The 62 page scientific research report on the destruction of Tall al-Hammam (also Tell el-Hammam, biblical Sodom), one of the largest populated sites in the Jordan valley in the Early Bronze and Middle Bronze period, has been published online in a peer reviewed well respected science journal called Nature and is now the most downloaded/viewed scientific paper in the world. T. E. Bunch, M.A. LeCompte, A.V. Adedeji, et al. "A Tunguska sized airburst destroyed Tall el-Hammam a Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea." Scientific Reports 11, no 1 18632 (2021), 1-64. I have announced this in a previous blog post.
Original version had some errors so the publishers added an addendum of all affected figures used in the article are reproduced at this link for the record and transparency. Updated report Feb 202.
1. Scientists involved
- Geology Program, School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University.
- Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC.
- Department of Natural Sciences, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC.
- Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, New Mexico Institute On Mining & Technology, Socorro, NM.
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM.
- Analytical Instrumentation Facility, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- EAG Laboratories, Eurofins Materials Science, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, DePaul University, Chicago, IL.
- Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, College, AK.
- Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL.
- US Navy, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Region, NS Norfolk, VA.
- Comet Research Group, Prescott, AZ.
- Restoration Systems, L.L.C., Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
- Savannah River Archaeological Research Program, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina, New Ellenton, SC.
- CAMCOR, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR.
- Department of Earth Science and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Prague, Czech Republic.
2. Mention of Sodom
Such an important and popular scientific report, that in passing is connected to the Bible and Sodom (4 time, 3 on page 5 and once on page 57), would naturally garner criticism given the anti-Bible sentiment in the world today.
The report begins with:
There is an ongoing debate as to whether Tall el-Hammam could be the biblical city of Sodom ( Silvia [Silvia, P. J. "The Middle Bronze Age civilization-ending destruction of the Middle Ghor." Ph.D. thesis, Trinity Southwest University (2015)] and references therein), but this issue is beyond the scope of this investigation. Questions about the potential existence, age, and location of Sodom are not directly related to the fundamental question addressed in this investigation as to what processes produced high-temperature materials at Tall el-Hammam during the MBA. Nevertheless, we consider whether oral traditions about the destruction of this urban city by a cosmic object might be the source of the written version of Sodom in Genesis. We also consider whether the details recounted in Genesis are a reasonable match for the known details of a cosmic impact event. [1] page 5-6.
Then much later, Sodom is mentioned one more time:
Regarding this proposed airburst, an eyewitness description of this 3600-year-old catastrophic event may have been passed down as an oral tradition that eventually became the written biblical account about the destruction of Sodom. There are no known ancient writings or books of the Bible, other than Genesis, that describe what could be construed as the destruction of a city by an airburst/impact event. This airburst/impact hypothesis would make Tall el-Hammam the second oldest known city/town to have been destroyed by an airburst/impact event that produced extensive human casualties, after Abu Hureyra, Syria at ~ 12,800 cal BP17. [2] page 57
So Sodom is only mentioned four times in a 62 page scientific paper. Still anti-Bible critics do not like even that connection and what about the scientific research.
3. Doctoring Photographs
The next criticism is we are being accused of doctoring photographs, a criticism that has made it to the Wikipedia article on Tall el-Hammam. However, what was edited were the labels and not the scientific material in the Photographs. In the spirit of honesty and integrity the publishers have added an Addendum to publish the original photos and explain what had been changed. See Addendum
Comet Research Group (CRG) who produced the scientific report admits that:
"Our graphic artist made minor, cosmetic corrections to five of 53 images. All of them were distant from any important scientific data and no changes were made to key data, such as bones or potsherds. . . .We have already submitted corrected images to Scientific Reports."[4]
Fig. 015b. The image was rotated to fit on the page better and the corners were filled.
Fig. 44c. The original image was unavailable, so we removed the text inset at bottom right.
Fig. 07d. The red directional arrow at right was removed.
