A

PAPER

PRESENTED TO

DR. DAVID E. GRAVES

FOR

THE

COMPLETION OF

BIBLE

ARCHAEOLOGY

471

BY

GERALD K. PHIPPS

APRIL 20, 2015
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WILLIAM FOXWELL ALBRIGHT
THE PERSON: One of the many contributors to the field of Biblical Archaeology is world renowned Dr. William Foxwell Albright. Born in Conquimbo Chile on May 24, 1891 to missionary parents Wilbur and Zephine Albright. The love of his life whom he married in 1921 in which they had the pleasure of raising four sons. After graduating from John Hopkins University in 1916 with a Ph.D. in Semitic Languages he went on to be a professor and director at the American School of Oriental Research (ASOR) [1]. William while teaching at ASOR fell under the wing of two prominent archaeologists Charles Torrey and James Montgomery.

Albright was recognized in 1956 by the American Academy of Arts and Science as an honorable fellow. With this notable recognition lead to a more prestigious tittle which became known as “Nobleman of Jerusalem”, one of Israel’s highest honor. The (ASOR) in Jerusalem was renamed (AIAR) which is to be interpreted as Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. This became the focal research center for the ancient Near Eastern studies in the entire Middle east. Albright is noted as a generous in the eyes of many biblical scholars and Archeologist . Albright is also considered as an orientalist [2]. An orientalists or orientalism was the study of the synthetic and simultaneous study of the languages, culture and history of the people of Asia. With that being said Dr. Albright mastered in 13 languages and became familiar with 28.
2.
CONTRIBUTIONS? One cannot help whenever discussing the person of Dr. Albright avoid the field of discussion pertaining to the many contributions he presented to archaeology. Dr. Albright lead many great excavations which considered large scale in Palestine. One of Albright’s notable work during his young career was his excavation at Tell Beit Mirsim[3], which was recognized as a model of excellence in excavation. While serving as director at (ASOR) Albright one of many great accomplishments was was confirming the authenticity of The Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 but it wasn’t until March 1948 where the Scrolls were presented to Albright and he then confirmed their authenticity.
[3]. Dr. Albright conducted four excavations at Tell Beit from 1926 to 1932. Albright discovered pottery which was labeled in paintings the word Philistine. Discovering pottery belonging to the Solomonic period and the Philistine period Dr. Albright proved with this discovery that the outline of this period of discovery of archaeology has proved correct for the period of Palestine. See Hubert Darrrell Lance, The Old Testament and The Archaeologist. Page 70. Dr. Albright in regard to the many critics of The Dead Sea Scrolls had proved the authenticity of The Dead Sea Scrolls in very little time which had left the many critics to figure out how. The Scrolls were brought to the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem for evaluation where they were later photographed by John Trever. The same John Trevor mailed two pictures to Dr. Albright for proof of authenticity. It was said from the mouth of David Freedman that Albright took less than an hour after viewing the photographs to determine the authenticity of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Albright confirmed that the scrolls dated from the last two centuries BCE and the first century CE.
3.
It was the year 1949 that Dr. Albright published one of the many articles of the dead sea scrolls. The article published by Albright was entitled “On Date Of The Scrolls from Ain Freshka and The Nash Papyrus”. The article contained a picture for comparison of the Nash Papyrus [4]. Now The Nash Papyrus was four Papyrus documents that were unearthed in Egypt in 1898 by Walter L. Nash. This discovery is not part of the dead sea scrolls for they were discovered before and became known as the oldest Hebrew manuscript. What was very interesting about the Papyrus was that they comprised the Ten Commandments written in Hebrew.

Albright actually compared the elements that composed the Nash Papyrus to The Dead Sea Scrolls in his brief research. It was determined that the Dead Sea Scrolls were made up of carbon 14, which was the same element that made up the Nash Papyrus. This was a huge break in determing the authenticity of The Dead Sea Scrolls. This played a major role for the future studies of the Dead Sea Scrolls especially in the area for Schaloray research. The discovery of The Dead Sea Scrolls did not only accommodate the existence to the accuracy of the Bible but Albright was the first scholar to contribute such a momentous authourative shift towards any archaeologist evidence of the written of God.
[4]. Written in Hebrew Square Script which is similar to Qumaran script that corresponds very closely to the MT. William Albright used Paleographic evidence to further date this discovery to the Maccabean Period. The Nash Papyrus contained Exodus 20:2-17, and Deuteronomy 6:4-5. This is evident to say that the Papyrus was not a Biblical Document but was used for some other resource of that particular time. See Paul D. Wegner, A Students Guide to Textual Criticisms of The Bible. Page 148.

4 It became very clear in the eyes of many early archaeologist and also a dogma to be accepted that there were no settlements that would pin point the ancient location of Debir. There was no evidence of the southern hill country of south Hebron along with no remains which were substantial for a city which would be fortified of ceramic material to indicate a Canaanite center. Unlike the earlier excavator’s Dr. Albright focused his attention towards the southwerstern region which were not in the hill country but in a remote valley located east of Shephelah [5].

