An archaeological site director working in Egypt has been asked by authorities there to clarify his personal religious beliefs after apparently finding clear archaeological evidence for the biblical account of Egypt's ten plagues. Andrew Pennington appeared before a packed press conference Monday, covered in boils and claiming to have been mysteriously struck ill during the past season's work. Work at the site had reportedly also been badly affected by drinking water inexplicably turning to blood, in addition to a severe shortage of food.

Responding to the suggestion that his own publicly-acknowledged Christian faith might have influenced his interpretation of his findings, Pennington launched an invective defence, saying "I have no personal vested interest in proving - or disproving - that my personal saviour, the Lord God, wrought his mighty wrath against the people of Egypt at the time of the biblical sojourn of His people there." Illustrating his response with a number of 35mm slides that were advanced by a junior member of his team, he went on: "This group of locust remains - next slide please - this well-preserved frog and - next slide please - this juvenile - sorry, this one's upside down but I think you can see what it is - this juvenile inhumation could scarcely be evidence for anything other than the infinite power of the God I love and to whom I pray every day for guidance in my work, so that I might glorify His majesty. I really can't see what archaeological objection anyone might have to that interpretation".

Promising to silence his critics 'once and for all', Pennington said: "By the end of next season's work, I expect that we shall have evidence for all ten of the biblical plagues. I will take advantage of the time before the opening of our next season to closely consult the Book of Exodus. Once I have done that, I have no doubt that God's wisdom will flow through our work and help us, his humble servants, to find the evidence that proves his omnipotence".

Share this on facebook | Tweet this