BIB 444/445
Archaeology and the Bible
Spring 2011
Frank Wheeler
Email: fwheeler@york.edu
Office (Oliver House): 363-5646; Home: 363-2489
Office Hours: MWF 3:00 – 5:00 PM; TTH 2:00 – 5:00 PM (Other times by appointment)
Course web site: www.york.edu/fewheel
Course Description: A study of the insights archaeology provides for understanding the social,
cultural, political, and religious context within which ancient Israel and early Christianity
developed.
Departmental Objectives met by this course
-To develop good exegetical skills, understand basic principles of hermeneutics, and to be
able to communicate the Bible effectively
-Graduates who choose to pursue graduate studies will have adequate preparation to be
successful in those studies
Course Objectives - After taking this course you should be able to:
understand archaeology’s contributions to understanding the ancient world;
understand the methods used in archaeology for studying ancient peoples and their
way of life;
understand the contributions archaeology makes to interpreting the Bible within its
ancient historical, political, cultural, and religious context.
This course meets the requirement for an upper level course in the Bible department.
Textbooks
Currid, John D. Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999.
King, Philip J. and Lawrence E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Louisville, KY: Westminster
John Knox, 2001.
Reed, Jonathan L. The HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament, What Archaeology
Reveals about the First Christians. New York: HarperCollins, 2007.
Recommended Books:
Mazar, Amihai. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000 – 586 B.C.E. New York:
Doubleday, 1990.
McRay, John. Archaeology and the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1991.
Richard, Suzanne, ed. Near Eastern Archaeology, A Reader. Winona Lake, IN:Eisenbrauns,
2003.
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Course Requirements
Students taking the course for three credit hours will be required to write a 12-15 page, typewritten, double-spaced, research paper. The topic is to be chosen from the list given below or of
a similar nature. All topics must be approved by the professor. You cannot do a paper on the
same topic as your site report (see below). The paper is to follow the manual of style your
department uses. Bible majors are to follow Turabian’s manual of style.
• The topic for your research paper will be due Thursday, February 3.
• A one-page type-written description of the focus or problem to be analyzed in your paper,
along with a list of at least 8 sources, is due Tuesday, February 15.
• A rough draft of the first 7 pages of your paper is due Thursday, February 24.
• The paper is due Thursday, April 7.
Possible topics:
Archaeological Evidence Relating to the Exodus
Archaeological Evidence Relating to the Settlement of Canaan
How Archaeology Helps Us Understand the Philistines
A study of one of the main time periods: Early Bronze, Middle Bronze, Late Bronze, Iron Age
Archaeological Issues involved in the monarchy of David and Solomon
The Importance of Pottery in Biblical Archaeology
Contributions of Archaeology to Understanding Daily Life in Ancient Israel
Insights from Archaeology for Understanding Jesus’ Ministry
Contributions from Archaeology for Understanding Paul’s Ministry
A study of one of the major cities listed below:
Dan, Lachish, Hazor, Arad, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gezer, Jerusalem , Beersheba
Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth
Site Report
Each student will be assigned a significant archaeological site for which you will write a site
report and present it to the class in a 5-10 minute oral presentation. The purpose of the report is
to present a clear description of the results of an archaeological excavation that contributes to the
understanding of the social, economic, and religious aspects of the culture of that site in its
ancient archaeological context. Many sites were occupied during several time periods, so you
may want to focus on one or two time periods.
The site report should include the following information:
1. General description of the site
a. Where is the site located? Why was this particular site inhabited?
b. What is the size of the site? What is the nature of the settlement?
c. What is the significance of the site? When was it inhabited?
2. A summary of excavations at the site
a. Who excavated the site and when? How large is the excavation site?
b. What archaeological periods are represented at the site?
3. Description of the most important architectural features for site (according to time
period)?
a. Is the city layout evident? What are the fortifications? (City walls, gate, etc.)
b. Are there palaces? Temples? Public buildings? Residential buildings?
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c. What are the architectural styles of the buildings?
d. What is the spatial relationship between the buildings?
e. What is the social, economic, or religious function of the buildings?
f. What material culture is associated with (found in or near) the buildings?
