Purdue professor publishes list of 53 biblical figures confirmed by archaeology to have existed

In a time when many dismiss the Bible as mere myth, a Purdue academic recently published an article about 53 people in the Bible confirmed by archaeology to have existed.

Lawrence Mykytiuk, emeritus professor of Library Science at Purdue University, has spent several decades studying the historicity of the Bible. His Aug. 31 article in the Biblical Archaeology Society’s Bible History Daily draws on his previous publications collecting proof that 53 people in the Bible have been shown to be real.

Mykytiuk has previously explained that he is a “scorekeeper” for biblical archaeologists, finding ways to present to a wide audience the exciting discoveries made by specialists.

“I analyze inscriptions to see if they refer to biblical persons and ‘keep score’ when strong identifications can be made,” Mykytiuk told BibleGateway Blog.

His new article may be his most ambitious work yet.

One of the biblical figures whose existence has been archaeologically proven is King David. His name is found in three different ancient inscriptions, one in Egyptian, one in Aramaic, and one in Moabite. Mykytiuk thinks that each inscription can be shown to refer to the same person as is described throughout the Bible.

Nebuchadnezzar II, who appears in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, and Daniel, is also well-documented in the archaeological record. His name appears in myriad cuneiform tablets, including those seemingly written under his direct supervision, or at least at his command.

While the new article in Bible History Daily is focused mainly on presenting data, in interviews Mykytiuk has discussed the main conclusion he has drawn from decades of research.

“Quite apart from religious faith, and based on a large amount of clear, concrete evidence, I find no reason to reject — and many reasons to accept — the general historical credibility of the Bible, beginning with David and going on to later people and events,” Mykytiuk said in an interview in Bible Archaeology Report.

He explained that Biblical events before King David are likely impossible to verify purely through archaeological data.

“The ravages of time have destroyed huge amounts of physical and written artifacts,” he told Bible Archaeology Report. “Still, if only on the remaining historical evidence, we have reason enough to take the biblical account of the past very seriously and to accept much of its account of the past.”

>> Catholic 101: Did Catholics Know the Bible Before Vatican II? <<