Ancient Middle East
Land of the Bible
The land of the Bible, now the modern state of Israel and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, has a long history. Early humans first lived in the area 2.6 million years ago. During the 2nd millennium BC, the region, known as Canaan, was dominated by Egypt, but some time during this period a people identifying themselves as Israelites emerged. They became united in a single kingdom, probably in the 11th century BC, before splitting into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in about 930 BC. Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC, Judah to the Babylonians in 586 BC. Judah's nobility were exiled to Babylon, where they became known as the Jews.
Israelites
The archaeological evidence tells us that the Israelites were natives of the region of Canaan. The Bible tells us that they came to Canaan from exile in Egypt. Here they came into conflict with the Philistines, who were also living along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. History tells us that by the 11th century BC the United Monarchy of Israel and Judah had been founded, with Hebrew as its main language. The inhabitants of the Kingdom of Judah, which split from the Kingdom of Israel, would later be known as Jews.
The people
A typical house was made of mud and painted white to reflect the hot sun. It was built on two levels. The flat roof was used for drying fruit. People often slept there on hot nights.
While the men were at work in the fields, herding sheep and goats, or on their fishing boats, women and children worked at home. Women would mill grain into flour to make bread. Older girls washed clothes using a soap made from olive oil. They also fetched water from the well. The younger children would look after the family’s goats and chickens.
Jerusalem
The site of modern-day Jerusalem was first settled in the 4th millennium BC. The settlement stood on top of a hill with steep valleys on three sides. By the time of the Israelites, the city was protected by strong stone walls and entry was controlled by guards at the gates. According to the Bible, King David (c.1040–970 BC) captured Jerusalem and made it his capital. He built a great palace in the north of the city to mark his victory.
The Temple
According to the Bible, David’s son, King Solomon, built a magnificent temple to the Hebrew god, Yahweh, on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It was made from stone, cedarwood, bronze and gold. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments. Inside, two winged angels guarded the Ark. The walls were covered in gold flowers. The two bronze pillars represented strength and security.
The temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon after his forces captured the city in 586 BC. No archaeological evidence of the First Temple has yet been found.
Consultant: Philip Parker