Watch “Introduction to Biblical Archaeology” (46 min video)

Dr. Petrovich defines biblical archaeology, its historical role, key Near East sites, and methods like stratigraphy.

A complete outline of the lesson is included below the video, including time markers to help you find and review the material.

Please take notes during this lecture.

I. Introduction to the Course

• A. Welcome and Course Overview (00:00)
  • Professor Douglas Petrovich introduces the course.
  • Focus on archaeology related to the Bible.
  • Lesson 1 covers course introduction and history of biblical archaeology.
• B. Context for Archaeology (00:27)
  • Archaeology as a tool under the umbrella of history, not an end in itself.
  • Other disciplines under history:
    • Chronology: Importance of synchronizing biblical and ancient historical timelines.
    • Epigraphy: Ancient writings on pottery, stone, etc., provide firsthand insights.
    • Geography: Location of Canaan (northeast of Egypt, east of Mediterranean).
    • Topography: Physical features of the land (hilly, mountainous, flat, coastal, water bodies).
  • Integration of these disciplines enhances understanding of archaeology’s role in history.

II. Geographical Context: The Ancient Near East

• A. Map of the Ancient Near East (02:39)
  • Overview of the landmass, centered on the Fertile Crescent.
  • Fertile Crescent: Green area requiring irrigation, wells, or cisterns for survival.
  • Key regions:
    • Mesopotamia (southern): Birthplace of civilization and urbanization, Abraham’s origin.
    • Levant: Northern (Syria, Phoenicia) and Southern (Canaan, promised land).
    • Egypt: Lower and Upper Egypt, Nile River flowing into Mediterranean.
    • New Testament regions: Anatolia, Aegean Sea, Greece, Macedonia.
  • Israelites’ constant interaction with Egyptians.

III. Chronological Framework of Israel’s History

• A. Four Main Eras (05:10)
  • Era of Formation (2091–1406 BC):
    • From Abram’s entry into Canaan to Joshua’s leadership after 430 years in Egypt and 40 years in the desert.
  • Era of Theocracy (1406-1049 BC):
    • God as Israel’s king, leading battles (Joshua 5 reference).
    • Transition to human king due to people’s demand (Samuel’s time).
  • Era of Monarchy (1049–587 BC):
    • Begins with Saul, ends with Neo-Assyrian destruction under Nebuchadnezzar.
    • Judahites taken into Babylonian captivity.
  • Era of Restoration (587–445 BC):
    • From Babylonian captivity to Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall.

IV. Forerunners in Biblical Archaeology

• A. William Flinders Petrie (07:52)
  • British archaeologist, innovator in archaeology.
  • Titles and contributions:
    • Father of Palestinian and Egyptian archaeology.
    • Father of stratigraphy: Developed methods for dating archaeological layers by documenting soil changes, burn layers, etc.
    • Originated ceramic typology: Linked pottery styles to specific periods for stratigraphic dating.
    • First chair of Egyptology in the UK.
    • Investigated pyramid construction and royal tombs.
• B. William Foxwell Albright (12:39)
  • Built on Petrie’s work, set standards for excavation in Israel.
  • Key contributions:
    • Groundbreaking excavations at Tel Beit Mirsim.
    • Defined Bronze and Iron Age strata.
    • Refined ceramic typology for dating.
    • Edited Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research for decades.
    • Mentored notable archaeologists: George Ernest Wright, Frank Moore Cross, David and Noel Friedman, Raymond Brown, John Bright.

V. Components of an Archaeological Dig

• A. Types of Sites (15:07)
  • Sites vary (sand, coastal, or tells/mounds).
  • Tells: Mounds built up over time due to successive occupations, often on high ground for defense.
  • Grid system for excavation:
    • Example: Square E3 for tracking artifacts.
• B. Features of a Tell (Cross-Section) (18:13)
  • Stratigraphy: Layers of occupation, earliest at bottom, recent at top.
  • Deposition: Materials deposited in pits, which can complicate dating.
  • Architecture: City walls, buildings, often partially preserved.
  • Pottery: Key for relative dating, especially when paired with datable artifacts like Egyptian scarabs.
  • Artifacts: Weapons, tools, scarabs, beads (require careful sifting).
  • Burials: Provide insights into ancient people.
  • Charred remains: Burn layers indicate destruction, valuable for dating and understanding events.
• C. Challenges in Excavation (27:20)
  • Pits and animal burrows can deposit later materials in earlier strata.
  • Determining contemporaneity of structures (e.g., walls A and B) requires careful elevation and stratigraphic analysis.

VI. Excavation Examples

• A. Hazor Excavation (2007, Area M) (29:24)
  • Located in Jordan Rift Valley, northern Canaan.
  • Features:
    • Israelite period with standing stones.
    • Canaanite temple (Late Bronze Age II) made of black basalt.
    • Earlier occupations (Late Bronze I, Middle Bronze Age).
  • Excavation method:
    • Square digging with bulks to observe stratigraphy.
    • Level digging to maintain context.
    • Sandbags to protect bulks.
  • Discoveries:
    • Ancient drain and cistern (plumbing system).
• B. Excavation Process at Hazor (2007) (32:58)
  • Started on virgin soil, targeting Persian, Israelite, and Canaanite periods.
  • Tools:
    • Pick: Primary digging tool.
    • Shovel: For scooping dirt.
    • Hand trowel: For precise digging.
    • Brushes: For cleaning architecture.
    • Buckets and dustpans: For collecting and sifting dirt.
  • Team dynamics:
    • 2–7 team members per square.
    • Large teams handle materials, tools, and cleanup (e.g., moving stones via wheelbarrows).
  • Archaeology as a destructive science: One chance to excavate correctly.

VII. Artifacts and Their Significance

• A. Pottery (38:15)
  • Most important artifact for dating.
  • Diagnostic pottery (rims, bases, handles) helps identify periods:
    • Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Early/Middle/Late Bronze, Iron Ages.
  • Examples:
    • Persian period jug from Hazor
    • Chocolate-on-white Canaanite jug (Late Bronze I).
    • Geometric-designed jug (1000 BC, linked to Aegean influence, King David/Solomon era).
  • Composition analysis reveals pottery origins (Aegean, Egypt, local).
• B. Weapons (41:46)
  • Example: Roman-era iron ring pommel sword (New Testament period).
  • Insights into Roman interactions with Holy Land inhabitants.
• C. Epigraphical Finds (42:12)
  • Lahun bilingual ostracon (19th century BC, 12th Dynasty Egypt).
  • Features Egyptian and Hebrew (consonantal alphabet) inscriptions.
  • Deciphered as a regnal formula for Amenemhat III, with Hebrew text about a house-building celebration.
  • Discussed in Petrovich’s 2016 book, The World’s Oldest Alphabet.
• D. Other Objects (44:14)
  • Loom weight: Used for weaving fabrics.
  • Basaltic bowl/mortar: For grinding grains, linked to volcanic activity (Hazor).

VIII. Conclusion and Next Steps

• A. Future Focus (45:26)
  • Defining biblical archaeology in more detail.
  • Exploring specific archaeological sites.
  • Learning about ancient Israelites and neighbors through archaeology.