This book is part of what appears to be a developing series with similar titles devoted to the Celts and to Egypt of the Pharaohs. It examines the history and more particularly the archaeology of the area commonly known as the Holy Land and is intended for interested inquirers and potential visitors. The author is an adult education lecturer who specializes in the history and archaeology of the Biblical period. This teaching background is reflected in her lively and interesting style. She is also secretary of the Anglo‐Israel Archaeological Society and has taken part in many excavations in Israel.
There are six chapters, each consisting of a brief introduction followed by shorter examinations of individual topics. The opening chapter explores various aspects of Biblical culture and archaeology, providing an interesting history of the archaeology of Israel itself More could have been said about the controversial area of the political context in which Israeli archaeology operates. This review is written after a crisis in the Middle East peace process was sparked off by the opening of a Hasmonean water tunnel. The following four chapters consider the history and archaeology of Biblical eras from earliest times to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and subsequent events. Throughout the text is well illustrated with archaeological examples and with discussions of the work of individual archaeologists. The focus is by no means confined to the Jewish people. The author also writes well about the neighbouring nations they encountered.
Inserted in the text are smaller insets which contain much fascinating information. These compass such diverse topics as the alphabets used for early inscriptions, the Septuagint and the Samaritans, including their modern communities. The author is clearly conversant with the latest archaeological work and theories. However, in her description of Mosada she follows the modern Israeli practice of referring to its defenders in the final attack as Zealots ignoring Josephus’ description of them as “Sicarii”. Less interest is taken in the period after the Bar Kochba revolt. The final chapter carries us from AD 132 to the present in just 20 pages, with brief outlines of the histories of Christianity and Islam. I regret the absence of any reference to the monks and monastic sites of the Judean Desert. The brief account of developments in the twentieth century is objective and fair.
A gazetteer follows listing, with brief descriptions, some important cities in Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Lebanon. All periods are covered, although, as noted above, some of the monastic sites of the Judean desert deserve inclusion. Maps would have been helpful here and the inclusion of Bethlehem and Jericho under the heading “Israel” without qualification, would not be universally appreciated. There are useful references to the British Museum and other collections in Europe and North America. As an addition to this list I would suggest the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul. The bibliography is arranged under the same headings as the main text. Its main emphasis is on archaeology but history and theology are well covered. There is also a useful selection of guides. Where necessary there are brief annotations. It is remarkably up‐to‐date and includes several items published in 1994. To cover my earlier point about the desert monasteries the books by Chitty[1] and Hirschfeld[2] could usefully be added.
Exploring the World of the Bible Lands will not supplant (and does not intend to supplant) Jerome Murphy‐O’Connor’s[3] standard work. However, anyone who has visited, or intends to visit, the Holy Land will learn a great deal from it.
