 |
Ron Wyatt FAQ
Ron Wyatt FAQ
This FAQ was written because of the numerous questions that are asked in regard to Ron Wyatt. Much disinformation regarding this man has also been published on the internet, insomuch that this FAQ had to be published. The FAQ is very much in construction phase, so expect it get longer as the days go by. (9/13/06)
WHO IS RON WYATT?
Ron Wyatt was a nurse anesthetist from Tennessee who had a special interest in Bible archeology, in somuch that he invested his personal time and money to travel to the Middle East in order to investigate the most significant claims in the Bible. Amongst these are: Noah’s Ark, Sodom & Gomorrah, the Red Sea crossing site of the Exodus, Mt Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant, and much more. Wyatt is now deceased, yet, as the result of his publishing, we now know the location of the said aforementioned sites. The only artifact of which Wyatt hasn’t proven the existence of, thus far, is the Ark of the Covenant. Some of these claims have been disputed by critics who suggest or state directly, that Ron Wyatt was a fraud. It is part and parcel of this FAQ to contend with these critics and to offer serious scholarly arguments in support for Wyatt’s work.
CAN WE TRUST RON WYATT'S CRITICS?
It is prudent to ask this question in order to determine whether Ron Wyatt is being given a fair shake. For instance, one ought to know that Joe Zias, a critic of Ron Wyatt and former museum keeper for the Israeli Antiquities is a humanist and is supportive of humanist groups. The Biblical Archeology Review magazine exposed Zias on compromising ground in the James Ossuary case. Further, another critic, Lorence Collins, a geologist in California, who claims that he is a Christian yet wrote an article against Ron Wyatt's Noah's Ark site, is actually an evolutionist who argues rigourously against creationists. Secondly, this geologist never went to Turkey and never inspected the Ark site.
There is another group of people who are sincere Christians, namely John Morris, Dr. Andrew Snelling and Dr. John Baumgardner who claim that the Ark formation is not Noah's Ark. But documenation clearly shows that the initial views of Morris et al. have been modified over time. Morris claiming at first that no metal detector was used on the site. He followed up claiming that metal detectors were used but that the pattern was random. Several months ago I showed Morris and Snelling a video tape that clearly showed that the pattern of iron was not random. Morris has yet to revise his viewpoint since that time. He continues to research the site. Snelling said that his original critique was based on the evidence that he had at the time. All three men have made mistakes, but are well-intentioned. We hope that further sharing of information will allow these scientists to support the Ark site.
CAN WE TRUST WIKIPEDIA?
Absolutely not. It seems that every attempt to correct the errors in Wikipedia gets censored by some unknown editor who is intent on promoting his agenda. Even valid references are ignored and censored.
Here is who the Wikipedia article looks with the changes incorporated by this author then note what the editor of Wikipedia elimenates.(Also note that the Wikipedia editor has edited out this website as one of the supporting links for Wyatt):
==Claimed discoveries==
By the time of his death in 1999 his claimed discoveries included:
* The true Noah's Ark (the [[Durupinar]] site, near but not on Mount Ararat)
* [[Arzap Drogue Stones|Anchor stones]] (actually [[drogue]] stones) used by Noah on the Ark
* The post-[[Great Flood|flood]] house and tombs of [[Noah]] and his wife
* The location of [[Sodom and Gomorrah]]
* Sulfur balls from the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah
* The site of the [[Israelite|Israelites']] [[crossing of the Red Sea]] (which Wyatt located in the [[Gulf of Aqaba]])
* Chariot wheels and other relics of the pursuing army of [[Pharaoh]] at the bottom of the sea
* The true site of the biblical [[Mt. Sinai]] (located by Wyatt in [[Saudi Arabia]] at [[Jabal al Lawz]])
* A chamber at the end of a maze of tunnels under [[Jerusalem]] containing artifacts from [[Solomon's temple]]
* The [[Ark of the Covenant]]
* The original stones of the [[Ten Commandments]]
* The true site of the [[Crucifixion]]
* The blood of [[Jesus]], dripped onto the [[Mercy seat]] of the Ark of the Covenant, directly beneath the [[Crucifixion]]
Wyatt won a devoted following among some [[fundamentalist]] Christians seeking tangible evidence of the literal truth of the Bible. His credibility was disputed, often bitterly, by genuine archaeologists and biblical scholars. Joe Zias museum curator of the [[Israel Antiquities Authority]] (IAA) stated that "Ron Wyatt is neither an archaeologist nor has he ever carried out a legally licensed excavation in Israel or Jerusalem. However, critics note that Zias was not in the loop in terms of issuing permits. Additionally Scholar William Shea wrote in a letter stating to John Paige of Australia, [and this fact can be verified since Shea is still among the living], and in a letter that was signed by him and said the following:
"Yes, Ron Wyatt did have a permit from the department of antiquities to work there for several years. He also had permission from the Garden Tomb authority. I contacted Rudolph Cohen who at the time (1986) was supervisor for the Dept. of Antiquities to get Ron's permit extended. Cohen said that he had to set up a supervisory board of three qualified archaeologists."
