This book aims to trace the evolution of public cult in the northern highlands and valleys of Canaan and the Northern Kingdom of Israel from the Late Bronze IIA to the Iron IIB (14th–8th centuries BCE) through the study of archaeological contexts and remains. It also examines the nature of cult and the relationship of ritual to power through an analysis of cult and centralization. It asks whether evidence for cult centralization, when viewed on an anthropological-archaeological level rather than from the biblical perspective, is apparent. This book also fills several gaps in the research. It eschews a focus on the biblical narrative in favor of anthropological and archaeological approaches to the study of ritual and cult. Since the biblical narrative has held so much sway in the research on the “ancient Israelite” cult, the archaeology of cult in the northern Kingdom of Israel has never been studied separate from the southern Kingdom of Judah. This then warrants a thorough examination of cult within the northern geopolitical entity, which developed along a different trajectory than its southern counterpart. A comparison of the Late Bronze Canaanite and Iron Age northern Israelite cults allows for a broader perspective on continuity and change as well as on the nature of the centralization or decentralization of ritual in Canaan/Israel and other areas within the ancient Near East. Overall, this book compiles and presents a database for current and future study. It is expected to have a long-lasting impact on interdisciplinary studies which seek to synthesize the archaeology of cult in the northern Kingdom of Israel with biblical studies and anthropology. Through the study of ritual in Canaan and Israel, it is anticipated that the idiosyncrasies of cult(s) in other time periods and regions will become more apparent.

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