26.Egypt and Canaan

Last night I attended a very good lecture at the monthly meeting of the West Essex Archaeology Group [WEAG] at Woodford County High school. I now only attend when the topic is of interest to me - and this certainly turned out to be most enjoyable. Using PowerPoint, Rachel Sparks from the Institute of Archaeology surveyed and illustrated the evolution of the links between Egypt and Canaan in the middle and late bronze ages [MBA & LBA], roughly the second millenium BC. She divided the period into three parts:

In the MBA I [= 2,000 - 1,800 BC] there were sporadic trade exchanges ['trading and raiding']. The route was overland along the 'way of Horus' and by sea - to the ports along the Levant coast. The Egyptians did not penetrate far inland. They still regarded Canaanite cities as potentially hostile, as evidenced by the execration texts: plaster effigies covered with the names of Canaanite cities, then cursed and smashed them. But bearded semitic men bearing merchandise were portrayed.

In the MBA II & III [= 1,800 - 1,200 BC], there was deeper Egyptian penetration inland, and an increase in trade and significant cultural exchange. At that time the Hyksos resided in the delta - foreigners probably from the Aegean. The delta site of Avaris was inhabited by Canaanites. Many storage jars of Canaanite origin were found there, whereas burials in Canaan contained many scarabs of Egyptian design - but often produced in Canaan. When skeletal remains could be analyzed, the male were often Asiatic/Canaanite and the females local Egyptians - there was intermarriage.

In the LBA [= 1,550 - 1,150 BC], the Egyptians actually conquered Canaan. The Egyptians mounted concentrated annual campaigns into Canaan, gradually extending their rule northward - despite a Canaanite revolt - the battle of Kadesh. The loot was taken back to Egypt, where such Items can be recognized. The siege of Askelon illustrates the action. In the delta, the Hyksos were expelled and all traces of their culture were obliterated. Tribute was also extracted from the conquered Canaanite cities. Loyal rulers were appointed by the Egyptians, and their sons were usually taken to Egypt as hostages. When these princes later returned home, they spread the Egyptian culture that they had absorbed. There is a theory, that Joseph was such as hostage prince. [ Incidentally, the Romans employed a similar method ].

Local fortresses in Canaan were built by local labour. Burials included antropoid coffins, that contained shabtis in the Egyptian style - so these were probably Egyptian dead. To remain in power, the Canaanite elite had to behave like Egyptians. Beit Shean was completely Egyptianized - they even imported Egyptian potters to work there. [ And I'm reminded of the Egyptian governors' style mansions at Dir es-Saidiyeh and Tel Afek - there must be others ].

The ethnicity of the inhabitants can be identified from various criteria: the images [beards, clothing, skin colour, tattoos], the texts and language, the names of individuals, and the style of their possessions.

The questions after the lecture confirmed my own views of the Biblical narrative. That part of the Old Testament was only written around the 5th century BC, or maybe later. The whole story, from the Patriarchs to Joshua's conquest, is a later 'spin'; the 'Apiru' that are mentioned in some extra-biblical texts refer to stateless vagabonds and terrorists, not to 'Hebrews'.
The topic of the Exodus was not mentioned at all in yesterday's non-Jewish forum. Its historical existence has now been convincingly rejected by contemporary scholars. Although Canaanites obviously resided in the delta at that time - during the LBA, they were not Israelite slaves. The Egyptians kept no slaves, except for prisoners of war. Public works were performed by 'corvee' labour - Egyptians who served the king during the period of the Nile's inundation, while these farmers could not engage in agriculture.
During the period of the postulated Biblical exodus, Canaan in the LBA was entirely under Egyptian rule: so where could Moses and the Israelites escape to?
The Old Testament is a very well constructed literary work. But I personally no longer celebrate Passover, its festival and its ceremony.
But then, I'm agnostic: I do look forward to encountering Tony Blair in Hell.