Course Descriptions

ARCH 5/300 Biblical Archaeology I - Credit Hours: 3

Semester normally offered: Alternate Fall Semesters

Course Description

A survey of the results of archaeological investigations in the land of the Bible from proto-historical periods to the end of the Judean Monarchy. Emphasis is placed on relating archaeological finds to historical records, including the Old Testament.

Course Equivalencies

• Biblical Archaeology
• History and Culture of Ancient Israel

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe basic principles and methods related to the techniques of archaeological excavation;
• describe basic principles and methods of dating archaeological finds;
• describe the material culture of each of the major time periods covered and distinguish significant differences between them (Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Intermediate Bronze, Middle Bronze, Late Bronze, Iron Age);
• recall the major sites associated with each of the time periods covered and the work of the archaeologists who excavated them;
• describe, compare, and contrast significant connections between the material culture of the land of ancient Israel and that of neighboring cultures for each time period covered; and
• associate specific archaeological finds with descriptions of events or items mentioned in literary sources, including the Bible. 

Field Study

In-Residence Only: A one-day interactive field study to a relevant site(s) or museum.