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In 62 CE, Jewish historian Josephus made a reference to “James, the brother of Jesus who is called Christ,” who was executed.
The ruins of Saint Bartholomew Monastery in Vaspurakan, Armenia, are believed to be the final resting place of the Apostle. Christian symbols have also been unearthed along India’s Konkan coast, which also match his story.
An old manuscript called GG 00039, held at the Gunda Gunde Monastery in Ethiopia, contains the first part of Matthew’s Gospel. Christian objects were also found in Persia, which suggests a Christian community was active in the area Matthew traveled to. A ceramic pot found in a lake in Kyrgyzstan is also believed to be linked to Matthew.
Another piece of the puzzle includes a letter Roman governor Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan, where he makes reference to early Christians singing “hymns to Christ as to a god.”
Sources: (History Collection) (National Geographic) (Biblical Archeological Society)
See also: Following the footsteps of Jesus: Biblical sites you can still visit
This Apostle of Jesus spread the gospel across Asia Minor. Evidence includes early Christian artifacts found in Hierapolis (modern-day Pamukkale, Turkey), including the Martyrion of St. Philip, which is believed to be the place where Philip died.
The historian Eusebius’ book ‘Ecclesiastical History,’ also known as ‘Church History,’ mentions Andrew’s missionary work. His remains are believed to be held in the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Patras, Greece. Christian symbols discovered in Sinope and Nicea also support Andrew’s presence in the region.
It’s believed that Thomas traveled to India and preached there. His tomb is believed to be located at the Santhome Basilica in Chennai, India. Crosses, coins, and other archeological finds also add weight to the veracity of his story.
There are historical accounts of John’s life in Irenaeus’ book ‘Against Heresies.’ Justin Martyr’s ‘Dialogue with Trypho’ also makes reference to “John, one of the Apostles of Christ” who lived in Ephesus.
Many archeological finds point to the possibility that Jesus existed. This includes houses from his period found in Nazareth, the Pilate Stone, which proves that Pontius Pilate existed, and proof that Roman crucifixion practices matched the ones described in the Bible.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote in ‘Antiquities of the Jews’ about the execution of James in 62 CE, which is a remarkable non-Christian piece of evidence that he existed.
There are a number of archeological finds that confirm the existence of King Solomon, namely in ancient Israeli cities such as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. Six official clay seals found in 2014 also support the existence of the biblical king (and of his father, King David).
Evidence that Governor Nehemiah lived can be found in the Elephantine Papyri. Archaeologists also found sections of walls rebuilt by Nehemiah under the streets of modern-day Jerusalem.
There are a few artifacts that support that the disciple of Jesus lived, including early Christian documents. In addition, graffiti that reads “Peter is here” was found at a tomb beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, dating back to the 1st century, which suggests this is his resting place.
The Kurkh Monolith lists King Ahaz’s tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III. Royal seals also add to the veracity of the biblical character mentioned in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28.
The Babylonian Chronicles detail King Zedekiah’s attempt to save Jerusalem from Nebuchadnezzar’s men. In addition, an unearthed clay tablet from Sippar makes reference to Zedekiah’s children among the exiles in Babylon.
The Neo-Assyrian king is mentioned on the Taylor Prism (an early cuneiform artifact). More specifically, it details his siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE.
A seal stamp with the name “Nathan-Melech” from the 7th century BCE was discovered in the City of David archeological site. In 2 Kings 23:11 we find reference to this man as one of King Josiah’s officials.
The name of Herod Antipas stamped across coins of Galilee and Perea attests to his existence as a ruler of the region.
Proof that Hiram I, the Phoenician king of Tyre, lived was found in Sidon, Lebanon, in 1855. The Phoenician text in Eshmunazar II's sarcophagus makes reference to King Hiram of Tyre.
A basalt monument called the Mesha Stele was unearthed in Jordan in 1868. The stone’s inscriptions make reference to King Mesha of Moab’s victories against Israel’s King Ahab, as per 1 Kings. Ahab also left an ivory palace complex in Samaria behind, providing further proof of his existence.
There are a number of archeological finds that prove the existence of the King of Judah. These include the Babylonian Chronicles (clay tablets), as well as seals with King Jehoiakim’s name.
The Roman official was Proconsul of Cyprus. Inscriptions found in Paphos, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, match the account found in Acts.
The bones of the High Priest of Israel who played a role at the trial of Jesus are evidence of his existence. An ossuary bearing the words “Joseph son of Caiaphas” was found in 1990.
There is also evidence that the Pharaoh who attacked Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25–26) lived. This can be found in inscriptions inside Egypt’s Karnak Temple.
Judas Maccabeus, or Judah Maccabee, is yet another biblical figure whose existence was proven by archeology. There are some coins and pottery fragments that make reference to the Jewish priest and how he defeated the Syrian armies between 166 and 160 BCE.
The Babylonian Chronicles, a series of clay tablets from 590 BCE, make reference to major Babylonian events, including King Nebuchadnezzar II’s capture of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
The King of Judea left quite a legacy across Israel. His tomb was found in the 1800s in Herodium, a fortress near Bethlehem. He was also the man behind constructions such as Jerusalem’s Second Temple and the Antonia Fortress.
There is archeological evidence that the founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire lived. In 1879, archaeologists discovered a clay cylinder from Babylon’s ruins dating back to 539 BCE. The cylinder contained a text praising Cyrus and his rule.
Evidence of the existence of the Roman governor who ordered Jesus’ crucifixion was found in 1961. The “Pilate Stone” was found at Caesarea Maritima, an ancient Roman Judea city, containing a Latin inscription that made reference to “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.”
Multiple pieces of evidence that confirm the existence of King Hezekiah have been found. First, the Taylor Prism in the 1830s, where Assyrian King Sennacherib wrote about the failed siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE. There was also an inscription found in 1880 in the Siloam Tunnel in Jerusalem.
The archeological evidence that proved the existence of King David was not unearthed until 1993 in Israel. A piece of stone known as the Tel Dan stele dating from the 9th century BCE contained a reference to the “House of David."
Science has confirmed that many parts of the Bible are indeed true, but how about its characters? The quest for evidence when it comes to biblical characters continues, but several archeological finds suggest that many of these people may have actually existed. These inscriptions, artifacts, and historical texts all amount to possible evidence that many biblical characters lived.
Curious? Click through the gallery to find out what has been discovered and how compelling the evidence is.
Biblical figures validated by archaeologists and historians
From the Old Testament to the New
LIFESTYLE Religion
Science has confirmed that many parts of the Bible are indeed true, but how about its characters? The quest for evidence when it comes to biblical characters continues, but several archeological finds suggest that many of these people may have actually existed. These inscriptions, artifacts, and historical texts all amount to possible evidence that many biblical characters lived.
Curious? Click through the gallery to find out what has been discovered and how compelling the evidence is.