The Quest for the Historical Israel: Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel PDF
Preview The Quest for the Historical Israel: Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel
Archaeology and Biblical studies Andrew G. Vaughn, Editor Number 17 THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL ISRAEL Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL ISRAEL Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel Invited Lectures Delivered at the Sixth Biennial colloquium of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, Detroit, October 2005 by Israel Finkelstein and Amihai Mazar edited by Brian B. Schmidt Society of Biblical Literature Atlanta THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL ISRAEL Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel Copyright © 2007 by the Society of Biblical Literature All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the Rights and Permissions Office, Society of Biblical Literature, 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Finkelstein, Israel. The quest for the historical Israel : debating archaeology and the history of early Israel : lectures delivered at the Annual Colloquium of the Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, Detroit, October 2005 / by Israel Finkelstein and Amihai Mazar ; edited by Brian B. Schmidt. p. cm. — (Society of Biblical Literature Archaeology and Biblical Studies ; 17) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-58983-277-0 (paper binding : alk. paper) 1. Bible. O.T.—Antiquities—Congresses. 2. Bible. O.T.—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—Congresses. 3. Bible O.T.—Evidences, authority, etc.—Congresses. 4. Excavations (Archaeology)—Israel— Congresses. 5. Israel—Antiquities—Congresses. 6. Archaeology and religion—Congresses. I. Mazar, Amihay, 1942-II. Schmidt, Brian B. III. International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Colloquium (Detroit : 2005) IV. Title. BS621.F567 2007b 221.9’5—dc22 2007010913 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free, recycled paper conforming to ANSI/NISO Z39.48- 1992 (R1997) and ISO 9706:1994 standards for paper permanence. ISBN 978-1-58983-673-0 (electronic) CONTENTS List of Figures and Tables Preface Introduction PART 1: ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE QUEST FOR HISTORICAL ISRAEL IN THE HEBREW BIBLE A Summary Assessment for Part 1 Brian B. Schmidt Digging for the Truth: Archaeology and the Bible Israel Finkelstein On Archaeology, Biblical History, and Biblical Archaeology Amihai Mazar PART 2: USING ARCHAEOLOGY TO ASSESS THE BIBLE’S TRADITIONS ABOUT “THE EARLIEST TIMES” A Summary Assessment for Part 2 Brian B. Schmidt Patriarchs, Exodus, Conquest: Fact or Fiction? Israel Finkelstein The Patriarchs, Exodus, and Conquest Narratives in Light of Archaeology Amihai Mazar PART 3: THE HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF COLLECTIVE ISRAEL A Summary Assessment for Part 3 Brian B. Schmidt When and How Did the Israelites Emerge? Israel Finkelstein The Israelite Settlement Amihai Mazar PART 4: THE TENTH CENTURY: THE NEW LITMUS TEST FOR THE BIBLE’S HISTORICAL RELEVANCE A Summary Assessment for Part 4 Brian B. Schmidt King Solomon’s Golden Age?: History or Myth? Israel Finkelstein The Search for David and Solomon: An Archaeological Perspective Amihai Mazar PART 5: ON MORE SECURE GROUND? THE KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH IN THE IRON II PERIOD A Summary Assessment for Part 5 Brian B. Schmidt The Two Kingdoms: Israel and Judah Israel Finkelstein The Divided Monarchy: Comments on Some Archaeological Issues Amihai Mazar PART 6: So WHAT? IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARS AND COMMUNITIES A Short Summary: Bible and Archaeology Israel Finkelstein Concluding Summary: Archaeology’s Message Amihai Mazar Further Reading Subject Index Index of Biblical Passages LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Map of Iron Age sites Fig. 1. The Tel Dan inscription. Photo courtesy of Zev Radovan. Fig. 2. The stable in the northeastern sector of Megiddo. Photo courtesy of the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition. Fig. 3. Palace 6000 at Megiddo. Photo courtesy of the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition. Fig. 4. Tel Rehov. Photo courtesy of the Tel Re ov excavations. Fig. 5. Divisions of the Iron Age in Israel. Fig. 6. The Stepped Stone Structure in Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Zev Radovan. Fig. 7. Plan of ancient Jerusalem. Fig. 8. Plans of the six-chambered gates at Gezer (A), Hazor (B), and Megiddo (C). Fig. 9. Four-horned clay altar from Tel Re ov (tenth to ninth century). Photo courtesy of the Tel Rehov excavations. PREFACE This book contains the papers that were delivered at an important event. That event was the Sixth Biennial Colloquium of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in Detroit. The Institute is the intellectual arm of the worldwide movement of Secular Humanistic Judaism. Humanistic Judaism depends on science for the story of the Jewish people. With regard to the early history of the Jews it depends on archaeology. It was our great desire to bring together two of the most famous Israeli archaeologists to thrill our audience with the revelation of their recent discoveries. We were not looking for final answers to our questions. We were looking for believable answers. With the help of Professor Brian Schmidt of the University of Michigan, we were able to bring together Israel Finkelstein and Amihai Mazar to dialogue before an English-speaking lay audience for the first time. The results of the 2005 colloquium lectures entitled “Digging for Truth” were spectacular. This book is the consequence of a quite wonderful weekend. Sherwin T. Wine, Provost International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS AND EDITOR Rabbi Sherwin Wine was tragically killed on July 21, 2007 in an automobile accident while in Essaouira, Morocco, just as this volume was approaching the final stages of preparation for publication. We, the authors and editor, dedicate this volume to his lasting memory. Neither these essays, nor the Colloquium in which this book has its roots, would have seen the light of day without his
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