In this illustrated book, some of Israel"s foremost archaeologists present a survey of early life in the land of the Bible, from the Neolithic era (eighth millenium BC) to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC. Each chapter covers a particular era and includes a bibliography. The illustrations include photographs of artifacts; line drawings of sites and reconstructed buildings, ceramics and other objects; and maps. Together with the text they demonstrate developments in religious practices, architecture, technology, customs and art, depicting the earliest ceramic pots and idols, the layouts of villages and cemeteries and figurines and jewellery. This is a resource for anyone who wants to know more about the religious, scientific or historical background of the region.