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1997-2006
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For November/December 1998
Volume 1 Number 2
[ Home ] [More Editions of Perspectives] [ Our Feature Article ] [ Comments from Our Viewers ] [ Questions & Answers ]
This page provides a place for the opinion of our editors and viewers and for answers to short questions from our viewers.
Our Feature Article
Who Are the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel?
Why Are They Lost? Can the Science of Molecular Genetics Help Identify Their Descendants? The archaeological dead-end in this area of investigation leads us to call for a new scientific investigation which could put this matter to an end.
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What became of the lost ten tribes of the house of Israel? Outside of the Bible itself the limited evidence pertinent to this question appears to be ambiguous, incomplete, and suspect. Presumably the lost ten tribes never returned to the Holy Land. Archaeology, history, and linguistics fail to explain their fate. No more than soft evidence is available and none of it is scientific. While interesting the evidence is not compelling.
At the heart of the matter is a theological concept, a hermeneutic often with significant prophetic overtones, read into the findings of archaeology, history, and linguistics. Even a cursory reading of the various publications "identifying" and equating the United States, Britain, and northern European nations and peoples with the lost ten tribes evidence theological arguments based upon their particular authors' exegesis.
Inconclusive Data is a Problem
While the findings of historians, linguists and archeologists are of great import they do not establish with any certainty that Americans of northern European descent, the British, and northern European peoples are indeed the descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of the House of Israel. The data is inconclusive except for those people willing to accept a very low standard of proof, simply believe what they read, or trust in someone else's opinion and logic.
Moreover, the political situation since World War II has inhibited extensive archaeological research in Iraq, the former Soviet Union, communist Poland, and some adjoining states. This region is the traditional route of the Israelite immigration into northern Europe. Further, slaves, refugees, and nomads do not make good subjects for archaeological research. Their mudbrick houses washed away a long time ago and few, if any, monuments testify to their feats and accomplishments. Only rarely would we expect to find such data. It appears we now deal, absent some new accidental discovery, with an archaeological dead-end.
Except for a limited account of the deportation by the Assyrians and prophecies such as the promises made to the tribes recorded in Genesis 49 the Bible is silent on this subject. Spinning Genesis 49 and a few other scriptures such as Genesis 35:9, I Chronicles 5:2, Romans 1:16, and the like, results in an illusory proof. Why? Its proponents consistently fail to establish context! Now do not misunderstand. This criticism of some very prominent writers and their logic does not mean that the basic proposition is in error, nor does it necessarily diminish the writer's importance, stature, or contribution in his or her own time. I simply question the nature of the inquiry, the quality of the data, and the conclusions drawn from the available data. Northern Europeans may very well be and probably are descendants of the ancient Israelites. This is no great leap of faith for those of us who have spent time in the study of migration of ancient peoples and population genetics. I merely suggest we refocus the inquiry along scientific lines so we can develop sufficient evidence, perhaps, to put the matter to rest. If, on the other hand, hard scientific evidence confirms at a high level of statistical certainty that northern European peoples and Americans of northern European descent (Danes, Scots, English, Swedes, Fins, and the like) are descendants of the ancient Israelites then we should reconsider the theological implications. The matter would require careful scrutiny.
The Assyrian empire declined and eventually collapsed with the rise of the Chaldean empire. Nearly all the literature dealing with the fate of the Israelite tribes suggest either their absorption into Gentile populations, where they perished as a people with their genes swamped and their culture abandoned, or their assent to nationhood as the British, and other northern European peoples. In this thinking the Anglo-Saxon and Celtic peoples are descendants of the lost ten tribes.
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A Prophetic Hermeneutic is No Big Help
Claims that the tribes migrated into northern Europe and constitute the basic stock of modern nations arose in the seventeenth century commonly have a scriptural basis, arise from a prophetic hermeneutic, and reflect an ethnocentric philosophy. The idea caught on in the time of the industrial revolution in the West. It was a time when "civilized" peoples such as the British and French saw most of the world's peoples as savages. The British Israelite idea served to legitimize royalty and advance British imperialism. It also served in the eradication of native American populations seen by some as Canaanite peoples. In our present world the equation of America, Britain, and northern European nations with specific Israelite tribes serves to impart an exciting prophetic hermeneutic for interpreting why the world is the way it is and what is going to happen in the course of future events. Few who hold to this worldview are aware of the tenuous basis of the hermeneutic upon which they rely.
