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On Defining Israel

Or, Let's do the Kulturkreislehre Again!

Bibliographic Data

ID23148394
AuthorsAren M Maeir (0000-0003-3230-292X, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume10
Issue2
Pages106-148
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHebrew Bible and Ancient Israel (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2192-2276 • E-ISSN: 2192-2284
PublisherMohr Siebeck (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1628/hebai-2021-0010
OpenAlexW4237158868
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited33

Most study of the definition of early Israel, from an archaeological perspective, is based on outdated views on the relationship between material culture and group identity, ignoring recent social theory on the relationship between the archaeological finds and group identity. This has led to simplistic assumptions on defining and identifying the materials correlates – and the group identities – relevant for understanding the formation and development of early Israel. While critical of much of the research, and aware of the limitations of the ability to interpret the archaeological remains, I suggest some paths how to move forward in defining – what is and what is not – early Israel, stressing the need to focus on a bottom-up approach, commencing with the study of small-scale communities of practice.

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Unique citing works12
Citations per year3
Citation span2022 - 2026 (5)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 9
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