Scholar makes bombshell claim about inscriptions found in desert
The Proto-Sinaitic etchings, discovered at the Serabit el-Khadim mining site in the Sinai Desert, date from 1800 to 1600 BC, predating the earliest biblical texts.
Bar-Ron interprets the texts as 'Zot M'Moshe' and 'Ne'um Moshe', potentially translating to 'This is from Moses' and 'Declaration of Moses', which would be the oldest non-biblical mentions of Moses.
He also suggests the inscriptions, which refer to the deity El, contain warnings and rebukes against the ancient goddess Ba'alat cult, whose temple was at the site.
Academic reception to Mr Bar-Ron's interpretation is mixed, with some Egyptologists like Thomas Schneider calling it 'completely unproven and misleading', though Mr Bar-Ron stresses his work is peer-reviewed.
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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Scholar makes bombshell claim about inscriptions found in desert
An American - Israeli epigraphist, Michael S. Bar-Ron, claims two 3,800-year-old inscriptions found at a turquoise mine in the Egyptian desert could be the earliest written references to Moses. The Proto-Sinaitic etchings, discovered at the Serabit el-Khadim mining site in the Sinai Desert, date from 1800 to 1600 BC, predating the earliest biblical texts. Bar-Ron interprets the texts as 'Zot M'Moshe' and 'Ne'um Moshe', potentially translating to 'This is from Moses' and 'Declaration of Moses', which would be the oldest non-biblical mentions of Moses. He also suggests the inscriptions, which refer to the deity El, contain warnings and rebukes against the ancient goddess Ba'alat cult, whose temple was at the site. Academic reception to Mr Bar-Ron's interpretation is mixed, with some Egyptologists like Thomas Schneider calling it 'completely unproven and misleading', though Mr Bar-Ron stresses his work is peer-reviewed.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Oldest written reference to Moses may be etched into ancient Egyptian mine, claims researcher
A researcher has claimed that two inscriptions dating back 3,800 years found in the Egyptian desert may be the oldest written references to Moses. The etchings were first discovered in the early 1900s and are now being re-examined by American-Israeli epigraphist Michael S. Bar-Ron, a graduate student at Ariel University. They were found at Serabit el-Khadim, a turquoise mining site in the Sinai Desert once worked by Semitic labourers during the Middle Bronze Age. The Proto-Sinaitic etchings date back to between 1800 and 1600BC, which are centuries before the earliest biblical texts were written between the 10th and 7th centuries BC. Mr Bar-Ron argues the texts read 'Zot M'Moshe' and 'Ne'um Moshe', which may translate as 'This is from Moses' and 'Declaration of Moses'. If correct, they would represent the earliest known written reference to Moses outside of the Bible. The inscriptions also refer to El, a deity linked to the Abrahamic God, according to Fox News. Speaking to the broadcaster, Mr Bar-Ron said the inscriptions appear to resist worship of the ancient goddess Ba'alat by Semitic workers. The Serabit el-Khadim site once housed a temple to Ba`alat, he added. 'Rather than lauding Ba`alat … [the] readings curse out the Ba`alat cult, with words of warning and rebuke to its followers,' Mr Bar-Ron said. 'They include the terms 'BŠ' – 'for shame' or 'this is shameful' – and 'nimosh,' [which means] 'let us leave' [or] 'remove ourselves.'' Academic response to the interpretation has been mixed. Thomas Schneider, an Egyptologist at the University of British Columbia told Daily Mail that the new interpretation is 'completely unproven and misleading.' Translating the ancient inscriptions took nearly a decade, the epigraphist said. 'I spent eight years actively involved in the painstaking, oft-frustrating reconstruction of some 23 wordy Proto-Sinaitic inscriptions. 'That is, based on the principles of the foremost greats in the field, and informed by the work of my distinguished colleagues in the field.' Mr Bar-Ron also suggested to Fox News that the 'Moses' inscriptions may have a single author, pointing to stylistic similarities in wording. His wider thesis examines 'a Mosaic-type leadership' in the region at the time. He described these latest findings as 'nonessential icing on the cake'. 'The finding 'Zot M'Moshe' and 'Ne'um Moshe' were really last-minute discoveries and nonessential to that subpoint (possible Mosaic authorship), within a much more serious thesis,' he said. Mr Bar-Ron stressed that his work will be subject to peer review, noting that his research has already been revised more than 100 times. 'If we were drawing such conclusions on the basis of one or two inscriptions, it would be weak,' he said. 'Rather, they are based on what is understood across the full set found at Serabit el-Khadim.' 'I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for educated readers to actually read the proto-thesis itself.' Attempts to find archaeological evidence for Moses have largely been unsuccessful.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Eating half a cup of $3 snack could protect against cancer
