3 credit(s) An examination of the ancient cultures of Palestine from Neolithic times to the early days of the Christian church. RELG-320 studies both the material culture of Palestine as uncovered in excavations and also the nature (and limits) of new archaeological methods. Biblical Archaeology also probes the relationship between text (the Bible and ancient inscriptions) and these material remains. The course will investigate the religion of Israel as can be deduced from excavations but will place that religion in the broader context of the entire culture of Israel and of the ancient Near East.