The Cave of John the Baptist: The Stunning Archaeological Discovery that has Redefined Christian History
The subtitle may overstate the case, but this work certainly adds an intriguing piece to the puzzle of biblical archaeology. Gibson, an archaeologist working in Israel, discovered a cave in 1999 that held an image on one of its walls depicting a large figure of a man with a staff or a spear. Further investigation led Gibson to conclude that the subject of the image was John the Baptist and that the cave was used for ritual baptism. Beginning with a you-are-there re-creation of the cave's discovery, he then puts into place the building blocks--such archaeological evidence as coins, pottery, and baptismal elements--that help prove his case. Although the book is quite detailed, it never exceeds the grasp of general readers, who will appreciate the background Gibson supplies on the life of John the Baptist, his relationship to Jesus, and the cult (some would say a cult competitive to Christianity) that grew up around John. Other "stunning" finds in biblical archaeology--the ossuary box thought to hold the remains of Jesus' brother, James, for example--have not held up in the long run. This one, though, seems to be the real deal. Expect plenty of media attention.Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved