Ep 12. The Real Sin City: Sodom & Gomorrah

The episode "The Real Sin City: Sodom & Gomorrah" of Digging for the Truth season 2 takes us on a journey to explore the infamous biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The host, adventurer and archaeologist Josh Bernstein, sets out to find evidence of the cities' existence and determine if the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a result of divine intervention or a natural disaster.

Bernstein starts by visiting the Dead Sea, which is believed to be the location of these cities. He meets with a local guide who takes him to the site of Bab edh-Dhra, where ancient pottery shards and other artifacts have been found. Bernstein examines the evidence and interviews archaeologists who have been studying the site for years.

Next, Bernstein heads to the site of Tall el-Hammam, which is believed to be the location of ancient Sodom. He interviews the lead archaeologist on the project, who shows him the ruins of the city and explains the evidence they have found of a sudden, catastrophic destruction. Bernstein examines the evidence and tries to determine if it was a volcanic eruption, an earthquake, or some other disaster that destroyed the city.

Bernstein also visits the Jordanian town of Salt, which is believed to be the location of Gomorrah. He interviews local experts who show him the ruins of the city and explain the evidence they have found of a destructive fire.

Throughout the episode, Bernstein asks big questions about the morality and justice of a God who would destroy entire cities for their sins. He considers the biblical stories from the perspective of modern archaeology and science, and tries to reconcile the two.

Ultimately, Bernstein concludes that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was likely a result of a natural disaster, but that the biblical accounts have been exaggerated and mythologized over time. He emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding ancient history in order to learn from it and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.