Fig. 07c. The red directional arrow at bottom was removed.
The original photographs have now been published for transparency and the report has also been peer reviewed a second time for accuracy. See Addendum
Comet Research Group
Human remains in the Middle Bronze Age.
destruction layer at TeH
Courtesy of TeHEP Michael Luddeni
It is now clear that the images were touched up for publication as with all publications with no scientific research altered. I have published the image of the skeletal remains earlier in my book The Location of Sodom (2016) (see attached) and was present when the image was photographed. It is a red herring to suggest that the scientific data was altered to make a scientific conclusion. There is the real dishonesty in misleading the public in casting aspersion on the evidence claiming the photos were altered for science.
Original version had some errors so the publishers added an addendum of all affected figures used in the article are reproduced at this link for the record and transparency. Updated report Feb 202.
4. Pseudoscience
Ms Kersel and Chesson, two of the authors of the article (whom I know and corresponded with for my book The Location of Sodom 2016) exudes in pride that they collaborated "with Jordan's Department of Antiquities to track how Early bronze Age ceramic vessels" were looted from their burial site at Bab ehd-Dhra.... and imply that only Christian's buy ancient artifacts, and inspired Pseudoscience. Not sure how a major scientific report that tested sample from various noted and respected US and International scientific laboratories can be considered Pseudoscience, and we did not pole the religious beliefs of any of the scientists who performed the tests.An extended critique published in Sapiens Anthropology Magazine states that the pseudoscientific claim has eroded scientific integrity and encouraged destruction of the site by looters. It also states that few knowledgeable archaeologists believe that the site represents Sodom or Gomorrah.[5]
In addition, contrary to what they might think, the Tall el-Hammam excavation is not an illegal rogue dig but one accompanied each season by Jordanian archaeologists (two to three on location at all times) using legal DOA permits. Tall el-Hammam directors must purchase their excavation permits from the Jordan Department of Antiquities each year (15 seasons) under several different Jordanian directors over the years. It defies reason how this can be Pseudoscience other than an Ad Hominem argument meant to falsify our research.
They then claim that "Clickbait Cause Looting". Now we also acknowledge the unfortunate problem of looting at Bab edh-Dhra and many archaeological site, not just in Jordan. However, the publication of a scientific site can hardly be blamed for looting otherwise no one would publish their findings and as they should know, that unlike most sciences that base their research on experimental repetition, archaeology is a destructive science. Once the dirt and structures (i.e., stones, mudbrick) are removed all that is left is the documentation to rebuild the site. So if one does not publish their finds, then they are lost to humanity for further study and comparison. To ignore what we can learn from ancient texts would be foolish. It was not published as clickbait nor does clickbait cause looting, the sad state of the economy in many countries has contributed to looting and not Christians doing archaeology. And it is certainly not just Christians who buy ancient artifact or interested in antiquities. There are so many ad hominem arguments here that are similar to many people on the internet who create nonsense posts and replies. I would have expected better from professionals who ironically have created their own clickbait to promote their agenda against looting (there is no neutrality and everyone has a bias that I have dealt with on a previous post concerning this ad hominem argument).
5. Unaccredited Christian school
Since 2005, the site has been excavated by a joint project of the unaccredited Trinity Southwest University (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and the creationist Veritas International University's College of Archaeology & Biblical History (Santa Ana, California), headed by Steven Collins.
Physicist Mark Boslough, [he has a disagreement with the Comet Research Group (CRG) group who published the paper. https://wattsupwiththat.com/.../06/the-mark-boslough-affair/ ] a specialist in planetary impact hazards and asteroid impact avoidance, has undertaken a sustained critique in social media and in print of the hypothesis that an air burst was responsible for the destruction of human settlements at Tell el-Hammam. His critique calls attention to a perspective of biblical inerrancy that has been used in claims that an air burst destroyed the biblical town of Sodom.[6]
The terms "unaccredited" and "creationist" try to discredit the research because some of those involved are Christians as if Christians cannot do legitimate scientific research.
