The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II

The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II PDF Author: Avraham Faust
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 1575066734
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
Referring to several important introductory books written about the archaeology of the land of Israel, William Dever once stated: “However adequate these may be as introductions to the basic data, none makes any attempt to organize the data in terms of social structure. . . . This is a serious deficiency in Syro-Palestinian and biblical archaeology, when one considers that the general field of archaeology has been moving toward social archaeology for 20 years or more. (Dever, “Social Structure in Palestine in the Iron Age II Period on the Eve of Destruction,” in The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land [ed. T. E. Levy, London, 1995, p. 416]). Lack of discussion of social questions has characterized the archaeology of the land of Israel for some time, even though around the world these questions constitute an important component of archaeological research (see, for instance, the work of Renfrew, Flannery, Gibbon, Blanton, Dark, Bahn, Hodder, Trigger, and many others). The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II fills this gap and analyzes the structure of society in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah from an archaeological viewpoint. It also applies models and theories from the field of social and cognitive archaeology, using the tools of various social-science disciplines (anthropology, sociology, economics, geography, and so on). Due to his ability to use what is probably the largest archaeological data set in the world—hundreds of planned excavations, thousands of salvage excavations, and extensive surveys, all from the small region that was ancient Israel—Avi Faust contributes not only to the study of ancient Israelite society but to the most fundamental questions about ancient societies. These questions include the identification of socioeconomic stratification in the archaeological record, the study of family and community organization, the significance of pottery, small finds and architecture as indicators of wealth, and more. This groundbreaking monograph is one of the first attempts at a large-scale study of Israelite society based primarily on the archaeological evidence. The following acknowledgments were inadvertently omitted from the front matter of the volume: Amihai Mazar: figure 31 Amnon Ben-Tor: figures 40, 41 Israel Antiquities Authority: figures 21, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30., 32, 33, 36, and Photo 5 Israel Exploration Society: figures 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 27, 42 Israel Finkelstein: figure 28 Izhak Beit Arieh: figures 34, 35 Shimon Dar: figures 22, 23 The Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University: figures 7, 8 The Institute of Archaeology, the Hebrew University: figures 40, 41 Zeev Herzog: figures 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20

The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II

The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II PDF Author: Avraham Faust
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 1575066734
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 347

Get Book

Book Description
Referring to several important introductory books written about the archaeology of the land of Israel, William Dever once stated: “However adequate these may be as introductions to the basic data, none makes any attempt to organize the data in terms of social structure. . . . This is a serious deficiency in Syro-Palestinian and biblical archaeology, when one considers that the general field of archaeology has been moving toward social archaeology for 20 years or more. (Dever, “Social Structure in Palestine in the Iron Age II Period on the Eve of Destruction,” in The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land [ed. T. E. Levy, London, 1995, p. 416]). Lack of discussion of social questions has characterized the archaeology of the land of Israel for some time, even though around the world these questions constitute an important component of archaeological research (see, for instance, the work of Renfrew, Flannery, Gibbon, Blanton, Dark, Bahn, Hodder, Trigger, and many others). The Archaeology of Israelite Society in Iron Age II fills this gap and analyzes the structure of society in the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah from an archaeological viewpoint. It also applies models and theories from the field of social and cognitive archaeology, using the tools of various social-science disciplines (anthropology, sociology, economics, geography, and so on). Due to his ability to use what is probably the largest archaeological data set in the world—hundreds of planned excavations, thousands of salvage excavations, and extensive surveys, all from the small region that was ancient Israel—Avi Faust contributes not only to the study of ancient Israelite society but to the most fundamental questions about ancient societies. These questions include the identification of socioeconomic stratification in the archaeological record, the study of family and community organization, the significance of pottery, small finds and architecture as indicators of wealth, and more. This groundbreaking monograph is one of the first attempts at a large-scale study of Israelite society based primarily on the archaeological evidence. The following acknowledgments were inadvertently omitted from the front matter of the volume: Amihai Mazar: figure 31 Amnon Ben-Tor: figures 40, 41 Israel Antiquities Authority: figures 21, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30., 32, 33, 36, and Photo 5 Israel Exploration Society: figures 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 27, 42 Israel Finkelstein: figure 28 Izhak Beit Arieh: figures 34, 35 Shimon Dar: figures 22, 23 The Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University: figures 7, 8 The Institute of Archaeology, the Hebrew University: figures 40, 41 Zeev Herzog: figures 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20

Studies in the Archaeology of the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan

Studies in the Archaeology of the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan PDF Author: Amihai Mazar
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0567194175
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 345

