HIS 139N The Bible Buried Beneath: Biblical Archeology in 19th and 20th Century Palestine

Examines the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the perspective of 19th- and 20th-century biblical archeology. Students learn about the political manipulations of archeology by examining British interests in controlling the “Holy Land” of Palestine; the creation and re-creation of new holy sites; and the role of France, Germany, America, and Britain in shaping our understanding of the region. Students also learn about how Jordan, Israel, and Palestine have also utilized archeology for claims to the land. Each class focuses on important holy sites in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and the archeological projects in and around them.