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GV EXT. Jordans Intercontinental Hotel
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SV Mr. Barakat talking to newsmen
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CU Reporter taking notes
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SCU Mr. Barakat
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SV ZOOM IN notice board with explanatory notes
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LV & SV Dr. Bannier speaking (2 shots)
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LV & SCU Mr. Barakat listening with others (3 shots)
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SV Dr. Bannier presenting keys to Mr. Barakat
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SV Officials
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CU & SV Dr. Franken speaking
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SV Officials
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SV & CU Mr. Barakat speaking
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CU Fragments in case
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SV Drawers containing relics
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SV Mr. Barakat and Dr. Bannier looking at relics
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SV Parchment TILT DOWN to relics
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SV Drawers
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SV Dr. Bannier and Mr. Barakat chatting
1.34



Initials OS/159 OS/213



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A fragment of plaster from a mudbrick wall contradicting the Bibles version of the conquest of Palestine by the Jews was handed to the Department of Antiquities in Jordan on Tuesday (May 2) by Dutch archaeologists who found it five years ago.

The fragment, which bears writing in the Aramaic language, comes from a temple wall at T???ll D???ir Alla in the Jordan Vall???y and dates back to the seventh century before Christ. The fragment was discovered in 1967 by a Dutch Archaeological Expedition under the direction of Dr. H.J. Frank???n, -- and was officially returned to the Jordanian Minister of Tour???im, Mr. Gh???l???b Barakat.

At a ceremony in Jordan's Intercontinental Hotel in Amman, Mr. Barakat said he intended to put the text at the disposal of world experts for study because, he said "for the first time the find corrects the errors of history told by the Zionists."
Dr. Fr???nk???n said the fragment was a unique and important find for many fields of study, including language and history. It confirmed the archaeological interpretation that T???ll D???ir Alla was an ancient Jordanian ???nctuary completely independent from the ancient Hebrew religion and influence -- culturally, politically or religiously -- during the period of the Jud???an Kingdom, he said.

The Dutch archaeologist said it also supports the view of Bible critics who maintain that many stories about the coming of the Hebrew tribes from Egypt through Transjordan do not reflect the real course of events -- but religious views dating from some 400 or 500 years later.

Dr. Fr???nk???n said the writing on the D???ir Alla wall was a clear example that the priests from Jerus???l???m tried to fit the history of the past into the religious opinion of the ???venth century before Christ.