Final answer:
The primary evidence against the canonicity of the Apocrypha comes from historical and archaeological evidence that challenges the biblical narratives and the similarities to earlier Mesopotamian myths.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chief external evidences against the canonicity of the Apocrypha of the Hebrew scriptures lie in the historical and archaeological records that challenge the narratives found within the texts. The Hebrew Bible, while a central document for understanding the travails and history of the ancient Hebrews, is viewed by some scholars with skepticism due to its mythic mode of storytelling and the late composition of its texts. Key examples include the lack of archaeological evidence supporting the conquest of Canaan as detailed in the book of Joshua, and discrepancies with the Egyptian records regarding the Hebrews' presence in Canaan.
Moreover, similarities between biblical narratives and earlier Mesopotamian legends, such as those found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, raise questions about the originality and divine inspiration of the scriptural accounts. This coupled with advancing scholarly interpretations based on human psychology and sociology provides alternative explanations for the scripture's creation, further challenging their canonicity.
Canonicity debates are also fueled by variations in sacred texts and the difficulty of proving one scripture's superiority or divine origin over another. When considering these external evidences, increasing skepticism is observed towards the literal accuracy and divinity claimed by the scriptures, reflecting broader trends in religious belief.