The Chalcolithic culture ended at the end of the 4th millennium BCE, for reasons unknown, and was replaced by the Early Canaanite culture. During this period, the political structure of city-states began to form in the Land of Israel. This structure persisted throughout the 3rd and 2nd millennium BCE. Many finds dating from this period testify to trade links with Egypt, Mesopotamia and Syria. The main products exported from this region were agricultural produce such as wine, oil and honey; and the main imports were luxury items: vessels made of alabaster, semi-precious stones, silver and gold jewelry, and ivory objects. The end of this period saw a progressive decline in urban settlements, again for reasons not sufficiently clear. It may be that this decline was related to incursions from the north; to the war expeditions of the Egyptian rulers in the Land of Israel; to the wars that the city-states waged among themselves; or to ecological factors such as the decrease in rainfall.

Offering vessels with four miniature goblets

Back to Hecht Museum Welcome Page        Back to the Chronological Table