And in a signed letter to Ron Wyatt Shea wrote on July 20, 1986:
Dear Ron,
"Have arrived back from Israel after conducting all of my business there in 3-4 days. I did get over to see Dan Bahat at the Rockefeller Museum but it was hard to catch him. They say there that he does not like to sit at a desk but prefers to be out in the field or doing something, but I finally did catch up with him after the thrid (sic) try. The results were not too encouraging for your project. Of the four points you wanted me to ask him about:"
Later in the letter he states:
"Bahat himself does not want you to do any more tunneling as he says this is not sound archaeologicial technique and if you found something it would not be demonstrated so in proper relations because of a lack of stratigraphic digging. So the way the site has to be approached according to his instructions is to dig a series of 5 meter squares up to the face of the cliff and inwards, that way you will have stratigraphic control over your findings."
Critics of Ron Wyatt Zias continues to claim that in order to excavate one must have at least a BA in archaeology which he does not possess despite his claims to the contrary. ... [His claims] fall into the category of trash which one finds in tabloids such as the [[National Enquirer]], [[Sun (supermarket tabloid)|Sun]] etc."[http://www.tentmaker.org/WAR/Zias.html Letter from Joe Zias] But note also that Vendyl Jones, another amateur archeologist who has been well known for his work in Israel also has received claims from supposed IAA directors as never having a permit, yet just last year (2005) Jones had been wroking in Israel.
Wyatt's official organization, Wyatt Archaeological Research (WAR), claims that the IAA have always been well aware of the excavations and issued "verbal" permits (presumably meaning oral permission) for most of them. They also claim that the IAA has issued official permits to all WAR excavations since 2002. Nevertheless, the only evidence of WAR involvement in a legitimate excavation sanctioned by the IAA relates to WAR part-funding of a 2005 dig.[http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id=327&mag_id=111 "Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb" by Yehiel Zelinger]
The more mainstream branches of the [[evangelical]] movement are not any less skeptical, with one [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]] professor of archaeology summing up Wyatt's Noah's Ark and anchor stones claims in these words: "While the Durupinar site is about the right length for Noah's ark, [it is] ... too wide to be Noah's ark. Wyatt has claimed that the "boat-shapedness" of this formation can only be explained by its being Noah's ark, but both Shea and Morris have offered other plausible explanations. Likewise, Wyatt has argued that the standing stones he has found are anchors, while Terian is aware of similar stones outside the Durupinar site area that were pagan cultic stones later converted by Christians for Christian purposes."[http://www2.andrews.edu/~merling/newpage21.htm "Has Noah's Ark Been Found?" by David Merling] Dismissed by the mainstream as a [[pseudoarchaeology|pseudoarchaeologist]], Wyatt and his followers in turn dismissed their critics as motivated by personal spite and/or anti-Christian animosity.
The [[Garden Tomb]] Association of Jerusalem state in a letter they issue to visitors on request:
"
The Council of the Garden Tomb Association (London) totally refute the claim of Mr Wyatt to have discovered the original Ark of the Covenant or any other biblical artefacts within the boundaries of the area known as the Garden Tomb Jerusalem. Though Mr Wyatt was allowed to dig within this privately owned garden on a number of occasions (the last occasion being the summer of 1991) staff members of the Association observed his progress and entered his excavated shaft. As far as we are aware nothing was ever discovered to support his claims nor have we seen any evidence of biblical artefacts or temple treasures.
"Following Wyatt's death a split developed between the official Wyatt Archaeological Research (WAR) organization which he founded, and the independent ministries and interested individuals which had previously cooperated with WAR. WAR currently claims to be the sole owner of all Wyatt's photographs, newsletters, and other intellectual property. Other individuals previously close to Wyatt have established rival websites (see "External links" below)."
