"The location of Joshua's Ai has been a matter of mystery and controversy since the beginnings of archaeological research in Israel. Scholars have concluded that the location of Joshua's Ai is at et-Tell. They have also used this conclusion to discredit the biblical account of Joshua 7-8 because there is no evidence of occupation at et-Tell durin the time of Joshua. Since 1995, under the direction of ABR Director of Research Bryant G. Wood (PhD, University of Toronto), ABR research and excavation has uncovered important archaeological finds at Khirebet el-Maqatir, just .6 miles west of et-Tell.
Bryant G. Wood
"Archaeologists working in Israel have announced the discovery of an ancient artifact in Israel that confirms a biblical account in the book of Joshua.
The discoveries include
a city gate and wall system,
large amounts of pottery from the time of Joshua,
evidence of destruction by fire,
ancient coins,
a house dating to the first century AD,
and a Byzantine Monastery.
This area is located 9 miles north of Jerusalem. These discoveries provide evidence for a tentative identification of Khirbet el-Maqatir as the biblical city of Ai." Bryant G. Wood
"Archaeologists working in Israel have announced the discovery of an ancient artifact in Israel that confirms a biblical account in the book of Joshua.
The Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) is a ministry committed to exploring the ancient biblical world
through archaeology.
ABR’s excavation last year proved to be very fruitful, as the team discovered an underground cavern, ruins from an ancient gate, and over 100 coins.
“The coup des grâce came in the form of a tiny object less than three-quarters of an inch long—an Egyptian scarab,” the report states.
“Our thesis has been that the [Ai] fortress was destroyed in the Late Bronze I period, based on the pottery and other archaeological evidence we have uncovered,” Smith said. “Based on our analysis, the scarab is from the same time period, providing us with a date of occupation independent of the pottery.”
“It therefore verifies our previous dating and correlates perfectly with our overall theory,” Smith continued. “The Bible records that the city of Ai was occupied in the late 15th century B.C., and destroyed by the Israelites. The scarab is consistent with that assertion.” HouseOfGold
ABR’s excavation last year proved to be very fruitful, as the team discovered an underground cavern, ruins from an ancient gate, and over 100 coins.
“The coup des grâce came in the form of a tiny object less than three-quarters of an inch long—an Egyptian scarab,” the report states.
“Our thesis has been that the [Ai] fortress was destroyed in the Late Bronze I period, based on the pottery and other archaeological evidence we have uncovered,” Smith said. “Based on our analysis, the scarab is from the same time period, providing us with a date of occupation independent of the pottery.”
“It therefore verifies our previous dating and correlates perfectly with our overall theory,” Smith continued. “The Bible records that the city of Ai was occupied in the late 15th century B.C., and destroyed by the Israelites. The scarab is consistent with that assertion.” HouseOfGold
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them,
and fled by the way of the wilderness.
And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them:
and they pursued after Joshua,
and were drawn away from the city.
And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel,
that went not out after Israel:
and they left the city open,
and pursued after Israel.
And the LORD said unto Joshua,
Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai;
for I will give it into thine hand.
And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
And the ambush arose quickly out of their place,
and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand:
and they entered into the city,
and took it,
and hasted and set the city on fire.
Joshua 8:15-19
