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Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction 1st Edition

by Eric H. Cline (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings
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Public interest in biblical archaeology is at an all-time high, as television documentaries pull in millions of viewers to watch shows on the Exodus, the Ark of the Covenant, and the so-called Lost Tomb of Jesus. Important discoveries with relevance to the Bible are made virtually every year--during 2007 and 2008 alone researchers announced at least seven major discoveries in Israel, five of them in or near Jerusalem. Biblical Archaeology offers a passport into this fascinating realm, where ancient religion and modern science meet, and where tomorrow's discovery may answer a riddle that has lasted a thousand years.
Archaeologist Eric H. Cline here offers a complete overview of this exciting field. He discusses the early pioneers, such as Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie and William Foxwell Albright, the origins of biblical archaeology as a discipline, and the major controversies that first prompted explorers to go in search of objects and sites that would "prove" the Bible. He then surveys some of the most well-known biblical archaeologists, including Kathleen Kenyon and Yigael Yadin, the sites that are essential sources of knowledge for biblical archaeology, such as Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, Lachish, Masada, and Jerusalem, and some of the most important discoveries that have been made, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Mesha Inscription, and the Tel Dan Stele. Subsequent chapters examine additional archaeological finds that shed further light on the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, the issue of potential frauds and forgeries, including the James Ossuary and the Jehoash Tablet, and future prospects of the field.
Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction captures the sense of excitement and importance that surrounds not only the past history of the field but also the present and the future, with fascinating new discoveries made each and every season.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0195342631
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195342635
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    September 28, 2009
  6. Part of series
    Very Short Introductions
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    6.8 x 0.5 x 4.4 inches
  9. Print length
    168 pages
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

very short introducations, introductions, comprehensive
very short introductions, VSI, key features, concise, exper authors, analysis, grow your knowledge
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Cline's book is expertly written, covering an amazing amount of material -- the history of Biblical archaeology from the 19th century to the present and the wisdom (or, alternatively, lack thereof) of applying the results of archaeology to the text of the Bible -- without leaving the reader breathless or puzzled." --Biblical Archaeology Review

"Cline is so excited and enthusiastic about the digging trade he comes across as a modern-day Indiana Jones." - Tribune Magazine

Book Description

A fascinating introduction to the most popular field in archaeology.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (September 28, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195342631
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195342635
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.8 x 0.5 x 4.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings

About the author

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Eric H. Cline

Eric H. Cline

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DR. ERIC H. CLINE is Professor of Classics and Anthropology, Director of the Capitol Archaeological Institute, and former Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at The George Washington University, in Washington DC. A National Geographic Explorer, Fulbright scholar, and NEH Public Scholar with degrees from Dartmouth, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, he is an active field archaeologist with more than 30 seasons of excavation and survey experience in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, and the United States, including ten seasons at the site of Megiddo (biblical Armageddon) in Israel and eight seasons at Tel Kabri, also in Israel, where he is currently Co-Director. Winner of the 2014 "Nancy Lapp Award for Best Popular Book" from the American Schools of Oriental Research for his book "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed," which was also considered for a Pulitzer Prize, and winner of the same award again in 2018 for his book "Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology," he is also a three-time winner of the Biblical Archaeology Society's "Best Popular Book on Archaeology" Award (2001, 2009, and 2011). A popular lecturer who has appeared frequently on television documentaries, he has also won national and local awards for both his research and his teaching. He is the author or editor of 20 books, which have been translated into sixteen languages, as well as nearly 100 articles, and several recorded lecture courses. His previous books written specifically for the general public include "The Battles of Armageddon: Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley from the Bronze Age to the Nuclear Age" (2000); "Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel" (2004); "From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible" (2007); "Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction" (2009); "The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction" (2013); "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed" (2014; revised 2021); "Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology” (2017); and, most recently, "Digging Up Armageddon: The Search for the Lost City of Solomon" (2020).

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
138 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

LaMonte McPike
5.0 out of 5 stars Archaeology
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
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Well written
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William H. Fenimore
4.0 out of 5 stars A thumbnail reference work.
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013
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This book is exactly as advertised and is well-written. I will use it from time to time to refresh my memory when reading of archaeological digs in the Near East. It is worth while.
3 people found this helpful
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Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars Eric H. Cline's "Biblical Archaeology" is fact-packed
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015
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Author Eric H. Cline's 2009 book delivers exactly what is promised, a VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION to biblical archaeology. Even so, there is considerable information about the progressive stages in the development of archaeological methodology over the past 200 years, and descriptions of the significant finds and the people who made them. The charge by one reviewer, that this book is biased against the biblical account, is spurious. I found the book to be scrupulously neutral, and for the record, Cline appears to assume the existence of an historical Jesus, "As for the actual ministry established by Jesus and his followers, some of the most interesting archaeological evidence was uncovered in November 2005..." (p. 112). If there is any bias, it is in favor of archaeology that has no agenda beyond historical accuracy. Cline details several recent examples of fraud and forgery, and the methods by which these were exposed, which devotees of the History Channel may find disquieting. The book has an index, a reference section for each chapter, and a "further reading" list.
15 people found this helpful
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Reader in New York
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in every way!
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014
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This is an excellent book in every way. In only about 150 pages, it includes nearly all the important sites, methods, people and schools of thought. It's well organized and written very clearly. It's a perfect survey/summary of Biblical Archaeology today.