Eating just two handfuls of almonds has been shown to help protect the body from stress and aging-induced damage that can fuel cancer-causing cell mutations. Cells are under constant attack from a barrage of stressors, including pollution, UV radiation, processed foods and the body's regular metabolism, all of which generate harmful free radicals that can damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes over time, contributing to aging and many types of cancer. Over time, repeated attacks overwhelm the cell's ability to repair itself. If this damage affects genes that control growth and death, mutations accumulate, allowing abnormal cells to multiply unchecked, eventually forming tumors. Nutrition scientists in Iran and Afghanistan reported that consuming almonds, around two large handfuls, significantly improved oxidative stress markers by reducing DNA and lipid damage while boosting antioxidant defenses. The benefits were strongest with higher almond intake, likely due to their vitamin E, polyphenols, and healthy fats. The results varied between studies, though, possibly due to differences in the ways almonds were prepared, such as salting or roasting, or the study subjects' health. Almonds are widely recognized as a nutritious food, but quantifying their specific health benefits has proven difficult due to inconsistent research findings stemming from key variables across studies, including differences in almond preparation methods (such as roasting versus raw), study durations, and characteristics of the people in the study. The latest research consolidates previous studies and fragmented findings to better identify how and how much almonds benefit the body. After reviewing all the research, scientists focused on eight high-quality studies involving 424 people. The studies tested different groups, including healthy adults, smokers, and people with chronic diseases, using almond doses ranging from a small handful, about five grams, to about six handfuls, or roughly 168g, per day for one to six months. Almonds' health benefits depend on the serving size. Eating at least two large handfuls daily, about 60g, made a significant impact. Eating this amount reduced cell membrane damage by a statistically significant 0.46 units, lowered DNA damage by 5.83 units, and boosted the body's natural defenses by 2.02 units. Researchers have been trying to prove almonds' anti-cancer impacts for years, since the 1997 report of the World Cancer Research Fund, which concluded that, while there are 'theoretical reasons to believe that diets high in nuts and seeds might protect against some cancers, the evidence is currently lacking.' Over two decades of research has revealed important connections between nut consumption and cancer prevention, with almonds emerging as a particularly promising food in this field. Large observational studies spanning multiple countries have found that people who regularly eat nuts tend to have lower rates of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. The evidence also suggests a potential protective effect against colon cancer in women, with those consuming just a small handful of nuts daily, about six grams, showing measurable benefits compared to those who did not eat almonds. The figure, published in Advances in Nutrition, shows how eating different amounts of nuts affects a person's risk of serious health problems. The solid red line shows whether more nuts lower risk (when the line goes down) or do not make much difference (when it is flat). The blue shaded area shows the confidence interval. When it is narrow, researchers are more certain Population-level findings are supported by laboratory research showing that almonds may actively combat cancer development at the cellular level. Animal studies have shown that eating an almond-rich diet can reduce the formation of precancerous growths in the digestive tract and may trigger natural anti-tumor defenses in the body. Almonds pack a powerful nutritional punch, making them a favorite snack among dietitians and nutritionists. A 2022 study in the journal Advances in Nutrition showed that eating 28 grams of nuts daily, such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios, was associated with a 21 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and atrial fibrillation, an 11 percent reduced risk of dying from cancer, and a 22 percent lower risk of premature death from any cause. The benefits likely come from their unique combination of healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants that improve cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and support blood vessel function. On top of being rich in vitamins that protect cells from oxidative damage, such as vitamin E, almonds contain monounsaturated fats that lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol. Research has suggested that eating a handful of almonds with a meal can reduce blood sugar spikes by up to 30 percent, an effect comparable to a diabetes drug. 'These findings support almonds as a functional food for oxidation management,' the researchers said, adding that more rigorously controlled studies are required before implementing broad dietary guidelines to include more almonds. The researchers did not examine toxicity, but overeating almonds can have drawbacks. To heaping handfuls of almonds contain around seven grams of fiber, around 27 percent of the daily recommended amount. Too much too fast could cause bloating, gas or diarrhea. In rare cases, overeating almonds can cause vitamin E toxicity if the person is also taking a vitamin E supplement or a multivitamin containing vitamin E. Vitamin E acts as a blood thinner. Very high doses may increase bruising or bleeding risk, especially if a person is taking blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin or aspirin. People who are susceptible to kidney stones should also moderate their almond consumption. Almonds contain oxalates. The body converts excess oxalates into crystals that may form stones, especially when combined with low fluid intake or other risk factors Still, a person would have to eat magnitudes more almonds than what is typical. A 400mg vitamin E supplement plus 60g almonds, 15mg, is safe, reaching the 1,000mg upper limit would require eating 5.3 lbs (2.4kg) of almonds daily alongside the supplement. Meanwhile, research shows the oxalate content in typical almond portions poses little risk when consumed as part of a balanced diet with adequate hydration.