----------------------
DID RON WYATT USE SCIENTIFIC METHODS?
It is claimed by opponents of Ron Wyatt that the man did not use scientific methods. They point to an instument that was brought to the site, called a molecular frequency generator, or simply, dowsing rods. These rods are connected to a battery and are used by professional dowsers. Ron Wyatt did not bring the device to the Ark, rather, a former marine merchant and treasure hunter who used the rods in his practice, David Fasold, brought the device. Ron Wyatt, on the other hand, brought a high-end metal detectors and subsurface radar, and enlisted the aid of many professionals. He also submitted his collection samples of rock to professional labs. These facts are carefully side-stepped by critics who never mention any of these facts.
----------------------
----------------------
ARK OF THE COVENANT QUESTIONS
DID RON WYATT GIVE EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT HE FOUND THE ARK OF THE COVENANT?
Ron Wyatt has presented no evidence to prove that he found the Ark of the Covenant. In many of his presentations, Wyatt has said repeatedly that he has provided no evidence, but that you may believe in his Ark of the Covenant claim because of his other numerous findings, or that you may just say that you do not know whether he found the Ark or not. Wyatt warns, however, not to call him a liar and wait for further evidence.
-------------------
IS THERE CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT RON WYATT FOUND THE ARK OF THE COVENANT?
There have been claims by one or two people, some who have been on a supposed dig on the Ark of the Covenant but saw nothing but a pit in the ground. For a time Ron Wyatt provided no evidence to support his Ark of the Covenant dig. But in the late nineties, prior to his death, Wyatt revealed new footage of his digs. He did this in Chico, Sacramento, and Redding, initially, and subsequently on each of his later presentations. Critics have never updated their criticisms in light of this new video footage and seem to have lost all interest in Ron Wyatt’s work altogether. Some of this new footage has been released in the form of a video tape and can be obtained at Wyatt Archeology Research (Wyattmuseum.com). The video reveals the interior of a large extensive cave system and an intense excavation apparatus at work. Rocks are seen being hauled up and dumped and numerous individuals are seen at work. There is also the use of a radar scanner, a drill and an air tube. The cave is far larger than what critics have stated. To summarize the evidence: 1. There is a large cave system and a intense excavation apparatus. 2. There are eyewitnesses of this system. (Bob Murrell (Florida) , John Rauch (Florida), Fenton Froom (Florida), Dale Ernsberger (Florida), Dr. Nathan Meyer (Virginia), Mark Yates (Australia), Jamie Blackmore (Australia), Frank Sheffied (Florida) 3. Wyatt maintained a relationship with the Israeli Antiquities director and scholar William Shea in this work.
--------------------
WHAT DO YOU SAY OF SOME OF THE DENIALS MADE BY ISRAELI AUTHORITIES?
There is reason to believe that Israelies may wish to keep this excavation secret for various reasons, and the major reason being that discovery of the Ark my incite a holy war. So, for the time being, the excavation is kept under wraps. There is reason to believe that the Israelies would deny Wyatt’s claims, and that would be for the same reason that they deny even having worked with Vendyl Jones, a man who is well known for his work in Israel.
-----------------
WHAT DO YOU SAY OF JOE ZIAS AND HIS CLAIMS AGAINST RON WYATT?
Joe Zias was never in the loop with the IAA. He was merely the museum keeper. And he is a humanist.
IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT RON WYATT HAD A PERMIT TO DIG AT THE GARDEN TOMB?
The answer is yes. A letter retrieved from http://www.Idolphin.org/wyatt1.html of the account from a disapointed Bernard Brandstatter, a man which I had corresponded with in e-mail and claimed that Wyatt invited him to the dig. Brandstater states:
"The next two weeks were exciting, and I can tell here only the essentials. We first got written permission from the Israeli authorities to pursue an exploration at the Tomb. Two of our team (I was one of them) accompanied Wyatt into the office of Dan Bahat, the official in charge of archeological activities in Jerusalem. I listened to the coversations, and could judge at once that the two men had met previously, and had already discussed the proposed probe into caves in the Garden Tomb. The permit was clearly legitimate; I watched Bahat sign it."
"Our team proceeded to the Garden Tomb, whose custodians were expecting our arrival. Wyatt had negotiated cordially and successfu
Answer to Ron Wyatt Critics
Ron Wyatt Defense
Send E-Mail to: mccoy@sunset.net
Copyright © 2006 john mccoy. All Rights Reserved