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The Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet
Preface V
[Post six of thirty-four]
The controversies surrounding a recent archaeological find should matter to you. This post presents a taste of why.
Prominent experts allege that a series of photographs challenge historical precepts. Others claim, “There is nothing to see here!”
Faced with such, you might think, “Show me the photos! Decide by myself, I will!” 1
Photos of a defixio, a curse tablet found in Israel in 2019, present this quandary. Archaeologists could not open it without it crumbling.
They thus employed tomographic scanning to peer inside. This revealed a potential proto-alphabetic script. Given the archaeological context, this challenges long-held understandings of world history.
When the archaeologist released photos of the scans, some experts cried, “Hoax!” To them, they showed nothing significant.
For most, conversing intelligently about the photos requires more than a mere viewing. Other than a few specialized experts, they appear mysterious and unknowable. 2
Yet laypersons can make well-considered observations about them.
To do so, they need three things. First, they need the history. Then, they need an efficient way to study. Last and most importantly, they need enthusiasm: enthusiasm for the history and for probing the evidence.
Below, I relate the history.
Furthermore, I guide an efficient photo study.
But what about the enthusiasm?
Viewing a 30-second video might spark something. It shows, of all things, a technological process applied to a piece of metal.
Wow! How thought-provoking and intriguing?
Well, look at the video below.
Glance at the top-left millimeter ticker. When it gets to .20 mm, focus on the object’s top right.
Or watch the red bar on the graph. As it approaches the major breach, focus on the top right of your screen.
Also, move your cursor to the top right and click. This expands the image.
Now watch.
Did you see anything?
Did you perceive only happenstance cracks, dents, and scratches on an old piece of lead?
But what about a stick man, a mace, some crossed hockey sticks? Did you detect some squiggly lines, a bent arm with an open hand, and a couple of ox skulls?
A canon of human history may hang in the balance, depending on which of these is correct.
Regardless of what you saw, this viewing may have fostered these questions:
This memorandum seeks to prepare you for these and other issues.
Now, here is a question. What, if anything, about the video intrigued you most?
Let me know your response in the comments below.
Thank you for engaging with this topic thus far!
Our next post, the first of our review of the Curse Tablet’s history, is: “The Paradigm”.
I look forward to continuing with you there.
If you appreciate this type of analysis, please “subscribe”, “like”, and “share”.
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Next Post: “The Paradigm”
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To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.
The Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet
Preface IV
[Post five of thirty-four]
Understanding the Curse Tablet requires a journey across eons. For this, we need preparations.
An operational order for our journey thus follows:
Situation
Where is Mt. Ebal?
It rises in the northern third of Samaria / Judea. Adjacent stands its smaller sister—Mt. Gerizim, flanking south. Between them lies a gap where modern Nablus stands on a western neck. 1 Ancient Shechem lies a little to the east. 2
People have crossed this pass since antiquity. They traversed the Jordan Valley to the east and the Plain of Sharon to the Mediterranean to the west. 3
A sweeping view to the north reveals the uplands of Galilee. There, you glimpse an outline of Nazareth. Adjusting east, one sees across the Jordan to Hermon’s white pinnacle. Farther south, the view traverses the Dead Sea to the region of Moab. Finally, due south, rise the heights of Jerusalem. 4
Nearby, one sees a valley between the two mountains into which many springs flow. These irrigate lush vineyards, orchards, and groves, yielding abundant grapes, figs, and olives. But at Mt. Ebal’s summit, rocky outcrops, “ubiquitous thistles and prickly shrubs” abound. 5
Among these high settings, an Israeli archaeologist arrived in the 1980s. His name was Adam Zertal. While on a government survey mission, he found a suspicious mound. Excavation revealed a curious structure. Ultimately, he concluded that this was an ancient Hebrew altar. 6
This claim paralleled events attested in Deuteronomy and the Book of Joshua. The amazing announcement caused a worldwide stir. 1
Yet this notion ran contrary to scholars’ understanding. Mostly, they dismissed it. Many even scoffed. 8
Some forty years later, an archaeological team arrived. Dr. Scott Stripling headed it. He is a professor of biblical archaeology and church history at the Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas. 9
The team moved some of Zertal’s dump piles off-site. There, they wet-sifted the material. As a result, they found many small artifacts.
One was particularly intriguing. The tiny lead object they thought was a defixio, a curse tablet. 10
Because they had significant experience with this type of artifact, they expected to find an inscribed curse.
When they tried to open it, a small corner crumbled. They thus ceased that attempt. 11
Fortune smiled, however. Tomographic slice imaging took photos inside the tablet. 12
Heritage Science published Stripling’s report on the resulting photos.13
These startled much of the world. Allegedly, proto-alphabetic letters appeared there. These pronounced God’s Hebrew name “Yahweh,” and the word “ARWR,” meaning “cursed!” Furthermore, the words and provenance recalled a ceremony recorded in scripture. 14
After the public release of the scans, eminent scholars disputed these claims. 15
Recently, Heritage Science published another peer-reviewed essay about the tablet. In it, Mark S. Haughwout, a prominent Hebrew scholar, gives his views. He also summarized the qualms of many others.
