ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PATTERNS EVIDENCE OF //////////////////////////////////// THE EXODUS //////////////////////////////////// for more informtion contact: [email protected] www.PatternsofEvidence.com 2 A FILMMAKER‘S JOURNEY Is the history found in the Bible credible? Is there any hard evidence to support the biblical story of the Exodus? An in-depth investigation by documentary filmmaker Tim Mahoney searches for answers to these questions amid startling new finds that may change traditional views of history and the Bible. 3 Were the Jewish people delivered from slavery after a series of miraculous plagues? Should we believe everything the authorities are telling us? 4 IS THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT FACT OR FICTION? For more than 50 years the vast majority of the world’s most prominent archaeologists and historians have proclaimed that there is no hard evidence to support the Exodus story found in the Bible. In fact, they say that the archaeological record is completely opposed to the Bible’s account. This view of skepticism has spread from academia to the world. The case against the Exodus appears to be so strong that even some religious leaders are labeling this ancient account as historical fiction. Despite this, many religious authorities continue to vigorously defend the biblical account and its early history of the Jewish people. The Holy Books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam include accounts of the Exodus story. Could all of these religions be based on a colossal lie? Filmmaker Tim Mahoney begins with the question, “Is there any 5 archaeological evidence for the stories found in the Bible?” He decides to tackle this issue with a deliberate scientific approach. After examining the details in the biblical text, he journeys across the globe to search for patterns of evidence firsthand. Mahoney combines a vivid retelling of the biblical story with interviews of top authorities in an investigation spanning the ancient and modern worlds. His controversial findings may transform our understanding of archaeology, history and religion forever. AN INVESTIGATION CHALLENGING THE TRADITIONS OF CULTURE, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND RELIGION Mahoney combines a vivid retelling of the biblical story with interviews of top authorities in an investigation spanning the ancient and modern worlds. 6 7 OVERVIEW Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus A feature length documentary film that investigates the historical validity of the Exodus from Egypt. Director Timothy P. Mahoney embarks on a personal journey around the world in search of archeological patterns related to the stories of the Bible. Years in Production 12 years of R&D. 4 years in production. 50 interviews conducted with leading experts and explorers. Over 1200 film hours and 10,000 photos that document the investigation, including stunning reenactments of the biblical story. Filmed throughout the US, Israel, Egypt, England and The Netherlands. 8 CAST The case against the Exodus appears to be so strong that even some religious leaders are labeling this ancient account as historical fiction. But, many continue to defend the biblical account. Come to your own conclusion by watching many of the world‘s leading experts representing the disciplines of archaeology, Egyptology, history, political affairs, and religion. TIM MAHONEY ing revealing interviews, archaeological dig sites, Mahoney gained insight from respected rabbis Writer, Director and Producer ..................................................................... stunning artifacts, rare ancient maps and and Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister historical recreations of the Bible’s stories. Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Since 1989, Tim Mahoney’s Minneapolis studio Peres. National radio talk show host, Michael has been producing award-winning television firmly entrenched in their positions, Mahoney Medved, narrates. commercials and videos for regional and national did not want a single point of view to dominate companies. his investigation. He had serious questions obstacle after obstacle in his journey to explore “Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus” is his With the opposing sides of the debate In the film, Mahoney overcomes about this important topic that touches so if patterns of evidence exist that shed light on first feature length documentary. The film’s many issues today. So he sought some of the this 3500-year-old mystery. Traditional views of scientific investigation into the events of the most prominent authorities on the Exodus and history are challenged as the evidence is allowed biblical Exodus has been in development for its connection with our modern world. He to speak for itself in surprising ways. The audi- over 12 years. Mahoney’s efforts have resulted in interviewed leading archaeologists in Egypt, ence can come to their own conclusions as to one of the most comprehensive scientific inves- Israel and around the world. For a Jewish whether the accounts in the Bible are real tigation into the Exodus ever filmed, highlight- perspective of this foundational Jewish story, history, invented myth or something in between. 