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FOREWORD
This document has been prepared primarily for the interest of all Freemasons
whose Constitutions are recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. That
does not mean that it is private to Freemasons only; it is not, nor can it be.
It deals essentially with Biblical facts insofar as it has been possible to
establish them with reasonable confidence. In so doing, it encompasses that
portion of Biblical history which, in essence, forms the bedrock of much
Freemasonic ritual; not only within the Craft but within the Holy Royal Arch as
well.
In assembling this presentation, it is important to appreciate that many
learned books have been written about the Old Testament. The Exodus of the
Israelites from Egyptian captivity, culminating in the eventual establishment of
a homeland under the rule of David and then Solomon, is an account that is both
fascinating and controversial.
Following publication of the Authorised King James I Bible in 1661, the
calendar of events therein were set against a starting date of 4004 BC which was
regarded as the beginning of Creation: (Anno Lucis began in 4000 BC). Up to the
AD 1850's, Christians accepted implicitly the historical narratives of the Old
Testament, including its calendar. However, since then there has been a growing
tendency to examine and challenge the accuracy of its writings by focusing on
the cradle of its origin - the Middle East.
When Egypt was a condominium of Great Britain and France, a few wealthy
archaeologists had begun to search and dig around the spectacular monuments and
relics that were there for all to see. This, in turn, led to the exploration and
excavation of many hidden tombs. When, in AD 1922, the tomb of Tutankhamun was
discovered and opened up, its treasures motivated such enterprises to further
heights. Detailed studies were made of the hieroglyphic signs, cuneiform
inscriptions and papyrus script as well as the Akkadian language which was the lingua
franca of those times. The advent and development of sophisticated
electronics, coupled with the latest evolution in scientific skills, has speeded
up both the desire and facility to achieve historical precision.
The purpose of this document is to offer an updated, yet easily digestible,
précis of this part of Biblical history and the events that led up to it.
Account has been taken of the latest archaeological discoveries and associated
astronomical retrocalculations. These, in turn, have necessitated a reappraisal
of ancient Egyptian chronology in order to bring such history much more in line
with the facts, rather than with long-held supposition.
To introduce greater authenticity into this narrative, the newly acquired
data has been embodied. This, in turn, has meant amending the hitherto
conventional dates in order to incorporate what is coming to be recognised as
The New Chronology of Egypt. The background and basis of how The New Chronology
has come to be established is laid out in some detail at Appendix
A.
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