Ancient scroll may show the existence of a misplaced race of ‘bibilical giants’
The contents of an ancient Egyptian scroll is being pointed to as proof that a species of giant walked the Earth in ancient times – known in Hebrew texts as the Nephilim
Experts believe an ancient Egyptian scroll could provide evidence that a lost race of a giants once walked the Earth (Image: British Museum)
An ancient Egyptian scroll could prove the existence of a long lost race of biblical giants called the Nephilim, an expert has claimed. A 3,300-year-old scroll called the Anastasi – housed in the British Museum – has caught the eye of experts at the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology due to its possible links to biblical accounts of giants.
The ancient Egyptian relic describes encounters with a race of people which towered above the regular man at a staggering eight feet in height. Theorists also believe the text provides a rare non-biblical correlation to the Old Testament’s accounts of giants – which appear in stories such as David and Goliath.
The ancient Egyptian scroll is a written letter penned during a time of war documenting various hostile military terrain and military challenges.
In the text, Hori the author, writes an account warning of tall and fierce giants who tower above men while on his travels. The author warns: “The narrow defile is infested with Shosu concealed beneath the bushes; some of them are of four cubits or of five cubits, from head to foot, fierce of face, their heart is not mild, and they hearken not to coaxing.
“Thou art alone, there is no helper with thee, no army behind thee.” Some Bible archaeologists have argued that the text references to Og – the last survivor of the giant Rephaites – a figure mentioned in Hebrew texts. Leading them to point at an ancient Canaanite tablet which may provide evidence of the giant’s existence.
The ancient tablet reads: “May Rapiu, King of Eternity, drink wine … the god enthroned in Ashtarat, the god who rules in Edrei.” These names correspond to the Rephaim and other cities Og is said to have ruled in Hebrew texts. A researcher from the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, Christopher Eames has commented on contents of the tablet and said: “’The combination of names Rapia, Ashtaroth and Edrei is a remarkable link to the biblical account of Og and the Rephaim.
“Could it even be a reference to this king himself? It has been suggested that ‘Og’ was simply a regnal title meaning ‘man of valor,’ paralleling other Ugaritic and Canaanite titles. The list of extra-biblical parallels could go on.”
However some experts have highlighted the passage found in the scroll could be evidence that the Shosu people, who may have been Canaanites, were of exceptional size.
Researchers at the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology have stated: “This would mean that the height of those encountered varied from at least six feet eight inches to eight feet six inches,” leading to the theory the text could be describing the an ancient race of giants that once walked the Earth.
In Genesis chapter 6, the Bible states: “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
The Hebrew word used in this passage, Nephilim, which is commonly translated as either “giants” or “fallen ones.” According to biblical tradition the Nephilim were wiped out in the Flood. However in later texts their descendants are said to appear in future generations.
Despite the theory other experts have hit back against the claims the scroll containing an account of a lost race of giants. Historians have stated the Shosu (or Shasu) are widely thought to have been a nomadic group in the Levant. This suggests the scroll may reflect military observations instead of a literal accounts of supernatural giants walking the Earth.
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