Treasures from Bible times

A peasant farmer uncovers a buried city. A shepherd casually aims a stone at a hole in a cliff, and the Dead Sea Scrolls are found. Behind a sealed doorway lies the treasure of King Tutankhamen.

It is stories such as these which give archaeology its endless fascination. In the case of the lands of the Bible, there is also an extra dimension: the fascination of finding of finding links with the Bible itself. How far have discoveries helped to "prove" the reliability of the Bible text?

The treasures are as varied as the stories which surround their discovery. There is gold and silver to satisfy the most ardent treasure hunter. More surprising and equally fascinating are the written documents which unlock the key to forgotten languages and open up unknown civilizations. And discoveries such as the great 4,000-year-old temple tower at Ur, tomb-pictures, letters, inscriptions, all increase our knowledge of the world in which the Bible was written, throwing fresh light on the unique message.