ANCIENT CANAAN AND ISRAEL AN INTRODUCTION: An Introduction

by Jonathan M. Golden

Where did the Israelites originate? What was the fate of the Canaanites? In this revealing introduction, Jonathan M. Golden tackles these and other hotly debated questions. Drawing on the extensive and often surprising archeological record, he looks at daily life in antiquity, providing rich portraits of the role of women, craft production, metallurgy, technology, political and social organization, trade, and religious practices. Golden traces the great religious traditions that emerged in this region back to their most ancient roots, drawing on the evidence of scriptures and other texts as well as the archeological record. Though the scriptures stress the primacy of Israel, the author considers the Canaanites and Philistines as well, examining the differences between highland and coastal cultures and the cross-fertilization between societies. He offers a clear, objective look at the evidence for the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative, based on the latest thinking
among archeologists worldwide.

Genres: History, Ancient History, Middle East, Israel, Nonfiction

431 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2004

Reviews

[B.G. Brainard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Golden's book is very thorough for an introduction. His use of archaeological discoveries is especially interesting and enlightening. I found the second and third chapters on the environment and ecology and historical and chronological settings most pertinent to my current study of the post-exilic Hebrew scriptures.

[Simcha York · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot to recommend it. It is packed with useful and interesting information drawn from archaeological research of Canaan and Israel from the Chalcolithic Period through the Iron Age. The information on various aspects of Canaanite and Israelite civilization are broken down into distinct chapters, with each chapter further broken down into distinct time periods. Finally, the book ends with a discussion of ongoing developments and controversies in the archaeology of the region, including discussions of the relationship between the archaeological evidence and the historicity of Biblical accounts of the Iron Age.

Unfortunately, the book's presentation of this information is largely dry and academic. Yes, the book is primarily intended to be an introductory text for students of history, archaeology, and religious studies. But the fact that a book's primary audience may be people who are required to read it is no reason for the author not to make them want to read it.

[Alecia Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair assessment and jam packed of information but boy oh boy is it a sleeper. Golden could have done a little more to keep the reader engaged.