SBL Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity

BIBLICAL PEOPLES AND ETHNICITY

Society of Biblical Literature ~ Archaeology and Biblical Studies

Andrew G. Vaughn, Editor

Number 9

BIBLICAL PEOPLES AND ETI-It\TICTIY An Archaeological Study of Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Early Israel, 1300-1100 R.C.E.

L..JA-J'-"

AND ETHNICITY

Canaanites

f

1300-1100

by

B.C.E.

BIBLICAL PEOPLES AND ETHNICITY An Archaeological Study of Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Early Israel, 1300-1100 B.C.E.

Copyright © 2005 by the Society of Biblical Literature

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the] 976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the Rights and Permissions Office, Society of Biblical Literature. 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Killebrew. Ann E. Biblical peoples and ethnicity : an archaeological study of Egyptians, Canaanites. Philistines, and early Israel. 1300-1100 B.C.E. I by Ann E. Killebrew. p. cm. - (Society of Biblical Literature archaeology and biblical studies; no. 9) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN-13: 978-1-58983-097-4 (paper binding: alk. paper) ISBN-lO: 1-58983-097-0 (paper binding: alk. paper) 1. Palestine-Civilization. 2. Egyptians-Palestine-History. 3. Canaanites. 4. JewsHistory-To 953 B.C. 5. Philistines. 6. Palestine-Antiquities. 7. Excavations (Archaeology) -Palestine. 8. Bronze age-Palestine. 9. Iron age-Palestine. I. Title. II. Series: Archaeology and biblical studies; no. 9. DS112.K4762005 221. 9'3-dc22 2005013286

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54321

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free, recycled paper conforming to ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (R1997) and ISO 9706:1994 standards for paper permanence.

To My Parents Alfred B. and Jeanne M. Killebrew

CONTENTS

Acknow ledgmen ts ............................................................................................ xi Abbrevia tions .................................................................................................. xiii List of Illustrations ........................................................................................ xvi Introduction: Peoples and Ethnicity in the Biblical World: A Conceptual Framework ................................................................................ 1 3 Biblical Archaeology in Its Intellectual Context New Archaeology and Later Theoretical Trends 3 Recent Intellectual Trends in Biblical Studies 5 Theoretical and Analytical Frameworks 6 Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Israelites 10 Egyptians 10 Canaanites 12 Israelites 13 Philistines 14 1.

The Age of Internationalism: The Eastern Mediterranean during the Thirteenth Century B.C.E. and the "Crisis" ..................... .21 World Systems Approach 23 Empires, Palace Systems, and City-States 24 Contested Semiperipheries: Cyprus, Coastal Anatolia, and the Dodecanese at the End of the Late Bronze Age 28 Canaan during the Thirteenth Century B.C.E. 32 Crisis at the End of the Bronze Age: Causes and Repercussions 33 The End of the Late Bronze Age: An Interregional Perspective of Transformation 37

2.

Egypt in Canaan: Empire and Imperialism in the Late Bronze Age ............................................................................................... .51 Colonialism, Imperialism, and Elite Emulation: 53 A Definition of Terms

VIII

CONTENTS

The View from Egypt: The Textual Evidence The View from Canaan: The Archaeological Evidence Egyptian-Style Architecture Egyptian-Style Artifacts Burial Customs Egyptian Inscriptions A Typology of Egyptian-Style Pottery in Canaan Egyptian-Style Pottery Technology The View from Egypt and Canaan: Conclusions

55 58 58 64 65 67 67 79 81

3.

Canaan and Canaanites: An Ethnic Mosaic ........................................ 93 Canaan and Canaanites: A Definition 94 Textual Evidence 94 Mari 95 95 Egypt Alalakh 95 Ugarit 95 Biblical Evidence 96 96 The Archaeological Evidence Settlement Patterns in Canaan during the 97 Second Millennium 100 Architectural Features of Canaanite Sites Town Planning 100 Palaces 101 105 Temples Domestic Structures 109 Burials 110 110 Pottery Associated with Canaanite Sites Typology of Canaanite-Style Pottery and Associated Assemblages 110 136 Canaanite Pottery Technology Conclusions 138

4.

