Author(s): Hershel Shanks

Religion

This title offers a fascinating account of a world renowned Biblical Archaeologist and his scrapes with Governments, Nomads and Scoundrels. Herschel Shanks is a world renowned Biblical Archaeologist and Founder and Editor of "The Biblical Archaeology Review". Early on, he established a practice as a successful and well-paid Attorney in Washington DC. But after a trip to the Holy Land he changed careers and devoted himself to the study of Biblical Archaeology. Aside from the huge scholarly importance of this subject, Shanks introduces us here to a fascinating world or rivalry, skulduggery and internecine warfare. In the process Shanks has ended up in court. With the discovery of 'The Dead Sea Scrolls' a whole new world of theft and conspiracy opened up. Nomads seeing the chance of making a quick buck stole fragments and then sold them to unscrupulous dealers. Most recently Shanks has been associated with the discovery of the Ossuary which contained the bones of The Brother of Jesus. Shanks vigorously defends its authenticity in one of the book's most lively chapters.