Archaeology and the Israelite cult : relating to the period (CA. 1950 - 950 B.C.E.)

Abstract

This dissertation on "Archaeology and the Israelite Cult" covers a period of ca. I 000 years, dating from the time of the Hebrew patriarchs ca.l950 B.C.E. to the end of the monarchy which is given as ca. 950 B.C.E. The archaeological findings are related to five significant and major excavation sites in Palestine which have been found to embrace the time span under consideration and point in many ways to the practice of the Israelite or Canaanite cult. These five sites are:- a) The Bull Site b) Kuntillet Ajrud c) The Fortress- Sanctuary at Arad d) Shechem e) Megiddo The writings of the Israelite cult are scant and commence mainly with the patriarchs. The time of Abraham and his recognition of a monolatrous god. The beginning of the complex Y ahwistic cult introduced by Moses in the Sinai Desert, following Israelite escape from Egypt. The Israelite cultic practices, which are now considered to be syncrestic, are discussed where they relate to biblical texts and archaeological findings of confirmation.