Final answer:
The claim that the Old Testament was the only source of information about the Hittites before the 20th century is false. Archaeological evidence and records from other ancient civilizations also provide extensive information about the Hittite Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Old Testament was the only source of information concerning Hittites before the 20th century is false. While the Old Testament does mention the Hittites, it was not the sole source of information about them. The Hittites were an Indo-European-speaking group that emerged in Anatolia around 1650 BCE. Archaeological discoveries, such as the ruins of their capital at Hattusas, have provided substantial information on the Hittite civilization.
Contrary to merely being known through biblical accounts, the Hittites are well-documented through their own records and the records of other contemporary civilizations. They are noted for adopting the customs, technologies, and religions of those they came in contact with, and they played a key role in transmitting Mesopotamian culture to the Mediterranean, including to the Greeks. Also, comparisons with other ancient Near Eastern texts have shown connections and distinctions between the stories in the Bible and other regional legends, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.