Dr. Steven Collens is Director of the School of Archaeology at Veritas International University, and serves as Consulting Research Professor in the College of Archaeology, Trinity Southwest University.
Trinity Southwest University (TSU) is an approved provider for The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Relative to traditional accreditation, TSU has chosen to remain non-aligned. It is our opinion that any governmental association or oversight (including that provided by default via all federally-approved “secular” and “religious” accreditation associations) is inappropriate for a faith-based organization or institution, and constitutes a fundamental violation of church/state separation. Therefore, TSU accepts no federal, state, or local governmental funding, nor do we participate in GSL or other government-based financial aid programs. TSU grants degrees under religious exemption as required by the Constitution of the State of New Mexico, USA.[7]
Veritas International University is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), having been awarded Reaffirmation of its Accredited Status as a Category IV institution by TRACS Accreditation Commission on November 5, 2019. This status is effective for a period of ten years. TRACS is recognized by both the United States Department of Education (USDOE), the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).[8]
Both schools are accredited to grant degrees under government regulations although obviously do not meet the approval of everyone out there. Another ad homenum argument to try and discredit their research.
Dr. Collins academic training is as follows:
- 1972, B.U.S., University of New Mexico
- 1975, M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- 1978, D.Min., Luther Rice University
- 1983, Ph.D., Trinity Theological Seminary
- 1985, Post-Doctoral Studies, Archaeological Methods, Tulsa Seminary
- 1987, Post-Doctoral Studies, International Seminar in Theology & Law; University of Strasbourg, France
- 1987, Post-Doc. Certificate, Int’l Law; International Institute of Human Rights, University of Strasbourg, France
- 1989, Levantine Ceramic Typology, Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies
- 1997, Ph.D., Archaeology & Biblical History, Trinity Southwest University
Collins' response to these criticisms include a book published by TSU, The Kikkar Dialogues, which presents conversations he has had with other biblical archaeologists.
Another area of criticism is the fact that Dr. Collins is accused of being connected with an unaccredited Christian school (Trinity Southwest University) and they imply that they cannot possibly do scientific research (I guess there are no scientist who are Christians and if they are their research is suspect).
6. ad hominem arguments
While these ad hominem arguments do not deal with the science of the report many have chosen instead to spew nonsense in order to muddy the waters with the research. Sadly those who are minimalists and who do not accept the Bible as an historical text want to use disparaging comments to negate the results. Then on the other hand maximalists have also been critical because they do not agree with their early dates which they claim are biblical dates (no dates are given in the Bible for the Patriarchs and must be calculated on other evidence from the text). For the dates of the Patriarchs see my blog post and chart. Again, rather than dealing with the results of the science they wish to defend their biases and claim it is our bias that have influenced the science. I have responded to the Christianity Today's article in an earlier post.
Then in a recent article When Biblically Inspired Pseudoscience and Clickbait Cause Looting Article they blame us for the looting of artifacts because of the popular nature of the report and because it was connected to the Bible (yes as ridiculous as this sounds). Let me respond.
_(cropped).jpg) |
| Heinrich Schliemann, Archäologe (1822–1890 Ed. Schultze Hofphotograph Heidelberg Plöckstrasse 79 Wikimedia Commons |
1. First, lets set the record strait, that even if you consider the Bible to be a myth (which I do not but many do), the Germen archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann used Homers Iliad, a myth, to locate the archaeological remains of Troy, the setting for the Greek myth of the Trojan War, so why cannot we use the Bible to find Sodom, even if you consider the Bible to be myth.[1] It is common practice to use the geography in ancient texts (including the Bible) to locate ancient sites. It would be foolish and irresponsible not to use ancient texts to do so. They often claim that the Bible cannot be used because it is religious but what ancient text has not been influenced by their local religions? Such an argument just displays their ignorance of ancient texts and the role religions played in their culture.
See Can the Bible Be Used in Archaeology?
