Has the Tomb of Joseph in Egypt Ever Been Found?

As of August 2023, the tomb of Joseph, the biblical figure known for his coat of many colors and his significant role in Egypt, has not been definitively located. According to the Bible, Joseph was buried in Egypt but the specific site of his burial remains unknown. Various traditions and claims exist about potential burial sites, but none have been confirmed through archaeological evidence.

One of the most commonly referenced locations is Shechem, where some believe his remains were eventually moved, but this claim is not substantiated by concrete archaeological findings. The search for Joseph's tomb has led to numerous hypotheses and claims, yet none have gained widespread acceptance in academic or archaeological circles.

The Fictional Nature of Joseph

It is important to note that Joseph was a fictional character, not a historical figure. There is no archaeological or written evidence of Joseph in Egypt or anywhere else. Beyond the Bible, which dates to around 500 BCE, there is no evidence to support the existence of any events or persons described in the Old Testament, including Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Solomon, Joseph, David, the Exodus, or the Flood. As fictional characters, there is no need to bury them.

Another intriguing hypothesis is the claim that a small pyramid was found and identified as Joseph's tomb. This was based on a documentary that showcased a sculpted head in the British Museum, which was thought to be of Joseph. However, this hypothesis has not been positively proven and remains a subject of debate.

Archaeological Evidence and the Tomb of Joseph

Qever Yosef (Hebrew: ??? ????, Arabic: ??? ????) is a funerary monument located at the eastern entrance to the valley that separates Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, 300 metres northwest of Jacob's Well. Situated near Nablus in the West Bank, this site is near Tell Balata, the site of Shakmu in the Late Bronze Age and later biblical Shechem. One biblical tradition identifies the general area of Shechem as the resting place of the biblical patriarch Joseph and his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Multiple locations have been viewed as the legendary burial place of Joseph.

Post-biblical records regarding the location of Joseph's Tomb have surfaced around the beginning of the 4th century AD. The present structure, a small rectangular room with a cenotaph, dates from 1868 and is devoid of any trace of ancient building materials. While some scholars, such as Kenneth Kitchen and James K. Hoffmeier, affirm the essential historicity of the biblical account of Joseph, others, such as Donald B. Redford, argue that the story itself has evolved over time.

The lack of Jewish or Christian sources mentioning the tomb prior to the 5th century indicates that it was a Samaritan site. Samaritan sources describe struggles between Samaritans and Christians who wished to remove Joseph's bones, highlighting the historical and religious significance of the site.

Finding the tomb of Joseph is a complex issue intertwined with biblical narratives, archaeological evidence, and historical traditions. While ongoing research and exploration may yet bring new insights, for now, the tomb of Joseph in Egypt remains an enigma.