Early Israel: A "Mixed Multitude" ...................................................... 149 The Textual Evidence 150 The Biblical Tradition 150 The Exodus 150 The Israelite "Conquest" and Settlement of Canaan 152 154 The Egyptian Sources The Israel Stela 154

IX

CONTENTS

155 155

The Karnak and Excavation Results from Iron I Sites Plateau the Central Highland Regions Galilee and the Beer-sheba Valley Conclusions Characteristic Features of Iron I Material Culture Architecture Diet: Animal Bones Burial Customs

The Four Schools of The Mixed Multitude

157 159 165 168 169 171

171 171 176 176 177 181 181 184

.................. 197

5. versus Cultural Textual Evidence Sources Medinet Habu Rhetorical Stela Ramesses III Harris I Onomasticon of Biblical Accounts The Archaeological Evidence Settlement Patterns Features the Philistine Urban Installations and Artifacts Burials Cuisine of Philistine Synthesis Philistine Philistine

199 202 202 202 204 204 204 205 206 207 209 209 210 218 218 219 230 230 232

x

CONTENTS

The How and Why of Philistine Colonization: Concluding Remarks 6.

233

Identifying the Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Early Israel .............................................................................................. 247

Bibliography .................................................................................................. 253 Index of Primary Sources ........................................................................... .335 Hebrew Scriptures 335 Ancient Near Eastern Writings 336 Greek Writings 336 Index of Ancient Names and Places ......................................................... .337 Ancient Names 337 Geographic Names and Regions 339 Index of Modern Authorities ..................................................................... .347

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The present volume is the result of two decades of research, teaching, and excavation work at numerous sites in Israel. This work was conducted during my years as a full-time resident in Israel and, more recently, at the Pennsylvania State University. I extend my deepest gratitude to my teachers, colleagues, and friends both in Israel and the United States. I am indebted to Trude Dothan, Seymour Gitin, Amihai Mazar, Doug Clark, Michal Artzy, Lawrence Stager, Adam Zertal, and Joseph Greene, who generously granted permission to publish photos and drawings from their excavations and exhibits. Heather Evans drew many of the illustrations. Heather D. Heidrich assisted in the proofreading of the final text and in the compilation of the indices. I am especially grateful to the Institute for the Arts and Humanities and the Research and Graduate Studies Office at the Pennsylvania State University, which provided valued support and generous research funds for the completion of this book. Many of my colleagues, in particular Gary N. Knoppers, Department Head of the Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies Department, and Dan Mack, humanities librarian at the Pattee Library, were helpful and supportive during the completion of the manuscript. Bob Buller, Editorial Director of the Society of Biblical Literature, has been a pleasure to work with throughout the entire editorial process. Lastly, special thanks are due to Andrew G. Vaughn and Sandra A. Scham, friends and colleagues, who kindly read through the manuscript, offered much-appreciated comments and critique, and provided continuous encouragement and valuable advice.

-Xy-

ABBREVIA nONS

AA AASOR AAT AB ABO ABSA ADAJ AF AJA AmerAnt AnatSt ANET

AOAT AoF AOS ARA ASOR BA BAR BASOR Bel' Bib BIES BMes BO BWANT BZAW

CAH3

CANE CBQ

Archiiologischer Anzeiger Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research Agypten und Altes Testament Anchor Bible Anchor Bible Dictionary. Edited by D. N. Freedman. 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1992. Annual of the British School at Athens Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan Agyptologische Forschungen American Journal of Archaeology American Antiquity Anatolian Studies Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament. Edited by J. B. Pritchard. 3d ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969. Alter Orient und Altes Testament Altorientalische Forschungen American Oriental Series Annual Review of Anthropology American Schools of Oriental Research Biblical Archaeologist Biblical Archaeology Review Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research Berytus Biblica Bulletin of the lsrael Exploration Society (= Yediot) Bibliotheca mesopotamica Bibliotheca orientalis Beitrage zur Wissenschaft vom Alten und Neuen Testament Beihefte zur Zeitschrift fur die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft The Cambridge Ancient History. Edited by L E. S. Edwards et al. 3rd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970-. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East. Edited by J. Sasson. 4 vols. New York: Scribner's, 1995. Catholic Biblical Quarterly - XIII-

