Archaeological discoveries in Jordan: their impact on biblical studies

Abstract

The major impact of archaeological exploration in Jordan on the history and development of Biblical studies is not always fully appreciated. It is shown here that several important innovations and developments in the field of Biblical studies are directly to be linked to such archaeological discoveries. Moreover, contrary to the more easily accessible and religiously more significant Cisjordan, certain regions in Transjordan have remained virtually untouched until a few years ago. Consequently, they can presently be explored by means of the most advanced survey and excavation techniques. The current interest in the social, cultural and economical aspects of society in Biblical times has been served significantly by modern socio-anthropolocical based archaeological research in the more isolated regions of Jordan.