The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel

4 out of 5 stars

The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel by Amanda Hope Haley
Despite what’s seen in the Indiana Jones movies, archaeology isn’t a fast-paced quest to recover legendary objects lost to time. Scholar and writer Amanda Hope Haley’s digs in Israel have been dusty, rigorous, and objective hunts for clues that reveal the world as it existed when the Bible was written.

In The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel, Amanda travels the lands of the Bible—a trowel in one hand and a camera in the other. Discover with her how Christians can…
use archaeological finds to better understand Israel’s history
shed a Western mindset and read the Bible in its original context
comprehend today’s religious conflicts in the Holy Land
For anyone curious about Israel of the past and the present, The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel investigates the historical and modern contexts we need to understand both the Bible and God’s people, and features photos from Amanda's travels. This two-week trip through the country, which begins as a search for the meanings of ancient Scripture, just might end with a clearer perception of our current neighbors and how Jesus would have us love them today.

"Finding Noah's ark ... would be fun, but it wouldn't be instructive... wouldn't teach us about God or each other." This is the view of Amanda Hope Haley in The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel, a book about the author's travels in the land of the Bible. As a Harvard-trained biblical archaeologist, Haley spent time in Israel excavating areas of land where Jesus once walked. Her goal was not to unearth evidence of Jesus but to discover what life was like for the everyday person during Christ's time on Earth.

Only the first couple of chapters mention items and foundations Haley found on her digs. After that, Haley describes her holiday in Israel with her mother, father and husband. She writes honestly, admitting to tourist errors she and her family made. She describes the places she visited as though speaking to a reader who plans to make the trip too. Yet, it is far from a holiday diary.

In each location Haley visited, she describes the history of the place, the biblical references, the antagonism between the Jews and Muslims, and its current state. She discovers why Jesus chose to preach in certain areas, locates towns and cities mentioned in the Bible, and notes how much places have changed since the 1st century.

It is interesting to learn how the three religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, both merge and alienate each other. Haley visited areas that banned Jews, yet as a Christian, she could enter. She paints Israel as a dangerous place but also highlights its beauty spots.

The title, The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel, is misleading because there is little physical digging mentioned. Haley only documents a few of her finds, and readers do not learn a great deal from them. On the other hand, Haley's metaphorical dig into the history of Israel proves fruitful, enhanced from her first-hand experience.

Those looking for a book about archaeology may be disappointed with The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel but those wishing to learn more about the biblical land of Israel, past and present, will appreciate Haley's knowledge. For Christian readers, this book will enhance their understanding of the Bible.