9 CAST ISRAEL FINKELSTEIN and Palestine. Rohl’s books include: A Test BENJAMIN NETANYAHU Archaeologist, Tel Aviv University ...................................................................... of Time (1995), Legend: The Genesis of Civilization (2000) and The Lords of Avaris Prime Minister of Israel ...................................................................... Finkelstein is Co-director of excavations at (2007). He produced the three-part television Netanyahu was formally Israel’s ambassador to Megiddo and Professor of Archaeology in the documentary, Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical the UN. He is an author and a student of Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Quest, which appeared on Channel Four in history like his father Benzion Netanyahu, Eastern Civilizations at Tel Aviv University. the UK, and on The Learning Channel/ who was professor of history at both Cornell Along with Neil Asher Silberman, he authored Discovery in the USA. and Hebrew Universities. Benjamin Netanyahu’s the influential book, The Bible Unearthed books include: A Durable Peace: Israel and it’s (2001), which argued that the early history of SHIMON PERES Place Among the Nations (1992) and Fighting Israel did not occur as described in the Bible. President of Israel ...................................................................... Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat DAVID ROHL Peres has been a Member of the Knesset since Egyptologist, Author ...................................................................... 1959 and twice served as the Prime Minister. NORMA FRANKLIN As Defense Minister, he oversaw the Entebbe Rohl is a British Egyptologist and historian rescue operation in 1976. Winner of the Archaeologist, University of Haifa ...................................................................... who was awarded the prestigious W.F. Masom Nobel peace prize in 1994, he founded The Franklin is a professor at the University of History Research Scholarship by the Uni- Peres Center for Peace in 1996. Peres is the Haifa, Zinman Institute of Archaeology and versity of London, is a past President of the author of ten books including: The Next Step Co-director of the Jezreel Expedition at Tel Sussex Egyptology Society (SES), and is the (1965), David’s Sling (1970) Entebbe Diary Jezreel. Franklin was formally at Tel Aviv Chairman of the Institute for the Study of (1991), and Battling for Peace: a memoir (1995). University, where she was the coordinator of Interdisciplinary Sciences (ISIS.) He has put forward several controversial theories concerning the chronology of ancient Egypt 10 Domestic and International Terrorism (1996). the Megiddo Expedition. CAST MICHAEL MEDVED JAMES HOFFMEIER Radio talk show host, Author ...................................................................... Egyptologist, Author ...................................................................... Medved is a nationally syndicated radio talk Hoffmeier is Professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern Archaeology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL). Since 1994 he has been director of the North Sinai Archaeological Project. Hoffmeier has appeared in many TV programs and authored two books on evidence related to the Exodus: Israel in Egypt (1999) and Ancient Israel in Sinai (2011). show host with over 3,500,000 weekly listeners. A veteran film critic, he co-hosted PBS’ Sneak Previews for 12 years. As a best-selling author, his books include Hollywood vs. America (1992), and Right Turns (2005). DAVID WOLPE Rabbi, Author ...................................................................... Wolpe is a noted public speaker and rabbi of Sinai Temple, the largest congregation in Los Angeles. Named the most influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek Magazine in 2012, he has taught and served as assistant Chancellor at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York. He frequently is featured in documentaries on biblical topics for popular cable channels and as a commentator on network news programs. Wolpe’s most recent book, Why Faith Matters (2009) answers atheism and recounts his battle with lymphoma. 11 MANSOUR BORAIK Egyptologist, Director General of Antiquities – Luxor ...................................................................... Boraik, educated at Zagazig University, is the second highest-ranking Egyptologist in Egypt. He oversees the area of Luxor, considered to be the world’s greatest open-air museum. This location was home to the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes and is filled with some of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites such as the temple complexes of Karnak, Luxor, and the Ramesseum, as well as the Valley of the Kings. MANFRED BIETAK Egyptologist, University of Vienna ...................................................................... Bietak was the Director of the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Cairo, Egypt for 35 years. Considered one of the greatest archaeologists alive today, he is best known for directing the Austrian excavations at the Nile delta site of Tell el-daba, which has been ongoing for 40 years. This site was the ancient Hyksos capital known as Avaris, as well as the southern sector of Rameses, a city that the Bible mentions as being built by the Israelites in the book of Exodus. CAST KENT WEEKS Egyptologist, Theban Mapping Project ..................................................................... Weeks is one of America’s top Egyptologists who devised and launched the Theban Mapping Project, which seeks to document every tomb and temple in the Theban Necropolis (Luxor area). In 1995 Weeks discovered the expansive KV5, the tomb of the sons of Ramesses II in the Valley of the Kings. Since 1988 he has been a professor of Egyptology at The American University in Cairo. CHARLES ALING Age. Wood is best known for his proposal to date the final destruction layer found at Jericho from the Middle Bronze Age where it is conventionally located, to the Late Bronze Age. Egyptologist, University of Northwestern ..................................................................... JOHN BIMSON Institute of Jewish Studies, Friedman’s writings include the book, Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore? (1990). MANIS FRIEDMAN Aling is a Professor of History at University of Northwestern, St. Paul Minnesota. He served as an intelligence officer in the US Army and excavated a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Aling authored the book, Egypt and Bible