Approaching Biblical Archaeology

by Anthony J. Frendo

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2022

Overview

Anthony J. Frendo introduces biblical students and scholars alike to the discipline of archaeology by explaining how the minds of professional archaeologists work, explaining what archaeologists seek, how they go about doing so, and how they interpret their data. Frendo shows those engaged in biblical scholarship how they can properly integrate biblical research with archaeological discoveries in a way that allows the bible and archaeology to be viewed and kept as distinct disciplines, the respective results of which, where relevant, may be integrated in productive discussion.

Frendo also examines how the archaeology of the ancient Near East (particularly that of the southern Levant) has an essential bearing on how scholars can better appreciate the text of the bible, including its religious message. Frendo examines such matters as artefacts, stratigraphy and chronology, and archaeological reasoning. He also demonstrates that, whilst generally it is archaeology that casts light on the biblical text, at points biblical interpretation can help archaeologists to understand certain data.

Key Features

• Examines how the archaeology of the ancient Near East has an essential bearing on how scholars can better appreciate the text of the bible, including its religious message
• Shows those engaged in biblical scholarship how they can properly integrate biblical research with archaeological discoveries
• Introduces biblical students and scholars alike to the discipline of archaeology

Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• What did the Excavators Actually Find? The Archaeological Data and their Interpretation
• Artefacts: Inscribed and Uninscribed
• Earlier, Concurrent, or Later? Stratigraphy as the Backbone of Archaeology
• Adducing the Evidence: Without Going Round in Circles
• In Practice: A Two-Way Flow of Traffic—Archaeology—Bible
• Conclusions

Praise for the Print Edition

Anthony Frendo has done an important service to biblical studies in this introduction to “how archaeologists think” and how biblical scholars can (and should) evaluate what they say. His admirable aim is to foster greater cooperation between the two disciplines. Alongside the step-by-step account of archaeological method, I particularly liked the way that quite lengthy treatments of current problems (like the ‘low chronology’ for the monarchy period and the nature of Yahweh’s asherah) were used as examples to show how in practice such assessment and cooperation can best be done. Readers can learn much from watching a master of both fields doing his work and even experienced scholars will value the information about recent publications in the field.

—Graham Davies, University of Cambridge, UK

This is the book I wish I had had when I was a student beginning study of the Hebrew Bible. Clearly and concisely, Anthony Frendo explains archaeology to biblical scholars, and biblical scholarship to archaeologists, and shows how the two can together contribute to our historical knowledge of ancient Israel.

—John Barton, FBA, Emeritus Oriel & Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford, UK

From beginners to seasoned scholars, readers of any background will gain new knowledge and perspective from this publication. Combining comprehensive knowledge of the literature with long experience in archaeological discovery, the author is among the most highly qualified to inform interested readers about this fascinating field. An exceptional work!

—Philip C. Schmitz, Eastern Michigan University, USA

Product Details

• Title: Approaching Biblical Archaeology
• Author: Anthony J. Frendo
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 144
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Antiquities; Archaeology; Archaeology and history
• ISBNs: 9780567676993, 9780567677006, 9780567701558, 0567676994, 0567677001, 0567701557
• Resource ID: LLS:PPRCHNGBBRCHLGY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-01T20:56:56Z

About Anthony J. Frendo

Anthony J. Frendo is professor of Near Eastern archaeology and the Hebrew Bible, head of the department of oriental studies, a member of the department of classics and archaeology, and co-director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta.