Biblical archaeology

Biblical archaeology involves the recovery and scientific investigation of the material remains of past cultures that can illuminate the periods and descriptions in the Bible. As with the historical records from any other civilization, the manuscripts must be compared to other accounts from contemporary societies in Europe, Mesopotamia, and Africa; additionally, records from neighbors must be compared with them. The scientific techniques employed are those of archaeology in general including excavations as well as chance discoveries.

Milestones During the British Mandate

Following World War I, antiquities laws were established for Palestinian territory along with a Dept. of Antiquities (later to become the modern Israel Antiquities Authority) and the Palestine Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem (now named the Rockefeller Museum). J. Garstang was instrumental in these accomplishments. W.F. Albright dominated the scholarship of this period and had long-lasting influence on Biblical historians based on his analysis of Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery.

Related Topics:
World War I - Israel Antiquities Authority - Palestine Archaeological Museum - Jerusalem - J. Garstang - W.F. Albright

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• 1921-3, 1925-8, 1930-3 C.S. Fisher, A. Rowe, and G.M. Fitzgerald excavated Beth Shean
• 1922-3 W.F. Albright excavated Tell el-Ful (probably Biblical Gibeah)
• 1925-39 C.S. Fisher, P.L.O. Guy, and G. Loud excavated Megiddo
• 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 W.F. Albright excavated Tell Beit Mirsim (possibly Biblical Eglon or Debir--Kirjath Sepher)
• 1926-35 W.F. Bade excavated Mizpah
• 1928-33 E. Grant excavated Beth Shemesh
• 1930-6 J. Garstang excavated Jericho
• 1931-3, 1935 J. Crowfoot excavated Samaria
• 1932-38 J.L. Starkey excavated Lachish (the excavation terminated when he was killed by Arab bandits near Hebron while on his way to the opening ceremonies of the Palestine Archaeological Museum)
• 1936-40 B. Mazar excavated Beth Shearim