John C. H. Laughlin is Professor of Religion and Chairman of the Department of Religion at Averett College. He has excavated at Tel Dan and served as Field Supervisor at the Capernaum excavations. Since 1989, he has been a Field Supervisor at Banias. He has published and lectured widely on the subjects of Near Eastern archaeology and the Bible

• 1 Introduction: archaeology and the Bible 2 A brief history 3 How it’s done: an introduction to field work 4 The rise of civilization: the Neolithic through the Early Bronze Age (ca. 8500–2000 BC) 5 The Middle Bronze Age (2000–1550 BC) 6 The Late Bronze Age (1550–1200 BC) 7 Iron Age I (ca.1200–1000 BC) 8 Iron Age II (1000–550 BC)

'The author gives a balanced view in this general introduction to the subject, which includes ... a useful comprehensive bibliography.' - J.R. Duckworth, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament