The Archaeology Book

The Archaeology Book can be used with students in grades 5 through 12 to study the history surrounding biblical events. The study ranges throughout the Middle East. After an introductory chapter on the science of archaeology, this 96-page book has chapters on Egypt, the Hittites, Ur of the Chaldees, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Petra, the Phoenicians, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Israel. This book is heavily illustrated with fascinating photos and images.

Author David Down frequently discusses the Bible and other sources of historical information in light of recent archaeological discoveries. Students familiar with the Bible will get the most from this study, since Down often assumes that his readers are already familiar with the biblical accounts.

The book is designed with color-coding on the pages that differentiates three levels of difficulty.  Level One material (yellow) is to be read by all students. Level Two material (gray) is added for seventh and eighth graders, and Level Three (white) is added for high schoolers.

Level One presents five “Big” questions at the beginning of each chapter under Who, What, Where, Why, and How. These questions are answered in various sections within the chapter, providing a scaffold for the presentation of those answers and related information. Level One also includes “Wonder Why” sections, such as one that answers the question “Why were inscriptions sometimes imprinted on pottery?” (p. 11) and “DD’s Journal” entries based on Down’s own archaeological experiences.

Level Two adds more text that digs deeper into discoveries and how they relate to history. It sometimes includes vocabulary “Words to Know” and occasional “Reflections” questions that help students think more deeply about archaeology itself, such as “How do archaeologists know what life was like in the past?” (p. 7).

Level Three adds even more information and “Dig Deeper” sections that get into significant and often controversial analyses of theories related to discoveries.

Questions are meant for thought and/or discussion, so there is no answer key.

While appropriate for fifth and sixth graders, I recommend The Archaeology Book for students in junior and senior high, primarily because it assumes prior knowledge of history and the Bible that younger students might lack. In addition, all students need to understand that the author intends to support a belief in the historical accuracy of scripture, and he interprets history and archaeology through that lens. For instance, he challenges the scientific reliability of carbon-14 dating, which is widely accepted as a means of identifying the timeline of Egyptian history, a timeline at some points in conflict with the biblical narrative.

Summary

The Archaeology Book should fascinate those interested in biblical history, especially those looking for evidence that validates the chronology and events presented in the Bible.

Note: This book is part of Master Books’ Wonders of Creation series.