7. Some have suggested the we have gone in with an a prior agenda to find what we are looking for. I have previously addressed this Fallacy in THE FALLACY THAT THE A PRIORI METHOD IS BAD SCIENCE on page 71 of Digging up the Bible.
If archaeology is a dialogue, then each excavation must begin with a question or hypothesis, and in this sense we begin with an a priori approach. [2] The a priori approach is a standard method used by archaeologists for all sites (not just Christian sites). All good scientists, including archaeologists, begin with a working hypothesis and then excavate to test their hypothesis against the data collected.
For example, James K. Hoffmeier, the Egyptologist and professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History at Trinity International University, Divinity School (Deerfield, IL ), illustrates this method for his research on Migdol. He argues: “We believe that Gardiner’s proposed association of Migdol of Egyptian texts with Migdol of the Exodus narratives is a reasonable one, and thus accept it as our working hypothesis.”[3] At Tall el-Hammam our working hypothesis has been proposed that it meets the location (right place), destruction (right stuff), and Middle Bronze Age (right time), for biblical Sodom. And the Scientific Report now provides the evidence for the right event which corresponds to the biblical account.
To ensure that we do not affect the conclusions of the evidence, the pottery is put through a triple blind read in two different countries (Jordan and USA) and by experts in ancient pottery from their respective countries. Thus, the methods used in the Field are directed by the hypothesis, though there must be guards in place to stop them imposing answers on the research. This is a delicate dialogue, but one that must be followed and is also followed at Tall el-Hammam.[4]
I am disheartened by those who do not understand the scientific and archaeological process to make the finds available to the public.
All I ask is for honesty and integrity in research by all parties but these days that is just too much to ask.
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Footnotes
[1] T. E. Bunch, M.A. LeCompte, A.V. Adedeji, et al. "A Tunguska sized airburst destroyed Tall el-Hammam a Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea." Scientific Reports 11, no 1 18632 (2021), 5.
[2] Ibid, 57.
[3] Bik, Elisabeth . "Blast in the Past: Image concerns in paper about comet that might have destroyed Tall el-Hammam". Science Integrity Digest. (2 October 2021).
[4] Ibid. Source: https://cosmictusk.com/pebblegate/ – archived: https://archive.is/XGhgm
[5] Kersel, Morag M.; Chesson, Meredith S.; Hill, Austin "Chad" (15 December 2021). "When Biblically Inspired Pseudoscience and Clickbait Cause Looting". Sapiens.
[6] Boslough, Mark (2022). "Sodom Meteor Strike Claims Should Be Taken with a Pillar of Salt" (PDF). Skeptical Inquirer. 46 (1): 10–14.
[7] https://trinitysouthwest.com/about-tsu/
[*]
[1] Edwin M. Yamauchi, ‘Historic Homer: Did It Happen?’, Biblical Archaeology Review 33, no. 2 (2007): 28–37, 76; Edwin M. Yamauchi, ‘Homer and Archaeology: Minimalists and Maximalists in Classical Context’, in The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions, ed. James K. Hoffmeier and Alan R. Millard (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008), 69–90.
[2] The Webster’s New World College Dictionary defined a priori as a theory which is determined “before examination or analysis.” Michael E. Agnes, Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th ed. (Cleveland, Ohio: Webster’s New World, 1999), op. cit.
[3] James K. Hoffmeier, “The North Sinai Archaeological Project’s Excavations at Tell El-Borg (Sinai): An Example of the ‘New’ Biblical Archaeology?,” in The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions, ed. James K. Hoffmeier and Alan R. Millard (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008), 61.
[4] Thomas W. Davis, “Theory and Method in Biblical Archaeology,” in The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions, ed. James K. Hoffmeier and Alan R. Millard (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008), 27.
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Research
- Sodom Research
- On the Date of the Patriarchs
- BAR just reports CT news
- No Neutrality in research
- Tall el-Hammam what was it called
Books
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