>How do I discern a real archaeologist from the dopplegangers?
The discernment being discussed was between archaeologists and linguists.
>I think you're a little too quick to dismiss linguistic evidence as a useful tool for anthropologists and archaeologists. I'll stipulate it's not the only tool, nor necesarily the pre-eminent one,
Since I am neither I have no axe to grind. Wish I could find the thread here on FR last year which centered on an article by a REAL field-type archaeologist who was also a recognized linguist. He made the case for forgetting linguistics as a useful tool.
>I'm also not sure why you'd raise these doubts, when from the following passage it appears you feel that linguistic analysis supports the theory that the Celts are descended from the Lost Tribes.
Simple honesty, and willingness to acknowledge other sides of an issue. {ggg}. Why not?
>Sounds like an interesting book. I looked over your link to it and the Histories included in the tablets definitely warrant scrutiny.
Thanks. I sometimes feel like we are at a book club disussing a book which few have actually read. {ggg}.
>Two questions: Is that the only place where English and Hebrew similarites are described? Do you have anything else?
That's plenty for a "user lever" start. I did post-Doctoral work in Biblical Archeology at both Oxford University and Trinity College Dublin and there are lots of references there, and of course primary sources. Capt has an abundance of references in his book, and they are certainly better available to the general public.
>If there are such similarities, are their other competing explanations for them besides the Celtic theory of the fate of the Lost Tribes?
Yes, endless theories. Most of them concentrate on making sure the Lost Tribes of Israel are assimilated into neighboring tribes or otherwise never found. Or if they are found, they are a tiny group huddled around a campfire in the desert, watering their camels and picking their noses. (If they are never found then those theories are "safe", while also protecting the status-quo.)
In reality it is todays Southern Kingdom offspring the Jews who at only 12 Million(?) almost became Lost to history. Their cousins, the Northern Kingdom Celts and offspring who today number nearly 1 BILLION are the dominant Israelites today, as they were when the tribes split into North and South in 922 BC.
The North becoming "lost" is sort of like the forest becoming so big you can't see the trees, thus the trees appear "lost".