One important update is required, though. The last chapter speaks about forgeries, and it focuses on the very serious charges that were made against Oded Golan, an Israeli collector of antiquities. This book appeared in 2009, but readers should know that Golan was acquitted of all forgery charges in March 2012.
10 people found this helpful
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Dr. MyKe Harbuck, Warner Robins, GA
3.0 out of 5 stars Great concept and material; overal good book, WARNING: Clear bias AGAINST the Bible, however
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2012
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This is a great book for those looking to get their feet wet, so to speak, with biblical archaeology. The format/structure is laid out very well in that Cline outlines the evolution of biblical archaeology from a chronological standpoint dealing with the earliest geographers and then with later archaeologists who evolved from or through the process of geography (the first explorers were actually geographers in the land looking for biblical sites and not for artifacts). The concept is great, and much of the material is great, and he does a very good job intertwining both archaeological finds and the historicity of archaeology in general. I love how the author balances both the historical development of archaeology along with actual archaeological finds.

However, I do have a few serious concerns. The first is that the book, evidently, is NOT written from an evangelical standpoint. The author uses the modern dating system of B.C.E. and CE, as opposed to the traditional dating system of BC and A.D. This is always an issue of concern for me, and most always represents the liberal views of science and / or theology. Modern dating systems are nothing more than an invention of a postmodern world attempting to remove Christ from everything, including science. Any author who utilizes these new modern dating systems is speculative in my opinion, at least when writing about biblical issues.

Additionally, I think the author subscribes to conspiracy theories, at least that's the opinion I have formed. By the end of chapter 3 he had mentioned covert operations and CIA initiatives at least three times that I can remember. According to the author, archaeologists from the turn of the 19th to 20th century occasionally worked as covert spies for the CIA to keep them abreast of the land of Israel and the Near East, since they would be most familiar with the land. While this may be true it's hard to tell because the author gives NO primary source references through which to confirm his conjecture and speculations.

This leads to my third criticism with the book. The author literally gives no footnotes or references, and cites absolutely no references or sources for the data he is communicating through the book. A work of this nature, even if an introductory level, should provide primary and secondary source material through which the reader can validate the veracity and authenticity of information communicated. The author makes no effort to provide source material or references so that the reader can check out the accuracy of his claim. Well much or most of what the authors claims may in fact be true, it's hard to tell since he utilizes absolutely no footnotes and no endnotes for references.

A fourth and final critique would be that the book has very few illustrations and pictures. It would've been nice to have seen more pictures of the archaeological finds or photos of the different archaeologists that the author is surveying along the way. Granted, I know this would be very expensive if this is also a print book. However, at least for the Kindle version, the insertion of photos and illustrations would have been very nice for readers.

All of the criticisms aside, the book is structured very well and the author has done a wonderful job communicating both the ideals and concepts of archaeology, as well as the historicity of the science. I would cautiously recommend this book to the Christian who is wanting to read an introductory level work on biblical archaeology.

PS: as an amendment, as I finish up the book, please note that THIS BOOK IS NOT WRITTEN BY A CHRISTIAN. Many Christinas today are searching for impartial works in biblical archaeology. If that is what you are looking for, YOU WILL NOT GET THAT HERE. This author has a clear, aggressive bias AGAINST the Bible. Many times throughout the book the author ATTACKS THE BIBLE and ASSERTS THAT THE BIBLE IS NOT AUTHENTIC and thus FALSE. While this is still a good book to learn the fundamentals of biblical archaeology, it is imperative that the Christian reader know upfront that this author has a celar BIAS AGAINST the Bible and that the reader be read to expect those attacks while working through the book. The Christian reader will get very upset when this author tells him Noah and the flood did not exist, that the Old Testament was written much later than it actually was, that Abraham and the Patriarchs are myths, etc, etc. At least he does, however, admit that the United and Divided Monarchies existed, but only because he is forced to.

Myke Harbuck
Byron, GA
24 people found this helpful
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Yitzhak Bar Geva
4.0 out of 5 stars Very short indeed
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2016
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Interesting introduction that gives impose historical background and mentions important discoveries of the past decades. Whets your appetite for more.
One person found this helpful
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lrburset
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018
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Excellent reading. I looked for this book after I read the author’s 1177bc. Totally recommend it to get an idea of what the discipline entails and who are its main representatives. I have learned a lot.
One person found this helpful
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Mike Tuccinardi
5.0 out of 5 stars Belongs on your nightstand
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2010
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This book traces in a clear and concise manner archaeological phases from the middle ages to the present time. It is clear about who discovered what, it defines both sides of major controversies, it puts the magazine "Biblical Archaeological Review" and founder Herschel Schenks in a proper perspective. A student, using this book, would be able to pick an area to do further research. This is the best written overview of archaeology I ever read. Mike Tuccinardi
13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Catherine Cochrane
4.0 out of 5 stars Most interesting
Reviewed in Australia on August 15, 2019
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A balanced view of Biblical archeology which reinforces the historical events and in other cases refutes Biblically reported events- it shows the link between sponsored 'digs' and independent 'digs' and the suggested outcomes of 'evidence' which supports a certain point of view- either Biblical or secular. Most thought provoking.
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johnwilsonauthor
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written, readable introduction to a fascinating and ...
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2016
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Very well written, readable introduction to a fascinating and controversial topic. I'm looking forward to other books in this series.
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Bracken.
5.0 out of 5 stars Proof of the Bible.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2014
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This book is excellent and will be valuable in my Bible studies..
One person found this helpful
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Mr. A. OSULLIVAN
4.0 out of 5 stars Great intro
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2013
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Not easy to encompass 2000 years of complex history into a short introduction but Cline manages to convey the core concepts of archaeology and archaeological theory and apply it to the study of this important era in a compelling and surprisingly comprehensive manner. Success can be ascertained by the fact I wished it was longer!
5 people found this helpful
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J.C. n/hants
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2015
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Good product, quickly delivered.
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