@whereu thanks for your comments. Only a thought bubble: the story of the Exodus has been so important to the Jews, because in their wanderings they began to fall from their true beliefs, so Moses went up Mt Sinai and came back with the Ten Commandments, found his people dancing around a Golden Calf etc. - and the revelation and touch of G.d in entrusting the Commandments to Moses is the transformative moment for both Jews and Christians, it cannot easily be dismissed, because:
it is an amazing story, but moreover, whether you are a believer or not, it is the very basis of our civilisation and our humane institutions.
Interesting research has also been done on the flood - theory: it was caused by the eruption of volcano Thera in approx, 1646 in the area of what is now Santorini which could account for the Biblical Flood, also the 7 Plagues (or was it 10?) can be explained by unseasonal weather/climatic changes etc. - the Pharao who expelled the Israelites is tentatively named 'Ramses' in some sources. Even on Wikipedia timelines, dates differ widely. But Wikipedia is not everything, as I am beginning to find out Taurisk