Even though such thinking is quite ethnocentric, often contradictory, and speculative, it does not negate the fact that hundreds of thousands of Israelites experienced deportation to Assyria where they settled. These refugees continued to live, have children, and grandchildren. Their descendants are with us today! But where? This leads us to consider what we can know and how we can know it. The question is can we identify the descendants of these ancient Israelite peoples and, if so, how? I suggest that the answer does not lie in theological speculation but in the science of molecular biology and genetics.
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A Scientific Test is Possible
In recent decades molecular biology has significantly advanced. By 1990 scientists launched an ambitious attempt to map all of the estimated 100,000 genes in a human DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule known as the Human Genome Project. The nucleus of each cell contains DNA. The structure of each DNA molecule consists of two strands arranged in a helix joined together by chemical bases. In humans the nucleus of a cell contains 23 pairs of DNA each known as a chromosome. Moreover, the mitochondria of each cell contains additional DNA called mtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA). The latter ordinarily pass only through the maternal line but there is some scientific evidence suggesting that some can transfer from the father.
A mutation must occur in the DNA, either nuclear or Mitochondrial, passed through a sperm cell or ovum to have a genetic impact in an offspring. A mutation is a change in genetic code. Mutations in nuclear DNA can bring about neutral, harmful, or helpful results. As scientists learn more of human DNA the mechanisms of heredity have become clearer. Molecular biology and genetics provide us with the means and the opportunity to identify the descendants of the ancient Israelite peoples.
Two avenues of scientific research can bare on this subject: (1) research on gene mutations and genetic diseases and (2) Mitochondrial DNA research. Both approaches require the identification of appropriate genetic markers and the establishment of a sampling technique across European peoples as part of a careful research design. A vital part of the study would need to be the acquisition and isolation of DNA from human remains from the ancient Israelites and burial sites along the imputed migration route in their relevant time periods..
Let's Examine Our Genes
Only certain peoples can assimilate dairy products due to a lactase deficiency in most human populations. Most adult humans cannot digest milk efficiently resulting in various symptoms including severe cramps, diarrhea, and other intestinal disorders. The "gene mutation" resulting in the ability to manufacture the lactase enzyme as a mature adult is traceable to a mutation occurring in an individual living in the Middle East several millennia ago about the time of the invention of herding and the domestication of animals. Research shows that European Americans have a 2-19% lactase deficiency, African Americans a 70-77% deficiency, and Asian Americans a 95-100% deficiency. This is an example of a helpful result coming from a gene mutation and it is a rich area for research on the Lost Ten Tribes issue. Other avenues for exploration are diabetes, sickle cell anemia, blood groups, the HLA system, and the like.
The Answer May Lie in Our mtDNA
Neutral mutations of mtDNA are neither beneficial nor harmful but accumulate over long periods. The Israelite population in question involves a period of about 4,000 years. Assuming this accumulation occurs at a constant rate over time, as most researchers believe, the number of mutations shared by individuals reflect the closeness of their relationship. Molecular geneticists then employ this to estimate at what time in the past that they shared a common ancestor using DNA from the Mitochondria (the energy-producing part of a cell). Since mtDNA accumulates neutral mutations rapidly it is an effective tool for studying genetic relationships in humans. As inheritance of mtDNA is from the mother alone geneticists trace recent genetic change through the female line. Ultimately, the derivation of all human mtDNA is from a common female ancestor. A caveat is that there is some evidence to link some mtDNA to fathers. I suggest that mtDNA based studies can be quite helpful, perhaps ultimately key, in investigating the Lost Ten Tribes problem.
In spite of the potential of the science of human genetics for providing us with insight into the Lost Ten Tribes problem God might want, for his greater purposes, for the tribes to remain lost from we more inquisitive types. Note that I have not raised the issue of the identity of tribes nor suggested any particular prophetic significance. Those are another matter for another day. It is sufficient at this time to point out, however, that "the nations of the earth will be blessed" through the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 18:18, cf., Galatians 3:8 NASB). This scripture may include the birth of the Messiah to a virgin in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago but also through the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob God brought many blessings to the world.
Comments from Our Viewers
The editor reserves the right to use or not use comments so addressed, in whole or in part, as deemed in the public interest, to include your name, and to edit or condense the letter for clarity and space. Click here to send us Comments
On Our Web Site
Great site.
–John Kevlin, North Carolina
Stopped by your website. Very impressive start!
