Hellenistic Ports

One of the criticisms of the Book of Mormon concerns the claim that Nephi built a ship and sailed to the American continents. The critics claim the Jewish people in 600 BC didn't have the knowledge or skills to build ocean-going ships.

Archeologists recently discovered ancient ports dating to the Hellenistic period (300  BC). These ports are on the coast of Israel. This shows the ancient people of that era did have sophistic knowledge of ships and shipping. Critics ignore these discoveries by noting the ports are dated to the Hellenistic period and not to 600 BC. It is important that believers in the Book of Mormon know that this discrepancy in dates exists, but the fact that the knowledge of these ports was recently discovered shows that not all knowledge of ancient peoples is currently known by archeologists, and that our argument is valid that additional knowledge will come forth that will strengthen our belief in the Book of Mormon.

The critics say that even if ancients ports and ships are discovered that date back to 600 BC, those artifacts won't prove the ancient Israelites had the knowledge and skills for transocean migrations, because peoples of that era sailed and traded in the Mediterranean area. These critics ignore the statement that Nephi was instructed by the Lord in ship building. Certainly, the Lord had sufficient knowledge and skills to build ships capable of crossing oceans.

Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men (1 Nephi 18:2).

I believe in the Book of Mormon and am content to wait for the Lord to bring forth additional knowledge about peoples in 600 BC and later.