Vorkosigan

Exodus Redating to 2nd Millenium: Serious and Interesting Article From Bib Interp

• Although Har Karkom's religious character was quite evident, no connection was made at first between that mountain and Mt. Sinai. The team had never before questioned the traditional belief that the Exodus had occurred in about the 13th century BC and had assumed this to be an established "fact." There is no evidence of any human occupation at Har Karkom in the 13th century BC, or for centuries before and after. Indeed, the usual date for the Exodus occurred right in the middle of a long archaeological gap at Har Karkom, a gap that concerns most of the Sinai peninsula if military and trading stations aside are left. In fact, the description of daily life of Midianites, Amalekites, Amorites, Horites, and other tribes appearing in the Bible, if not pure mythology, must refer to either before or after the 2nd millennium BC.

Guess where they locate it?

CJD

Given the findings described in the article, there seems to be only three choices:

1. It didn't happen.

2. It happened before the second millennium (c. 2400–2200 BC !!??).

3. Mount Sinai has yet to be discovered (as do the traces left behind by the wandering tribe).

As far as Egyptian history is concerned, the article's conclusion would put the Exodus in the 5th-6th dynasties during the "Old Kingdom," from the reign of Userkaf to the (significant) reign of Pepi 2 (though a few minor kings may have followed him). "Pyramid texts" emerged during this time (giving us info about the afterlife), but no substantial historical narratives exist.

Better early than never?

Regards,

CJD