Archaeologists have made astounding discoveries in the last few decades that prove many Biblical figures actually walked and breathed on Earth.

The existence of at least 50 people mentioned in the holy book has been identified through wall drawings, inscriptions on stone slabs and other material evidence.

One of the most significant finds was a slab bearing the name Pontius Pilate, the man who sentenced Jesus to death out of fear of losing his power over the Jews.

Another discovery included a cave found in the early 2000s, which archaeologists claimed was used by John the Baptist to anoint followers of Christ.

Pontius Pilate’s stone

The Roman leader who gave the order to crucify Jesus and then washed his hands in front of a crowd was a real and well-documented historical figure.

Pontius Pilate was a governed Caesarea, once located in Israel, from 26AD to 36 AD under the the emperor Tiberius.

Pilate convicted Jesus of treason and sentence him to death by crucifixion.

An Italian archaeologist discovered an ancient slab of limestone in 1961, which featured the name ‘Pontius Pilate.’

The inscription also explained how he built a ‘Tiberieum,’ a temple in or near Caesarea dedicated to the then-reigning Roman emperor, Tiberius.

And dating of the stone showed it was created during the ruler’s lifetime.

Pilate has also been mentioned by ancient writers including Jewish philosopher Philo, historian Josephus and Roman historian Tacitus.

Philo described Pilate as ‘a man of a very inflexible disposition, and very merciless as well as very obstinate … exceedingly angry, and…at all times a man of most ferocious pᴀssions.’

King Herod’s tomb

King Herod, born in 73AD, was a Jewish leader who heard a prophecy that a son would be born as King of the Jews.

Herod then ordered ‘the Mᴀssacre of the Innocents,’ which saw every male infant killed in Bethlehem.

While the brutal order is not in history books, it is mentioned in the gospel of Matthew.

The king was said to have died more than 2,000 years ago, but it was not until 2007 did archaeologists uncover his tomb – although his existence had been found on coins and in historical accounts.

Ehud Netzer of Hebrew University and his team found had been working in Jerusalem, excavating a volcano-shaped hill called Herodium.

Decades later on April 27, 2007, they hit a slab of pink limestone that later revealed Herod’s elusive tomb.

However, the sarcophagus had been intentionally smashed – likely by Jewish rebels.

Other archaeologists have since suggested that the size of the tomb is too small for a king like Herod – and the debate rumbles on.

The cave of John the Baptist

Archaeologists uncovered a cave in 2004 that they claimed was where John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples.

The structure featured a cistern where 28 steps lead to an underground pool.

A team led by British archaeologist Shimon Gibson excavated the cave, finding 250,000 shards from small jugs which may have been used in purification rituals.

A stone used for foot cleansing and wall carvings themed around the Biblical figure were also uncovered that convinced Gibson the cave was used by John the Baptist.