The article concludes:
“The only substantiated claim that Stripling et al. can make at this time is that they have found a very old, small piece of folded lead on Mt. Ebal using wet sifting.” 16
Haughwout, thus, determined that there is nothing to see here!
Meanwhile, the destruction of the Mt. Ebal archaeological site looms. I will explain this later.
Mission
This memorandum argues that a government-authorized excavation of Joshua’s Altar should occur posthaste. The reasons are:
Execution
I argue that Haughwout’s attempt to refute Stripling’s claims fails.
In doing so, I apply a measure derived from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Rule 56 of the U.S. Code of Civil Procedure mandates how lower courts decide motions for summary judgment.
That rule’s purpose applies to our matter. Thus, it should work well.
Service and Support
For editing, I have relied on free versions of:
Music snippets I add for ambiance.
Flowers separate each post.
Command and Signals
As co-founder of captivatingtwists.com, I welcome anyone interested in the issues presented.
This memorandum focuses on articles by Dr. Stripling and Mr. Haughwout.
Yet the conclusions and recommendations herein are my own.
Forewarning
Strap in! Prepare not only to traverse three and a half millennia of history. Brace also to referee a joust between competing views about human reality.
The next post teases curiosity about the journey ahead.
Now, here is a question. What information in this “operation order” did you find helpful?
Let me know in the comments.
Next post: ” A Mysterious Tease”
To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.
The Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet
Preface III
[Post four of thirty-four]
Why should I attempt to tackle Mt. Ebal’s enigmas? The reason is simple: I have experience with the right tool. That is summary judgment.
For a definitive opinion on this matter, one would likely, at first blush, look elsewhere. You might consider a panel. That would include archaeologists, epigraphers, and experts in tomography, computer science, and photography. But not a soldier or an attorney!
If the question were: “What is the ultimate truth about Mt. Ebal, Joshua’s Altar, and the Curse Tablet?”, I would agree. In that case, I would likely say yes, the experts should receive considerable latitude.
But that is not the current question. Instead, it is whether to excavate now!
Answering this question requires another element. That is an expedited, well-reasoned decision.
How is this achieved?
Usually, archaeologists, epigraphers, and similar experts are not best equipped to negotiate this.
Consider Agatha Christie. She witnessed her husband, an esteemed archaeologist, conferring with colleagues. She described it as “Blood on the carpet!”
Real “blood” may resolve a matter quickly. But likely not the non-literal sense Christie intended.
Often, too, it may not precipitate the best immediate resolution. Instead, it may settle with the loudest speaker. Worse, today, it may be one who best manipulates social media.
This matter is too important, too urgent for such a result.
So why me?
I am not an expert in archaeology, epigraphy, or tomography.
Instead, I am a combat infantry veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, I am a retired member of the Louisiana Bar.
But on the questions at issue, I can make this case.
Experience as a combat infantryman helps a bit.
First, I have ideas about operating in a combat zone. I have experienced scenes of tranquility. Then, in a moment, they erupt into bloodshed.
Decision-makers should consider Mt. Ebal a focal point of chaos.
Another aspect of military experience is valuable, too. Understanding the issues presented here requires a journey across an eon of time. There, one encounters battles about truth.
For this journey, one needs preparatory information.
In the U.S. Army, such comes in an operations order. Anyone who has ever served knows: “Sergeant Major eats sugar cookies!” This is the mnemonic for the elements of an operation order. That is: situation, mission, execution, sustainment, and command and signals.
To equip you for this adventure, I will detail the most relevant of these in my next post.
My being a retired attorney, however, provides the most salient reason for “Why me?”
For me, the necessary elements are at hand.
The internet provides expert renditions of the facts. For instance, Heritage Science’s website provides two examples. One appears at “You are Cursed by the God YHW:” an early Hebrew inscription from Mt. Ebal. You discover another opposing rendition at Mt. Ebal curse tablet? A refutation of the claims regarding the so-called Mt. Ebal curse tablet
I also have experience with a rule of law analogous to this matter. It is the U.S. Code of Civil Procedure Rule 56, “Summary Judgment”. This states an authoritative standard. Plus, it yields an expedited decision with more than a modicum of logic.
This matter demands clear directions.
Much public confusion now reigns over the issues surrounding Mt. Ebal.
Some people have ingrained notions.
Many deduce them, as one might choose a favorite football team. They prefer the red team or the blue team, gold or purple. Logic may not run much deeper.
Political authorities and the public need a resolution. They must do this soon. But after serious thought.
Why? Dire consequences may follow.
