Jewish Residence

Those who doubt the veracity of the Scriptures have dismissed the Genesis account of Jewish residency in Egypt as little more than a myth. Discoveries in the mid 1980s by archaeologist Manfred Birtak revealed new evidence for Israelites living in Egypt around the mid 19th century BC. Of the pottery found in the settlement debris 20 percent  was identified as Palestinian Middle Bronze Age. The burial sites located within the excavation provided further glimpses into the former population. Artifacts found with the skeletons were of strictly Asiatic/Palestinian design. In one tomb were the broken remains of an unusual and larger-than-life statue. The statue’s hairstyle is in a mushroom shape and painted red. The color of the skin was yellow, which is traditionally how Asiatics are shown in Egyptian artwork. 

Bietak, M., "Avaris and Piramesse: Archaeological Exploration in the Eastern Nile Delta.", London: The British Academy,1986; "Avaris: The Capital of the Hyksos.", London: British Museum Press, 1996