Appendix CThe Secular World View Archeology Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Psalm 2:1. Archeology is "the science or study of history from the evidence of the relics and remains of early human cultures as discovered chiefly by systematic excavations" [35]. This branch of science has been very supportive of the Bible when the evidence relates to its historic eras. The table on Archaeological Eras and the illustration comparing Geologic Time and Archaeological Time give the outline of archaeological classification. Simply stated, the oldest era of paleolithic artifacts (ancient stone tools) supposedly goes back 500,000 years and ends 10,000 years ago. Mesolithic artifacts (medium old stone tools) are supposed to be from 10 to 9 thousand years ago. And neolithic artifacts (recent stone tools) are supposed to be from 9 to 6 thousand years ago. Collectively, the paleolithic, Mesolithic, and neolithic eras, which run from 500,000 to 6,000 years ago, are commonly called, "The Stone Age." Stone tools combined with copper metal are supposed to be from the Chalcolithic period (copper & stone) which transitioned into the first major metal era, the Bronze Age, from between 6,000 and 4,000 years ago. The last archaeological classification for artifacts from ancient history is the Iron Age which begins 4,000 years ago and blends into recorded history.
Pre-historic finds are interpreted by evolutionary thinking that tends to categorize man in the backdrop of multiplied millennia. Evolutionary thinking assumes that early men were primitive in technology and have continuously progressed in sophistication. Consequently, when an archaeologist finds a simple artifact, he automatically assumes that it is older than an artifact that is more complicated. If the geographic site has many of the simple or complicated artifacts, then a period is named after the location. They err in their assumption. Today we have many kinds of items, some simple, some complicated, some cheap, and some with quality. The quality of the artifact does not indicate a primitive person, that precedes a complicated person. The mindset of men is affected by many factors. Materials available is one factor. Industry or laziness is another factor. Some people are content with simple things, whereas others are never satisfied. The assumption that tools that range from simple to complicated indicates the passage of time is based upon an unprovable Utopian hope that we are evolving for the better - yet history demonstrates otherwise. For the biblical student of history, these secular categories increase confusion and misunderstanding. These archaeological classifications contradict biblical understanding because the Bible declares that metallurgy and cultural civilization began with the descendants of Cain; Tubal-cain who smelted brass and iron (Gen. 4:22), Jabal who was a rancher and dwelt in tents (Gen. 4:20), and Jubal who invented the harp and organ for music (Gen. 4:21). These descendants were only six generations from Cain. This means that by 3,500 BC, technology and civilization were underway in the antediluvian world. Furthermore, the artifacts found by archaeologists are all from after the Flood with a few rare exceptions. A metal hammer was found by the Paluxy River in Glen Rose, Texas that is clearly antediluvian due to its unusual metal content [36]. But this is exceptional. Pottery and stone artifacts would not survive the cataclysm of the Flood. If we compare the biblical truth to the secular system we see this:
Considering the Flood occurred about 2,325 BC, it is probable that there were very little resources to revive the metallurgical technology of antediluvian times. The ground would be mostly rock and barren until the vegetation regrew into forests which would provide the wood for smelting. The landscape probably was quickly divided by the continental break up so it is likely that many stone implements were made during that first 325 years after the Flood. Many stone structures were erected, with the tower of Babel being manmade bricks. Some may have dwelt in caves before these were made, or as a consequence of wandering after the Babel dispersion. Most, however, quickly abandoned their caves when materials were gathered for erected edifices. Copper and bronze would then be smelted shortly thereafter and would continue to be used when iron was more readily smelted. Just as today, people use whatever resource that is available to accomplish their ends. There would be a predominance of material used according to its availability and popularity. Today we use much plastic, but we use everything else, too. Such artificial demarcations have a limited truth and practicality in understanding history. Nevertheless, the purpose of this book is to tie together the secular knowledge of world history to biblical truth. These archaeological classifications will be referred to in the postdiluvian era, when we trace the repopulating of the Earth in volume II. So, contrary to evolutionary teaching, the earth is young, and man started out as highly intelligent and is diminishing in intelligence. From the beginning he was a farmer, not a hunter and food gatherer. After the Flood, he used whatever materials he had to use: stone, then with the regrowth of trees, he smelted the stone for mineral ore to build tools. Hunting and food gathering occurred with wandering, as man was scattered abroad. Cain wandered, so he had to hunt and gather food. With the Tower of Babel dispersion man had to hunt. But he always looked for a place to settle down and to farm again. |