There were three tells that were located in the southwestern valley; Tell Aitun, Tell El-Kuwheilfeh, and Tell Beit Mirsim. The tell which grabbed the interest of Dr. Albright the most which led him to lead four excavations there in 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 was Tell Beit Mirsim. Albright had four legitimate reasons for excavating this particular tell four times and argued that this Tell Beit Mirsim would be the likely canadate for Debir: (1). Presence of underground basins in the underground bedrock trapped by well shafts north of Tell- Beit Mirsim. (2). Debir ought to be south of the road connecting Eglon with Hebron. (3) The Remarkable discoveries that were found at Tell Beit Mirsim compares to the history of Debir according to the written sources. (4) There was an absence of any other Canaanite city south in the area of Hebron.

The excavations of Tell Beit Mirsim by Dr. Albright provided a clear example of his practical field work. As a whole this particular excavation added to the contribution to the discipline of the Syro- Palestinian Archaeology as a whole. The Excavation of Tell
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Beit Mirsim was conducted under a method by Dr. Albright known as the Broad site method. Now the purpose of this particular method is to conduct over a large area to uncover much of the plan of much the given phase as possible. Albright excavated two main areas of Tell Mirsim , the first was a broad exposure on the southern-eastern end of the Tell was excavated vertically going straight down into the bedrock.

Dr. Albright discovered many remains at Tell Beit Mirsim, but among the remains that were quite significant were some findings of artifacts and building structures that were related to the Patriarchal Period that were in co-relation to Abraham, Issac, Jacab, and Joseph. Albright discovered a Patricians house which would be an engineering of the Canaanite period. The Patricians house was made of Mud brick,, the floor and walls were covered with lime plaster, the house itself consisted of a courtyard open to the sky with six smaller rooms located inside, this was an amazing discovery by Dr. Albright [6].

Tell Beit Mirsim became one the most important excavations sites in Syro-Palestine. Tell Mirsim was not merely important because of the individual artifacts that were discovered there but it was because of the brilliant methodology that was done by Dr. Albright. The remarkable significance done by Dr. Albright brought the academic discipline to Archaeology and also removing the treasure seeking mindset away from it. Dr. Albright is not remembered by all as an archaeologist but he is also remembered by many as a critique Textual Scholar.
6.
The legacy left behind by Dr. Albright is one that can never ever be forgotten. Albright contributed to the establishment of a new paradigm shift of ancient near eastern studies that would soon to become known as Biblical Archaeology. Dr. Albright is favored above any other archaeologists that produce valuable information in bridging the gap between Biblical Archaeology and Biblical Studies. 50 years as an successful Scholar of archaeology Albright expanded the depth of Biblical geography but also challenging the critiques of doubting that many of ancient cities and towns even Patriarchs ever existed.

A total of 57 Ph.D. dissertations were produced under Dr. Albright guidance. Albright left a huge stain upon archaeology, his students such as G. Earnest Wright, W.G. Dever and Lawrence Stager and many others trained the senior group of Biblical or Levantine archaeologist from the 20th century even until today. Albright was the leading figure of Archaeology in the Levantine essence and also Biblical studies throughtout the 20 century which led Albright to produce more scholars of Archaeology like those named above than anyone else.

What more can be said about a man who conquered a field of study that truly has no ending. What more be can be cited about someone who influenced a paradigm of change across the entire world of archaeology. Dr. William Albright left his prints deep in the very dirt that he digged through and left his impression in the very books that he published for all to become enlightened upon the accuracy of the Bible.
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Dr. Albright legacy left behind today actually abides in his extraordinary published Scholarly records. By the year of 1941 Dr. Albright had approxiatmatly 500 entrees over a 30 year span [6]. This was only the midpoint of Albright’s scholarly career. The continuous work of Albright produced 600 more entrees of scholarly work. This leaves a grand total of nearly 1,100 items including books, peer reviewed articles, notes, books reviews and many other items.

A publication of Freedman in 1975 published the complete record of Albright’s published works from 1916 to 1971. Albright in his career developed the field of the Near eastern studies during a time when some of the most important discoveries were made in present day Israel. Albright received award after award from different learning institutions and universities across the world. In 1955 Dr. Albright received an election to the National Academy of Sciences. This was a very and one of the many honors throughout Dr. Albright’s Career.

Dr. Albright’s authority concerning his scholarly work was so profound that he was solely responsible for the Near Ancient Eastern Studies. Dr. Albright helped shaped the literal interpretation of the history embedded in the Old Testament and what is so amazing that his theories was hardly unchallenged in his lifetime. Albright’s work single handedly shaped the archaeology of the Bible lands during his long career.

REFRENCES AND WORK CITED:

BOOKS
[1]. W. G. Dever and S. Gitin, Symbiosis, Symbolism and The Power of The Past, 2003, American Science Publication, Grand Rapids USA.

[2]. Rodger V. Ozkochuck, This is My God: This Is My Religion, 2013, Xlibris Publishing Press, USA.

[3]. Hubert Darrell Lance, The Old Testament and The Archaeologist, 1981, Fortress Press Publishing, USA.

[4]. Paul D. Wegner, A Students Guide for Textual Criticisms of The Bible, 2006, Intervarsity Press Publishing, Downers Grove Illinois.

[5]. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1996, Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids Michigan.

ARTICLES:

[7]. W.G Dever, 1993, What Remains of The House of that Albright Built?