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Archaeology Confirms The Bible Record

A Time For Israel

According to Stiebing, climate studies of the Middle East indicate that a dry period began sometime after 1500 B.C.¹ By 1250 B.C. a serious drought had ensued. The drought covered a large area, from the Nile, through Canaan, even to Mesopotamia. The dry period began to end some time around 1100 B.C. and Iron I settlements began appearing in the hill country of Palestine and the Transjordan area. A moist period took hold around 1000 B.C. ^1a

The Egyptian records show this drought was devastating. During the time of Ramesses III (circa 1182-1151 B.C.), craftsmen for the royal tombs went on strike for food.² These craftsmen were not peasants. They were considered middle class and they were starving. Around 1127 B.C., (Ramesses VII), grain prices rose 8 times.³ It took till Ramesses X before prices dropped.

One can only imagine what such an extensive and long lasting famine did to ancient Egypt. Corruption was rampant due to food shortages. By the time of Ramesses XI (1098-1070 B.C.) anarchy had broken out in Thebes. Looters stripped the gold from the temples. Bandits and marauding mercenaries roamed the countryside.⁴

Assyria fared no better and perhaps was in even worse shape. The Mesopotamian civilizations declined during the drought. There were revolts in Assyria (circa 1244-1208 B.C.). Tiglath-pileser I of Assyria (circa 1111-1084 B.C.) had to cross the Euphrates 28 times in pursuit of Aramean raiders. A letter (circa 1090 B.C.) reported no harvest in the country. By the end of the 11th century, the famine in Assyria was so terrible even the gods were starved. Drink offerings were cancelled.⁵

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