Historical Biblical Archaeology and the Future : The New Pragmatism

Reflects the major changes happening in the historical archaeology of the Holy Land. This book represents a fundamental paradigm shift brought about by the application of objective science-based dating methods, geographic information systems, anthropological models, and an array of computer-based and digital technology tools.

Joint winner of the 2011 Biblical Archaeology Society Publication Award in the category "Best Scholarly Book on Archaeology" The archaeology of the Holy Land is undergoing major change. ''Historical Biblical Archaeology and the Future'' describes the paradigm shift brought about by objective science-based dating methods, geographic information systems, anthropological models, and digital technology tools. The book serves as a model for how researchers can investigate the relationship between ancient texts (both sacred and profane) and the archaeological record. Influential archaeologists and biblical scholars examine a range of texts, materials and cultures: the Vedas and India; the Homeric legends and Greek Classical Archaeology; the Sagas and Icelandic archaeology; Islamic Archaeology; and the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ayyubid periods. The groundbreaking essays offer a foundation for future research in biblical archaeology, ancient Jewish history and biblical studies.