–Tom Delamater, Ohio
Nice job! Looks very interesting. In the now famous words of Arnold Swartzenegger (spelled something like that), "I'll be back" ( I know, that's really corny).
–J. Elder
Congratulations on your site. This site allows the visitor to grasp archaeological concepts without any pontificating (quite a feat in my book).
–Rodrigo Silva, Phoenix, Arizona
Congratulations on your new Web Site, Biblical Archaeology. I have just spent some time visiting and browsing it. Your wife did a beautiful job of layout and your content is excellent. I did have trouble using some of the page links in the photography section. However, the problem may have been in the telephone lines or my server here.
–Richard E. Walther, Texas
Looks pretty good--maybe you should collaborate with Hershel Shanks? My only recommendation (for what it's worth!) would be to watch out for the pedantry--it can turn some people off. Otherwise, looks like you're off to an auspicious start. All the best!
–Reg Killingsly, Texas
I must tell you how impressed I am with the websites you and your family have created. Now I know why Brenda is majoring in media technology and why you are so busy at home. When do you find time to write a book that is to be published next year? I just may send you a question on High Top Media one of these days after you get it constructed. It all looks great! Of course, that's just the opinion of a kiss'n cousin. I have always been interested in archaeology - even wrote a paper once on the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Sometime after that, during the Shroud focus in the 1970's, wrote a paper on The Shroud of Turin. Surprisingly, a colleague of my uncle, Mel Warrick, was one of those who helped in the first carbon dating of the threads.
–Marianne Morfoot, Georgia
Nothing wrong with some family support is there?
–editor
Just-a-note to let you know I just ran on to your web page. I am also interested in 'dirt digging' in that region of the globe.
–P. Harris, Colorado
Hey Peg, we always want to hear from "ol" friends. Please visit our site again. We are constantly adding material.
–editor
I enjoyed browsing your web site, and this is a subject I would like to know more a about. I watch the A&E channel and the other programs about this subject. Any information I could receive from you would be helpful. The computer I am using is at my military command so I don't have one at home yet.
–Mark Hoffecker
We will add you to our e-mail list for special notices and announcements. We suggest that you subscribe to the Biblical Archaeology Review for well-written, up-to-date articles on biblical archaeology. You might want to consider enrolling in Anthropology 210 by distance learning at Haywood Community College. This on-line WWW course, to be taught by BIBARCH™ editor Dr. Michael Germano, should provide you with a good foundation for further study in this area. Classes begin January 5, 1998. Get more information from Hal Lander, Director of Distance Education at HCC.
–editor
Another New Biblical Archaeology Site
You might want to add a link to Bible Archaeology, Search & Exploration (BASE) Institute. It's a great new site!
–Sig Swanstrom
Consider it done. Viewers can find the BASE Institute at http://www.baseinstitute.org/. The site promotes the pop-archaeology of adventurer and explorer Bob Cornuke.
–editor
Ernest Martin Comments
Hey, you have a nice Web Page. Keep up the good work. Finding the mikvaot at the bottom of the stairs is no problem. There were mikvaot all over Jerusalem. And remember, Fort Antonia is where the Garments of the High Priest were kept, which could only be carried by men who were "purified."
–Ernest L. Martin, Portland, Oregon
Viewers can review Martin's views on the location of the Temple built by Herod the Great at the ASK Web Site. Martin, in his well-reasoned speculative style, presents his interesting new theory. We recommend its reading but do not necessarily endorse Martin's conclusions. His theory, as it becomes more well-refined, will need to face scholarly scrutiny and testing against the archaeological record. Absent hard scientific evidence his theory will remain an interesting idea but of little impact in academia.
–editor
Egyptian Dynasties
I am thinking through some ideas about Biblical syncretism and Egyptian third intermediate chronological period (ala David Rohl) to me its an attractive idea. I am open to any suggestions you might have, being new to this area of the WWW. Thank you for your consideration.
–TAH
Conventional wisdom places the Third Intermediate Period (Egyptian Dynasties 21-25) from ca. 1069 to 664 BCE (the sacking of Thebes by Ashurbanipal). David M. Rohl, in A Test of Time: The Bible from Myth to History, republished in the USA as Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest, aggressively reinterprets Egyptian chronology. You can visit Rohl's Test of Time Web Site for more information. We suggest Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest as a classic example of the hermeneutic approach to archaeology.
