A Century of Biblical Archaeology

by Peter Roger Stuart Moorey

This historical survey of the relationship between archaeology and biblical studies in the archaeological excavations in Palestine at Tell el-Hesi from 1840 to 1990 concentrates on the work of major excavators and scholars. It is a panoramic overview of the methods and theories that served to illuminate the archaeology of the Holy Land, beginning with and introductory chapter that covers the early pioneering years before the work of Pitt Rivers and Petrie.

Genres: History

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

About the author

Peter Roger Stuart Moorey was a British archaeologist, historian, and academic, specialising in Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. He was Keeper of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum of the University of Oxford, and also served as Vicegerent of Wolfson College, Oxford.

Reviews

[Diane Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat technical read aimed more towards archaeology students than the average shmoe, this book was nonetheless quite thought-provoking. Going into it, I was anticipating finding out what has been found out. Instead, I find how complex the world of archaeological research is, in particular in a region that just so happens to be the locale for the most-read book in human history. While some archaeologists dig with Bible forefront in their mind, seeking evidence for their truths, others reject the Bible entirely, in effect throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Throw in a few game-changing events (the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the creation of modern-day Israel), and the clunky, sometimes heartbreakingly sloppy evolution of the science of archaeology set in the biblical region becomes a fascinating subject that doesn't need the flowery prose this dry read doesn't offer.

[Abbey Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring, but essential.