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Book Description
Thirteen essays on the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan, covering settlement patterns, iconography, cult, palaeography and the archaeology of certain key sites. This volume offers an exceptionally informed update in a fast-moving area of discovery and interpretation. The first section deals with spatial archaeology and settlement patterns, all the papers based on the fieldwork by A. Zertal in Samaria, A. Ofer in Judah, G. Lehmann in the Akko Plain, and S. Gibson in various areas in the hill country of Israel. The second section covers religion and iconography. The two single Iron Age temples known today in Israel, at Dan and Arad, are discussed by A. Biran and Z. Herzog. R. Kletter and K. Prag discuss clay figurines and other cult objects; T. Ornan identifies Ishtar on a number of seals and on a silver pendant; and N. Franklin examines the iconography and meaning of the wall relief in Room V at Sargon's palace in Khorsabad. The last section includes three studies related to specific sites. M. Steiner considers urban development in Jerusalem during Iron Age II; A. Mazar presents data from Iron Age II Beth Shean, and P. Bienkowski and L. Sedman discuss finds from Buseirah, the capital of Edom.

Dinner at Dan

Dinner at Dan PDF Author: Jonathan S. Greer
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004260625
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
In Dinner at Dan, Jonathan S. Greer provides biblical and archaeological evidence for sacred feasting at the Levantine site of Tel Dan from the late 10th century - mid-8th century BCE. Biblical texts are argued to reflect a Yahwistic and traditional religious context for these feasts and a fresh analysis of previously unpublished animal bone, ceramic, and material remains from the temple complex at Tel Dan sheds light on sacrificial prescriptions, cultic realia, and movements within this sacred space. Greer concludes that feasts at Dan were utilized by the kings of Northern Israel initially to unify tribal factions and later to reinforce distinct social structures as a society strove to incorporate its tribal past within a monarchic framework.

New Insights Into the Iron Age Archaeology of Edom, Southern Jordan

New Insights Into the Iron Age Archaeology of Edom, Southern Jordan PDF Author: Thomas Evan Levy
Publisher: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology
ISBN: 9781931745994
Category : SOCIAL SCIENCE
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Situated south of the Dead Sea, near the famous Nabatean capital of Petra, the Faynan region in Jordan contains the largest deposits of copper ore in the southern Levant. The Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project (ELRAP) takes an anthropological-archaeology approach to the deep-time study of culture change in one of the Old World's most important locales for studying technological development. Using innovative digital tools for data recording, curation, analyses, and dissemination, the researchers focused on ancient mining and metallurgy as the subject of surveys and excavations related to the Iron Age (ca. 1200-500 BCE), when the first local, historical state-level societies appeared in this part of the eastern Mediterranean basin. This comprehensive and important volume challenges the current scholarly consensus concerning the emergence and historicity of the Iron Age polity of biblical Edom and some of its neighbors, such as ancient Israel. Excavations and radiometric dating establish a new chronology for Edom, adding almost 500 more years to the Iron Age, including key periods of biblical history when David, Solomon, and the Egyptian pharaoh Shoshenq I are alleged to have interacted with Edom. Included is a 7 gigabyte DVD with over 55,000 files of additional data and photographs from the project.

Tel Beth-Shemesh: A Border Community in Judah

Tel Beth-Shemesh: A Border Community in Judah PDF Author: Shlomo Bunimovitz
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 1575064537
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 802

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Book Description
Excavations at Beth-Shemesh are actually a story within a story. On the one hand, they are the story of the archaeology of the Land of Israel in a nutshell: from the pioneering days of the Palestine Exploration Fund, through the “Golden Age” of American biblical archaeology, to current Israeli and international archaeology. On the other hand, they are the fascinating story of a border site that was constantly changing its face due to its geopolitical location in the Sorek Valley in the Shephelah—a juncture of Canaanite, Philistine, and Israelite entities and cultures. It is no wonder that two celebrated biblical border epics—Samson’s encounters with the Philistines and the Ark narrative—took real or imagined place around Beth-Shemesh. In this report, summarizing the first ten years (1990–2000) of archaeological work in the ongoing project of the renewed excavations at Tel Beth-Shemesh, the authors have strived to tell anew the story of the Iron Age people of Beth-Shemesh as exposed and interpreted. Using the best theoretical and methodological tools that modern archaeology has made available, every effort has been made to keep in view archaeology’s fundamental duty—to read the ancient people behind the decayed walls and shattered pottery vessels and bring alive their lost world. Furthermore, the story of ancient Beth-Shemesh has been written in a way that will enable scholars, students, and other interested people to learn and understand the life of the communities living at Beth-Shemesh. As a result, the book is organized in a manner different from usual archaeological site reports. The two volumes will be essential for anyone who wishes the best and latest information on this important site.

