How we judge

Every entry gets one of five verdicts. Here is exactly what each one requires, so you can check our work.

1. Confirmed

   Independent evidence names it directly.

   A person, place or event is named or directly attested in an authenticated source from outside the Bible, dated reasonably close to the time described. The identification is accepted by most specialists.

   Example: The Pilate Stone names Pontius Pilate as prefect of Judaea.

2. Supported

   Strong evidence fits, but with a gap.

   Evidence fits the biblical account well, but something stops short of direct confirmation: the identification is probable rather than certain, the find doesn't name the biblical figure, or a credible minority of scholars reads it differently.

   Example: The Siloam Tunnel matches 2 Kings 20:20, but its inscription never names Hezekiah.

3. Debated

   Qualified experts disagree on the evidence.

   Relevant evidence exists, but published specialists draw opposing conclusions about its date, meaning or authenticity, and neither side has a clear consensus.

   Example: Jericho's destruction layer: dated c. 1550 BCE by most, c. 1400 BCE by others.

4. No evidence yet

   Nothing direct has been found.

   No direct archaeological or textual evidence outside the Bible has been found. This is not a verdict that the account is false. It means the question is open and we say so.

   Example: No direct archaeological trace of the Exodus journey has been identified.

5. Contradicted

   The evidence points the other way.

   Well-dated, widely accepted evidence conflicts with a specific claim in the text as commonly read. We state exactly which claim, and note any proposed reconciliations.

   Example: Used sparingly and only with strong, mainstream evidence.

Our principles

Evidence first, then interpretation

Each entry separates what was found (where, when, by whom) from what it is taken to mean. You can disagree with our reading while still trusting the facts.

We name the disagreement

When qualified scholars disagree, we say who disagrees and why, and the verdict reflects that.

Absence of evidence is not a verdict of false

Most of the ancient world is still unexcavated. 'No evidence yet' means exactly that.

Forgeries get called out

Artifacts without a secure excavation context, or with contested authenticity, don't count as confirmation, even when they would help the case.

Verdicts can change, publicly

New finds move verdicts. Every change is logged with a date and reason on the entry page.

Sponsors never touch a verdict

Honest verdicts are what we offer. No partner, sponsor or donor has any input on them.