33-2 The Biblical Exodus - Correlations and Margin of Errors Associated C14 Dating to Geological and Archeological Historic Records

Session: Geoarcheology (Posters)

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Abstract:

The ten plagues described in the Book of Exodus has been attributed to the eruption of Thera (Santorini),

The Thera eruption deposited four distinct layers; Unit A) pumice ash, Unit B)   pyroclastic surges and lava, Unit C ) pyroclastic flow and pumice and Unit D)  phreatomagmatic high-temperature lithic-rich base surge, lava flows, lahar floods, and ash-fall deposits

The purpose of our presentation is to examine the correlations  between biblical, geological and archeological event  timelines with respect to the Thera( Santorini) eruption.

 Therasia; olive shrubs radiocarbon dating of the Thera eruption, C 14 range from 1675- 1502 BCE, by applying wiggle-matching techniques for more accurate dating due to plateauing of the radiocarbon curve. Tree ring environmental anomalies range from  1685-1524 BCE.

 Thus, the youngest current combined dates are 1502 BCE and 1524 BCE.  Biblical narratives date the Exodus (1446) based on Kings 6.1 and 1260 BCE Exodus 1:11. Thus the biblical narrative when correlated to the most recent C14 geological and tree ring is 56 years younger, 1.5% margin of error (54/3600yrs) to the Kings calculation, versus (243/3600 years) (6.75, 5%.) to the Exodus calculation

Archeological records are absent concerning the Exodus, attributed to that ruling parties use as dynastic propaganda and thus the omission of a countries disaster. The age controversial  Egyptian Ipuwer Papyrus ,describes a series of plagues that befell Egypt in sequence as in the Bible.Recent dating of the Papyrus falls in the 17th century BCE. 

Ten Plagues Biblical Exodus:  Blood:  The Nile River of Egypt turn to blood.  Frogs:  the land became infested with frogs.  Lice/Gnats:  A plague of gnats or lice  from the dust.  Flies:  Swarms of flies.  Livestock, Pestilence:  A disease kills most of the Egyptian livestock.  Boils:  Boils break out on the Egyptians and their livestock.  Hail:  A hail storm destroys crops and trees.  Locusts:  Locusts devour the crops.   Darkness:  Total darkness:  save for the Israelite’s homes.  Death of the Firstborn: The death of all firstborn Egyptian sons, a final act of judgment.

Trevisanato describing six medical treatments concerning ash burns administered during the Bronze Age recorded in London Egyptian Medical Papyrus attributes the first six plagues to Thera volcanic ash and sulfate aerosols, and  remaining four plagues by atmospheric ash and gaseous atmospheric weather interactions. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 2, 2026

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