Archeological Artifacts that Support the Bible: Sargon the Second's Palace

In 1843, Paul-Emile Botta and Victor Place unearthed an ancient city near the town of Khorsabad, Iraq. At first it was believed this was the site of Ninevah referred to in the Bible. Excavations continued in 1852-1855 and later excavations were done from 1928-1935. It was found that this was not the site of Ninevah but another Assyrian city.

Dur-Sharrukin "the Fortress of Sargon" was the Assyrian capital for a very short time during the rule of Sargon II. Sargon II ruled from 722-705 BC. It is believed he gained the throne violently by killing his half-brother and seizing control. He conquered many nations including the Israelite city Ashdod in 711 BC. This event is recorded in the Bible in Isaiah 20:1; "In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it." The complete defeat of the Kingdome of Israel by Ashdod occurred after a three year siege on Samaria. The Israelites were exiled and this is the beginning of the Lost Ten Tribes. Sargon sent other captives to live in Samaria and these people were the ancestors of the Samaritans mentioned during the time of Christ in the New Testament.

Sargon ordered the building of the city of Dur-Sharrukin in 713 BC. This city was a few miles north of Nineveh. The city walls ran a length of 1,600 meters by 1,750 meters. Temples, a royal palace, arsenal and living quarters were built. The temples and palace were decorated with wall reliefs recording Sargon's achievements. In 706 BC Sargon's court moved to the new city, and only a year later Sargon was killed in battle. His son abandoned the city and moved the Assyrian capital back to Nineveh. Because the city was not inhabited for an extended period of time, there were few daily artifacts, but the sculptures, decorations and architecture taught archeologists a great deal about the Assyrians. Many of the sculptures and wall reliefs were sent to the Louvre in Paris for display.

Why does this archeological site support the Bible? Sculpture reliefs in the palace depicted Sargon's victory in Samaria and Ashdod. It also records his deportation of the Israelites. Large winged bulls were put at the seven gates of the city. Between the legs of these bulls is an inscription of Sargon's titles and achievements. Here too Samaria and Ashdod are mentioned.