Even archaeology is political these days and it slows down
research. Muslim Arabs discourage Israeli Jews from excavating
ancient sites like the Temple Mount because findings might
bolster Jewish claims to disputed territory. Christians and Jews
tend to be more open to whatever may emerge from archaeological
digs. They’re happier when the research bolsters Biblical
writings, but they don’t try to re-bury evidence that would
conflict with religious teachings. Radical Muslims, however,
threaten to kill anyone whoever even suggests finding that would
cast doubt on one or more of their teachings. For Palestinian
Arabs, fostering the view that they’re victims of Israeli
“oppression” is their most potent political weapon, so
historical evidence of Israeli settlement predating Palestinians
by millennia threatens them. That’s true for many Indian tribes
here in America too, unfortunately. It seemed to begin with a
remarkable find of a nearly-complete, 9000-year-old skeleton in
the Columbia River in Washington state.