Archaeology and the Old Testament

by James B. Pritchard

Archaeology and the Old Testament is a comprehensive book written by James B. Pritchard that explores the relationship between the Old Testament and the archaeological discoveries made in the Middle East. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the history of archaeology, the major archaeological sites in the region, the excavation methods used by archaeologists, and the various artifacts and structures that have been uncovered.Pritchard provides a detailed analysis of the Old Testament and its historical context, as well as the ways in which archaeology has shed light on the people, places, and events described in the Bible. He also examines the controversies and debates that have arisen over the interpretation of archaeological findings and their relationship to the biblical narrative.Throughout the book, Pritchard draws on his extensive knowledge of the subject matter and his many years of experience as an archaeologist to provide a compelling and informative account of the relationship between archaeology and the Old Testament. Archaeology and the Old Testament is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of the Middle East, the Bible, or the field of archaeology.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Archaeology

Paperback

First published October 21, 1958

About the author

Pritchard's archaeological reputation began to be established by his excavations at a site called el- Jib (1956–1962). He identified it as Gibeon by inscriptions on the handles of wine jars. He cataloged these in Hebrew Inscriptions and Stamps From Gibeon (1959), which included the first in-depth discussion of concentric-circle incisions on jar handles associated with LMLK seals. He explained the significance of his finds for a general audience in Gibeon: Where the Sun Stood Still (1962).

He followed (1964–1967) with excavations at Tell es-Sa’idiyeh, on the east bank in the Jordan Valley, Jordan, which revealed itself as a meeting place for disparate cultures during the transition in the late Bronze Age to the use of iron, which he connected to the influence of the Sea Peoples ("New evidence on the role of the Sea Peoples in Canaan at the Beginning of the Iron Age"), in The Role of the Phoenicians, 1968. His work was cut short by the 1967 Six-Day War.

His third and last major excavation at Sarafand, Lebanon (1969–1974) revealed the ancient Phoenician city of Sarepta. It was the first time a major Phoenician city situated in the Phoenician heartland had been fully excavated. His first findings were published in 1975: he described pottery workshops and kilns, artifacts of daily use and religious figurines, a shrine, numerous inscriptions that included some in Ugaritic, and a seal with the city's name that made the identification secure. His article, "Sarepta in history and tradition" in Understanding the Sacred Texts (1972) displays his characteristic research. His book Recovering Sarepta, an Ancient Phoenician City (1978) was written for general readers.

Additional works included Archaeology and the Old Testament (1958), which traced the evolution of modern approaches to archaeology from the first excavations in the Holy Land; and Solomon and Sheba (1974), which separated fact from legend.

Prior to his tenured appointment to the University of Pennsylvania, Pritchard taught at Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, 1942–1954, as the chair of Old Testament History and Exegesis. At Crozer, Martin Luther King became the most famous of Pritchard's students. He also taught at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California (1954–1962).

An appreciation of James B. Pritchard appeared in the American Journal of Archaeology, Volume 102, Number 1 (January 1998, pages 175-177).

Reviews

[Nate Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suppose most people would be surprised when I say that I found this book riveting. But, alas, I did! I blew threw it in a matter of a few hours. It is succinct and yet descriptive - relevant and distant. It is not comprehensive though. That, I suppose, contributes to its charm. Pritchard organizes some of the major finds in the last 200 years under major headings, and he introduces you to the big names. It is easy to gain a good grid with which to dig deeper with other works. In other words, this is a a good entry point into archaeological studies. Something else that makes this book interesting is that it was written in 1958. I enjoy reading older books and their corollary views of the the world in which they were written.

[Dwight Croy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dry but the best in his field. Great Source documentation on things that have been destroyed since by war.