T&T Clark Approaching Biblical Archaeology

About the Author Anthony J. Frendo FSA is professor emeritus of Near Eastern Archaeology and the Hebrew Bible, and Senior Fellow at the University of Malta, Malta. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, UK. Product Description Anthony J. Frendo introduces biblical students and scholars alike to the discipline of archaeology by explaining how the mind of professional archaeologists works, by 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 and history. 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 (chapter 3), stratigraphy and chronology (chapter 4), and archaeological reasoning (chapter 5). He also shows in chapter 6 that whilst generally it is archaeology that casts light on the biblical text at points biblical interpretation can help archaeologists to understand certain data. Review "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, USAAnthony 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, UKFrom beginners to seasoned scholars, readers of any background will gain new knowledge and perspective from this public