Is there any archaeological evidence of the patriarch Joseph?

Question

It seems that someone of his prominence in Egypt should have had a memorial. It's possible he lived in the Hyksos period and his memorials were destroyed. Knowing his character, it's also possible he forbade any memorials to him. But does anyone know of any physical evidence?

Answer 1

Yes. When the emerging Jewish nation left Egypt, they brought Joseph's remains with them to Israel, where he was reburied. His tomb stands to this day, although it was desecrated by local Arabs recently.

Answer 2

Yeah, there was a tomb found that had his inscription. Also, they have found a ring in Egypt from the time period that bears the Hebrew name "Ya'acov", indicating that the person who bore the ring was a descendant of Jacob, Joseph's father.

Answer 3

Sorry I do not. And this may sound like the silliest answer to your specific question, but have you heard of "Rational Spirituality"? Someone of your intelligence may enjoy reading it. It is available on the Dhaxem website.

Please do not blame me for this answer, I was asked to give it to you, but "Rational Spirituality" may still be the most fascinateing concept you may ever read. Please feel free to let me know if it is not.

Answer 4

Jewishgir above gives an address that I did visit and it sounds like the right place for the grave of Joseph, but so sad at such turmoil there. I write poetry about the bible characters to remember all I can about all I learn from Bible study about them as below:

SON JOSEPH IS GOVERNOR OF EGYPT 80 YEARS

Granddad Isaac age 167, at age 60 years had twins,
Daddy Jacob now 107, had Joseph to a teen of 17,
Sent to find his brothers, his dream made them mean.
Cruelly they schemed to sell him unto merchantmen.

It seemed to dad, he died a bloody death, at a lions den,
But he was alive in Egypt, at age 30, governor to the king,
In his tenth year as a famine is there and into Canaan land,
Where 215 years his family has been pilgrims well estranged.

Jacob, Joseph, Levi, Kohath, Amram to Aaron and Moses,
To 215 years in Rameses Egypt, Moses is back on the scene,
At age 80, with half million covenant heirs the Exodus begins,
2513 After Adam, 430 years from Abraham, 40 years on to land,

They carry Joseph's bones with them to bury him in Shechem,
He died 185 years earlier, but made the family swear unto him,
That they would bring his bones into their own Promised Land,
First they mourned Moses death, to cross Jordan on dry land.

Joshua, Caleb, Phinepas, and the heirs that pass times test,
In Othniel's time had put, remains of Joseph and Eleazar to rest,
The wall of Jericho, came down a time ago, as all land had peace,
Then Judges continued 390 years to Samuel, then they ceased.

Samuel age 76, birth of David then, the 10th year of Saul as a king,
Then Samuel was 100, anointed David, then died still in much grief,
King Saul caused him to Mourn before God, Samuel had no relief,
The territory mourned, but it was brief, war troubles did not cease.

But David died and Solomon as king carried out all of David's plans,
The temple was build to make God's name known in all the lands,
It was done 3040 after Adam, Solomon died 29 years king, after then,
18 kings followed him to 3460, to Daniel's prophecy of Satan's end.

First the temple built again, to Jesus in Jerusalem, at time of Rome,
Sixth turns to seventh and the bible will see the seventh to it's end,
Michael stand up for the people of God, Jesus in 8th comes again,
A kingdom reign of a 1000 year day of judgement, all is new again.
JOSEPH 602 TO 632 TO 659 JACOB DIES TO 712 AFTER FLOOD DIES

Answer 5

We have his tomb in Shechem, until the Arabs took it over a few years back.

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph%27s_Tomb