The Archaeology of the Holy Land
From the Destruction of Solomon's Temple to the Muslim Conquest

An introduction to the archaeology and history of ancient Palestine, from the destruction of Solomon's temple to the Muslim conquest.

Jodi Magness (Author)

9780521124133, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 August 2012

397 pages, 188 b/w illus. 13 maps
25.4 x 17.7 x 1.7 cm, 0.8 kg

'Jodi Magness has an unrivalled reputation for scholarship in regard to the archaeology of this extended period and an ability to convey its results attractively to a wide audience, and both qualities are paraded here to good effect.' H. G. M. Williamson, Journal of Jewish Studies

This book provides an introduction to the archaeology and history of ancient Palestine – modern Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories – from the destruction of Solomon's temple in 586 BCE to the Muslim conquest in 640 CE. Special attention is paid to the archaeology of Jerusalem and the Second Temple period, in the time of Herod the Great and Jesus. For each period, the book offers a historical background for the Mediterranean world and the ancient Near East, as well as the events in Palestine. Major sites such as Masada, Caesarea Maritima and Petra are examined in archaeological and historical detail, along with the material culture – coins, pottery, glass and stone vessels – of each period. This book provides a thorough overview of the archaeology of this historically vibrant part of the world.

1. Introduction
2. The topography and early history of Jerusalem (to 586 BCE)
3. The Babylonian (586–539 BCE) and Persian (539–332 BCE) periods
4. The early Hellenistic period (332–167 BCE)
5. The late Hellenistic (Hasmonean) period (167–40 BCE)
6. The archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
7. The early Roman (Herodian) period (40 BCE–70 CE): Jerusalem
8. The early Roman (Herodian) period (40 BCE–70 CE): Caesarea Maritima, Samaria-Sebaste, Herodian Jericho, and Herodium
9. The early Roman (Herodian) period (40 BCE–70 CE): Jesus' birth and Galilean setting
10. The early Roman (Herodian) period (40 BCE–70 CE): Masada
11. Ancient Jewish tombs and burial customs (to 70 CE)
12. From 70 CE to the Bar Kokhba Revolt (135/136 CE) (the Second Jewish Revolt against the Romans)
13. Aelia Capitolina (Hadrianic Jerusalem) (135 to ca. 500 CE)
14. Roman and the late antique period synagogues in Palestine
15. The Byzantine (early Christian) period (313–640 CE): Jerusalem
16. The Byzantine (early Christian) period (313–640 CE): Palestine under Christian rule
17. Epilogue: early Islamic Jerusalem (638–750 CE).

Subject Areas: Jewish studies [JFSR1], History of religion [HRAX], Religion: general [HRA], Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Archaeology [HD], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]