Books in Brief

Archaeology and the Bible

John C. H. Laughlin (London: Routledge, 2000) 196 pp., $18.99 (paperback)

This pithy overview of Near Eastern archaeology will be especially helpful to beginning students. Laughlin summarizes the development of Near Eastern archaeology from its origins as a means of “proving” the Bible (a practice now discredited by most academic archaeologists), including compact explanations of the most significant contributions of the pioneers of the field. Laughlin also succinctly describes and illustrates modern methods of archaeological excavation and interpretation. Finally, he explains in brief what archaeology tells us about the beginnings of civilization in the Near East, and conveys how these discoveries challenge the Biblical account. Although it is not a comprehensive treatment of the topics it covers, this slender volume is a good starting point for anyone who is interested in reading more about the intersection of science and faith.

Who’s Who in the Ancient Near East