XIV

CHANE ConBOT COS

CTM CurrAnthr EJA Erlsr FRLANT HSM HTR IEJ IJNA

IstMitt JANESCU JAnthArch JAOS JAT\CE JBL JCS JEA JESHO JFA JHS JMA JNES JPOS JSOT JSOTSup NEA NEAEHL

OBO OEANE

OJA OLA

ABBREVIATIONS

Culture and History of the Ancient Near East Coniectanea biblica: Old Testament Series The Context of Scripture. Edited by W. W. Hallo and K. L. Younger. 3 vols. Leiden: Brill, 1997-2002. Concordia Theological Monthly Current Anthropology European Journal of Archaeology Eretz-Israel Forschungen zm Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments Harvard Semitic Monographs Harvard Theological Review Israel Exploration Journal International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration Istanbuler Mitteilungen Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society of Columbia University Journal of Anthropological Archaeology Journal of the American Oriental Society Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt Journal of Biblical Literature Journal of Cuneiform Studies Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient Journal of Field Archaology Journal of Hellenic Studies Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology Journal of Near Eastern Studies Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series Near Eastern Archaeology The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Edited by E. Stern. 4 vols. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society and Carta, 1993. Orbis biblicus et orientalis The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East. Edited by Eric M. Meyers. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. Oxford Journal of Archaeology Orientalia lovaniensia analecta

ABBREVIATIONS

OpAth Or OrAnt PEFQS PEQ PJ Qad RelSRev RHA SAOC SBLABS SBLDS SBLSBL SHCANE SIMA SJOT SSN SWBA TA TynBlil UF VT VTSup WHJP WorldArch WVDOG

ZA ZAW ZDPV

XV

Opuscula archaeologica Orientalia (NS) Oriens antiquus Palestine Exploration Fund Quarterly Statement Palestine Exploration Quarterly Paliistina-Jahrbuch Qadmoniot Religious Studies Review Revue hittite et asianique Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilizations Society of Biblical Literature Archaeology and Biblical Studies Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series Society of Biblical Literature Studies in Biblical Literature Studies in the History and Culture of the Ancient Near East Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament Studia semitica neerlandica Social World of Biblical Antiquity Tel Aviv Tynda/e Bulletin Ugarit-Forschungen Vetus Testamentum Supplements to Vetus Testamentum World History of the Jewish People World Archaeology Wissenschaftliche Veroffentlichungen der deutschen Orientgesellschaft Zeitschrift fiir Assyriologie Zeitschrift fiir die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft Zeitschrift des deutschen Paliistina-Vereins

LIST OF ILLUSTRA nONS

0.1.

Egyptian Scribe .................................................................................................... 11 Drawn after Epigraphic Survey 1930, pI. 23.

0.2.

Canaani te .............................................................................................................. 12 Drawn after Epigraphic Survey 1932, pIs. 91, 93.

0.3.

Shasu: "Early Israel" ............................................................................................ 14 Drawn after Redford 1992, fig. 7:7.

0.4.

Captive Philistine Chief ...................................................................................... 15 Drawn after Epigraphic Survey 1932, pI. 118e.

1.1.

Schematic Plan of the Palace at Pylas .............................................................. 27 Redrawn after Whitelaw 2001, fig. 7.

1.2.

Suggested Trade Routes during the Late Bronze Age .................................. 39

1.3.

Spheres of Influence and Interface during the Late Bronze II Period ....... .40

2.1.

Map of Major Sites with Egyptian-Style Material Culture .......................... 52

2.2.

Center-Hall House at Beth-shean .................................................................... 59 Redrawn after Oren 1992, 119.

2.3.

Interior of Building 1500 at Beth-shean ......................................................... .59 Courtesy of the Beth-shean Expedition.

2.4.

Center-Hall House at Tell el-Far'ah (S) .......................................................... 61 Redrawn after Oren 1992, 119.

2.5.

Center-Hall House at Tel Sera' ........................................................................ 61 Redrawn after Oren 1992, 119.

2.6.

Administrative Building at Aphek .................................................................. 63 Redrawn after Herzog 1997, fig. 4.34.

2.7.

Administrative Building at Tel Mor ................................................................ 63 Redrawn after Herzog 1997, fig. 4.34.

2.8.

Administrative Building at Deir el-Balah ........................................................ 64 Redrawn after Herzog 1997, fig. 4.34.

2.9.

