The discovery of ancient ruins and artifacts at sites in the Middle East has enormously advanced our modern ability to understand and interpret the Bible. In some cases they have challenged the historical record of the Scriptures; in other cases they have confirmed it. But always the archaeological evidence has clarified our picture of the biblical world and the people who lived there. This book summarizes the history and the impact that archaeology has had on biblical understanding. Written for non-professionals, it traces the development of biblical archaeology and the controversies it seems to engender. Particular attention is given to the case-study sites of Jerusalem, Ebla, Capernaum and Nabratein.