Sodom and Gomorrah

THE SEARCH FOR SODOM: IS IT BAB EDH-DHRA OR TALL EL-HAMMAM?

Jill Toodle Biblical Archaeology BIBL471_D01 April 7, 2013

Since the early 19th century archaeologists and Christian bible scholars have discovered a difference in archaeological and geographical evidence that supports a northern view of Sodom or a southern view of Sodom. The Southern site for Sodom is commonly referred to as the Bab edh-Dhra and the northern site for Sodom is referred to as the Tall el-Hammam. Since archaeologists have not uncovered exact evidence indicating a particular site as the biblical Sodom, the search for Sodom remains a mystery. To accurately investigate these sites and try to form a conclusion, key facts need to be revealed. The intention of this paper is to reveal certain facts pertaining to those areas. The specific facts are as follows; the site each position believes is Sodom, the evidence for destruction at both sites and how each site meets the criteria for the biblical location of Sodom. In addition this paper will compare and identify the strengths and weaknesses of each position. Two sites have been excavated as possible sites of the biblical Sodom. Which one is it? First the paper will focus on the southern site named Bab edh-Dhra, and then an analysis of the Tall el-Hammam will be done. Bab edh-Dhra is the excavated site along the Valley of Siddom, South of the Dead Sea. Many proponents of this site suggest that this site is located precisely on the eastern fault, which provides evidence for it’s destruction.[1] Furthermore, they indicate that the Bible historically supports this location in Genesis 13:10, Genesis 14:10 and Genesis 19:24. J. Penrose Harland explains that an overall agreement between the southern supporters and northern supporters is that the cities of the Plain are to be found in Ghor, or Valley of the Jordan and the Dead Sea. However, Harland states, “the

Bibliography: Collins, Steven. “Discovering the City of Sodom.” Kirkus Reviews 3 (Feb 2013), http://www.kirkusreviews.com Journal, A1 edition (February 2007). “Search for Sodom and Gomorrah.” (August 2009). http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2009/08/ Video-Searchforsodomandgomorrah.html ----------------------- [1] Bryant Wood, “The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah,” Bible and Spade 12, no.3(1999): 0. [2] J. P. Harland, “Sodom and Gomorrah:The location of the Cities of the Plain,”The Biblical Archaeologist 5, no.2 (May 1942):19. [3] Randall Price, The Stones Cry Out (Oregon: Harvest House, 1997), 120. [9] Steven Collins, “North vs. South: Why the Southern Location Doesn’t work,” Biblical Archaeology Society 39, no.2 (Mar/April 2013):0. [10] Steven Collins, “Where is Sodom? The Case for Tall el-Hammam,” Biblical Archaeology Society 39, no. 2 (Mar/April 2013). [12]Andrew Higgins. “Digging for Sin City Christians Toil in Jordan Desert, Prof. Collins seeks Sodom with Scriptures as Guides and Volunteers as Muscle,” Wall Street Journal, A1 edition (Feb 2007): 0. [14] The Journal for Jane Mahoney, “Digging a New Path to Lost Cities; Albuquerque Archaeologist uses Biblical Clues to Find what He thinks are the Ruins of Sodom an Gomorrah,” Albuquerque Journal (June 2006):0. [15] Steven Collins, “If You Thought You Knew the Location of Sodom and Gomorrah..think Again,” Biblical Research Bulletin 7, no.4 (2007): 2. [19] “Search for Sodom and Gomorrah,” (August 2009), http://bibleplaces.com