The Bible Unearthed Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts
Presents a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors, based on recent archaeological research. Crucial evidence (or a lack thereof) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the famous stories in the Bible -- the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua's conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon's empire -- reflect the world of the later authors rather than historical facts. Challenges the fundamentalist readings of the scriptures. Offers a fascinating and controversial perspective on when and why the Bible was written and why it possesses such spiritual and emotional power today. An honest assessment of what archaeology can and cannot tell us about the historical accuracy of the Bible.