Inscriptions from the 24,000-seat Great Theater of Ephesus naming the silversmith guilds and town clerk (grammateus)
Extensive epigraphy from the monumental theater of Ephesus naming the guild of silversmiths (argyrochooi), temple wardens (neokoros), and city secretary (grammateus), corroborating Acts 19.
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
Inscriptions celebrate Ephesus as 'neokoros' (temple guardian/warden) of Artemis; others honor the guild of silversmiths who crafted miniature silver shrines of Artemis, and detail the administrative responsibilities of the 'grammateus' (town clerk).
Corroborates Acts 19:23–41: Demetrius the silversmith incites a riot in the 24,000-seat theater shouting 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!', and the 'town clerk' quiets the mob by reminding them that Ephesus is 'temple keeper (neokoros) of the great Artemis'.
Austrian excavations uncovered the Salutaris inscription (104 AD), describing processions of silver statues of Artemis carried from her temple into the theater, exactly matching Luke's description.
Civic euergetistic decrees honoring wealthy citizens and maintaining commercial monopoly of the Artemis pilgrimage industry.