BBC Scientists uncover Sodom's fiery end By the BBC's Andrew Craig

British scientists believe they may have found evidence to support the Bible's account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

But they think a natural cause, rather than God's anger, lay behind the calamity.

The Bible describes how the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in a storm of fire and brimstone - a punishment from God because of their people's depravity.

But now a retired British geologist, Graham Harris, believes he may have proved that the two cities really existed, and may have explained why they perished.

Unstable area

Dr Harris thinks Sodom and Gomorrah were built on the shores of the Dead Sea so that they could trade in naturally-occurring asphalt.

This tarry substance was used in ancient times to waterproof boats and to hold stones together in buildings.

But the ground next to the Dead Sea is very unstable, lying on the joint between two of the Earth's tectonic plates which are moving in opposite directions.

The area is vulnerable to earthquakes.

Flammable methane

Geological and archaeological evidence suggest that a huge one took place about four and a half thousand years ago - the time of the Biblical destruction.

Flammable methane pockets lie under the Dead Sea shores; the earthquake would have ignited them, the ground would have turned to quicksand, and a massive landslide would have swept the cities into the water.

Experiments carried out at Cambridge University have backed up this account.

But more conclusive evidence is still needed; not unless the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah are found under the Dead Sea's salty waters will the theory be proved.

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001

Answers

Well, what other methods would He use? LOL

In Search Of... did a story on this, and had an explanation for the pillar of salt bit. I do not remember what it was, but it made sense at the time.

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001

I think you know what my thoughts are about the field of archeology in general. Especially after reading of "Forbidden Archeology" finds. So, if there *is* some extraordinary evidence, hidden from us, pointing to advanced civilizations in the past, what could be the explanation of these things? Atlantis, and other such spots.

Anyway, there is a statement about Sodom and Gomorrah on the Cassiopaea site that says the destruction was caused by a nuclear/EM pulse that was intentionally done by the Lizzies for reasons of human control at the time. Seems to fit a lot of other such "clues" we get. For those who might want to see how this item came up, here's the link.

Link

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001