Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

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  Religion in Canaan and Israel: An archaeological perspective.

  Nakhai, Beth Alpert.; Dever, William G.; Leonard, Jr., Albert; Wright, J. Edward (The University of Arizona., 1993)

  This dissertation discusses the role of religion in Canaanite and Israelite society. Particularly of interest is the way in which social and political relationships determine the form of religious organization. The period covered extends from the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age through the end of the Israelite Divided Monarchy (2000 B.C.E.-587 B.C.E.). Chapter One presents a history of previous scholarship in the field of Canaanite and Israelite religion. It demonstrates that inadequate attention has been given to archaeological data, despite the importance of these data to the study of religion. Chapter Two discusses the contribution made by anthropological studies toward understanding the role of religion in society. In particular, sacrifice (the religious rite par excellence of Israelites and Canaanites) is more than an arcane ritual. Rather, it reflects issues related to the social structure of the worshipping community. Chapter Three looks at the ritual texts from Ugarit and at pre-exilic portions of the Hebrew Bible. This chapter, like Chapter Two, focusses upon the ritual of sacrifice and demonstrates its central role in the religions of Canaan and Israel. It additionally clarifies its relevance for understanding issues of religion and society. With Chapter Four, the dissertation turns to the evidence presented by archaeological data. Chapter Four is concerned with the religion of Canaan in the Middle Bronze Age. It shows that the development of religion in the first half of the second millennium B.C.E. was related to the slow growth of elite clan groups. Chapter Five presents archaeological data for religion in the Late Bronze Age. It analyzes the effect of increasing Egyptian domination on the religious structure of South Canaan. Chapter Six discusses the way in which the monarchs of Israel and Judah organized religion in support of the state. At the same time, the efforts of some local clan groups to resist these centralizing efforts are seen in alternate modes of worship.
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  A Direct Estimate of the Initial Concentration of 14C in the Mountain Aquifer of Israel

  Carmi, Israel; Kronfeld, Joel; Yechieli, Yoseph; Boaretto, Elisabetta; Bar-Matthews, Miryam; Ayalon, Avner (Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona, 2004-01-01)

  Five radiocarbon analyses were performed on 5 different sources within Soreq Cave, which was used as a model for the Judea Group Aquifer of Israel (pMCq0). The transit time of rainwater through the roof of the cave to sources within it had been determined with tritium. From this information, the year of deposition of rain on the roof of the cave, which later appeared in one of the sources, was estimated and the atmospheric 14C concentration at that time was ascertained (pMCa0). The parameter Q = pMCq0 / pMCa0 was found to be Q = 0.60 +/0.04. This makes it possible to calculate the age of water in any well in the Judea Group Aquifer of Israel by measuring its 14C concentration (pMCqt) by use of the decay equation and applying Q.
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  Integrating anthropology in pursuit of the Byzantine period glass industry in northern Israel

  Schiffer, Michael B.; Fischer, Alysia Anne (The University of Arizona., 2001)

  Humans have utilized glass for over five thousand years. This dissertation seeks to show how, following a variety of anthropological avenues, one can come to a richer understanding of glass-working in the past. The research deals with the application of ethnoarchaeology, excavation, experimental archaeology, archaeometry and physical anthropology to an archaeological case study in an integrated manner. The case study in question is the production and distribution of glass in the Galilee region of Israel during the Byzantine period (363-640 C.E.). Remains of glass production, vessel production, and even the transportation of glass have all been excavated in the Galilee dating to this era. Integrating the data from the various anthropological sources yields a glimpse into the lives of glass-workers in antiquity.