I'm not saying it wouldn't be a big deal that proving the Book of Mormon is a valid historical document. Defenders of the Bible often use the historical evidence supporting the biblical stories as proof that it is a true book, and contains the word of God, but all it does is prove that the book is old and accurate in its account of history. It does nothing to prove that Jesus is the Christ, or that following its precepts will lead one to salvation. The same goes for the Book of Mormon. Even if it could be proven that Nephi and Alma really existed and that the wars and peoples described in it were real, it wouldn't prove it is the word of God. Yes, it would raise eyebrows as to how Joseph Smith new about these civilizations before archeologists did, but only living/applying the precepts taught in it and heeding Moroni's challenge will prove the book is the word of God.