King Solomon’s Gold Turned Copper

As archaeologists dig deeper in Jordan, more light is shed on the historical times of King Solomon. By proving a mine found 40 years ago to date back to the 10th century B.C., a probable contribution to Solomon’s filled treasuries is evident.< p>

Treasure hunters have been looking for King Solomon’s gold mines and treasures for centuries, but never found them. In a place called Khirbat en-Nahas, translates to ruins of copper, archaeological excavations had started in the 1970s. So far, the site had been dated to the seventh century B.C., but new finds have shown that the mines had been used much longer.

Based on carbon dating methods and by finds of Egyptian art from the 10th century, the archaeologists are sure that the mines had been used in the times of King Solomon. The site is situated in Jordan in the ancient kingdom of Edom which was a subject vassal state to Israel at that time. Copper was a highly valued trade good and as much worth to the tyrant who controlled it then as to his modern Chinese counterparts.

It follows that the treasure hunters have been widely misled by the myths surrounding that ancient king who governed the united kingdom of Israel and Judea which had previously been reunited by brute force. More such mines should be situated nearer to the heartland of the kingdom, as a single mine would not account for the fabulous wealth with which Solomon is attributed.

Little is known of the historical king, as all that is known derives from a story in the bible. Probably he is mentioned in dispatches of that time in other kingdoms, but so far nobody could figure out what they might have named him. He must have been a great king for his time, as later storytellers heaped myth upon myth onto his name.

Image credit: Facsimile Editions Limited

A later collection of common sayings was given his name to make it more important, and poetry was assigned to him as well. The picture shows him lecturing to his people as a teacher-king. He is reputed to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines, add the mythical queen of Sheba to arrive at 1001, the magical number for never ending. All these anecdotal tales were later collected and hodgepodged into one story which found place in a story book collection called the bible.

He must have been very rich, as he rebuilt Jerusalem after the war and erected the legendary first temple containing the mythical arch of the covenant. These riches could not have been amassed from one mine alone, and as Israel was constantly annexing neighbouring kingdoms more metal mines should be found in the surrounding countries. If one would take the bible by its word, a plan of expansion could probably be extradited, giving an order of preference by which Israel followed its imperialistic designs.

But no matter how much archaeological evidence there is or will be, the bible will remain a collection of stories contributed to by many writers over centuries, and the Editor cares not to comment.