It's the cradle of civilization, the wellspring of three of the world's most powerful faiths, a place where vestiges of the ancient past remain vibrantly alive today—but what do we really know about the day-to-day lives and defining culture of the people of Israel and Canaan?

Ancient Canaan and Israel takes readers beyond the scriptural portrayals of the region and into the everyday lives of Canaanites and Israelites. It draws on recently discovered archaeological evidence and fresh interpretations of biblical and extrabiblical texts to show how archaeologists and other researchers reconstruct the many facets of these civilizations—political, geographic, social, economic, religious, technological, and aesthetic.



For experienced scholars or enthusiastic newcomers, it is an enlightening portrayal of the people and the land of Canaan and Israel, which traces many well-known spiritual and cultural traditions back to their ancient roots. It is also an objective introduction to a number of much-debated topics, such as the fate of the Canaanite cultures, the origins of the Israelites, and the historical accuracy of the Bible.









A rich illustration program including detailed plans of archaeological sites, settlements, and architecture, plus a number of drawings, photos, and scientific illustrations of ancient artifacts




A variety of regional maps, showing geography, topography, and climate, as well as maps that depict culture areas and trade routes