Scientists say a new discovery involving camel bones is calling the accuracy of the Bible into question.
Using data from radiocarbon dating, researchers from Tel Aviv University say camels did not come to Israel until way after the Age of Patriarchs — around 1,200 B.C. — when Biblical figures Abraham, Jacob and Isaac were believed to have lived. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Daderot, BS Thurner Hof)
They believe the camels came to Israel around ninth century B.C. — centuries after the Bible suggests. The bones are the oldest known discovered. They were found in the Aravah Valley near the Israel-Jordan border. (Via Fox News)
The researchers said in a press release, "In addition to challenging the Bible's historicity, this anachronism is direct proof that the text was compiled well after the events it describes."
Daily Mail points out several instances in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, where camels are mentioned, like Genesis 24:10: "Then he loaded ten of Abraham's camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his master, and he traveled to distant Aram-Naharaim."
Still, this is hardly the first time scientists have challenged the Bible.
This discovery comes almost simultaneously as scientist Bill Nye challenged the Bible's version of how man was created in a recent debate at a creationism museum. (Via YouTube /Answers in Genesis)
Camels were often used in the ancient Middle East to travel long distances and help with the region's copper mining industry.
This video includes an image from de:Benutzer:BS Thurner Hof / CC BY SA 3.0 and Daderot.
