Bible Archeology Discoveries

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Sarcophagus and Inscription of Eshmunazar II
Discovered: Royal necropolis near Sidon, Lebanon; now in the Louvre Museum, Paris
From: (c. Late sixth to early fifth century BC (Persian period; precise dating debated))

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This Egyptian-style stone sarcophagus belonged to Eshmunazar II, king of Sidon. It was discovered near Sidon in 1855. Its long Phoenician inscription identifies the ruler and his family, describes religious building projects, and warns against disturbing his burial.

The text also says that the Persian Great King granted Sidon territories including Dor and Joppa. These claims reflect the royal perspective, but they provide unusually detailed evidence of Sidon under Persian rule.

Genesis 10:15; 1 Kings 16:31; Ezekiel 28:20–23 (background references to Sidon; none mentions this sarcophagus).

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Notable Finds

Much of what is described in Bible text is lost to history, requiring readers to assume the historicity of the scriptures.

However, many of the places and events described in the Old and New Testaments are periodically corroborated by archeological finds.

Some finds simply help us to better understand things from the ancient world. However, others provide important evidence as to the truth of scripture regarding things about which there had previously been skepticism.

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