Acknowledgments
Part I: Introduction and Overview
Chapter 1: Introduction
Research Aims
Overview of Book
Chapter 2: Geographical and Historical Background
Geography of Northern Israel
Chronology of the Late Bronze and Iron Ages
Canaanite and Israelite Identity
Late Bronze Age City-States
The Rise of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
Chapter 3: Review of Literature
Archaeology of Cult, Ritual and Religion
Definitions
Approaches
Archaeology of Cult in the Southern Levant
Archaeology of Centralization
Archaeology of Cult Centralization
Chapter 4: Theoretical and Material Approaches
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework
Archaeological Methods
Limitations of the Study
Part II: The Material Culture
Chapter 5: Cult in the Late Bronze and Iron Age I
Jezreel Valley
Megiddo
Tell Qiri
Beth Shean Valley
Beth Shean
Pella
Tell Abu al-Kharaz
Samarian Highlands
Mount Ebal
The “Bull Site”
Tel Dothan
Shiloh
Huleh Valley
Hazor
Summary
Chapter 6: Cult in the Iron Age IIA–B
Jezreel Valley
Megiddo
Taˁanach
Tel Kedesh / Tell Abu Qudeis
Beth Shean Valley
Beth Shean
Tel Rehov
Tel ˁAmal
Pella
Samarian Highlands
Tell el-Farˁah N. / Tirzah
Tel Dothan
Shiloh
Samaria
Huleh Valley
Tel Dan
Summary
Part III: Catalog and Synthesis
Chapter 7: Catalog of Cult Finds
Four-horned Altars
Shrine Models
Cult Stands
“Petaled” Cult Stands and Chalices
Horned Funnels
Strainer Jars
Perforated Cups
Figurines
Summary
Chapter 8: Discussion
A Holistic Approach to Cult
Cultic Architecture
Ceramics
Faunal Remains
Cultic Paraphernalia
Continuity and Change in Cult Practices
Late Bronze Age – Iron Age I
Iron Age I – Iron Age IIA
Iron Age IIA – Iron Age IIB
Regional and Inter-regional Aspects of Cult
Jezreel Valley
Beth Shean Valley
Samarian Highlands
Huleh Valley
Synthesis
Cult Centralization and the Relationship of Ritual to Power
Late Bronze Age – Iron Age I
Iron Age IIA
Iron Age IIB
Chapter 9: Conclusions
Bibliography
