I was able to join an accomplished archaeologist in exploring the areas of Sodom and Gomorrah. This trip turned out to be more than I could have imagined.
Located on the South end of the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side, we rode a bus approximately two hours from Amman. Our first stop was near the city of Zoar, location of Lot’s Cave. Also, known to be the lowest point on earth! If you read Genesis 18-19 you get a picture of the sheer depravity going on.
Near the top of the side of this rocky hill is a covered area where you can see the cave that Lot and his daughters retreated too. The hike was a long way up this hill but the stones were of many colors-reminded me of rainbows. When you look out from the cave you see the lower Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea which has receded since the time of Lot due to the growth up stream of larger cities, farming, etc. You can see the banks of Israel across the way. The cave is nothing other than a cave. But apparently it did provide refuge for Lot and his daughters as the destruction rained down. Not too far from the cave were goats, herders and tents, This area is probably much like it was 2000 years ago.
At the base of the hill is a museum that had some pieces of pottery excavated from the cave and quite a bit of information about the findings in the area that substantiate Genesis 19. There are a couple of balls of what appears to be Sulphur and this is what is thought to have rained down on the people in the museum that are baseball size. Once the Sulphur balls hit water they would dissipate and the others on the ground are what some archeologist have discovered and been preserved.
Genesis 13:13 talks about Sodom and explains the location. They have found scorched foundations and floors buried under nearly 3 feet of dark grey ash, as well as dozens of pottery sherds covered with a frothy, “melted” surface; the glassy appearance indicated that they were briefly exposed to temperatures well in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the approximate heat of volcanic magma. The graveyards in both Sodom and Gomorrah showed when excavated that the dead bodies which had previously been buried (and keep in mind that religions that do not believe in cremations), were virtually ashes.
Gomorrah was much the same. Lots of rock and as far as you could see the destruction occurred. There are now towns coming up and vegetation. But many excavations continue to occur and they are discovering more about the area every day!
Fascinating adventure for the day. If you look close at the signage I took photos of you, can learn so much more. Next to Israel, Jordan has the second most biblical history/sites of anywhere in the world!
Hope you enjoyed this short blog and I look forward to you coming along with me on more adventures!
#history#Jordan#Sodom#Gomorrah#Bible#Genesis#
From Jordan to Jordan 