This dissertation discusses the role of religion in Canaanite and Israelite society. Particularly of interest is the way in which social and political relationships determine the form of religious organization. The period covered extends from the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age through the end of the Israelite Divided Monarchy (2000 B.C.E.-587 B.C.E.). Chapter One presents a history of previous scholarship in the field of Canaanite and Israelite religion. It demonstrates that inadequate attention has been given to archaeological data, despite the importance of these data to the study of religion. Chapter Two discusses the contribution made by anthropological studies toward understanding the role of religion in society. In particular, sacrifice (the religious rite par excellence of Israelites and Canaanites) is more than an arcane ritual. Rather, it reflects issues related to the social structure of the worshipping community. Chapter Three looks at the ritual texts from Ugarit and at pre-exilic portions of the Hebrew Bible. This chapter, like Chapter Two, focusses upon the ritual of sacrifice and demonstrates its central role in the religions of Canaan and Israel. It additionally clarifies its relevance for understanding issues of religion and society. With Chapter Four, the dissertation turns to the evidence presented by archaeological data. Chapter Four is concerned with the religion of Canaan in the Middle Bronze Age. It shows that the development of religion in the first half of the second millennium B.C.E. was related to the slow growth of elite clan groups. Chapter Five presents archaeological data for religion in the Late Bronze Age. It analyzes the effect of increasing Egyptian domination on the religious structure of South Canaan. Chapter Six discusses the way in which the monarchs of Israel and Judah organized religion in support of the state. At the same time, the efforts of some local clan groups to resist these centralizing efforts are seen in alternate modes of worship.

The late third millennium B.C. in Israel until recently was known by funerary deposits only. At Jebel Qaᶜaqir, the domestic and funerary remains provide an unprecedented assemblage and permit a reassessment of Early Bronze IV society and events culminating in the collapse of the Early Bronze III urban centers. Historically, pottery studies have focused on chronological issues. After reviewing the history of ceramic analysis in Israel for the past one hundred years, the Jebel Qaᶜaqir collection is presented. Variation in the manufacturing technique and incised patterns are described in detail for the purpose of identifying the work of individual potters. Ethnoarchaeological research of pottery production, especially the Filipino potters of Paradijon, provide the model for this analysis. The nature of the late third millennium B.C. pastoral nomadic society is examined in terms of subsistence strategies and settlement distribution. Inferences regarding social organization drawn from mortuary practices, settlement types and organization of labor challenge the idea that an egalitarian society persisted. Finally, these results provide a new perspective on the events following the collapse of the third millennium B.C. urban centers and the succeeding era of a non-sedentary lifestyle in Israel. The nomadic pastoralists are considered in their regional setting as an integral, indigenous part of Early Bronze Age society. Rather than viewing the pastoralists as a new phenomenon, they are considered as an ever-present characteristic of the urban hinterland.

No description available.

Lithic projectile armatures represent a significant innovation over thrusted spears in the subsistence strategies of hominins. Previous researchers have disagreed over the timing of the appearance of projectile weapons in the archaeological record (Brooks 2006; Shea 2006). To discover when projectile technology first appears in the Levant, I have compared tip cross-sectional areas, weights, and tip penetrating angles (three variables useful for discriminating between projectile and thrusting weapons) of pointed Blades, Levallois points, and Mousterian points with analogs from known and suspected chipped stone projectile points. Results indicate that pointed Blades from Tabun and Skhul caves are statistically indistinguishable from other suspected projectile point types. Levallois and Mousterian points from Tabun and Skhul are also statistically indistinguishable from suspected projectile types when the lower halves of the populations are compared. Consequently, I conclude that points from Tabun and Skhul caves fall within the known and suspected range of variation of projectile point morphology. / by David E. Leslie. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

No description available.

(M.A. (Bybelse Argeologie))

(M.A. (Bybelse Argeologie))

This paper analyses the opposing views regarding the presence or absence of the Sikil at Dor in Palestine during Early Iron Age 1. Textual sources claim that the Sikil were pirates who came from the west and settled in Cyprus. Egyptian sources point to a Sikil presence at Dor. Some scholars regard the Egyptian sources and archaeological finds at Dor as evidence of a Sikil settlement at Dor. Others maintain that there is a continuity of ceramics at Dor from Canaanite to Phoenician. Though there were foreign influences at Dor during Early Iron Age 1 which point to newcomers, they propose that these newcomers probably came from Cyprus. No archaeological record of a Sea People-presence at Dor has been discovered. This study textually traces the Sikil from the Aegean to Cyprus, Egypt and finally to Dor and a theory is presented that the Sikil originated in the Aegean, temporarily settled in Cyprus and finally at Dor. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Biblical Archaeology)

This paper analyses the opposing views regarding the presence or absence of the Sikil at Dor in Palestine during Early Iron Age 1. Textual sources claim that the Sikil were pirates who came from the west and settled in Cyprus. Egyptian sources point to a Sikil presence at Dor. Some scholars regard the Egyptian sources and archaeological finds at Dor as evidence of a Sikil settlement at Dor. Others maintain that there is a continuity of ceramics at Dor from Canaanite to Phoenician. Though there were foreign influences at Dor during Early Iron Age 1 which point to newcomers, they propose that these newcomers probably came from Cyprus. No archaeological record of a Sea People-presence at Dor has been discovered. This study textually traces the Sikil from the Aegean to Cyprus, Egypt and finally to Dor and a theory is presented that the Sikil originated in the Aegean, temporarily settled in Cyprus and finally at Dor. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Biblical Archaeology)

This dissertation provides a survey of the available archaeological sources that have been discovered that help illuminate the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel from King Omri (876 BCE) into the Assyrian Exile (721 BCE) of the Iron II a and b periods. This history is given in the Hebrew Scriptures as found in 1 Kings 16:16 to 2 Kings 17:6. To accomplish this research, several resources have been organized in a systematic approach. The artifacts and physical remains are examined in categories including: pottery, town planning, architecture, literacy and inscriptions, temples, gods, cult objects, metallurgy, weapons and warfare, weights and measures, farming, food preparation, music, jewelry, art, and burial. Photographs of several artifacts are included. With the background developed on the material culture, the next topic of importance to be considered is the archaeological sites and their relationship to this historic period. The relevant archaeological excavations and in-situ artifacts surveyed were found in areas of the former cultures including: Israel, Judah, Sinai, Edom, Moab, Amman, Lebanon, Syria, Aram, Assyria, Babylon and Persia. A vast number of these sited reveal information regarding the time period from King Omri, his son King Ahab and Ahab's wife, Queen Jezebel. There was interaction between Israel and Judah, and the kingdoms in Moab, Ammon, Lebanon, Aram, and Assyria. Eventually in 721 BCE many people were taken from the Israel into Exile and captivity by the Assyrians. The conclusion of this dissertation ties together the findings of the material sources with the historic events. The material sources have given considerable light on the history of the Northern kingdom as was given in the Hebrew Scriptures as is presented in this final section of the dissertation. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D.Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)