Book Beginnings ~ a look at archaeology

NIV Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk through Biblical History and Culture ~ by Zondervan, 2005

"The Holy Land, at times variously named Canaan, Israel, the Levant, or Palestine, has changed hands many times and has often been the center of conflict.  The archaeology of Palestine is complex, in that it reflects all eras of the region's long history."

These opening pages — a chart on one page, then five more pages of descriptions — give readers information about the various ages and historical periods.  I've changed B.C. and A.D. (Before Christ and Anno Domini, which means "in the year of our Lord") to the modern BCE and CE (Before the Common Era and Common Era):

Neolithic (8300-4500 BCE)
Chalcolithic (4500-3200 BCE)
Early Bronze Age (3200-2200 BCE)
Middle Bronze Age (2200-1550 BCE)
Late Bronze Age (1550-1200 BCE)
Iron Age I (1200-1000 BCE)
Iron Age II (1000-586 BCE)
Babylonian/Exilic Period (586-539 BCE)
Persian Period (539-332 BCE)
Hellenistic Period (332-141 BCE)
Hasmonean Period (141-37 BCE)
Roman Period (37 BCE-133 CE)
Byzantine Period (324-638 CE)
Arab Period (638-1516 CE)
Crusader Period (1099-1291 CE)
Ottoman Period (1517-1917 CE)
British Mandate (1917-1948 CE)
Israel and Palestine (1948 CE-present)

Counting the maps at the back, this volume has a total of 2,352 pages.  It's thick, and it's very heavy.  No, I won't be reading this one straight through, since it's the whole Bible plus articles, footnotes, and frequent pages of photographs, charts, and archaeological information.  I'll use it for studying, just as the title suggests.  The book was a gift from a friend clearing off her cluttered shelves — thanks, Jane!

Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. Click here for today's Mister Linky.