'For the past 200 years archaeological work has provided new information that allows people in the twenty-first century to peer into the hoary past and open chapters of human history that have not been read for centuries, or millennia, in some cases. One area in which archaeology has played a critical role in making the past come alive is in the Middle, or the ancient, Near East… 'The archaeological remains from the Near East raise the following questions: Does this have anything to do with the Bible, the book that has profoundly influenced Western culture? Is there archaeological evidence that bears on the Bible? Are the narratives of the Bible, especially those from 3,000 and more years ago, myth or history? Is a scientific discipline like archaeology even compatible with an obviously religious book like the Bible? These are relevant questions that this book will seek to answer.' James K. Hoffmeier How have the societies and events of the past affected the shape of the world as we know it today? How can we use archaeological data to help us understand the peoples and culture of the Ancient Near East? Can archaeological studies help us to understand the Bible, and if so, how? These are just some of the questions discussed in The Archaeology of the Bible. Drawing on many years of research and experience in the field, James K. Hoffmeier takes the reader on a fascinating journey around the archaeological remains of the Ancient Near East. He provides the reader with a review of Bible history and examines the role of archaeology in understanding the biblical text. Beginning with Genesis and the origins of the world, The Archaeology of the Bible follows the Bible narrative right through to the early churches of Revelation. The book is divided into three sections - two of which cover the Old Testament and one of which is given to the New Testament - and is interspersed with stories from the author's own experience as an archaeologist, which bring the thrill of archaeological discovery vividly to life. Beautifully illustrated with photographs, charts, maps, diagrams and illustrations of sites, The Archaeology of the Bible is a book for anyone interested in learning more about the societies and events of the Ancient Near East and how they affect our understanding of the Bible.