Latest news with #Israelite
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Massive Biblical battle unearthed as previously unexplored 'Area X' begins to give up its secrets
Previously unexplored 'Area X' unearths new evidence that Josiah, the last great king of Judah, fell at the hands of the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II thousands of years ago Archaeologists have unearthed "incredible" artefacts that suggest a Biblical king was vanquished by a formidable Egyptian army millennia ago. The team of researchers has found remarkable evidence pointing to the defeat of a renowned Biblical monarch by an extensive Egyptian force, as indicated by remnants of Egyptian pottery in the Levant region. Recent findings support the theory that Josiah, Judah's last significant king, met his demise at the hands of Pharaoh Necho II. The fateful battle took place in Megiddo in 609 BCE, casting a shadow over the future of the kingdom of Judah and setting the stage for Armageddon – the prophesied location of the apocalypse in Christian belief. It wasn't until March this year that tangible archaeological proof came to light, with the discovery of a unique collection of ceramics in present-day Israel. Excavations in the ancient city of Megiddo revealed pottery associated with Necho's forces. Among the finds were substantial quantities of Egyptian and Greek pottery, as detailed by Professor Israel Finkelstein from Haifa University, who has led the Megiddo excavations for years, alongside Dr Assaf Kleiman from Ben-Gurion University, reports the Mirror US. In two papers published in January and February in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament, Kleiman, Finkelstein, and their colleagues discuss their discoveries. They propose that the debris is indicative of Necho's Egyptian troops' presence, potentially including Greek mercenaries as part of the contingent. Around the 10th-9th century BCE, Megiddo was part of the Kingdom of Israel, though there's ongoing debate about whether Megiddo and other territories were earlier part of the so-called David and Solomon and whether the united Israelite monarchy described by the Bible ever truly existed. What we do know is that for at least two centuries, Megiddo was a significant hub. Around 732 BCE, Megiddo was captured and the Israelite capital of Samaria fell shortly after. Renamed Magiddu, it became the capital of a new Assyrian province in the Levant. Years after the fall of the northern kingdom, Assyria faced pressure from emerging powers in Mesopotamia and Iran, namely the Babylonians and the Medes. Around 630 BCE, the Assyrians abandoned Megiddo. In 609 BCE, under Necho's leadership, Egypt marched into the Levant to aid the failing city. In Jerusalem, Josiah had been on the throne for 31 years before he was defeated by Necho at Megiddo. The Book of Kings leaves it unclear why Necho killed Josiah. The Book of Chronicles suggests that Josiah had tried to block Necho's advance and that the ensuing battle was a disastrous affair during which the Judahite king was killed. The bulk of ancient Megiddo was excavated during the 1920s by a University of Chicago expedition, which dug up and carted away most of the upper strata to reach the earlier versions of the settlement beneath. However, one section in the northwest corner of the site, dubbed 'Area X', remained largely undisturbed. It was in this spot that Finklestein's team discovered a stone-paved courtyard area. According to the ceramic evidence, the structure dates back to the mid-seventh century BCE. The discoveries included fragments from local pottery vessels, including traditional cooking pots, alongside serving dishes showing Mesopotamian influence. "Scholars believed Megiddo completely changed socially, that the ratio of the local population was very low or non-existent, but we show it must have been higher than what was previously believed," Kleiman says. "There must have been a significant component of Levantine population in Megiddo at the time, and we see this, for example, in the cooking pots, which are very important cultural and social indicators. The pots we found tell us the population at the site cooked like their parents and grandparents, in the same local traditions." The most significant discovery was the abundance of Egyptian pottery in Area X. "When we opened the boxes of finds from the dig at my lab in Ben-Gurion University, I told my students to put the Egyptian pottery on the tables, and table after table got filled," Kleiman revealed. "The number of Egyptian vessels is double or even triple the amount found in the entire Levant for that period. This is not decorated fine tableware, so it's very hard to argue that someone at Megiddo, a deportee or a surviving Israelite, all of a sudden acquired a taste for sub-par Egyptian pottery and decided to import it into his house."
