LB – 1550 –1200
LB I – 1550 - 1400
Settlement – most settlements are in the Lowlands, along the coast, with a few in the
Judean desert and Upper Galilee. Some settlements are a continuation, some died out
and some were renewed. The number of settlements doubled but the area is about the
same. City states such as Hatzor, Jerusalem and Megiddo
Population: approximately 60,000 people and 28 settlements
the Egyptians call Israel Rezno and Churi
City Gates
Generally city gates and walls only at Megiddo and Ashdod. No brand new gates but just
renovated ones.
Buildings
Egyptians built ruler’s houses (Batai Moshel) and palaces in Canaan. Sometimes these
were inside the settlement and sometimes along the roads. Square buildings, one
entrance an inside patio surrounded by small rooms, built from mud bricks. In the small
fortified armon at Afek, cuneiform tablets were discovered, signature rings and a scarab
beetle.
Jewellery
At Timna holes of up to 35 metres were discovered. Inside 10,000 items icluding beads
and engravings from the LB.
Burial
Two types of burial in holes and in caves. Usually burial is outside the town limits. Kever
safsalim the dead are placed on benches. kever Goomcha people are buried in ceramic
boxes in caves or holes.
Temples
Many different styles and sizes, just a few artefacts have been found from these. Thick
walled temples discovered at Megiddo, Shechem and Hatzur. Either one open spaced
room or divided into two to three segments. In Lachish a smaller temple was discovered
inside and armon with many artefacts made of ivory, metal and glass
Pottery
All kinds, pitas, jugs, bowls, usually glazed in black and red indicates it was done in
Cyprus.
Egyptian rule in LB
Gaza, Yaffo, Megiddo and Bet Shean. It is the beginning of the 18th dynasty, Yachmas is
the founder. He conquers the capital of the Hyksus (Tzo’an – Cairo = Tzoan = gypsies,
Egypt).
Yachmas - Amenchotep I - Thutmoses I. He conquers Syria, Lebanon until the
Euphrates and as a result there is rule in parts of Canaan. Hatshapsut next in line. The
northern kingdom Mitani eventually becomes the dominant force in the area
Thutmoses III 1504 - 1450
Rebellion from the King of Kadesh and king of Megiddo brought Thutmoses III on his
1468 campaign throughout Israel. This first campaign is recorded on the walls at the
temple of Karnak. Thutmoses is victorious. Names of defeated cities in Karnak include
Bet Shean, Yokneam. He brought peace and reigned up until south Lebanon
Achanaten II 1452 – 1424
3 campaigns to Canaan, succeeds on his third and takes captives. Bring stability
between Egypt and Mitani.
Achanaten IV – 1364 – 1347
Moves the capital of Egpyt to Middle Egyot, El Amarna in order to make his reforms
easier. Makes a radical religious change bronging in monotheism, the name of the god is
“Ra”
El Amarna documents
379 Acadian cuneiform clay tablets containing names to that are also in the Bible. From
these documents it is possible to learn what life was like in Canaan. Also mentioned are
the “Chabiru” and the “HaAfiru” which is a possible reference to the Hebrews.
The 19th Dynasty - 1400 - 1200
Setti I – 1291 - 1279
After a two year reign of Rameses I, Setti campaigns until Megiddo, goes up to
Lebanon, Syria and beyond the Jordan
Rameses II – 1279 – 1212
Reigned for 66 years and built extensively, he fought the Hittites and eventually there
was peace agreement (HaHoze HaKessef) between them. The *Papyrus Anastasi” from
his day contains the description of the main roads throughout the Levant.
Merneptah
Rameses son who fought the Libyans and the Sea Peoples. Merneptah’s Stele
(matzevet) commemorates the victory. At the bottom a poem depicts his victorious
campaign in Canaan including the defeat of Ashkelon, Gezer Yanoam and Israel.