History (1981), which explores the relationships between the two histories. Rabbi, Biblical scholar, Author ..................................................................... BRYANT WOOD Friedman is a member the Hassidic branch of Judaism known as Chabad Lubavitch. As a teacher, counselor and philosopher, he has lectured around the world and is a professionally ranked member of the National Speakers Association. Founder and dean of the Bais Chana 12 Archaeologist, Associates for Biblical Research ..................................................................... Wood is the Director of the Associates for Biblical Research. He received his Ph.D. in Syro-Palestinian archaeology from the University of Toronto where he specialized in Canaanite pottery of the Late Bronze Tutor in Old Testament, Trinity College, Bristol ..................................................................... Bimson’s special interests include the historical and archaeological background of the Old Testament and has taken part in excavations in Israel. He did doctoral research on the historicity and setting of the Exodus and Conquest. His book, Redating the Exodus (1978), proposed that the end of the Middle Bronze Age provides the best matching evidence for the biblical Conquest and that the dates assigned to this period should be substantially revised. CAST DAVID HARTMAN MAARTEN RAVEN Rabbi, Shalom Hartman Institute, Author ..................................................................... Egyptologist, Curator – Leiden Museum ..................................................................... Hartman was a Professor of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University of Jerusalem for more than 20 years and was founder of the Shalom Hartman Institute. As an award winning author and a philosopher of contemporary Judaism, he sought to revitalize Judaism around the world. His books include A Living Covenant: The Innovative Spirit in Traditional Judaism (1998) and The God Who Hates Lies: Confronting and Rethinking Jewish Tradition (2011). Raven is a Professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands and Curator of the Egyptian Department of the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden since 1979. He has extensive experience digging at Saqqara, Egypt since 1975 and working as joint Director there since 1999. Raven has numerous publications on his fieldwork of Egyptian tomb excavations, as well as on the collections at the Leiden Museum. 13 ENDORSEMENTS In the movie, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus, a serious, and impressively crafted attempt is made to see if one can find clear cut and direct evidence for the Exodus and related events, both in Egypt and in Canaan/Israel. Aren M. Maeir Professor at Bar Ilan University and director of the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project Mahoney scours ancient paths, age-old texts and modern day experts … on both sides of a fullthroated current day discussion about the veracity of the Biblical story. His detective work uncovers layers of evidence and treks through layers of history. His presentation is clear; the evidence compelling and the debate robust. He takes a complicated story and makes it understandable. Whether you agree with him or not … you get it. The film makes an honest case. It‘s comfortable for the non-believer, the true believer and those in between. It presents its evidence – pro and con - but the final decision is left up to the viewer. It’s also an entertaining search for the truth. Its state of the art graphics makes the ancient world come to life and will satisfy the 21st century discriminating viewer. For all, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus is evidence that demands a verdict. Chris Mitchell, CBN Jerusalem News Bureau Chief and Author of Jerusalem Dateline 14 ENDORSEMENTS Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus“ is a masterful weave of scientific inquiry with biblical history. The film’s approach of presenting the data without forcing on the viewer the need to accept or reject any preconceived conclusions is simply good science. To paraphrase the philosophy of Socrates, one goes to where the truth leads. Having seen the film and having met with the principals who actually conducted the research, I am convinced that the information presented much of which is startling, is valid. And for me the truth leads to only one conclusion: the biblical account of the Exodus actually occurred. In the past, we have been looking at the wrong time period for the evidence. A must see. Gerald Schroeder, MIT Nuclear Physicist, author and noted lecturer 15 ENDORSEMENTS The biblical narrative is so thoroughly filled with inconsistencies and anachronisms. And so obviously influenced by the theology of the seventh century BCE writers, that it must be considered more of a historical novel than an accurate historical chronicle. Israel Finkelstein, The Bible Unearthed There’s more evidence that the Bible is a reliable source than there is for any other book from the ancient world…There have been thousands-not hundreds-of archeological finds in the Middle East that support the picture presented in the biblical record. Dr. Norman L. Geisler 16 AVAILABLE GRAPHICS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PATTERNS EVIDENCE OF //////////////////////////////////// 17 THE EXODUS //////////////////////////////////// AVAILABLE IMAGES A B D C E 18 F AVAILABLE IMAGES J J G H 19 K I L for more information contact: [email protected] www.PatternsofEvidence.com/press ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PATTERNS EVIDENCE OF //////////////////////////////////// THE EXODUS //////////////////////////////////// The title, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus and all contents shown herein are © Copyright, 2014 Patterns of Evidence LLC, All Rights reserved. v9 02|14
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