Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Jodi Magness ISBN: 0-8028-2687-3 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: July, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: All things old...
Comment: The archaeology and scriptural/textual studies of the Dead Sea Scrolls have held the public imagination for much of the past half-century. Since the first Scrolls were discovered not far from the ancient site of Qumran in the late 1940s, there has been an air of mystery and intrigue around them unlike almost any other archaeological find. This is largely because of the association with the text of the Bible and the undeniable impact it has had on modern culture. The book The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls is a welcome addition to the ranks of basic introductory texts on the topic.
The author, Jodi Magness, is on the faculty of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her professional interests centre largely on early Judaism, and include such topics as ancient pottery, ancient synagogue architecture and construction, the role of the Roman Army in the Eastern Empire, and, of course, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumrani settlement. An experienced field archaeologist, she has participated in twenty different excavations in the Middle East and Greece, including work at Masada, the great fortress in the south of Israel that was a 'last stand' spot during the Jewish revolt against the Romans.
An Introduction to the Archaeology of Qumran
In her first chapter, Magness looks at the basics of Qumran. Not a tourist hot-spot until fairly recently, for much of its excavation history it has been a desolate and remote location. One problem Magness highlights is that the primary person associated with archaeological excavation of Qumran, Roland de Vaux, who was also part of the controversial scroll research and translation team, never published a final report on his archaeological studies. There were several preliminary and introductory reports (not all of which have been made available in English translation to this day), but de Vaux died before finishing. Truth be told, this is not a problem unique to de Vaux or to Qumran, and publications such as Biblical Archaeology Review have highlighted the problem of archaeologists who do not follow through with their research by putting it into publication.
Magness cautions against looking at her work as anything definitive. This is more of an introduction and overview of the current state of affairs. She gives further in this chapter a brief introduction for the untrained in archaeological methodology, a survey of dating techniques, and a look at why Qumran is controversial. Arachaeology is far from an exact science; dependent upon interpretation and knowledge of ancient human behaviours, it is subject to multiple interpretations and constant revision in the light of new finds. Qumran is awash in multiple interpretations as to the nature of the community there and the use of rooms and artifacts found there.
Subsequent chapters cover the following topic in some detail, outlining continuing areas of question and controversy, as well as Magness's own theories.
-The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Exploration of Qumran
-The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Community at Qumran
-The Buildings and Occupation Phases of Qumran
-What Do Pottery and Architecture Tell Us about Qumran?
-Communal Meals, a Toilet, and Sacred Space at Qumran
-Miqva'ot at Qumran
-Women and the Cemetery at Qumran
-The Temple Tax, Clothing, and the Anti-Hellenizing Attitude of the Sectarians
The Settlements at Ein Feshkha and Ein el-Ghuweir
Magness concludes by looking at two settlements also at the north end of the Dead Sea that have a relationship with Qumran. She describes the layout and buildings, as well as some of the finds associated with them. Magness is wary of direct connections being assumed between Qumran and these other nearby settlements. In some cases time frame conflicts, and in others simply a lack of any direct evidence leads to her suspicion. However, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence and she allows that there might have been relationship between the three sites.
Extra stuff
At the beginning of the book is a brief introduction followed by a series of plates, maps and line-art drawings. Sixty-six figures in all, these are all placed up front for ready reference, as many will be useful and referred to again and again throughout the text of the chapters.
In addition to these chapters, Magness includes indexes in several different categories. There is an index by Author and Contemporary Historical Figures; there is an index of Scrolls, Biblical Books, Extrabiblical Books, and Historical Figures; and there is an index of Sites and Place Names. These, in addition to the general index, make this a very practical and useful book for ready research.
At the conclusion of each chapter, Magness has a narrative bibliography directing the reader/researcher to more broad and in-depth information about the topics discussed. Given the recent publication date, this information makes this text a great ready-reference resource for further Dead Sea Scroll and Qumran research.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Well-written Study
Comment: In this well-written study Jodi Magness helps us see how people lived at Qumran and why they did things as they did. Unlike many scholars, Jodi Magness is persoanl in her reporting and evaluating. She speaks from experience as a working archaeologist. The Intoduction the Archaeology of Qumran is a fascinating overview of the field. Maps and illustrations add to the value of the introduction and the chapters which follow. Each of the ten chapters has an extensive bibliography to encourage in-depth study. Reading this book will not only add depth to Bible study but it will challenge the reader to see and appreciate more the world around him. What do the items found in our own backyards tell about people who lived where we do? Jodi Magness teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has participated in 20 different excavations in Israel and Greece.
Rating: 5
Summary: No Fringe Theories Allowed
Comment: Jodi Magness points out in the introduction to her book that there are two reasons why fringe theories about the Dead Sea Scrolls are numerous. The second is that "we tend to side with the underdogs." The first reason is that controversy sells. Magness shows why the available archaeological evidence supports the basic conclusions of Roland de Vaux. The scrolls and the Qumran settlement are related. The scrolls were owned by a sectarian group. The settlement is not a villa rustica. Etc. Yet Magness does not rubber stamp the work of de Vaux. For example she sets forth her own chronology of the settlement.
This book is not for people who subscribe to fringe theories. There are no Christian writings found among the scrolls. Nor are the scrolls a depository of the Temple either in 62 BCE or 68 CE. There used to be a sect known as the Essenes who lived at Khirbet Qumran...
 |
Title: The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls : Their Significance For Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity by James VanderKam, Peter Flint ISBN: 006068464X Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 26 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
 |
Title: The Dead Sea Scrolls : A New Translation by Michael O. Wise ISBN: 0060692014 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
 |
Title: Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scroll by Lawrence H. Schiffman ISBN: 0385481217 Publisher: Anchor Bible Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
 |
Title: The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English by Geza Vermes ISBN: 0140278079 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible : The Oldest Known Bible Translated for the First Time into English by Martin Abegg, Peter Flint ISBN: 0060600632 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
