A historical survey of the relationship between archaeology and biblical studies in the first archaeological excavations in Palestine at Tell el-Hesi, from 1840 to 1990. Concentrating on the work of major excavators and scholars, Moorey details collaborations and conflicts between archaeologists and theologians who possess different views on the purpose of biblical archaeology.

Bertholet's 'A History of Hebrew Civilization ('Kulturgeschichte Israels') is what some scholars see as the culmination of nineteenth-century scholarship on Israelite religion. Working from general developmental theories of religion, Bertholet critically sketches Israel's development from nomadic life to their syncretism with existing Palestinian civilization.