Foundations of Faith - How Archaeology Is Confirming the Bible's Stories

Across the ancient landscapes of Israel, the Bible's stories are coming to life under the careful hands of archaeologists. From the burned ruins of Ai to the Tel Dan Inscription and Solomon's bustling port at Ezion-Geber, the evidence confirms what Scripture has long proclaimed: God's hand has been at work in history, shaping nations and fulfilling promises.

The Temple Mount Soil Project offers a tangible link to this sacred past, allowing believers to hold fragments of the very earth where these events unfolded. By connecting with this soil, we move beyond reading history--we experience it, touching the places where faith, obedience, and God's providence were made real. This is the only project in the world that will allow you to obtain real, authenticated soil from the Temple Mount.

Let's take a closer look.

After the victory at Jericho, the Israelites faced defeat at Ai due to hidden sin in their camp. But after repentance, God granted them victory--and Ai was burned to the ground. Today, archaeologists believe the site known as Khirbet el-Maqatir may be the ancient city of Ai. They've discovered ruins that match the biblical timeline--fortified walls, a gate system, and widespread evidence of destruction by fire.

The Bible says Ai was utterly destroyed, and here we have charred remains and toppled walls exactly where and when Scripture places them. For many scholars, this find further affirms that the conquest of Canaan wasn't a myth--it was history.

The story of Ai is more than strategy--it's a lesson in holiness. Israel could only move forward when sin was dealt with. The ashes of Ai are a solemn reminder: God is holy, and His blessings come with obedience.

It also reminds us how quickly God's favor returns after repentance. Ai's ruins are not just a warning, but a hopeful sign that restoration always follows confession. And as with all of Israel's conquests, it was never really about military power--it was about God going before them.

Just as Ai's ruins confirm the biblical journey, the Temple Mount Sifting Project continues to recover ancient remains that testify to Scripture's truth. Temple Mount Soil offers you a chance to partner in that journey--bringing the earth of Jerusalem's holiest site into your hands and helping protect its sacred memory.

For years, skeptics claimed that King David never existed. Then in 1993, a broken stone slab was unearthed in northern Israel bearing an inscription that read "House of David." It's called the Tel Dan Stele, and it was written by an enemy king boasting of his victory over Israel and Judah.

This single discovery shook the scholarly world. It confirmed that David was not a later legend but a real historical figure, known even to his enemies.

Finding David's name etched in stone is like uncovering George Washington's signature on a battlefield--it changes everything. The Bible's royal line was real. The kingdom was real. The Messiah's ancestry is rooted in verifiable history.

And there's something almost poetic about it: the first extra-biblical mention of David comes not from Israel, but from a pagan king. Even his enemies couldn't deny he existed. It's another example of how truth has a way of carving its name into the stones of history.

At TempleMountSoil.com, you can explore similar connections through curated artifacts and materials straight from the heart of Israel. Support this work and connect your own story to the heritage of King David.

The Bible tells us that King Solomon built a fleet of ships at a port called Ezion-Geber, near Elath on the Red Sea. Archaeologists have identified an ancient seaport at Tell el-Kheleifeh, which matches the location and description from Scripture. Excavations have revealed massive copper smelting installations and structures that suggest industrial-level activity.

The discovery helps confirm the Bible's description of Solomon's wealth and international trade. He wasn't just a king of wisdom--he was a global economic power.

This isn't just about ancient shipping lanes. It's about the reach of God's covenant. Solomon's reign represented the high point of Israel's influence, a glimpse of the peace and prosperity under God's rule. The evidence at Ezion-Geber brings that golden age out of the text and into the light.

These trade routes also tell us something vital about God's plan--it's always been global. Even in the Old Testament, God was preparing the way for His name to be known among the nations. The ships at Ezion-Geber weren't just for gold--they were for glory.

Much like Solomon's workers shaped copper and traded goods, you can now hold the land he ruled over with Temple Mount Soil's historical collections. Each set supports the preservation of Israel's sacred history--and helps ensure the biblical story continues to be unearthed.  A special 10% discount is available to PNW subscribers by clicking here.

If not for the tediously careful work of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, this unique sealing from the distant past would likely have remained in a heap of trash at the foot of the Temple Mount. In the past 15 years, through the help of some 200,000 volunteers the project has recovered over 500,000 artifacts from earth illegally discarded into the Kidron Valley by the Muslim Waqf.

This army of thousands of tourists and native Israelis have found priceless treasures, including 5,000 coins, inscriptions, mountains of pottery, Egyptian-era cultic items, jewelry, remnants of warfare, and a plethora of fauna remains: bone tools, the charred bone remains of Temple Mount sacrifices, and even pig bones from Roman pagan and Christian periods. The artifacts span all periods of Jerusalem, from Jebusite settlement prior to the biblical kingdoms, to the modern era.

A portion of every purchase directly supports the Temple Mount Sifting Project and supports their vital archaeological work.