Digging Up Armageddon

The Search for the Lost City of Solomon

By: Eric H. Cline

Narrated by: Eric H. Cline

A vivid portrait of the early years of biblical archaeology from the acclaimed author of 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed

In 1925, James Henry Breasted, famed Egyptologist and director of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, sent a team of archaeologists to the Holy Land to excavate the ancient site of Megiddo - Armageddon in the New Testament - which the Bible says was fortified by King Solomon. Their excavations made headlines around the world and shed light on one of the most legendary cities of biblical times, yet little has been written about what happened behind the scenes. Digging Up Armageddon brings to life one of the most important archaeological expeditions ever undertaken, describing the site and what was found there, including discoveries of gold and ivory, and providing an up-close look at the internal workings of a dig in the early years of biblical archaeology.

The Chicago team left behind a trove of writings and correspondence spanning more than three decades, from letters and cablegrams to cards, notes, and diaries. Eric Cline draws on these materials to paint a compelling portrait of a bygone age of archaeology. He masterfully sets the expedition against the backdrop of the Great Depression in America and the growing troubles and tensions in British Mandate Palestine. He gives listeners an insider's perspective on the debates over what was uncovered at Megiddo, the infighting that roiled the expedition, and the stunning discoveries that transformed our understanding of the ancient world.

Digging Up Armageddon is the enthralling story of an archaeological site in the interwar years and its remarkable place at the crossroads of history.

©2020 Eric H. Cline (P)2020 Princeton University Press

Critic reviews

"Enjoyable, fascinating, and engaging. Digging Up Armageddon is an extremely well written and lively account of perhaps the most important excavations ever conducted in Israel. Cline has, once again, written an excellent book." (Aren M. Maeir, coeditor of The Shephelah During the Iron Age: Recent Archaeological Studies)

"We often hear of grand archaeological discoveries, but we rarely hear about the drama between the men and women behind them. Lively and eye-opening, Digging Up Armageddon reveals the reality-show level of human relationships on archaeological excavations at one of the world's most extraordinary sites, Megiddo, and just how little archaeology has changed in a hundred years. Essential reading for anyone who wants to know how archeological magic truly happens." (Sarah Parcak, author of Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past)

"Megiddo is the mother of all ancient mounds, the cradle of biblical archaeology, a place related to great historical figures such as Thutmose III, Solomon, and Josiah. The excavations at Megiddo were the largest and most romantic in the history of Near Eastern archaeology. Thanks to them, unparalleled monuments from biblical times - gates, palaces, temples, and water systems - were unearthed. But Megiddo has also become the focus of every problem in the archaeology of the region, from questions about the beginning of urbanism to the historicity of a united monarchy of David and Solomon. In this deeply researched, beautifully written, and engaging book, Eric Cline writes the history of the dig at Megiddo, and by doing so, he sheds light on the entire history of the Bronze and Iron Ages in the Levant, including that of ancient Israel." (Israel Finkelstein, coauthor of David and Solomon: In Search of the Bible’s Sacred Kings and the Roots of the Western Tradition)

Disappointment and defective recording

First: When I played this it unexpectedly quit about 45 min. from the end. I downloaded and transferred it again to my ipod with the same result.

Second: I write this review with regret. I am a bit of a fangirl of Cline's. I have enjoyed several of his books, audio and video courses and live lectures, This one not so much. I was looking forward to a description of the discoveries at Megiddo. Instead, I got a description of the intrigues, jealousies and doings in the private and professional lives of the people involved in the pivotal years of discoveries in the 20s and 30s. In this account the archeology was almost secondary to the drama (not so dramatic) going on with the staff. Maybe stories of when so and so came and then went and did this and that afterward is fascinating to archaeologists who have had similar experiences in their lives, but to an amateur fan, less so.

Remarkable.

The story of Megiddo is one of drama, suspense, dedication and scientific rigor. To hear it from a primary source (not to mention a familiar face to many archaeologists) is a real treat. I highly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the history and archaeology of the region.

Archeology has office politics!

In case you were wondering, every job has office politics, even if the office is a dig site in the desert!

I realize that Dr Cline found a treasure trove of old correspondence. But, this felt like the archeological equivalent of every “and some guy begat some other guy” from the Old Testament.