4. Description of the most important installations (ovens, wine/presses, storage pits, kilns,
wells, water systems, altars, high places, etc.).
a. What is the social, economic, or religious function of the installation?
b. What is the installation’s relationship to architectural features?
5. Description of important artifacts (figurines, tools, scarabs, jewelry, pottery, weapons,
etc).
a. What is the social, economic, or religious function of the artifact?
b. What archaeological context in which it was found?
6. Bibliography of works consulted.
a. At least six sources must be used.
b. Both internet and printed sources must be used.
The site report should be 6-8 pages, double-spaced. The written version of the report is due
on Tuesday, March 1. The oral report will be presented according to the class schedule. A
short power point presentation should accompany the oral report.
Sources to be consulted for the site report should include encyclopedia articles, excavation
reports of the site, journal articles, and internet sites devoted to the site.
Reading Reports
All students will be required to write a two-page (typewritten) report on five different sections
(not assigned for reading) in either Life in Biblical Israel or The HarperCollins Visual Guide to
the New Testament. These reports will be worth 20 points each, equal to a test grade. Due dates
are as follows:
1.
January 20
2.
February 8
3.
March 24
4.
April 5
5.
April 19
Grading Scale: A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F 0 - 59%
Your grade will be based upon attendance and participation, tests, reading reports, site reports
(written and oral), and the research paper (for those in the 3-hour section).
Late work will be penalized a minimum of 50%.
Attendance Policy: The nature of this course is such that class attendance and participation is
essential. The reading assignments alone will not be sufficient for a student to be successful in
this course. As juniors and seniors you are expected to be responsible students and attend every
session. The York College attendance policy will be followed in this course. Within that policy
the following will apply to this course. For each absence over three, except for school-sponsored
activities, five points will be subtracted from the final semester total of points. It is important
that you inform me regarding any school sponsored- activities that may require you to miss class.
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Academic Honesty: Students are expected to observe Christian principles at all times.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
Fraud (copying, misrepresentation, fictionalized accounts, and unauthorized
collaborations)
Plagiarism (word for word, lifting and quilting, and quoting without a source)
Cheating, defined as any act of fraud or plagiarism discussed above, will result in severe
penalties as outlined in the York College Academic Catalog.
Special Needs:
If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self identify. You can do so by
providing documentation to the Coordinator for Special Needs, Mrs. Erin DeHart. You should
call 363-5684 for an appointment. Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.
If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an
emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in
confidence with the instructor and/or the ADA Compliance Officer. If you have general
questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), call the ADA Compliance Officer,
Todd Sheldon, at 363-5601.
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BIB 444/445 Archaeology and the Bible
Class Schedule
Currid= Doing Archaeology in the Holy Land
LBI = Life in Biblical Israel
NEA= Near Eastern Archaeology, A Reader (On Reserve)
Date
T:1/11
R: 1/13
T:1/18
R:1/20
T: 1/25
Topic
Introduction: What is
Archaeology?
Brief History of
Archaeology
Brief History of
Archaeology
Geography &
Chronology
How Archaeologists
Work – The Tell
How Archaeologists
Work - Excavation
Method
Importance of Pottery
R:1/27
T:2/1
Test # 1
The Early & Middle
Bronze Age
R: 2/3
The Late Bronze Age
T:2/8
R:2/10
Sea Peoples and The
Philistines
The Iron Age
T:2/15
The Iron Age, pt 2
R:2/17
T:2/22
Test # 2
Canaanite Religion
R:2/24
Israelite Religion;
Temples and Shrines
ReadingAssignments
Homework Due
Currid: ch. 1, 2
Currid: 3 & 4
Currid: 5 & 6
Reed, 2
Reading Report-1
Currid: 7; LBI:133146
NEA:286-300 or
331-342
On Reserve
NEA: 349-355
On Reserve
Research topic
Reading Report-2
NEA:367-380
On Reserve
One page description of
research problem &
bibliography
NEA:343-348; 383389 – On Reserve
LBI:319-348
Research paper Rough draft
due
5
T:3/1
R:3/3
T:3/15
R:3/17
T:3/22
R:3/24
T:3/29
R:3/31
T:4/5
R:4/7
T:4/12
R:4/14
T:4/19
R:4/21
T:4/26
R:4/28
Assessment Day – No
Classes
The Israelite House
Family Life Site Reports – as time
permits
Women in the Ancient
Near East
Test # 3
Tel Beth-shemesh
Goddesses & Figurines
The Misuse of
Archaeology in
Studying the Bible
Archaeology and the
NT
Herod the Great &
Galilee
Jesus and Archaeology
Jerusalem and Arch.
