Digging up Jerusalem,

by Kathleen M. Kenyon

Dame Kathleen begins by giving the historical background to the momentous exceptions which she directed during 1961- 1967: the founding of the Palestine Exploration Fund in 1865 and then often horrifying difficulties met by the earlier explorers, notably Charles Warren and F.J. Bliss, in the teeth apathy and obstruction. Their explorations by shafts and tunnels made notable discoveries about the topography of Jerusalem but could not provide dating evidence. Subsequent chapters describe the layout of Biblical Jerusalem and the problems that the excavations attempted to solve: the boundaries of David's City, for instance, and the authenticity of the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Key topics such as the Spring Gihon, the Pool of Siloam, and the rebuilding of the city walls are given special attention. The organization, methods, and personnel of the expedition which carried out seven seasons are illuminatingly detailed, and the results of subsequent digs are also included. The main section is devoted to a chronological description of the archaeological results of the expedition. Some light was thrown on Jerusalem of the second and third millennia. The main discoveries, however, were made about Jerusalem from the time of David, through Solomonic and Herodian magnificence, down to the New Testament.

Genres: Archaeology

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[B.G. Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I wish Kathleen Kenyon were still alive, so I could tell her how much I enjoyed Digging Up Jerusalem. Kenyon made me feel I was there watching over her should as she reviewed her findings, which was enhanced by the excellent illustrations and photographs. I also enjoyed her candid remarks about the men that had excavated there in the previous hundred years before her. Her historical background overview and assessment of the history of Jerusalem was informative and gave me some new insights. I would recommend this book to anyone the least bit interested in the subject.

[Robbie Maakestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic archaeological history of Jerusalem up to 1974.