From Myth to Manuscript in Archaeological Thrillers: How Real Archaeology Inspired The Belial Stone

When most people think of archaeology, they imagine dusty digs, careful documentation, and ancient artifacts displayed under glass. But when I think of archaeology, I think of danger, secrets, and the thrill of discovery—the perfect ingredients for a gripping archaeological thriller.

That’s exactly what inspired me to create The Belial Stone and the series that followed. What began as a fascination with one of the world’s oldest temple complexes quickly became the beating heart of a modern, high-stakes adventure.

Real Discoveries, Real Questions

I first came across Göbekli Tepe—a 12,000-year-old site in southeastern Turkey—while reading about ancient mysteries. It wasn’t just its age that stopped me. It was the unanswered questions:

• Who built it before writing or agriculture existed?

• Why was it so deliberately buried?

• What knowledge might have been lost along with it?

These weren’t just archaeological questions—they were thriller questions. And they made me wonder: What if there was a reason someone wanted those answers hidden?

The Birth of an Archaeological Thriller

That wondering led me to create The Belial Stone, the first in a fast-paced series that blends real historical sites, ancient texts, and dangerous conspiracies. The story follows Delaney McPhearson, a former profiler thrust into a mystery involving lost knowledge, modern enemies, and a global threat with prehistoric roots.

Yes, the action moves fast. Yes, there are chase scenes, secret codes, and military-grade conflict. But what grounds it all is the history—real myths, real sites, and the real possibility that what we call “legends” might hold more truth than we think.

Why Readers Love Archaeological Thrillers

Thrillers that dive into archaeology do more than entertain. They ignite curiosity. They invite readers to question the official story. And they blur the line between history and fiction in ways that feel thrillingly plausible.

Whether it’s a hidden chamber under the Sphinx or a forgotten language that holds the key to global power, archaeological thrillers thrive on what might have been—and what still might be uncovered.

If you’ve ever found yourself reading a headline about a new ancient discovery and thinking, There’s more to this than they’re telling us, then you’re already the perfect reader for this genre.

Final Thoughts

For me, writing thrillers inspired by archaeology isn’t just about action—it’s about unlocking the mysteries of our past to better understand the dangers of our present. If that’s your kind of story, you’ll feel right at home in The Belial Stoneand the rest of the series.

Explore the series and uncover the secrets the past has tried to keep buried.