It’s too heavy on the every twist and turn, and doesn’t do enough for the archeology and history of the site. I saw the other reviews saying much the same thing, and yet I was still disappointed.

DISAPPOINTING

If you are looking for archeological findings this may not be the book you are looking for. This was focused more on the logistics and difficulties in administering the dig. Not much substance in the results of the archeology of the dig site. Author has a fascination with personnel and administrative issues.

Disappointed

As someone interested in archeology and history I found this a baffling and disappointing book. It’s just not about these subjects, but rather a deep deep dive into the bureaucratic and interpersonal evolution of the dig at Megiddo. It goes into interminable detail about the personalities involved, their letters, antagonisms, gossip, prejudice, height, drapes, hat styles s etc — topics of minor interest in “Great Men” biography, but these are all undistinguished and justifiably forgotten figures. Apart from a peek into 1930’s Anglo American society, its just plain boring.
Further, this is another cautionary example of why authors should not read their own works. A dull performance in galumphing cadences punctuated by continuing tones of astonishment that seem totally misplaced.

Disappointing

The book largely consists of gossip and quabbles between the staff digging up Megiddo.
The narrator constantly emphasized parts of phrases, suggesting there’s something truly remarkable to pay attention to. There isn’t.
Unintersting material, substandard annoying performance.

Not really about Armageddon

I enjoyed Mr.Cline's book, 1177, truly a remarkable book. Sadly I am unable to give this book, "Digging Up Armageddon", a positive review. This might be more due to unmet expectations stemming from both the description of the book and the wealth of information provided by 1177. This book is not about Armageddon, I learned nothing about the city, its importance, history, etc, but rather the drama of the actual dig, spanning from the 1920's until modern times. I hate to give Eric Cline a low rating, but I will say if you haven't read 1177, it's an amazing book. I've listened to it a number of times over the years since it's publication.

not enough digging, too much gossip

I'm a fan of this author and have really enjoyed his other books. This one can't hold my interest. Too little about the dig itself with way too much information about the people who are supposed to be digging! Apparently Professor Cline thought recounting all the personal relationships and their dramas would interest his reader. NO ! It doesnt. It's boring.

Nothing to do with the actual history

This book is truly miserable. It's merely inside politics of an archeological dig. I bought it because generally the author is a good lecturer on historical topics. I don't really care about the personalities of the dig. I care about the history. It's gotta be the most boring book I've ever listened to

Not what I thought it'd be and bad for what it is

This review serves two purposes: 1. To let off some steam about my disappointment in this book, and 2. To dissuade potential buyers from getting something other than what they want (like me).

Writing a bad review is a sad undertaking because I really loved Eric Cline's 1177 and Great Courses entry and so was excited for this, but when I started listening it turned out that the book isn't about the history of Magedo or the site really as much as it is the story of the DIG at Magedo a hundred years ago. The title kind of says it I know, but I thought that was a creative flourish. After all, why would an archeologist who mainly writes great bronze age history write about people that lived a hundred years ago digging up a hill in Israel?

It's clear that Mr. Cline, or is it professor, really loves the story and subject matter, but the story is told in the most boring way possible. He doesn't really know how to tell a story about humans is the issue I think. All the of the really good stuff is glossed over in favor of chronologically reporting the drama instead of exploring it. There's a lot there - interesting characters, tawdriness, and more but none of it is given any meat so as to interest the reader at all.

It's like he thought simply writing a list of things that happened and letting the reader fill in the blanks is enough... it's not.

At one point he talks about an unrequited gay crush one man had for another, but he talks about it for maybe a few sentences, and then moves on to something completely boring and mundane like the permits or latrines or something. There's also a very lengthy entry about how the dig team had to go to England to get the permission of a lady there because she technically owned the hill. Over there's a lot of attention given to documents in this book, very boring documents, that don't move the story forward at all.

WHO CARES ABOUT THAT STUFF?!?! Most don't I would think, especially when there was something interesting they could have bitten into immediately prior.

Anyway, if you think you'd like that kind of thing, or you're a bureaucrat, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you're like me and wanted some bronze age history or at least a breezy and interesting story about people trying to make it through harsh times, you won't find it here sadly.

Oh boy.