Ancient purple dye factory found near Israeli coast and a demonic encounter in Lydia

Banded Dye-Murex, Hexaplex (Trunculariopsis) trunculus
(Photo by Holger Krisp via Wikipedia)

A reader tipped me off to the following:

Ancient “Factory” for Purple Dye Mentioned in Bible Discovered South of Haifa

May 10. 2025

Archaeologists have uncovered new insights into an ancient purple dye factory at Tel Shiqmona, an archaeological site south of Haifa, Israel, along the Mediterranean coast, shedding light on life in biblical times.

Their findings, published in the journal PLOS One, confirm the site’s role in large-scale purple dye production dating back to 1100 B.C., during the Iron Age—over a century before the reigns of Kings Solomon and David. …

Excavations revealed fragments of vats with purple stains and stone tools bearing purple residue. Unlike earlier assumptions that industrial-scale purple dye production began with the Romans in the first century A.D., Tel Shiqmona demonstrates this practice centuries earlier. The dye, derived from crushing mollusk shells, was highly prized in antiquity and is referenced in the Bible.

Acts 16:14 mentions Lydia, a merchant: “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

In Mark 15:17, purple cloth is used to mock Jesus: “And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.”

Using chemical and mineralogical analyses, researchers studied the artifacts. Archaeologist Golan Shalvi told New Scientist that crushed mollusks secreted a greenish fluid that turned purple when oxidized. “However, in order to transform it into an actual dye – one that chemically bonds with textiles – it must be processed into a solution through a complex series of chemical steps,” Shalvi said.

He described the site as utilitarian: “It was an industrial site throughout most of the Iron Age, without monumental architecture or any particular beauty or elegance. I imagine it as a very smelly place – especially to a modern nose – since the production process emitted a terrible odor. I picture wool fleeces dyed in various shades drying outside and inside the buildings, which may have given the site a purplish-reddish-blue hue.” …

The authors conclude, “Therefore, we conclude that the entire manufacture, from harvesting the snails to dyeing, was conducted at the site, and that dye-production and dyeing were conducted in one container – apparently a rather efficient process.” https://basedunderground.com/2025/05/10/ancient-factory-for-purple-dye-mentioned-in-bible-discovered-south-of-haifa/

Yes, archaeology continues to confirm facts that are in the Bible.

Those who interpret archeological evidence to contradict the Bible, which happens often in the media and so-called documentaries, are in error. As scripture says:

4 … Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar … (Romans 3:4)

That being said, let’s look at the account involving Lydia:

14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. (Acts 16:14-40)

From the above account we learn that a woman, who was a believer, had a successful business involving purple. And that she helped support Paul and those with him.

We see that Paul was preaching the gospel.

We also see that the demonically-possessed do recognize God’s true servants.

This is something I and others have also encountered. Related to that we put out the following video:

14:40

CCOG, the gospel, baptizing, and demons

In the Gospel in Mark 16:15-17, Jesus gave a commission and a prophecy: 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; …

Is the the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) doing what Jesus said in Mark 16:15-17?

If so, how?

Are demons alive and well?

Are any in the Continuing Church of God casting out demons today?

Demons are an intriguing and frightening topic. Both the Old and New Testaments give countless examples of the children of God fighting against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. In the modern world, demons are dismissed as more of a fantasy than a reality. Yet, demons do exist.

Some in the Continuing Church of God are claiming victory over demons through Jesus Christ. However, there are still others that actually create coloring books of demons made especially for little children. Little children that may be highly susceptible to demonic influences. This is a shameful act at best.

Dr. Thiel tells of ways the Continuing Church of God is fulfilling the commissions that Jesus gave. He also quotes scriptures related to demons and even casting them out in this video.

Here is a link to our video: CCOG, the gospel, baptizing, and demons.

The account in Acts also showed false arrest and abuse of government authority.

We also see that the Apostle Paul cited legal provisions to try to reduce persecution.

After all of this, Paul and those with him again accepted the support of the woman in Lydia, before they departed to reach others.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Close Encounters of a ‘Spirit’ Kind discusses some experiences I believe were (demon) ‘spirit’ related. Two videos are also available titled: Poltergeists and Lying Wonders and CCOG, the gospel, baptizing, and demons.

Women and the New Testament Church What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women? Here are links to two related sermons: Women’s Roles in the Church and New Testament Women. Here is a sermon in the Spanish language: Las mujeres y la Iglesia de Antiguo Testamento: https://youtu.be/BQ0oQTlIcXg

Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Here is a link to a related sermon: Evolution is NOT the Origin of Life. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?

Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning? Here are links to related sermons: Let’s Talk About the Bible, The Books of the Old Testament, The Septuagint and its Apocrypha, Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and Lost Books of the Bible, and Let’s Talk About the New Testament, The New Testament Canon From the Beginning, English Versions of the Bible and How Did We Get Them?, What was the Original Language of the New Testament?, Original Order of the Books of the Bible, and Who Gave the World the Bible? Who Had the Chain of Custody?