Plan and Section of an Anthropoid Coffin from Deir el-Balah .................... 66 Redrawn after Dothan 1979, figs. 70, 71. -XVI-

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

XVII

2.10. Assemblage of Egyptian-Style Pottery from Beth-shean .............................. 69 Courtesy of the Beth-shean Expedition; photographer: Gabi Laron 2.11. Egyptian-Style Pottery Forms EG 1-6 .............................................................. 70 2.12. Egyptian-Style Pottery Forms EG 7-12 ........................................................... .71 2.13. Egyptian-Style Pottery Form EG 13 ................................................................ 73 2.14. Egyptian-Style Pottery Form EG 14 ................................................................ 74 2.15. Egyptian-Style Pottery Form EG 15 ................................................................ 75 2.16. Egyptian-Style Pottery Form EG 16 ................................................................ 76 2.17. Egyptian-Style Pottery Form EG 17 ............................................................... .77 2.18. Egyptian-Style Pottery Forms EG 18-19 ......................................................... .78 3.1.

Map of Selected Late Bronze Age Canaanite Sites ........................................ 98

3.2.

Schematic Plan of Megiddo Stratum VUB .................................................... 102 Redrawn after Baumgarten 1992, fig. 1.

3.3.

The Late Bronze Age Gate at Megiddo .......................................................... 103 Photographer: Ann E. Killebrew.

3.4.

Schematic Plan of Late Bronze Age Palace at Ugarit .................................. 104 Redrawn after Oren 1992, fig. 10.

3.5.

Late Bronze Age Symmetrical Temples from Hazor, Alalakh, and Megiddo ...................................................................................... 106 Redrawn after Mazar 1992b, 163.

3.6.

Late Bronze Age Temples from Beth-shean, Lachish, Hazor, and Amman Airport ............................................................................ l08 Redrawn after Mazar 1992b, 174.

3.7.

Pillared Late Bronze Age House at Tel Batash ............................................ 109 Redrawn after Kelm and Mazar 1995, fig. 4:20.

3.8.

Late Bronze Age Cave Burial at Megiddo .................................................... 111 Redrawn after Gonen 1992, fig. 4.

3.9.

Late Bronze Age Burials: Pit Burial and Cist Tomb with Dromos ............ 112 Redrawn after Gonen 1992, figs. lOa and 2.

3.10. Late Bronze Age Rock-Cut Bench Burial ...................................................... 113 Redrawn after Gonen 1992, fig. 19a. 3.11. Late Bronze Age Rock-Cut Loculi Burial Cave ............................................ 114 Redrawn after Gonen 1992, fig. 17b. 3.12. Storage-Jar Burial from Tel Nami .................................................................. 115 Courtesy of Michal Artzy.

XVIII

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

3.13. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 1-8 .................................................................... 116 3.14. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 9a-d ................................................................ 117 3.15. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 10-11.. .............................................................. 118 3.16. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 12-15 ................................................................ 120 3.17. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 16-17 ................................................................ 121 3.18. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 18-20 ................................................................ 122 3.19. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 21a .................................................................... 123 3.20. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 21b .................................................................... 124 3.21. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 22 ...................................................................... 125 3.22. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 23 ...................................................................... 126 3.23. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 24 ...................................................................... 127 3.24. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 26 ...................................................................... 128 3.25. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 27 ...................................................................... 129 3.26. Canaanite Pottery Form CA 28 ...................................................................... 130 3.27. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 29-32 ................................................................ 131 3.28. Canaanite Pottery Forms CA 33-38 ................................................................ 133 3.29. Selection of Imported Cypriot and Mycenaean Vessels in Canaan .......... 134 3.30. Aegean-Style Stirrup Jars from Tel Nami... ................................................... 134 Courtesy of Michal Artzy. 3.31. Canaanite Pottery Motifs ................................................................................ 135 Redrawn after Amiran 1969, pis. 47:3, 12; 50:9; 41:11; 50:8; 47:10; 50:12. 4.1.

Shasu: "Early Israel" .......................................................................................... 156 Drawn after Redford 1992, fig. 7:7.

4.2.

Map of Selected Iron I Sites Associated with Early Israel .......................... 158

4.3.

Monumental Structure at Mount Ebal .......................................................... 161 Courtesy of Adam Zertal.

4.4.

Reconstruction of the Altar at Mount Ebal .................................................. 161 Courtesy of Adam Zertal.

4.5.

Plan of Excavated Areas at Khirbet Raddana .............................................. 162 Redrawn after Lederman 1999, General Site Plan.

4.6.

Plan of Iron I Village at 'Ai .............................................................................. 163 Redrawn after Herzog 1992, fig. 4.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

XIX

4.7.

Plan of Three-Room House at Khirbet Raddana .......................................... 164 Redrawn after Dever 2001, 111.

4.8.

Four-Room House at Tell el