Site Reports
Paul and Archaeology
Site Reports
Dan, Gezer, Lachish
Beth Se’an, Caesarea,
Jordan
LBI:21-67
All written reports
due:
Oral presentations as
assigned
LBI: 49-54
NEA:150-155
LBI:348-352
Reading Report- 3
Reed: 1
Reading Report-4
Reed: 4
Reed: 5
Research paper due
Reed: 6
Reading Report-5
Oral presentations
Tuesday, May 3: Final Exam 8:00 – 10:00 AM
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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BASIC RESOURCES
Encyclopedias
These encyclopedias will be the most helpful in writing your site reports and your research
papers. Start with these works and then use other resources.
*Freedman, David Noel. Ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. New York: Doubleday,
1992. BS440.A53.1992
*Meyers, Eric M. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East. Five volumes.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. DS56.O19.1997 (Bible Office)
*D. Sasson, J. M. ed.
1995 Civilizations of the Ancient Near East. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons. DS57.C55x.1995
*Stern, E. The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Four
volumes. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1975-78. DS111.A2.E612.1993
We also have the updated supplement.
Ancient Texts
*Arnold, Bill T. and bryan E. Beyer, eds. Readings from the Ancient Near East: Primary
Sources for Old Testament Study. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002.
*Hallo, Willliam W., ed. The Context of Scripture. 3 vols. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers,
1997-2002.
*Pritchard, James B. Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press, 1969.
Other resources
Arav, Rami and Richard A.Freund. A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee. Volume
One. Kirksville, MO: Thomas Jefferson University Press, 1995.
*Ben-Tor, Amnon, ed. The Archaeology of Ancient Israel. New Haven, CT: Yale University,
1992.
Bierling, Neal. Philistines, Giving Goliath His Due. Warren Center, PA: Shangri-La
Publications, 2002.
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*Charlesworth, James H. Jesus and Archaeology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
*Crossan, John Dominic, and Jonathan L. Reed. Excavating Jesus, Beneath the Stones, Behind
the Texts. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2001.
*Currid, John D. Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Books,
1999.
*________. Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997.
*Dever, William G. Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel.
Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2005.
*________. What Did the Biblical Writers Know and When Did They Know It?, What
Archaeology Can Tell Us about the Reality of Ancient Israel. Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans, 2001.
*________. Who Were the Israelites and Where Did They Come From?” Grand Rapids:
William B. Eerdmans, 2003.
*Devries, Lamoine F. Cities of the biblical World: An Introduction to the Archaeology,
Geography, and history of Biblical Sites. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
*Dothan, Trude. People of the Sea. The Search for the Philistines. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
________. The Philistines and Their Material Culture. New Haven CT: Yale University Press,
1991.
*Finkelstein, Israel and Neil Asher Silberman. The Bible Unearthed, Ardchaeololgy’s New
Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts. New York: Simon and
Schuster, 2001.
*Hoerth, Alfred J. Archaeology and the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
*Hoffmeier, James K. Ancient Israel in Sinai; The Evidence for the Authenticity of the
Wilderness Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
*________. Israel in Egypt; The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1996.
*Hoffmeier, James K. and Alan Millard, eds. The Future of Biblical Archaeology, Reassessing
Methodologies and Assumptions. Grand Rapids:William B. Eerdmans, 2004.
*Horsley, Richard A. Archaeology, History, and Society in Galilee. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity
Press, 1996.
*King, Philip J. and Lawrence E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Louisville, KY: Westminster
John Knox, 2001.
