A state-of-the-art introduction to the archaeological exploration of Syria-Palestine from ancient times to current excavations, Stones and Stories introduces students to the history and methods of "biblical archaeology." By correlating cultural patterns in different archaeological eras with cultural patterns in the biblical narratives, Benjamin describes the assumptions and methods that have guided both scholars and amateurs the faithful, the skeptical, and the curious.

Lavishly illustrated, Stones and Stories is simultaneously an accessible introduction to archaeological method and an overview of what archaeology has shown us regarding the worlds of the Bible.