Jerusalem Archaeology Modernizes but Runs into Ancient Problems

The discovery of a 2,700-year-old toilet made headlines around the world. The site of its discovery was more important than the plumbing that existed in the past. This ancient Middle Eastern city is the most excavated place on Earth, with a dozen or more excavations happening every day. No place attracts more attention for its archaeological finds than it does. An ancient latrine would seize the imaginations of millions.

Billions of people hold sacred a place where treasure hunters, religious enthusiasts and scholars have been flocking since the 1830s. The only discipline founded on the idea that the tools of science can bolster rather than undermine traditional faith is biblical archaeology. Secular academics were more interested in using the Bible as a tool rather than as a source of knowledge.