Product Description

The earliest part of the Bible is recognized as the foundation-stone of three great religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - yet over the last century, archeologists and historians have signally failed to find any evidence to confirm the events described in the 'book of books' prior to the 9th century BC. As a consequence, many scholars took the view that the Old Testament was little more than a work of fiction. As the leading figure in the New Archaeology, David Rohl has been at the forefront of the movement to discover the archaeological evidence for events described in the Old Testament, which we have come to think of as myths. His previous books, "The Test of Time and Legend" presented the arguments and counter arguments. In the "Lost Testament", this discursive approach is replaced by historical story-telling, which follows the sequence of events from the rise of Neolithic civilisation a region now part of Iran, which inspired the story of the Garden of Eden, through Noah, Abraham and the sojourn in Egypt, to the fall of Jerico, the dual kingdoms of the Promised Land and lastly, the exile in Babylon, where the stories of the Old Testament were collated into something very like their present form.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30941 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
David holds a University College London degree in Egyptology and Ancient History, and has excavated at Kadesh-on-the-Orontes with the expedition of the Institute of Archaeology. He was writer and presenter of the internationally acclaimed television documentary series 'Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest'.

Customer Reviews

A question of timing...
I met David Rohl at a presentation he was giving on a theme of linking the Bible to archeological finds and other supporting evidence. I was impressed by the quality and quantity of material David put forward and so I decided to take the plunge and read ‘From Eden to Exile’. The author puts forward the case for a lot of evidence to support the Bible; the skill is where to look and getting the chronology correct. The new proposed chronology starts in the Neolithic age (c.5375 BC) with Adam, a great flood at Ur around 3113 BC, and Babel tower-temple at Eridu (c.2800 BC). For those seeking the link with the Egyptians, Abraham meets Pharaoh Nebkaure Khety IV in 10th Dynasty and Joseph becomes vizier in 1666 BC in the court of Pharaoh Amenemhat III of the 12th Dynasty. Moses appears in the 13th Dynasty (c.1530 BC) adopted by queen of Pharaoh Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV and challenges Pharaoh Dudimose later in his life. Exodus, including a possible route taken is discussed in great detail. Saul, David and Solomon are tied into the reign of Akhenaten and the Amarna period (c. 1020-1000 BC) and later Pharaoh Horemheb. The few characters I have highlighted are covered in depth as are most of the other Biblical personalities. The writer puts forward a case for each person; who his contempories were, revised time period and supporting archeology. The book is awash with maps, satellite photographs, illustrations and black and white images of key supporting pieces of evidence. Please bear in mind the Bible has a lot of information to take in and this new chronology is packed with a similar amount. This book will have you thinking, analyzing, summarizing and concluding late into the wee small hours. As the reader you make your own decision whether the supporting evidence is strong enough for you to accept the new chronology. Anyone studying Egyptology would find this book interesting because it challenges conventional ideas and proposes fresh interpretation of existing records. I have recommended this book to several people keen on ancient Egypt and all have been delighted. Any Bible scholar would probably find evidence to support the Bible but might be disappointed by the assessment of the main players, personalities and actions. If you have any interests in this area why not read the book and make your own judgement.

Abram the Amorite
For tying the biblical chronologies to historical events 10 out of 10. Fornot writing enough about the Abrahamic period 2 out of 10. It seemed to methat several of the conclusions drawn in "Legend" are forgotten here orpurposefully dropped for lack of significance to the story (maybe theeditor's fault?). Very surprised to see the suggestion that Abraham was anAmorite and complete omission of the Hurrian influences in Hebrew culturediscussed by E.A. Speiser. If Rohl had suggested Hurrian Habiru origin forthe proto-hebrews then I might have believed him. And what about Isaac &Jacob? And isn't Idrimi's story important here? So what can I say GIVE USMORE! How can he leave us hanging on like this after wetting our appetitesso well with the first two books? Maybe I missed it (if so anotherreviewer is more than welcome to correct me with the relevant page number)but I was dissapointed at the breaking of the promised to suggest anidentification of Solomon's historical name. Finally the book does not gointo detail of Israel's exile to the east of Persia and follow up with theAfghan tribe names there which still testify to this. But otherwise on thewhole an excellent read. I don't regret a penny and certainly wouldn'teven mind paying a little more if I had to buy it again.

A need for every person fond of the Bible!
Here is an archaeologist that knows his buiseness. You can learn things about the Bible and its persons that you cannot learn elsewhere. The only thing i can say is:Buy it-now!!
Greetings from Jens Erik Bech
Denmark.