History 8 Near East Questions
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1. Describe the geography of Canaan and Ancient Israel including resources.
2. What were the main trade items, both imports and exports?
3. What conclusions can be drawn about how these early societies lived from study of the town of Arad?
4. List and explain any inventions from the 3300 to 1950 BCE.
5. What caused the collapse of the early civilization and what did the people do?
6. What significant changes occurred between 1950-1539 BCE in urban life and social organization?
7. Between 1539 and 1200 BCE, what changes in weaponry occurred? New types of weapons in the Middle Bronze Age were the duckbill axe, narrow, chisel-shaped axe, and a leaf shaped dagger made with a wooden handle and a stone pommel. Metal and tools were created by the Artisans. Despite the name of the time period, copper and not bronze was the metal used in the Early Bronze Age. Weapons are not made of Bronze.The swords from the Bronze Age represent some of the finest work of the bronze smiths 3000 years ago, and in books, archaeologists encompass it with a few simple words ‘they made moulds of clay and cast swords’.As the early Bronze Age metal worker developed his skill in casting daggers using both clay and stone moulds, he managed to push the blades longer. From the middle Bronze Age these blades, some of them over 24 inches in length, are known as rapiers: the blades tend to be very narrow and the handles are still riveted on. in the past it was assumed these long narrow stabbing blades were."
CF Manual Pages 103-104
http://www.bronze-age-craft.com/swordcasting.htm Jasmine Williams
8. What role did the Egyptians play in the history of Canaan at this time?
9. What kind of social and political changes were happening in Canaan?
By 2300 BCE, almost all of the towns in southern Levant were either abandoned or reduced in size. This was probably caused by the global climate changes that caused drier conditions. Both the climate change and the decline in the trade with Egypt led to dramatic social and political changes. The agricultural economy of the Early Bronze Age collapsed and the people turned to small scale farming and nomadism. Some urban communities disappeared. For 350 years, the walls that used to help with the flow of the Canaan cities did not play a role in Canaanite life. However, in 1950 BCE, the urban life of Canaan was rehabilitated. Palaces that controlled nearby villages were built for the first time. These palaces competed with one another for power through warfare, trade, building projects, and fine crafts. This social and political change led to the Middle Bronze Age, a period of great wealth and self-governed city-states. Aristocratic rulers treated their cities to large scale public buildings, temples, and palaces. These new and more advanced buildings greatly compared to the old Canaanite buildings. The old buildings were almost all made of the same material and had the same design. There were almost no palaces in the old Canaanite cities. During the Late Bronze Age, Canaan joined the international community. The mayors of Canaan served the Egyptian Pharaoh and traded by sea with Minoan Crete, Mycenaean Greece, and Cyrpus. The defeat of Canaan over Pharaoh Thutmoses III led to land-owning and merchant families controlling the Canaanite cities. The rulers relied on Egyptian overlordship and were required to pay heavy tribute and taxes. The rulers were also required to supply food for the Egyptian army. During the Late Bronze Age, Canaan lacked fortification. In Canaanite society, the lower class consisted of artisans and farmers. There also existed a nomadic population known as the Shasa. The Shasa lived in the countryside, mountain regions, and desert fringe. The Apriu, groups of bandits and refugees, were also considered members of the lower class. Because of the global change that occurred years and years ago, Canann changed both socially and politically and continued to change for many more years.
CF Manual Pages 103-104 For more information about Canaan life: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/91488/Canaan Grace Amandes
11. What archaeological evidence do we have for the Hebrew people about 1200 BCE? There is little archaeological evidence for the hebrew people around 1200 BCE, however, there is still some evidence. This evidence includes and egyptian steele inscribed with a triumphal hymn of the Israelites victory over Pharaoh Merneptah. This inscription mentions a people named Israel, who placed themselves in the highlands of Canaan by 1208 BCE. In addition, there is evidence of many small villages appearing around the same time the Israelites settled into Canaan (CF Manual 105). Furthermore, when the king of Egypt, The Son of Ramses the first, undertook a military campaign in Asia around 1220 BCE, they inscribed in granite the people they had overtaken, which included the Israelites. This is the archaeological evidence we have for the hebrew people around 1200 BCE (CF Manual 107).
-CF Manual pages 105, 107 Grayson Christ
12. Where was the land of the Hebrews located and what is significant about that location?
13. Describe the geography of the Mediterranean Coastal region.
The Mediterranean Coastal region is located on the coast of the middle east on the countries, now known as, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine. The Mediterranean Costal region is a warm and humid area. This region tends to have 12 to 40 inches of rain per year. Wheat, barley, olives, and pistachios are native to this area. Other forms of vegetation in this area are oak trees and pine trees. There are about 100 species of mammals along with 500 species of birds. There are many species of birds because the Mediterranean coastal region is located on a late migrational route. Due to human intervention many of the animals are extinct such as the lion, bear, and antelope.
CF Manual pages 102
http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa1207
Gregory Estrera
14. Describe the geography of the Central Hill region.
The Central Hill region, located between the Mediterranean Coastal region and the Jordan River Valley, was an arid, rocky area comprised of hills and mountains. For the most part, this area contained hills and mountains with small valleys in between. Because of the limited area of fertile land and the weather conditions, it was hard to grow crops in this region. The southern area encompassed the Judean Hills on which Jerusalem was built. It was very difficult to live in this area; however, the Hebrews inhabited this place despite its harsh climate.
CF Manual pg. 106
http://library.thinkquest.org/26823/georegions.htm
Hank Lasley
15. Describe the geography of the Jordan River Valley.
16. Describe the geography of the Trans-Jordan area.
17. Describe the early culture of the Hebrews (pre-Patriarchal period) The early Hebrews were nomads, wandering from place to place. They organized themselves with classic tribal logic and their society was based on kingship and kingship hierarchy. Their relationship with God was based on kingship relationship, meaning that anyone who was not a descendant of Abraham was not included in the special relationship God. For more detailed information, visit http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/12_thought.html.
CF Manual page 107 Louisa Morgan
18. How did government change during the Patriarchal period?
19. How did the religion change during the Patriarchal period?
20. What differences in ways of living developed during the Patriarchal period?
The Patriarchal period is a time that encompasses the histories of pre-Egyptian Hebrews. During the Patriarchal, which means "father-ruler," period, the early Hebrew way of life changed when they went back to their tribe-like lifestyle. Bands of early Hebrews became very nomadic and drifted around the Near East. They had nothing to do with other tribes or the Yahweh cult involving Moses. By the end of the Patriarchal period, however, the very individual groups transformed into multiple tribes that acknowledged having common origins and identity. They were some of the first Hebrews, and their name is thought to be from the Egyptian word for foreigner, "apiru."
This website has additional information about this topic. Start reading from "3. Conditions in Palestine" to "4. Extensive Travel." http://www.truthnet.org/Biblicalarcheology/2/Patriarchalperiod.htm
Source:
"Age of Patriarchs." Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. By Rosie Beniretto and Clay Elliott. Vol. 2. Houston: St. John's School, 2012. 107-108. Print.
-Maddie Shen
21. Using Turner's theory, explain the economy of the Phoenicians.
22. What was Tyrian dye and why was it important?
23. What was the significance of the development of the alphabet?
24. How is Turner's theory of both geography and the Frontier demonstrated in the Phoenician culture?