We agree with Rohl that the biblical date for an Exodus "was entirely at odds with the dates for the 19th Dynasty (1295-1186 BC)." The historical and archaeological evidence concerning the 18th Dynasty, however, is overwhelmingly consistent with a 1443 BCE Exodus. We question Rohl's arguments in redating the 13th Dynasty, his 1447 BCE Exodus, and his rejection of the identification of Shoshenk I with Shishak. The calculated beginning of the 21st Dynasty stems from the equating of the 20th year of Shoshenk I with the 5th year of Rehoboam. Rohl's new chronology requires the rejection of the Shoshenk = Shishak identification. His evidence is neither scientific nor compelling. In scientific terms he did not present adequate "evidence" to falsify the Shoshenk = Shishak hypothesis. His shuffling of the chronological dynastic deck is a matter of hermeneutic interpretation and not science. This junk science approach makes good television and interesting fiction but is of little, if any, scholarly merit. It merely confuses the public and only produces more questions and confusion. We find Rohl's work consistent with the more or less historic British armchair approach to biblical archaeology.
–editor
Questions & Answers
Please send us your qustions by e-mail. All submissions must be signed and include your street or route address and telephone number, which we require for verification purposes only. Click here to send us Questions.
Where is the Ark of the Covenant?
I had heard that supposedly the Dead Sea Scrolls tell where the ark of the covenant is buried and archaeologists now are digging for it. Is there any truth to these claims and if so, where is the Ark of the Covenant buried according to the scrolls?
–Carol Mauriello
The Ark of the Covenant is indeed hidden. It disappeared from history in First Temple times. The ark never was part of the inventory of the Temple built by Herod the Great (see Josephus Wars 5.5). The copper Dead Sea Scrolls are from the Second Temple period. Some seek in the copper scrolls clues that would lead them to Second Temple treasures hidden before the Romans took Jerusalem in 70 CE. Presumably, if found, these treasures would join other items at the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. The staff at the institute have assembled various tools, pots, jars, and the like to reinstate the Levitical offerings in a Third Temple or national altar on the Temple Mount. The collection is incomplete and each item is quite costly. The time of manufactures of each of these items is our own day and you may view them, and have an explanation of each, at the Temple Institute.
Imagine the excitement the discovery of a cash of Second Temple ceremonial offertory utensils would create. It would likely be the stimulus for an excited Jewish populace to storm and seize the Temple Mount from the Muslims and the Israeli military to reinstate morning and evening sacrifices. At this time such an event would be catastrophic. If Temple ceremonial items from the Second Temple Period could be so problematic imagine what the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant would produce. One leading Israeli archaeologist told me that it is better for the Ark to remain lost since its appearance could bring about World War III. We agree for such would fuel Jewish zealots and extremists and Arabic opposition but there are other problems.
In Christian thinking the Ark is no longer vested with power as the Old Covenant ended at Jesus' death and this is the time of the New Covenant. In traditional Jewish and messianic Jewish thinking the Old Covenant continues in force and the Ark remains the focus of just as much power as it ever was. The discovery of an Ark charged with the supernatural power of God or void of such power would challenge many theologies. An Ark devoid of power would be confirming to Christians, problematic for Jews, and compelling to skeptics. Yet the net result would likely be the further undermining of the confidence of many in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). Perhaps the disruption of any number of theologies would not be all that bad would it?
While we are not into pop-archaeology we found Graham Hancock's The Sign and the Seal quite entertaining. This work details Hancock's quest for the lost Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia and raises some interesting questions about the Knights of the Templar. The Templars dug for the Ark on the Temple Mount many centuries ago. You might find it of interest. We assume you have seen the Steven Spielberg film Raiders of the Lost Ark, a Lucasfilm Ltd. production, by Paramount Pictures. Both Sign & Seal and Raiders place the Ark in Egypt on different theories. The movie ended with the Ark of the Covenant remaining lost by assignment to a U.S. federal warehouse where the world would not have to deal with it. In Hancock's book the Ark also remains "lost" to the world in a Coptic church . Perhaps it is just as well.
–editor
How old is the urn?
Can you
identify this urn? |
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I have a bronze urn that is approximately 1,500 years old. I was told that it is from the Levant. I don't know anything else about this urn. I was hoping that you may lead me in the right direction. I am attaching a few pictures of the urn.
–Frank Anzaldi
We checked our catalogs but were not able to place your urn. Since our limited library specializes in the biblical period this is not surprising. If the urn is from ca. 500 CE it would be from the Byzantine period but it does not appear to be Byzantine. It seems to have a more Eastern character. If any viewer has a suggestion or can identify the piece please let us know. You might want to check with an art dealer specializing in Asian antiquities. I would start with a WWW search.
