Does Archaeology Contradict Old Testament Stories? | Lecture 1

Does archaeology disprove the Bible — or illuminate it? In this opening lecture, field archaeologist and biblical scholar Dr. Jeffrey Ludvik introduces one of the most enduring questions in religious studies: what can material evidence actually tell us about the historical claims of the Old Testament?

Drawing on his active excavations at Tel El Hesi in Israel and years of research in biblical and Mediterranean archaeology, Dr. Ludvik makes a compelling case that archaeology's greatest contribution is not proof or disproof, but the demonstration of historical plausibility. He then dives into a fascinating case study of the patriarchal narratives — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph — examining whether the Middle Bronze Age provides a credible historical setting for Genesis.

In this lecture, you'll explore:

· Why the camel problem in Genesis doesn't necessarily undermine the historicity of Abraham

· A brief history of biblical archaeology, from Edward Robinson to modern excavations

· What the Middle Bronze Age Amorite world looked like — and why it fits the patriarchal narratives

· Trade connections between Canaan, Mesopotamia, India, and the Indus Valley, evidenced by bead analysis

· The remarkable Tomb 50 at Megiddo and what vanilla residue tells us about ancient trade networks

· Who the Hyksos were — and why strontium isotope studies and Egyptian tomb paintings point to a Semitic migration into Egypt

· Why the Hyksos period may be the most historically plausible setting for the Joseph narrative

· How the expulsion of the Hyksos could explain the transition from Joseph's prominence to Hebrew slavery in Exodus

This lecture is ideal for students of biblical studies, archaeology, and ancient history, as well as for anyone exploring the relationship between faith and historical inquiry.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Dr. Geoffrey E. Ludvik, an active field researcher, Geoffrey is currently co-director of archaeological excavations at Tell el-Hesi, Israel (occupied 2800 BC through the Persian period). His interests include early Canaanite trade and technology, the Patriarchs' cultural world, the Judah's Iron Age kingdom, and the Old Testament period generally.

He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology (Archaeology) with an emphasis in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 and is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on Biblical and Mediterranean archaeology. Geoffrey is also an instructor at St. Ambrose Academy in Madison, WI, and a research fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Cobb Institute of Archaeology at Mississippi State University. Geoffrey lives in Madison, WI, with his wife and son.

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