THE SEARCH FOR SODOM: IS IT BAB EDH-DHRA OR TALL EL-HAMMAM?

Jill Toodle Biblical Archaeology BIBL471_D01 April 7, 2013

Since the early 19th century archaeologists and Christian bible scholars have discovered a difference in archaeological and geographical evidence that supports a northern view of Sodom or a southern view of Sodom. The Southern site for Sodom is commonly referred to as the Bab edh-Dhra and the northern site for Sodom is referred to as the Tall el-Hammam. Since archaeologists have not uncovered exact evidence indicating a particular site as the biblical Sodom, the search for Sodom remains a mystery. To accurately investigate these sites
When looking at the archaeological evidence for the destruction of the Tall el-Hammam archaeologist have discovered the site was destroyed near the end of the Middle Bronze Age. Dr. Collins explains that they have discovered vast quantities of ash, consisting of 1.5 to 3 feet thick of heavy ash associated with the Middle Bronze Age stratum.[11] Some of the debris found is pottery, a few bones, some ash and something an excited digger thought was part of the meteor some believers speculate God hurled at Sodom to destroy it.[12] In addition, the Tall el-Hammam site reveals that a temperature exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit destroyed the area; this gave evidence of catastrophic damage.[13] Based on the evidence revealed through archaeological excavation of the Tall el-Hammam, the supporters of this site date the Patriarchs as 17/16th Century, or Middle Bronze Age. Collins says the “Bible makes it clear that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed during the Middle Bronze Age, the time of Abraham and Lot”.[14] This dating is certainly the biggest difference between the two sites in question. Therefore, it is important to list how the Tall el-Hammam meets the criteria for the biblical Sodom. The specific discoveries of the Tall el-Hammam meet the criteria are described briefly in this paragraph. First, the bible describes the place where Lot went as being a well-watered land, like the land of Egypt. Tall el-Hammam is located on a disk of well-watered