Bible Archeology Discoveries

Graffito of Alkimilla from Puteoli
Discovered: Puteoli, Italy
From: (c. AD 130)

In 1959 a group of eight Tabernae were excavated at Puteoli. Taberna 5 was a guesthouse, as is clear from the graffiti within it. These mention various names and cities.

On the west wall of taberna 5, a mass of graffiti included the graffito of a crucified woman. The cross is 40 cm high, the cross-piece is 26 cm long, and the figure is 35 cm high. The graffito belongs to the reign of Trajan or Hadrian, (AD 117 to 138).

A name, Ἀλκίμιλα (= Alkimila, Alkimilla), is inscribed over the left-hand side of the image, above the shoulder, suggesting that this is the name of the person in question. It is also possible that this is a form of curse text, rather than a record of an actual event. The marks across the body may be from flaying or scourging. This is one of the earliest depictions of Roman crucifixion and appears to corroborate what biblical tradition tells us about the execution of Jesus.

Romans had much disdain for Christians, as they believed that failures in the empire were due to their practices. When a fire destroyed much of Rome in 64AD the emperor Nero murdered a 'vast multitude' of Christians as scapegoats. Then in the 3rd century, when there was political chaos, military revolts, and a barbarian invasion that nearly destroyed Rome, the Christians were blamed again.

Thinking that the Christians' denial of Rome's gods was to blame, emperors introduced the systematic persecution of Christians throughout the Roman empire to regain that divine protection.

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Notable Finds

Much of what is described in Bible text is lost to history, requiring readers to assume the historicity of the scriptures.

However, many of the places and events described in the Old and New Testaments are periodically corroborated by archeological finds.

Some finds simply help us to better understand things from the ancient world. However, others provide important evidence as to the truth of scripture regarding things about which there had previously been skepticism.

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