prevent sabotage.

This is a book of three parts. The first part focuses on the actual excavations and revelations that the author personally witnessed. The second describes the political struggles to support the work, to combat the opposition and fight for the truth against political exigencies. And finally, it is a fascinating story of the author’s life and the delight in the work he has thrown himself into since his arrival in Israel as a young man.

This is not a dry academic book but an easy and enjoyable read and one I can heartily recommend both for instruction and pleasure. And for those who seek the tools to rebut so much of the lies and distortions that are poisoning too many young minds and ignorant adults, to this day.

Rabbi Jeremy Rosen lives in New York. He was born in Manchester. His writings are concerned with religion, culture, history and current affairs – anything he finds interesting or relevant. They are designed to entertain and to stimulate. Disagreement is always welcome.