The Archaeology of Israelite Samaria. Volume 1: Early Iron Age through the Ninth Century BCE

The Archaeology of Israelite Samaria. Volume 1: Early Iron Age through the Ninth Century BCE PDF Author: Ron E. Tappy
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 900436966X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 315

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Book Description
Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Pottery Period 1: Traces of The Earliest Iron age Occupation -- Pottery Period 2: Evidence for a Distinct Historical Period? -- Pottery Period 3: “Filling The Gap”--Material Remains From the House of Omri and the Reign of Jehu -- Conclusions -- Excursus I: A Cistern Deposit Assigned to Pottery Period 1 at Samaria -- Excursus II: Comparative Stratigraphy and Loci: Establishing a Ceramic Control Group -- Appendices -- Bibliography -- General Index.

The Ancient Israelite World

The Ancient Israelite World PDF Author: Kyle H. Keimer
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000773248
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 823

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Book Description
This volume presents a collection of studies by international experts on various aspects of ancient Israel’s society, economy, religion, language, culture, and history, synthesizing archaeological remains and integrating them with discussions of ancient Near Eastern and biblical texts. Driven by theoretically and methodologically informed discussions of the archaeology of the Iron Age Levant, the 47 chapters in The Ancient Israelite World provide foundational, accessible, and detailed studies in their respective topics. The volume considers the history of interpretation of ancient Israel, studies on various aspects of ancient Israel’s society and history, and avenues for present and future approaches to the ancient Israelite world. Accompanied by over 150 maps and figures, it allows the reader to gain an understanding of key issues that archaeologists, historians and biblical scholars have faced and are currently facing as they attempt to better understand ancient Israelite society. The Ancient Israelite World is an essential reference work for students and scholars of ancient Israel and its history, culture, and society, whether they are historians, archaeologists or biblical scholars.

The Archaeology of Ancient Israel

The Archaeology of Ancient Israel PDF Author: Amnon Ben-Tor
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300059199
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description
In this illustrated book, some of Israel's foremost archaeologists present a survey of early life in the land of the Bible, from the Neolithic era (eighth millenium BC) to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC. Each chapter covers a particular era and includes a bibliography.

Symbiosis, Symbolism, and the Power of the Past

Symbiosis, Symbolism, and the Power of the Past PDF Author: William G. Dever
Publisher: Eisenbrauns
ISBN: 1575060817
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 616

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Book Description
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, this collection of erudite essays concentrates on the archaeology of ancient Israel, Canaan, and neighboring nations.

The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal

The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal PDF Author: Ralph K. Hawkins
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 1575066742
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
In Josh 8:30–35, Israel constructs an altar on Mt. Ebal in fulfillment of the command of Deut 27:1–8. This structure had very important social, political, and religious implications for Israel, for it was the first structure to be built after the people entered the land of Canaan. Once the altar was completed, sacrifices were to be offered on it, and a renewal of the covenant was to be carried out (patterned after the ritual of Deut 31:9–13). This covenant renewal was necessary to integrate the people into the covenant who had not been a part of the Sinai experience. The event was significant enough to establish nearby Shechem as the tribal league shrine, and it was the first political and religious ceremony that the Israelites undertook following their entry into the land. As a covenant ratification, it could be described as their ratification as a nation. The altar on Mt. Ebal and its concomitant ceremony were, therefore, according to the claims of the Hebrew Bible, of supreme importance in the life of ancient Israel. In 1980, during the survey of the territory of Manasseh, Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal discovered a site on Mt. Ebal dating to the period of Iron I, during which the Israelites began to sedentarize in the central hill country of Canaan. The site was excavated over eight seasons, from 1982 to 1989, under the auspices of the University of Haifa and the Israel Exploration Society. In 1985, Zertal published an article in which he suggested that the structure on Ebal may have been the altar of Josh 8:30–35. In The Iron Age I Structure on Mt. Ebal, Ralph Hawkins reviews the excavation on Mt. Ebal and its results, including the scarabs, seals, and animal bones found there. He examines the architecture of the site in relation to Mesopotamian watchtowers, altars, and the descriptions of altars in mishnaic materials, Ezekiel, and Deuteronomic passages. This fascinating book examines the Mt. Ebal site using a comparative method for both the physical data and the textual data. The site and its artifacts are analyzed and then compared with alternative proposals and literary traditions. The site is placed in its broader regional context in order to determine how it might relate to the larger settlement picture of Iron Age I. The primary purpose is to examine the data with a view to determining the nature and function of the site and its possible relation to Josh 8:30–35. A compelling read for biblical and archaeological students and scholars, who will better be able to envision sites of past events.