–editor
Does archeology tell of the Lost Ten Tribes?
For several years I have been interested in the histories of Assyria and Babylonia, especially as they contact the Israelite nations. During the eighth century BC, Assyria conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel and, according to the biblical record, removed the Israelites to several north Mesopotamian and Median locations; the Assyrian records detail only the removal of a relatively small number of dwellers in the capital of Samaria. Does archeology provide us with any more information about the deported Israelites, their numbers, culture in captivity, and their fate?
–David Medici
The hypothesis that northern European peoples have the lost ten tribes of Israel as ancestors remains unfalsified. The historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence is illusive, largely speculative, and by no means conclusive. Assuming the hypothesis is tenable scientifically, an issue in and by itself, arguments on this subject usually go to showing the inadequacy of proffered proofs. This is quite different from falsifying a research hypothesis. We suggest it is time to take another approach and so argue in our editorial . We think the answer lies in the DNA molecule. Such research could put the matter to rest.
The spin placed on the sparse amount of extant historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence is political and religious. It is theology, particularly prophecy, which prompts present-day speculation concerning the fate and modern identity of the lost ten tribes of Israel. This effort usually proceeds along ideological lines, e.g., rabbinical scholars seeking to find more members of the Diaspora, the Latter-Day Saints, the British Israel World Federation, and the like, for persons of deep religious conviction and internalized denominational dogmatism project their belief systems on the biblical text and read the Bible in ways that are consistent with and which maintain their beliefs and way of life. The dogmas of a denominational or theological frame of reference, or paradigm, all too often result in oversimplification of issues and in perpetuation of myths. Such an approach is detrimental to unbiased biblical study and to the search for fact and truth.
People make sense of their world through their belief systems. By forming and reforming their beliefs they seek to know, to understand, and to explain their world and why it is the way it is. Ideally people would seek to develop beliefs that are as accurate as possible, but unfortunately, the constraining quality of culture mitigates against their doing so. The problem in developing accurate beliefs is one of epistemology. The epistemological question with respect to the lost ten tribes is then—what can we know and how can we know it? This is an important, controversial, and divisive matter. On the archeological side very little is known or can be known for a number of reasons--the political and religious realities existing in Iraq and bordering states; the fact that slave peoples do not leave extensive, ethnically identifiable, material culture in their wake; lack of serious scholarly interest; and the millions of dollars scientific investigations of this kind cost. We suggest that for the time being, probably for our generation, we are at an archeological dead-end. This is why we suggest in this issue's editorial a new and different approach to the investigation.
–editor
Where can I receive an advanced degree in biblical archaeology?
I recently found your WebPages on biblical archaeology and enjoyed looking at it. I am interested in biblical archaeology as a career. I am currently an undergraduate studying at Huntington College, a small liberal arts Christian school in Indiana. I am writing to you to ask for some advice and information. I am graduating this spring and am in search of a graduate school to attend in the fall of 1999. I am having trouble finding good universities with a masters program or Ph.D. program in biblical archaeology. I was wondering if you could recommend some quality graduate schools in this area of study. I would really appreciate any help you could give me in my search for a grad school. Or if you could at least point me in a direction to look for a grad school.
–Jeremy Wolfe
If you really want to become grounded in this field we suggest you explore the programs at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Tel Aviv. In the USA we doubt you will find a regionally accredited institution with a masters degree in this specialty. Stay away from diploma mills displaying themselves on the WWW claiming that some accrediting association has accredited them. Avoid them like the plague.
The research strategy we suggest is for you to explore area studies programs such as Middle Eastern Studies and Anthropology at large universities. We like Texas A&M at College Station, the University of Arizona, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago. As long as Drs. Lewis R. Binford and David A. Freidel remain at Southern Methodist University we recommend SMU for doctoral studies in archaeology. You might explore other anthropology programs at schools we list on our Useful Links page. We see the preoccupation of theological schools with their own denominational biases and hermeneutic much too constrictive for them to deliver a credible scientific approach to biblical archeology but there are exceptions.
If you take the anthropology route you can emphasize old world archaeology in your program and undertake a biblical archaeology thesis topic. If you proceed in a doctoral program you can elect an archeology option and use biblical archaeology as a specialty. In any case, get a second and third opinion.
–editor
Page last edited: 11/28/04 08:44 AM
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