Treasures from Bible Times: Exploring Biblical Archaeology

Treasures from Bible Time by Alan R. Millard is a highly regarded work of biblical archaeology that examines archaeological discoveries related to the Bible. Though originally published in 1985, it is considered a classic in its genre. 

Summary of Treasures from the Bible Times

Treasures from Bible Time is a highly recommended and well-regarded introduction to biblical archaeology for general readers. Author Alan Millard successfully combines his academic expertise with clear, accessible writing and abundant, high-quality illustrations to bring biblical history to life. Although the archaeological research it presents is now decades old, it remains a valuable and trustworthy resource for understanding major biblical archaeological finds and their context. The book appears to be out of print but is widely available in second-hand condition. 

The book describes numerous archaeological finds, such as ancient manuscripts (like the Dead Sea Scrolls), inscriptions (like the ‘Israel stele’ and the ‘Moabite stone’), and the remains of ancient cities (Ur, Babylon, etc.). It aims to show how these “treasures” or discoveries have increased knowledge of the world in which the Bible was written and how they can offer a corroborating background to biblical texts, making the subject comprehensible to non-specialists. 

Key Features

• Millard’s writing is informative and accessible: He writes with authority on a complex subject while making it understandable for non-specialists. The book is an excellent guide for those interested in biblical history, archaeology, or theology.
• Comprehensive and detailed: The book covers a wide range of topics in biblical archaeology, including chapters on Babylon, Assyria, the Philistines, and conquered Canaanite cities. It is well-organized and packed with information.
• Richly illustrated: Treasures from Bible Time is profusely illustrated with maps, diagrams, drawings, and photographs. The visual elements complement the text and give readers a vivid look into the world of biblical history.
• Scientifically objective: The book is scientifically objective, providing a balanced and realistic account of archaeological finds and their connection to the biblical text. Millard clearly states when evidence is uncertain, avoiding unsubstantiated claims.
• Engaging for different audiences: The work appeals to a broad audience, from students of archaeology to casual readers interested in biblical history. It is both a readable book and a valuable resource for in-depth study. 

Limitations

• Firstly, its content is dated. While a classic, the book’s initial publication date of 1985 means that it does not reflect archaeological discoveries made in recent decades. It assembles already known discoveries rather than presenting new ones. However, this does not diminish its value as a comprehensive survey of key findings up to that point.
• And secondly, it has no ‘new gems’: A review in the Biblical Archaeology Review from 1985 commented that the book did not offer significant new insights for those who were already familiar with biblical archaeology at the time. But its value lies more in its function as a well-assembled and accessible survey. 

Professor Alan Millard

Professor Alan Millard (1937–2024), a prominent British archaeologist and scholar of the Ancient Near East, was a highly respected scholar and a leading expert on the culture, languages (especially Akkadian and Aramaic), and book production of Biblical times. 

• Career and Expertise: He was a Rankin Lecturer in Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages at the University of Liverpool from 1970 until his retirement. He worked alongside the famous archaeologist Yigael Yadin at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. And he served as a translator for the New International Version of the Bible (NIV).
• Key Achievement: While working at the British Museum in the early 1960s, he rediscovered the Epic of Atrahasis. This is one of the few surviving Babylonian flood stories, which had been unrecognised for decades.
• Publications: His many influential publications include Treasures from Bible Times, Discoveries from the Time of Jesus, and Reading and Writing in the Time of Jesus.
• Death: He passed away on June 6, 2024, at the age of 86. 

Using Treasures from Bible Times in Our Homeschool

This is a book which is great for dipping in and out of. It is very appealing to children interested in Biblical archeology. We have used it for our Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel. It has chapters on Babylon, the Philistines, Assyria and the conquered cities of Canaan. Whilst being eminently readable, it increases its appeal due to the vast number of diagrams, photographs, drawings and maps. This makes it much more interactive for children. We have thoroughly enjoyed this particular book in our homeschool unit studies.

Key Details of Treasures from the Bible Times

• Author: Alan Millard (A. R. Millard)
• Publisher: Primarily published by Lion Books/Lion Hudson
• Publication Date: The first edition was published in 1985. Subsequent paperback editions were released later (e.g., 1991, 1997).
• Format: It has been available in both hardcover and paperback formats.
• Pages: The length is typically around 187-192 pages, depending on the edition.
• ISBN (Hardcover, 1985 ed.): 978-0856485879 or 085648587X
• ISBN (Paperback, 1991 ed.): 978-0745920160 or 0745920160 

Other Books by Alan Millard

Discoveries from the Time of Jesus by Alan Ralph Millard

British Museum Dictionary of the Ancient Near East Hardcover by  Piotr Bienkowski and Alan Millard 

Reading and Writing in the Time of Jesus (Understanding the Bible and Its World) by  Allan Millard

A Treasury of Bible Pictures Hardcover by  A.R. Millard

Nelson’s Illustrated Wonders & Discoveries of the Bible by  Alan R. Millard

Treasures from Bible Times Hardcover by  A.R. Millard

Further Book Reviews Related to the Mesopotamia Unit Study

Treasures Under the Sand by Alan Honour {Book Review}

Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp {Book Review}

DK Eyewitness: Mesopotamia {Book Review}

The Seven Great Cities of Mesopotamia {Book Review}

The Lifeboat That Saved The World {Book Review}

Dig This! by Michael Avi-Yonah {Book Review}

Lugalbanda {Book Review}

The Golden Bull {Book Review}

Murder in Mesopotamia {Book Review}

For more ideas about studying Mesopotamia, head on over to my Mega Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Study post. This contains lots of recommended resources and free notepages. Oh, and some stem ideas for including science in your history unit studies.

For all my other history lessons, and more unit study ideas, head over to my History page