Archaeology and the Bible: what the stones confirm

Biblical archaeology has produced dozens of discoveries that corroborate the historical reliability of Scripture. Here are the ones you'll encounter on your trip.

The Tel Dan Stele (9th century BC): An Aramean victory inscription found in northern Israel that references the "House of David" — the first extra-biblical confirmation that King David existed. It's now in the Israel Museum.

The Pilate Stone (1st century AD): Found at Caesarea in 1961, this limestone block bears the name "Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea" — confirming the Gospel accounts of the Roman governor who tried Jesus. You'll see a replica at Caesarea; the original is in the Israel Museum.

The Pool of Siloam (1st century BC): The pool where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9) was discovered in 2004 during a sewage repair. You can now walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel from the Gihon Spring to this pool — a 1,750-foot underground passage cut through solid rock in 701 BC.

Capernaum's synagogue (4th century AD, over 1st century remains): The white limestone synagogue at Capernaum sits on black basalt foundations from Jesus' time. This is almost certainly where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21).