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*Killebrew, Ann E. Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity, An Archaeological Study of Egyptians,
Canaanites, Philistines, and Early Israel 1300-1100 B.C.E. Atlanta: Society of Biblical
Literature, 2005.
*Kitchen, Kenneth A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
*Laughlin, John C. H. Archaeology and the Bible. London: Routledge, 2000.
*Levy, Thomas E. The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land. New York: Facts on file,
1995.
*Mazar, Amihai. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000 – 586 B.C.E. New York:
Doubleday, 1990.
*McIntosh, Jane. The Practical Archaeologist, How We Know What We Know about the Past.
Second Edition. New York: Facts on File, 1999.
*McRay, John. Archaeology and the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1991.
*Moorey, P. R. S. A Century of Biblical Archaeology. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox
Press, 1991.
*Nakhai, Beth Alpert. Archaeology and the Religions of Canaan and Israel. Philadelphia:
American Schools of Oriental Research, 2001.
*Reed, Jonathan L. Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press, 2001.
*Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn. Archaeology, Theories, Methods, and Practice. Third Edition.
London: Thames and Hudson, 2000.
*Sasson, Jack M. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East. Four volumes. New York: Simon and
Schuster Macmillan, 1995.
*Shanks, Hershel. Jerusalem, An Archaeological Biography. New York: Random House, 1995.
*Shaw, Ian, ed. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
*Stern, Ephraim. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, volume II, The Assyrian, Babylonian,
and Persian Periods (732-332 B.C.E.). New York: Doubleday, 2001.
*Strickert, Fred. Bethsaida, Home of the Apostles. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1998.
*Thompson, J. A. The Bible and Archaeology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
*Wright, George Ernest. Biblical Archaeology. Rev ed. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1962.
*Indicates Levitt Library has this book.
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Journals
*Biblical Archaeology Review
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
Israel Exploration Journal
*Near Eastern Archeology (Formerly called Biblical Archaeologist)
Levant
Palestine Exploration Quarterly
* Indicates Levitt Library subscribes to this journal.
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias with Archaeological Information
*Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 vols.)
*The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols.)
Helpful Websites:
Resources for Near Eastern Archaeoloogy
http://archnet.asu.edu/regions/neareast/general.php
An online interactive map of the ancient Mediterranean world
http://iam.classics.unc.edu/index.html
Virtual tours of archaeological museums
http://www.philipharland.com/museumindex.html
Israel Foreign Ministry – Israel’s Archaeological Treasures
http://www.israel.org/MFA/History/Early%20History%20-%20Archaeology/Israels%20Archaeological%20Treasures
A Cumulative list of archaeological sites in Israel – Israel Foreign Ministry
http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early%20History%20%20Archaeology/Cumulative%20table%20of%20contents%20-%20Archeological%20Sites
Sources for archaeology in Israel
http://archaeology.about.com/library/atlas/blisrael.htm
Biblical Archaeology Review Home page
http://www.bib-arch.org/
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CenturyOne Foundation site
http://www.centuryone.org/
Ancient Anatolia (modern Turkey)
http://www.ancientanatolia.com/index.htm
Palestine in the Time of Jesus
http://www.kchanson.com/PTJ/ptj.html
Archaeology and Geography related to the Gospel of John
http://catholic-resources.org/John/Archaeology.html
The Jewish Roman World of Jesus
http://www.religiousstudies.uncc.edu/JDTABOR/indexb.html
Ancient Corinth
http://www.grisel.net/corinth.htm
Corinth Computer Project
http://corinth.sas.upenn.edu/brief.html
Ancient Greek Cities
http://www.sikyon.com/index.html
Bethsaida
http://www.bethsaida.unomaha.edu/
Many pictures of biblical sites
WWW.Bibleplaces.com
Biblical Coins (pictures and descriptions)
http://www.ccu.edu/biblicalcoins/default.htm
Maps of Israel
http://www.science.co.il/Israel-map.asp
The Book and the Spade
http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm
Associates for Biblical Research
http://abr.christiananswers.net/home.html
Explorator – Blog listing of articles and discussions in archaeology
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Explorator/
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