Biblical archaeology is always a fascinating topic. Regardless of all the debate over religion etc., there is a lot of known history in the Bible, and a lot of it can be tied to the ground. Tel Megiddo, Jericho, the Temple Mount are amazing examples. When they can add some new knowledge, it always has a huge effect. There is no doubt that the time of christ had some amazing events that affected the world for thousands of years now.

There is a reason that Herodotus is considered the first (trustworthy) historian. Countries all over the Near East published alleged histories thousands of years before him -- but they all contained myths and fables (including heroic myths about each nation's ruler or founder), and the same stories got used this way over and over again. Indeed, we know the order in which these myths propagated from one nation's "history" to another by the changes made each time.

I don't find it at all implausible that the Flood, and other religious stories, were among the fables passed around this way. After all, just about every religion's original "holy" founder was simply a successful warlord, with a huge ego, who made himself a king and then commissioned one of these "histories" with his name in it. (The exceptions being Buddha, who inherited a kingdom but walked out rather than become its king, and Jesus, who did speak of becoming a king but wasn't interested in fighting wars.)

The RC Church has it's own archeological group, as well a a large collection that has never been opened to free access by others. They seem to be secretive about that kind of stuff.

Sort of what I was seeing...A lot better than the recent treatment of any archeological sites.

Thank goodness we will finally be able to learn a bit more about Aphrodite and those who worshipped her in the 1st and 2nd centuries.

A mixture of fantasy and history will likely be revealed. Who knows what artifacts may be revealed (or placed there)?
One of the reasons the Church doesn't like archeologists and others fooling around with their holy sites and artifacts is that they may disprove what they are purported to be. However, since those who work on this stuff are usually devout, there's little chance of that.

Whether or not it was indeed Jesus' tomb is a topic of significant debate, however. Many hold that the actual site is the Garden Tomb, linked here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of....

Regardless, this is truly a remarkable gesture. It contrasts most notably with the attempts to destroy any archeological finds under the Temple Mount.

Too bad we cant rely on the media to give us the straight scoop. All we hear about is muslim terrorists. I am NOT saying that sharia (sp) law is great at all, but all cultures today seem to be a mix of good and bad, even the libertarian political movement (quite conflicted)

Indeed, Mr. Von Ward does explore that area intensively and has some interesting interpretations, same for Von Daniken.

Bicameral man could not self reflect, he could not make up stuff and being brain only...like liberals today...had no choice but to blame something for natural events. As far as aliens, yes there is a degree of probability present here...Can you say...The Book of Enoch?...those that fell favor to our sons, daughters and animal kingdom did NOT represent anything in the cosmos what so ever. As described...they were the MOST barbaric idiotic creatures in all of creation...I call them the "Fallen Idiots".

In as much as the history of the time got mixed up in the only vehicles used to record (religious texts) there is always a lot of unraveling to do. The story of the Flood is one example, it is found around the world, mainly in religious texts, often related to some angry god. That was one of the things that prompted Paul Von Ward to research the issue and he developed a good argument for the aliens on earth theory. He ties together a lot of myths and religious statements and shows the commonalities from across the world. There are an amazing number of common threads in most religions and oral traditions. I doubt they got them from the internet, so something had to cause it all. This was just an interesting story about a church that is pivotal to one religion, I thought the fact a person of another felt compelled to finance the restoration.

Thanks Nick...history is important, not matter how one mystically interprets historical events...seems every week someone discovers something mentioned in the OT,T or NT and fills in the gaps of what we are told that happened.

I am not afraid of this stuff, in fact I find it fascinating...after all...it's OUR history.

Thanks for the reply, I agree, we need some bright spots in a dim, nasty world. I have like Abdullah and his wife ever since I heard of them in the 70's, he was a fighter pilot with the AF, not a wimpy dude at all. Wish he was a US citizen..run him as a prez.

The area is an archeological treasure trove. The king of Jordan and his country are a bright spot in a very dark part of the world. The king didn't impose his Muslim sharia law on the site. Thanks for sharing Nickursis.

Well, in light of the constant barrage of muslim terrorists material, I thought is was a good variation that someone reports someone doing something not terroristic for once. Sort of like showing the full story. I am not averse to any one or group, except when they seek to impose their will on me. Also, the church, even if you do not subscribe to religion, is an archeological item and cultural icon.

Who the hell cares?