Quest for Solomon's Mines

Gr 9 Up—The ancient ruins of a copper smelting and mining operation in the Dead Sea Rift Valley in modern day Jordan are examined in this film. Radiocarbon dating places the site at the 10th Century B.C.E., which indicates that it may have been contemporaneous with the Biblical figure King Solomon. A multinational team of American and Israeli archaeologists lead the cross-disciplinary investigation that also includes experts in metallurgy and linguistics. The ethnic music and the reenactments of the copper production are evocative of the setting and time period. However, as the episode reiterates several times, there is little historic evidence of the existence of King Solomon and no real proof of his legendary mines. Viewers are left with the impression that the scientists are tailoring their finds to fit their interpretations of the Bible. On several occasions evidence that seems to indicate that the mines actually were operated by the neighboring Edomites (and not Israel) is casually dismissed. This program will be of interest to students of Biblical history, but general viewers may find the scientific evidence lacking—and their interest waning.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY