[1] The Mount Ebal site was discovered by Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal during the Manasseh Hill Country Survey in 1980.

Today, many archeologists agree that the structure was a site of an early Israelite cultic activity, however, its identification with Joshua's altar is disputed.

[10] Slowly burnt bones were found at the site, and after analysis were discovered to originate from bullocks, goats, and fallow deer.

A small semicircular stone structure that provided shelter for shepherds in Samaria on rainy days was built on this pavement.

Baruch Brandl dated the scarabs to the last quarter of the 13th century BC, the time of Ramesses II.

The seal was engraved with lines and dots in a style that was also revealed on the handles of the pottery vessels that were brought as votives.

The excavating archaeologist, Adam Zertal, believed that the site was the compound containing the biblical altar built by Joshua.

According to Benjamin Mazar, it is possible that the fallow deer was used as a sacrificial animal in the 12th century BCE, a period in which a transition from semi-nomadic to permanent agriculture took place.

[18] Another possibility is that these animals were used only for feeding the participants in the worship, and their bones were later brought as a sacrificial offering to fill the stone altar with the remains of sacred food.

[10] Zertal proposed that this could be resolved by identifying a mountain to the north as Gerizim rather than the usual location, though the suggestion has been rejected by both the Samaritan community and by other scholars and archaeologists.

[22] Zertal hit back at Finkelstein's critique, arguing that it stemmed from his preconceived rejection of the historicity of the Bible, and that it ignored findings he presented in his 1985 study that there were different stages during the site's development.

[23] Zertal argued that there were only two stages, no evidence of semi-nomad settlement, the building had no entrance and could not be a house, and no signs of destruction or need for a watchtower.

In addition, Israeli citizens visiting the area are required to be escorted by IDF soldiers, to ensure their personal safety.

Political figures that have weighed in on the matter include Likud MK Uzi Dayan, Yossi Dagan and Tzvi Hauser.