Botanical evidence: plants mentioned in the gospels match the specific micro-climates where stories are set. Sycamore tree in Jericho (Luke 19, Zacchaeus) — sycamores grow in Jericho's low-altitude tropical climate but not in Turkey, Greece, or Italy where the gospels were later circulated. Palm branches on the Mount of Olives, mint/rue tithed by Pharisees — all botanically correct for the region.

Luke 19: Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore (ficus sycomorus) in Jericho — this species grows at Jericho's uniquely low altitude but not in Greco-Roman regions where the gospels circulated. Someone in Rome or Ephesus couldn't have invented this detail. Similarly, palm branches on the Mount of Olives and Pharisaic tithing of specific herbs all check out botanically for the region.