The Archaeology of the Land of Israel

by Yohanan Aharoni

s/t: From the prehistoric beginnings to the end of the First Temple period

Genres: History, Reference

366 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1982

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not what you'd call a ripping great read, the late Yochanan Aharoni's work is a thorough and comprehensive guide to the archaeology of the Land of Israel up to the end of the First Temple period (Aharoni Aharoni was an archaeologist and historical geographer, chairman of the Department of Near East Studies and chairman of the Institute of Archaeology at Tel-Aviv University). It is copiously illustrated, especially with pottery samples and building ground plans. There are some 60 photographs. The ancient Canaanites were not great builders (although the country was highly urbanized during their first and last periods) and their Israelite conquerors even less so, so Biblical archaeology doesn't have the enormous and impressive ruins or tombs one associates with ancient civilizations like Rome, Egypt or Mesopotamia. Let's face it, we were a backwater. But it was our backwater, and Professor Aharoni introduces us to life and society in and before Tanakh-era Israel; it's towns and cities, it's produce, it's governing systems, it's all here.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a page turner, this one. Very thorough!