W. Harold Mare Institute for Biblical and Archaeological Studies

Fundamental to the understanding of the Bible is study of the Scriptures in their original context, including a knowledge of the lands and peoples in those ages in which God's Word was revealed and recorded. The W. Harold Mare Institute for Biblical and Archaeological Studies offers students an excellent opportunity to understand better the importance of biblical history and cultural background to the teaching of biblical truth.

The institute, named after the late Dr. W. Harold Mare (a founding trustee and longtime professor at Covenant Seminary), is a museum and research lab housed on Covenant Seminary's campus. It features an extensive library of materials on biblical archaeology and hundreds of artifacts, most of which were excavated at Abila of the Decapolis by Dr. Mare and his teams over the past few decades. Excavations continue today under the direction of Dr. David Chapman, associate professor of New Testament and biblical archaeology, who also serves as curator of the Institute.

The Archaeology Institute shepherds a student-led Archaeology Club, which organizes and sponsors several meetings, lectures, and special presentations annually that are open to the public. These events present the latest findings and accomplishments in the world of archaeology through exhibits, special guest lecturers, and films.