Delay could cause riddle answers to be lost. This could be for another decade, another century, or another thirty-five hundred years. Who knows?
But acting without due forethought could upset a war zone’s delicate political balance.
This memorandum offers a solution. It presents an expedited, logical way to deliberate.
Stick with me on this excursion. Together, we can reach our destination. We can digest the academic evidence. We can apply a fair measure. Also, on the following questions, we can render expedited yet considered decisions:
Again, come along! We can do this!
But first, let us make sure we have what we need for our time travel.
We will review this in our next post.
Now, here is a question. So what if future generations fail to discern the Curse Tablet’s true character?
Let me know in the comments section below.
Next post: “Journey Essentials”
To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.
Preface II
[Post three of thirty-four]
Why fuss over an artifact no bigger than a business card folded in half?
This question differs from what I addressed in my last post. It captured why I was interested in the Curse Tablet. In political terms, I addressed a candidate’s hair, smile, and social grace. Here, I turn to substance. Politically, the gist is more like economics, crime, and foreign policy.
Here are three reasons for the fuss:
A Thought Tsunami
This artifact could trigger a tsunami of thought! Massive philosophical changes could ensue. It could alter historical, archaeological, epigraphic, and even political understandings.
There is much at stake. This “Curse Tablet” may establish the Hebrews of the Conquest as historical realities.
Preservation of Ancient Evidence
This matter also raises questions about safeguarding proof. These include:
War and Peace
Here is the third reason for the fuss: Joshua’s Altar lies in a war zone.
Excavations there could inflame tensions in a troubled region.
These issues, thus, arise:
This memorandum engages with the fuss. It addresses both smiles and substance.
But before proceeding, I should answer another important question. It is: “Why should you consider my views on these matters?”
This, I discuss in the next post.
Now, a question for you: How might resolving “Who wrote the Torah?” impact you?
Respond in the comment section below.
Next post: “Why Me?”
To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.
The Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet
Preface I
[Post two of thirty-four]
For one, this story enthralls me.
Set in this galaxy, even on this planet, the adventure begins long, long ago. It is far before Caesar and Hannibal. Imagine three hundred years before Alexander and Bucephalus. There you find the mysterious Homer. He spins his supernatural-laced tales of half a millennium before his time. Still, our saga begins a century, if not three, before those storied events. That is before Achilles’ epic feats, the Battle of Troy, and Odysseus’ journey home.
Alexander and Bucephalus, Battle of Issus, 333 B.C.
Plus, it is a story about writing by people considered unable to do so. By that, I mean unable to write in a way that you or I would find understandable. Without extensive training in things like hieroglyphics or cuneiform, that is. No, you can read this after only a quick lesson in the alphabet and vocabulary. You can imagine it almost like a news feed on your phone.
Well, I have to walk that back a bit. We would have to account for the boustrophedon track. Some ambiguity that adds to the message without blurring its gist. I will explain this later.
Still, this is about us reading the thoughts of someone thirty-five hundred years ago.
But it goes beyond that. The inscription seems to detail events and personages we know. Many believed these to be mythological characters. They are Moses, Joshua, and the Hebrews of the Conquest.
Further, this involves a fascinating epigraphic puzzle with challenging questions like:
This puzzle’s solution rivals other famous puzzles. Consider the Seven Bridges of Königsberg, the Enigma Machine, and the Navajo Code Talkers.
Yet beyond my interest, another reason justifies this memorandum.
It is this: A tragedy is impending. I needed to warn and suggest how to avoid it.
Beginning in my next post, I will explain this further.
Now, a question: What would you like to learn from a news feed from thirty-five hundred years ago? Let me know in your comments.
Next post: “Why the Fuss?”
To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.
Give Moses a Chance!
Introduction
{Post one of thirty-four}
We should give Moses, Joshua, and the Hebrews of the Conquest a chance to prove who they are! Advocate for excavating “Joshua’s Altar,” the origin of the Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet!
My name is Ernie Vallery. I am a retired Louisiana attorney who lives on the South Coast of Massachusetts.
Claims about the Curse Tablet counter an entrenched historical premise. Generations of scholars have said that Moses could not have written the Torah. Scripture attests otherwise. So also may the tablet.
This memorandum addresses an important aspect of this tension. That is: Should regional and international actors stir? Should they finish excavations at Joshua’s Altar? Should they spend the necessary financial, political, and other resources?
To all three, I answer: “Yes!” This memorandum explains why.
In its preface, I prepare the reader for the discussion. It supplies information similar to what courts or military operations would require. Namely, they are:
The memorandum’s body follows. Its sections include:
(For a detailed table of contents, click here.)
It seems like a lot! But do not let it intimidate you. Persevere! Then this consequential topic becomes easy, much like witnessing a cascade of dominoes.
Here is a question. What present historical issues compare to those explored in this memorandum? Let me know in the “comments”.
Next post: “Why Write This?”
To view the entire memorandum, click here.