This pithy overview of Near Eastern archaeology will be especially helpful to beginning students. Laughlin summarizes the development of Near Eastern archaeology from its origins as a means of “proving” the Bible (a practice now discredited by most academic archaeologists), including compact explanations of the most significant contributions of the pioneers of the field. Laughlin also succinctly describes and illustrates modern methods of archaeological excavation and interpretation. Finally, he explains in brief what archaeology tells us about the beginnings of civilization in the Near East, and conveys how these discoveries challenge the Biblical account. Although it is not a comprehensive treatment of the topics it covers, this slender volume is a good starting point for anyone who is interested in reading more about the intersection of science and faith.
Who’s Who in the Ancient Near East
Gwendolyn Leick
(London: Routledge, 1999) 229 pp., $29.99
Here is a literal Who’s Who of the great Near Eastern civilizations that produced the Bible, during the years roughly from 2500–100 B.C.E. This lucid, compact dictionary offers especially rich entries on Mesopotamian kings and local rulers whose inscribed seals, cuneiform court records and monuments provide much of what we know about them and their societies. Biblical rulers are not neglected, however, from the pre-eminent (David, Solomon, Saul) to the relatively obscure (Baasha, Athaliah, Uzziah, etc.).
Like any dictionary, this one has its limitations, as no single entry can provide a comprehensive treatment of the life and times of its subject. Nevertheless, the alphabetical format also confers some advantages, for example, for those struggling to differentiate among several rulers of the same name. One who looks up the ruler who provoked the Maccabbean revolt in Judah (168 B.C.), will find five entries under the name of Antiochus, with detailed accounts of their accomplishments and failures, along with the source material from which the information was drawn. Thus the reader can place the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in a familial context and has a starting point for further, deeper research.
“No visitor should walk about this region as if it were a large outdoor museum or shrine,” advises author Leslie Hoppe in this guidebook for Christians who are traveling in Israel, Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Turkey and the Palestinian territories. Though the book contains much information about the ancient history of sacred sites, Hoppe also urges readers to engage with the modern inhabitants of the region. He encourages this by providing concise accounts of recent social, historical and political travails of the diverse peoples in the Holy Land today. Although published before the current round of violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, much of the insightful commentary in this book will still be valuable to travelers who want to be more than tourists in the lands of the Bible.
Archaeology and the Bible
You have already read your free article for this month. Please join the BAS Library or become an All Access member of BAS to gain full access to this article and so much more.
