ABSTRACT
In the United States, the history of museum collections and exhibitions of the art and archaeology of the ancient Middle East has often been driven by interest in the biblical narratives, which have had a significant impact on how this material has been received. Over the generations, other cultural and historical influences have also colored the presentation of lands of the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. This paper attempts to trace some of the major trends and the development of the most important collections from the nineteenth century to the present.