Irish Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bible bombshell as previously unexplored area unearths evidence of huge battle
Archaeologists have unearthed "incredible" evidence suggesting a Biblical king was toppled by a vast Egyptian army millennia ago. The team of researchers has stumbled upon remarkable evidence that a massive Egyptian force overcame one of the legendary Biblical kings, with the discovery of Egyptian pottery remnants confirming the presence of Egyptians in the Levant. Recent findings point to Josiah, the last significant monarch of Judah, being vanquished by the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II. The demise of Josiah at Megiddo in 609 BCE posed a dire threat to the broader realm of Judah. These events unfolded at the site of Megiddo – also known as Armageddon, which is synonymous with apocalyptic prophecies in Christianity. No archaeological proof had been found until March this year when a peculiar assortment of ceramic pieces was found in present-day Israel. At the historic site of Megiddo, artefacts were discovered that are associated with Necho's forces, reports the Mirror US. This haul included an unexpected quantity of Egyptian and Greek pottery, as noted by Professor Israel Finkelstein from Haifa University – who has long led the Megiddo excavations – and Dr Assaf Kleiman from Ben-Gurion University. Kleiman and Finkelstein, along with their colleagues, delve into their discoveries in two articles released in January and February in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament. They argue that the refuse left behind serves as proof of Necho's Egyptian troops being there, potentially alongside Greek mercenaries. Around the 10th-9th century BCE, Megiddo was part of the Kingdom of Israel - however, there is debate over whether Megiddo and other territories were earlier part of the so-called David and Solomon and whether the united Israelite monarchy described by the Bible ever actually existed. A mosaic was found on the floor of what is thought to be an old Christian church is Megiddo (Image: Getty Images) What we do know is that Megiddo was a significant hub for at least two centuries. Around 732 BCE, Megiddo was captured and the Israelite capital of Samaria fell a few years later. Megiddo, now known as Magiddu, became the capital of a new Assyrian province in the Levant. Years after the fall of the northern kingdom, Assyria was under pressure from rising powers in Mesopotamia and Iran, namely the Babylonians and the Medes. Around 630 BCE, the Assyrians abandoned Megiddo. In 609 BCE, Egypt, under Necho's leadership, marched into the Levant to aid the failing city. In Jerusalem, Josiah had been on the throne for 31 years before he was defeated by Necho at Megiddo. It remains unclear why Necho killed Josiah according to the Book of Kings. The Book of Chronicles suggests that Josiah had attempted to block Necho's advance and that the ensuing battle was a disastrous affair during which the Judahite king was killed. The bulk of ancient Megiddo was dug up during the 1920s by a University of Chicago expedition, which stripped away and carted off most of the upper strata to reach the earlier versions of the settlement beneath. However, a largely undisturbed section in the northwest corner of the site, dubbed 'Area X', remained intact. It was in this spot that Finklestein's team discovered a stone-paved courtyard area. Judging by the pottery discoveries, the structure was built in the mid-seventh century BCE. The discoveries included fragments from local ceramic vessels, including traditional cooking pots, alongside serving dishes showing Mesopotamian influences. "Scholars believed Megiddo completely changed socially, that the ratio of the local population was very low or non-existent, but we show it must have been higher than what was previously believed," Kleiman says. "There must have been a significant component of Levantine population in Megiddo at the time, and we see this, for example, in the cooking pots, which are very important cultural and social indicators. The pots we found tell us the population at the site cooked like their parents and grandparents, in the same local traditions." The most significant discovery was a collection of pottery in Area X, predominantly of Egyptian origin. "When we opened the boxes of finds from the dig at my lab in Ben-Gurion University, I told my students to put the Egyptian pottery on the tables, and table after table got filled," recounted Kleiman. "The number of Egyptian vessels is double or even triple the amount found in the entire Levant for that period. This is not decorated fine tableware, so it's very hard to argue that someone at Megiddo, a deportee or a surviving Israelite, all of a sudden acquired a taste for sub-par Egyptian pottery and decided to import it into his house." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Best of the Babylon Bee: Disney World installs robot district judge to block animatronic Trump
