Canaanites
The Canaanites were the ancient inhabitants of the region known as Canaan, located in the Levant along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, stretching from western Greece to western Egypt. The term "Canaanite" may derive from a Semitic word meaning "subdued" or a non-Semitic term associated with purple dye, reflecting the cultural significance of trade and textiles in the area. Canaanite communities were diverse and included various groups such as the Ugarit, Ammonites, Moabites, Israelites, and Phoenicians, although the Hebrew Bible distinguishes the Israelites from the Canaanites.
Canaanite culture is evidenced through archaeological findings that reveal a continuous tradition from the Neolithic period through the Iron Age. They constructed walled cities, developed pottery techniques, and created an alphabetic writing system during the Bronze Age. Religion played a central role in Canaanite life, with a pantheon of deities, including El and Baal, reflected in their myths and practical prayers. Despite facing invasions and displacements, particularly from the Sea Peoples, Canaanites maintained cultural continuity, as seen in their pottery, architecture, and city planning. The complexity of Canaanite society highlights their significance in the ancient Near Eastern context.
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Canaanites
Related civilizations: Ugarit, Israel.
Date: 8000-900 b.c.e.
Locale: Levant
Canaanites
Canaanites (KAY-nuh-nitz) were the inhabitants of the land of Canaan—a geographical area also called the Levant, the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from western Greece to western Egypt. The etymology of the name “Canaan” or “Canaanite” is uncertain, but the world is possibly related to either a Semitic word meaning “subdued” or a non-Semitic word meaning “blue cloth” or “purple dye.”
References in various written accounts to the Canaanites reveal how others viewed the group. Canaanites were variously described as “thieves,” inhabitants of the Central Hill country, inhabitants of the lowlands along the Mediterranean, and inhabitants displaced by others. Different groups, such as the Ugarit people, Ammonites, Moabites, Israelites, and Phoenicians, were considered Canaanites. The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament texts distinguish Israelites from Canaanites. The Ugaritic texts are usually the basis for describing Canaanite culture and religion.
Archaeological evidence for a Canaanite culture indicates a continuous cultural tradition from the Neolithic (8500-3300 b.c.e.) through Iron I (1150-900 b.c.e.) Ages. Canaanites built walled cities with interior houses and temples in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Burial practices included placing artifacts with the bodies. In the Early Bronze Age, large urban cities formed as trading centers. The potter’s wheel was developed, and potters began to use paint and slip on vessels. Faster-moving wheels were created in the Middle Bronze Age. Also, during this period or at the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, an alphabetic writing system appeared. Canaanites built some cities using the header and stretcher technique and constructed temples within walled areas.
During the Bronze Age, Canaanites at Ugarit wrote myths or stories describing religious traditions of the region. El, Baal, Ashera, Anath, and other deities played prominent roles in the Ugaritic pantheon. The realities of life, such as thunder and rain, became part of the mythological traditions. Records of the monarchy, epic stories (such as the Aqhat Epic), and practical aspects of religion (prayers) were written.
The incursion of the Sea Peoples introduced new groups to Canaan. Remains of these groups are found at such sites as Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Tel Miqne. Canaanites along the coast were forced to move to the central hill country. Egypt tried to reassert control over the area but did not have sufficient military strength or economic resources. As a new nation or city-state developed, building occurred at a number of areas, such as Jerusalem, Hazor, Bethel, and Dan. Hebrew Bible texts describe the rise of the nation, although apparently in a sense more idealistic than real.
The material cultural remains from Canaan suggest a strong continuity of culture from the Early Bronze Age through Iron I. Pottery traditions, architectural design and construction, and city design are consistent. Written accounts provide some additional material for the historian. However, the picture that can be constructed from the texts and archaeology is a rather complex one in which different Canaanite groups established city-states playing prominent roles at different times.
Bibliography
Ahlström, G. Who Were the Israelites? Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 1986.
Gray, J. The Legacy of Canaan. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1965.
Redford, D. B. Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1992.
Tubb, J. Canaanites. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1998.