Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline [Hardcover]

John Ashton and David Down (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2006

Adults and children alike have been fascinated with the Egyptian civilization for decades, but most modern archaeologists have lately tried to use Egyptian chronology to dispute the biblical record of Joseph, Moses, and the Exodus. Students from high school to the college level are faced with a challenge to their faith as teachers cite the traditional chronology as fact to discredit the biblical account of Exodus. Those who wish to defend their faith in the accuracy of the Bible now have hope in this exciting new book that provides an accurate and compelling new chronology that confirms the biblical account.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. John Ashton is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and specializes in food and nutrition research. He has also served as editor of some of the most compelling books compiled on faith, origins, issues, and science essays released in the past several years whish include In Six Days, On the Seventh Day, and a new book released in Spring 2006 titled The Big Argument. David Down has experienced the wonders of archaeological discoveries in Egypt, the Middle East and Israel for over 48 years. David shares his latest discoveries in a monthly archaeology journal called "Diggings" and a bi-monthly magazine called "Archaeological Diggings" produced and distributed in the United States.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Master Books; Har/DVD edition (September 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890514682
• ISBN-13: 978-0890514689
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing synthesis of history, March 24, 2007

By 

Joshua B. Hughes (Hillsboro, Il) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline (Hardcover)

Egyptian history can be very confusing when one first undertakes the study of it. In fact, the more one studies it, the more of a riddle it becomes. The biggest problem in the history is not so much what happened as when it happened. The issue becomes even more compound if one tries to synchronize the Bible with Egypt's chronology. David Down and John Ashton do a great job of setting a realistic and greatly reduced time frame for the land of the sands.
When I first begin to gather info on biblical chronology I looked to Ussher. Although, Ussher does alright with later history there is so much that Ussher does not explain. Furthermore, most of the names given by Ussher are not even known to us to have ever been pharoahs. I became discouraged until I saw this book. Once I picked it up I was hooked. Here were all things that my history prof taught me but with an altered time frame. The evidence for a new chronology is quite convincing and Downs is not the only one to adopt it.
Downs who has been an archaeologist for some 50 years lets his audience know that in fact, the chronological order of Egyptian history is far from settled amongst those in his field. A greater number of archaeologists are realizing that history needs to be rewritten because a great amount of empirical thinking has beefed up the time frame of Egyptian dynasties by about 500 years. Downs believes that by reducing the time frame we are better able to understand what happened and answer many questions.
Downs also believes that the only way to gain an accurate account of Egyptian history is to compare it with the history of the Hittites and the Israelites. He believes that by a revised chronology the 12th dynasty becomes the catalyst of semitic sojourning and offers evidence for an exodus. His case is well supported by solid facts coming from all different archaelogical studies. He believes that there is evidence to suggest that Hapshetsut may be the queen of Sheba and that the 18th dynasty is much later than first thought. His belief about the Hyksos is a radical departure from classical history but if his time frame is correct it seems to make perfect sense. He also seems to place Rameses in the eighth century. I thought that was a little crazy, but the evidence he offered for that proposal is quite outstanding.
I have to admit that Downs ideas are very progressive but seem to be very tight at the same time. I do not know what Ashton's role in all of this was since it is obvious that Downs is the one who has done the bulk of the homework. Dr.Downs is also very appealing because of the way he presents himself. He seems like a pleasant man who is neither arrogant or brash. He presents his thoughts and ideas in a clear non-agressive format that has an allure to it. It is well substantiated, and when all the evidence is brought together it is clear that Downs knows his game. My only complaint is that I wish the work was much larger because it is obvious that Downs knows much more than he is telling you. I been so fascinated by Dr. Downs work that when I transfer to the University for my Bachelors in History I think I want to minor in Classical Archaeology. The book is groundbreaking to say the least. It is a must have for any student of the Bible or the land of Egypt.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Resource, January 9, 2007

By 

Kurt P. Kroeker (State College, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline (Hardcover)

John Ashton and David Down have put together a very impressive document utilizing a revised Egyptian chronology. The book is very well-presented and easy to read, the pictures are breathtaking, and the research is very well-done, making good use of a plethora of sources as indicated by their extensive bibliography and use of footnotes. As a Young Earth Creationist, I was delighted to see an Egyptian chronology which meshed with the Biblical timeline, and the authors do an excellent job with their work regarding Emmanuel Velikovsky's theories regarding the Third Intermediate Period. The work done by Ashton and Down have led to interesting conclusions such as that regarding the the Queen of Sheba's correlation to Queen Hatshepsut, as well as the conclusion naming Khasekhemre-Neferhotep I and Sesostris III as the pharaohs of the Israelite Exodus and Oppression, respectively. This book became one of my most-used resources in a college-level paper I wrote for a history class at the Pennsylvania State University regarding the dates of the Hebrew Exodus. I am very pleased to recommend it.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, May 6, 2007

By 

Mark S. Ellison (midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline (Hardcover)

This book is very readable and has been a great aid in home schooling our elementary school age children in ancient history. It delves into the whole topic of aligning the historical events of the Bible with the secular accounts of early civilizations. Great tool if you believe as I do that early civilizations followed the dispersion of people at the Tower of Babel.