Every week, The Post will bring you our picks of the best one-liners and stories from satirical site the Babylon Bee to take the edge off Hump Day. Want more of a chuckle? Be sure to click the links. Animatronic Trump could be heard telling guests that he would challenge the rulings in the animatronic Supreme Court as soon as it is built by Disney. READ MORE Though the public was eager for the secrets of the Israelite relic to be revealed, Bondi urged patience as the federal government took its time to investigate the Ark before releasing its findings. READ MORE The decision was loudly protested by shark rights advocates, who maintain that a Great White shark should never be denied the right to compete in the NCAA women's swimming competition. READ MORE Insiders from the Pezeshkian's staff confirmed that the Iranian leader felt uncomfortable with Carlson's tone and demeanor. READ MORE
Ammon
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
A Word for History about the Jordanian Kingdom of Bashan (4000 BCE – 450 BCE)
The Kingdom of Bashan, with its strategic geography and rich natural resources, formed a central pillar in the construction of ancient Jordanian identity—and indeed, the identity of the greater Arab East. Bashan was not an isolated entity; it was part of the system of distinguished Jordanian kingdoms that flourished in this land, including the Kingdom of Moab, the Kingdom of Ammon, the Kingdom of Edom, the long-forgotten Kingdom of Perea, and the kingdoms of the People of Lot. These kingdoms engaged in intricate interactions that ranged from alliances to conflicts, depending on the political and economic dynamics of each period. For example, Bashan, Moab, and Perea contributed jointly to securing the major trade routes—especially the King's Highway—which linked Arabia to the Levant. They also experienced border disputes, as reflected in inscriptions such as the Mesha Stele, which refers to conflicts over the 'high lands,' including the fringes of Bashan and Perea. With Ammon and the kingdoms of the People of Lot, Bashan maintained strong commercial and cultural ties, as evidenced by archaeological finds from Jerash, Amman, and sites in the southern Jordan Valley. In contrast, relations with Edom were more strained, driven by competition over southern trade corridors and mineral wealth. Despite these interactions, each of these kingdoms preserved its independence and distinct identity. This is clearly demonstrated by inscriptions and archaeological remains from Umm Qais, Pella, Irbid, Ramtha, Ajloun, and sites surrounding the Sea of Lot (the Dead Sea). These findings attest that these entities were not extensions of foreign powers but arose organically from Jordanian soil, reflecting a unique and enduring geographic, cultural, and political identity. In this light, the falsity of Biblical narratives claiming ancient Israelite dominance over Bashan, Perea, the kingdoms of the People of Lot, or other Jordanian kingdoms becomes apparent. There is no archaeological or epigraphic evidence to support such claims. On the contrary, the abundant Assyrian inscriptions and records—such as those of Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II—demonstrate that the Biblical accounts are nothing more than distorted, self-serving adaptations of Assyrian imperial history, composed by Israelite scribes during the Babylonian Exile to construct a spurious historical legitimacy. Therefore, it is our scholarly duty, as historians and researchers, to restore the rightful place of these authentic Jordanian kingdoms—Bashan, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Perea, and the kingdoms of the People of Lot—as cornerstones of Jordan's deeply rooted identity, and as contributors to the shaping of Near Eastern history, far removed from the myths of the Bible that lack any scientific or archaeological foundation.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple Music Head Calls It 'Crazy' Other Streaming Platforms Offer Music for Free
Apple Music's top executive Oliver Schusser weighed in on the cost of music during a keynote interview at the National Music Publisher Association's annual meeting in New York on Wednesday, questioning how competing streaming platforms are still offering free tiers and suggesting it devalues music as an art form. 'I think it's crazy that 20 years in, we still offer music for free,' Schusser, vp Apple Music and international content, told NMPA CEO David Israelite during their discussion Wednesday evening. 