Book Review - Doing Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible (20/1)

Sorry, I know I've been absent for quite some time, but more reviews will appear soon! So do continue follow with this blog.

John Currid has done a valuable work in his book “Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible.  I’m sure as Christian you’ve probably heard many times about how certain sites were dug up and shows how accurate the bible is, that is of course a heart warming discovery, but how does one actually to know where to dig, and how to dig? Why aren’t there much more startlingly archaeological finds?

This is the first of such book that I’ve read and found that it was especially helpful for this book to be written in such a non-technical laymen way.  In this thin book (approx. 120 pg), Currid does a great job giving a brief overview of the subject, along with a brief history of the growth and improvement in archaeology.

Thereafter, he has specific chapters to explain technical terms that are used in archaeology and highlights the many problems an archaeologist faces in the field, such as decided/knowing where to start digging, how do you date the items you have found, what can you tell from the soil patterns you see while digging. It does bring with it many interesting facts and finding that you might not expect from such a dry looking topic.

Pictures and diagrams are also located within the book to help the reader visualise what the author is describing, and these pictures are certainly helpful when you are lost at what the author is trying to describe. However if this book goes for a second printing or revision, some of these pictures could be a little more recent (however, I do understand that even to include pictures in the book already adds to their costs considerable, so thanks for the publisher for making these pictures available, without them this book wouldn’t have been as useful as it was)

 

Most importantly, the author summarises the various methods used in one archaeological find showing how practically these processes are used in a real-life setting, and how each helps to reveal more information about the place, the setting and the time it is located in.

All in all, this is the book to go to if you’re looking for a primer book to understand about biblical archaeology, helpful, short and lucid, a great tool that is meant for the church. 

This book deserves the 5 stars rating.