Prophecy, apocalypticism, theology, are not about science. I think that's your problem.
That's the only way we would ever know if a prophecy came true.
1. Prophet says something specific (names, dates, places, events) will happen that he could not possibly hypothesize or know from available knowledge
2. Observe and see if that thing happens <- That's the science part
Rather try categorizing them under history (prophecy = history in advance), which you will find is not an exact "science" at all.
If it was history in advance it would be. History IS a science. You just said to no use science then said to use it!
Jesus Christ as king designate was paraded before the people (the end point of 69 weeks of years). A week later he was killed "with nothing for himself." It works for me, a brilliant prophecy that was indeed fulfilled in detail.
"Cut off with nothing for himself" doesn't imply "dead". It was all part of a plan whereby he would be King of Reality. The "prophecy" doesn't say what would happen, how it would happen, who it would happen to or the results. It's so vague it could mean a bartender cut him off. It literally isn't capable of being fulfilled in detail because there ARE NO DETAILS, except what the reader pushes back into the text.
Let's not concentrate on Archer's philosophy in life, rather note what he said, which is a prophecy in itself.
How is it a prophecy? In any event, modern archeology and science has proven him wrong. Much like you wouldn't rely on a dentist from 1940, it's time to update.