xxi, 398 p., [35] p. of col. plates : ill. (some col.), maps ; 29 cm
Contents
Preface / Amnon Ben-Tor -- 1. Introduction / Amnon Ben-Tor -- The Past Forty Years of Archaeological Activity -- What Is Biblical Archaeology? -- 2. The Neolithic Period / Ofer Bar-Yosef -- Dates and Terminology -- Emergence of Farmer-Hunter Societies -- Establishment of Farmer-Pastoralist Villages -- The Pottery Neolithic Period -- The Wadi Rabah Culture -- 3. The Chalcolithic Period / Rivka Gonen -- Site Distribution -- Site Organization and Types of Dwellings -- Tools and Objects of Daily Use -- Economic Base -- Shrines and Cult -- Artistic Expression and Its Context -- Burial Customs -- Origin and Fate of the Chalcolithic Population -- 4. The Early Bronze Age / Amnon Ben-Tor -- The Early Bronze Age I -- The Early Bronze Age II-III -- The Early Bronze Age IV: The Decline of Urban Culture -- 5. The Intermediate Bronze Age / Ram Gophna -- Settlement Features: Geographic Distribution, Site -- Organization, and Architecture -- Tombs and Burial Customs -- Pottery -- Metallurgy -- Society and Economy -- Cults -- Population -- 6. The Middle Bronze Age / Aharon Kempinski -- Pottery Typology of the Middle Bronze Age IIa -- The Settlement Pattern in the Middle Bronze Age IIa -- Sites -- Architecture -- The Transition to Middle Bronze IIb -- Pottery Typology of the Middle Bronze Age IIb -- The Settlement Pattern in the Middle Bronze IIb -- Sites of the Middle Bronze Age IIb -- Ethnic Groups and Population Size -- Architecture of the Middle Bronze Age IIb -- Writing, Art, and Crafts -- The Middle Bronze Age: A Retrospective View -- 7. The Late Bronze Age / Rivka Gonen -- The Settlement of Canaan in the Late Bronze Age -- Fortifications of the Late Bronze Age Towns -- Urban Structure -- Pottery -- Tombs -- Warfare -- Economy and Trade -- Canaanite Culture -- 8. The Iron Age I / Amihai Mazar -- The Decline of Egyptian Domination in Canaan -- Settlement of the Philistines and Other Sea Peoples in Canaan -- Material Culture of the Israelite Tribes During the Period of the Judges -- Canaanite Culture and the Rise of Phoenician Culture -- Transjordan -- The Development of Metallurgy -- Art -- Writing and Literacy -- Trade Relations -- Transition to the Monarchy -- 9. The Iron Age II-III / Gabriel Barkay -- The Iron Age IIa--The Tenth-Ninth Centuries B.C.E. -- The Iron Age IIb--The Eighth Century B.C.E. -- The Iron Age IIIa--The Seventh Century B.C.E. -- Archaeology of Jerusalem in the Iron Age II-III -- The Iron Age IIIb--The Sixth Century B.C.E
Summary
"For over one hundred years archaeologists have explored the land of Israel, investigating such fascinating topics as the migrations of the patriarchs, the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, and the establishment of the monarchy by David and Solomon. In this book some of Israel's foremost archaeologists present a thorough and up-to-date survey of this research, providing an accessible introduction to early life in the land of the Bible." "The authors discuss the history of ancient Israel from the Neolithic era (eighth millennium B.C.E.) to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E. Each chapter describes a different era as seen through relevant archaeological discoveries. The reader is introduced to the first permanent settlements in the land of Israel, the crystallization of the political system of city-states, the nature of Canaanite culture, the Israelite patterns of settlement, and the division of the country into the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The lavishly illustrated text explores and demonstrates developments in religious practices, architecture, technology, customs, arts and crafts, warfare, writing, cult practices, and trade." "The book will be a delightful and informative resource for anyone who has ever wanted to know more about the religious, scientific, or historical background to the events described in the Bible, or to current developments in the Middle East."--BOOK JACKET