Buried Secrets of the Bible with Albert Lin (Full Episode) | The Parting of the Red Sea: The Truth

In this introductory paragraph, Albert Lynn, a modern-day explorer, expresses his curiosity about the origins of the Bible's stories and their impact on human history. Using 21st-century technology, he aims to investigate these ancient tales from a unique perspective. Lynn's journey begins with the story of Moses, the Israelites, and the parting of the Red Sea, which he believes could be rooted in historical events. He travels to Egypt, the heart of the ancient world, to uncover the truth behind these biblical miracles.

Albert Lynn focuses on the time of Ramesses II, believed to be the Pharaoh of the Exodus story. Despite the lack of physical evidence of Israelites in Egypt, Lynn is directed to a museum in Cairo where he meets archaeologist Meredith Brand. They examine a stele that contains the only mention of 'Israel' in ancient Egyptian texts, which describes a victory of Ramesses II's son over a people called Israel. This clue leads Lynn to consider the possibility that the Israelites might have been known by another name during their time in Egypt.

Lynn explores the theory that the Shasu, a group of people mentioned in Egyptian hieroglyphs, might be the real Israelites. He travels to Luxor, once the capital city of Ramesses II, to investigate further. In Luxor, he learns of a papyrus that documents the Shasu's flight from Egypt around the time of Moses. Lynn also seeks physical evidence, such as distinctive houses that could have been built by the Shasu, using infrared technology to reveal hidden structures. He discovers a potential Shasu house, suggesting a connection between these people and the biblical Israelites.

Continuing his quest, Lynn investigates the location of the city of Ramses, believed to be the starting point of the Exodus. With the help of archaeologist Henning Fran, he uses magnetometry to reveal underground structures that match the biblical descriptions of the city. The data suggests a large, important city with storerooms and stables for chariots, aligning with the biblical account. Using augmented reality, Lynn virtually reconstructs the ancient city, providing a vivid picture of what it might have looked like thousands of years ago.

Lynn grapples with the question of the Israelites' route to the holy lands and the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. He visits the potential crossing site and meets biblical archaeologist Professor Steven to discuss the feasibility of the event. They consider the possibility that the Hebrew 'yam suf' might actually refer to a 'sea of reeds' rather than the Red Sea, opening up new possibilities for the location of the crossing and its scientific plausibility.

Inspired by the theory of the 'Reed Sea,' Lynn visits the Carnic Temple complex in Luxor, where an inscription depicting the Shasu as captives and a map of the Nile Delta might offer clues to the location of the Reed Sea. With the help of archaeologist Aiden Dodson, Lynn interprets the map and suggests a new route for the Israelites' journey, leading to Lake Manzala, a large body of water in the Nile Delta filled with reeds.

Lynn consults with atmospheric scientist Carl Drews to understand the phenomenon of the parting of the sea as a natural event caused by strong winds, known as wind setdown. Historical accounts and modern examples of similar events are discussed, suggesting that the Israelites could have crossed a shallow body of water that temporarily receded. However, the challenge remains of connecting this phenomenon with the biblical narrative of the Egyptians' army being drowned.

In the final part of his quest, Lynn explores the connection between the story of the drowned Egyptian army and the volcanic eruption of Thera (modern-day Santorini) around 1550 BC. This massive eruption could have generated tsunamis powerful enough to reach the Egyptian coast, providing a possible explanation for the dramatic end of Pharaoh's army. The story of the Exodus, enriched by these natural events, has resonated through history, inspiring religious beliefs and shaping the lives of billions.