'We're the only service that doesn't have a free service. As a company, we look at music as art, and we would never want to give away art for free. More from The Hollywood Reporter The Beach Boys Remember Brian Wilson: "He Was the Soul of Our Sound" R. Kelly Seeks Release From Prison, Claiming Officers Tried to Have Him Killed by Fellow Inmate 'Shrinking' Actress and Music Supervisor Christa Miller on Pulling the Strings Behind the Scenes 'It makes no sense to me,' Schusser continued. 'We don't have a free service, we will not have one, we have no plans for one.' Schusser's comments weren't aimed at any one particular streaming service, though, as he notes, many of Apple Music's competitors offer free ad-supported tiers, including Spotify, the world's largest streaming service. In a statement, a spokesman for Spotify said the company remains the largest revenue driver in the music industry and said the ad-supported tier helps draw in more fans who would then convert to the premium offerings instead. 'Spotify paid out over $10 billion to the music industry in 2024 — the most of any service. Our multi-tier model is a key factor in consistently paying out more than every other retailer or streaming service annually,' Spotify's spokesman said. 'Beyond the dollars the ad-supported tier generates, more than 60 percent of Premium subscribers began as ad-supported users. Bringing in consumers who are interested in music, deepening their engagement, and then presenting them with opportunities to upgrade to a broader suite of Premium features is our blueprint, and it's working.' The price of streaming services is a perpetually hot-button topic in the music industry, as the business is in a constant push to ensure music's value is maximized. While streaming saved the industry from an era of rampant piracy by offering fans a convenient alternative that's still cheaper than buying individual albums, executives still argue the services could be priced higher to reflect music's worth. Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer, for example, said during an investor conference last year that ad-supported streaming platforms should be charging users a 'modest fee' for the service, as Billboard reported at the time. Elsewhere in the meeting, the NMPA reported that music publishing revenue in the U.S. grew to over $7 billion last year, a 17 percent jump from the year prior. Still, Israelite and NMPA's executive vp and general counsel, Danielle Aguirre, also suggested that growth is getting stifled by challenges like strenuous government regulation (mechanical royalties, for example, are determined by the Copyright Royalty Board, a three-judge panel at the library of congress). The NMPA also pointed toward Spotify and Amazon Music offering their subscriptions as bundles with audiobooks, which has caused songwriters' royalties to drop. Aguirre said Wednesday that 'we lost over $230 million' last year from Spotify's bundles, and that in the first three months since Amazon started bundling, 'we've seen a 40 percent decrease in music revenue from Amazon.' 'Even with that pressure, mechanical revenue still grew last year, but imagine how much stronger that growth could've been if those tactics hadn't been deployed,' Aguirre asked. Spotify's bundling strategy proved controversial in music publishing last year, with the NMPA announcing it filed an FTC complaint against Spotify during last year's annual meeting. The Mechanical Licensing Collective, meanwhile, sued Spotify, though that suit was dismissed earlier this year. Spotify, for its part, reported in its Loud and Clear report back in March that it's paid $4.5 billion to publishers and songwriters over the past two years. Aguirre also pointed toward social media, which she said was 'failing songwriters' over paltry payments. She pointed toward TikTok, which she said drew $18.5 billion in revenue last year, with 85 percent of videos on the platform featuring music. Israelite, for his part, mainly preached a message of solidarity across the music business with the songwriter class Wednesday night. 'Without a healthy songwriter economy, the entire system suffers,' Israelite said. 'I'm calling on recording artists, managers and record labels to stand with non-performing songwriters whenever and wherever they strive.' The meeting included several awards and performances as well. The NMPA showcased Billboard Songwriter Award winners Gracie Abrams, who was named breakthrough songwriter of the year, and Aaron Dessner, the triple threat award-winner, and the two performed a duet of Abrams' hit 'I Love You, I'm Sorry,' which they co-wrote. Also during the evening, Kacey Musgraves was named this year's Icon Award recipient, and beloved country songwriter Rhett Akins was honored as a Non-Performing Songwriter Icon. Akins' son, the country star Thomas Rhett, performed his father's music, and Leon Bridges honored Musgraves with a cover of her song 'Lonely Millionaire.' Musgraves closed the evening as she performed 'The Architect' from her latest album Deeper Well. 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