The library contains all of William G. Dever's publications and is one of the most
significant libraries for Near Eastern archaeology. The long-out-of-print final reports
of excavations include Akko, Beth Shean, Jericho, Jerusalem, Megiddo, Lachish, Hazor,
and Gezer among many others. These site reports provide researchers with firsthand
access to the primary sources of archaeological research, such as the architecture,
pottery, and important objects found at type sites throughout the region. With these
resources, comparative analysis with new discoveries can be made as our database for
these ancient finds increase over the years. Reference works include, but are not
limited to: Anchor Bible Dictionary; Eretz-Israel; Oxford Encyclopedia of Excavations
in the Near East; World History of the Jewish People. Journals include: 'Atiqot; Biblical
Archaeology Review; Biblical Archaeologist; Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental
Research; Israel Exploration Journal; Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology; Near Eastern
Archaeologist; Qadmoniot; and Tel Aviv.
The Dever will be closed for Christmas Break December 19
The William G. Dever Research Library is located in Hackman Hall, Room 122.
Near the Lynn. H. Wood Archaeological Museum and Archaeology Laboratory.
William G. Dever Library Collection
Kent Weeks Library Collection
The library consists of a large segment of Egyptologist Kent Weeks personal library
collection, including Egyptian site reports and specialized studies with the latest
reports on Egyptian Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom sites. The library
provides the necessary resources for the ongoing research projects of the institute
in understanding eastern Mediterranean peoples, places, and polities in the Egyptian
New Kingdom. Volumes include William Hayes' Deir el Bahri Temples (vols. 1-5); the
Epigraphic Survey folios on Karnak, Medinet Habu (vols 1-8); and Hassan's Excavations
at Giza (vols. 1-11). Reference works include but are not limited to the Lexikon der
Ägyptologie, Erman and Grapow's Wörterbuch der altägyptischen Sprache, Wreszinski's
Atlas zur altägyptischen Kulturgeschichte, Erman and Westendorff's Grundriss der Medizin
der alten Ägypter (vols. 1-11), and Kitchen's Ramesside Inscriptions. Journals in
the Egyptology collection include: Ägypten und Levant; Ancient Egypt (Petrie journal);
Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale; Egyptian Archaeology; Journal
of Egyptian Archaeology; Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt; and KMT.
ASRF Collection
These collections have been greatly enhanced by Dr. Kenneth and Cheryl Mathews and
the Archaeology Synchronisms Research Foundation, which he founded. Dr. Mathews is
a committed archaeology student, enthusiast, and benefactor with a keen interest in
expanding the research potential of the Institute of Archaeology. The foundation has
added several thousand volumes in addition to the Kent Weeks Library. The foundation’s
purpose is to grow the library with a specific focus on the ancient Near East, Egyptology,
and Classical Studies.
Wlilliam G. Dever Slide Collection
The slide collection consists of nearly 15,000 slides from the ancient Near East taken
from 1956-2000. It documents the major excavations and developments in the field over
a period of nearly 50 years. The collection is in the process of being digitized and
will be added to a database of another 20,000 digital images from the ancient Near
East. "These collections will be a tremendous resource for the Institute of Archaeology
to conduct its research programs, as well as for students and visiting scholars from
other institutions. We are thrilled and blessed that Dr. Dever chose to place his
legacy at our institution," said Michael G. Hasel, director of the Institute of Archaeology.
| Days | TIME OPEN | TIME CLOSED |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-Thur | 9:00 A.M. | 5:00 P.M. |
| Fri | 9:00 A.M. | 12:00 PM. |
| Sat-Sun | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Summer Break 2026 | May 2 - August 23 |
| Fall Break 2026 | October 15 - 18 |
| Thanksgiving Break 2026 | November 21 - 28 |
| Christmas Break 2025 | December 19 - January 12 |
| Martin Luther King Day 2026 | January 19 |
| Spring Break 2026 | March 13 - 22 |
Contact
4960 Colcord Drive
Collegedale, TN 37315