Biblical Bethsaida: A Study of the First Century CE in the Galilee enters the process of constructing a portrait of the First Century CE in the Galilee by drawing primarily upon the archaeological data from et-Tell (Bethsaida) itself and suggesting its relevance for the reconstruction of the first century CE cultural context. It views the material practices of the ancient inhabitants of the site as significant indicators of their sense of "place" both ideologically and geographically.

In his illuminating, well-researched book examining the site of Et-Tell, also known as Bethsaida, Carl E. Savage explores archaeological evidence to offer readers a portrait of the religious beliefs and practices of the community living near the north shore of the Sea of Galilee during the first century CE. In the study of the cultural and social matrix of the first century in the Galilee, scholars have commonly prioritized written sources over archaeological evidence because written sources seem to contribute more directly to an understanding of the religious beliefs and practices of a...