This volume contains studies of leading archaeologists from the USA,
Great Britain, Israel, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, and Austria on
the material culture especially pottery of the early Middle Bronze Age
in Syria, Egypt, Israel, and the Lebanon. Both individual sites such as
Aphek, Ashkelon, Ebla, Tell Arqa, Tell Bia, Tell el-Daba and Qatna (Tell
Mishrife) and the regions of the Jordan valley and Salamiyeh as well as
specific categories of finds such as Levantine Painted Ware or Dipper
Juglets are analysed. This leads to a comprehensive synopsis and
discussion of the present knowledge of the first phase of the Middle
Bronze Age in the Syro-Palestine area and its adjacent cultures. This
up-to-date and far-ranging presentation of the archaeological aspects of
this epoch will undoubtedly become a work of reference and a basis for
any further research on the topics dealt with. In addition, some of the
articles are long-awaited preliminary reports of as yet unpublished
excavations.