The book begins with coverage of Canaanite beginnings in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Periods (8500-3300 bce) and continues through the Late Iron Age (900-539 bce). It does conclude with a synopsis of Canaanite connections to Phoenicians subsequent Carthaginian ties concluding with the close of the third Punic War. The bulk of the detail of Canaanite culture, however, is provided for the periods between 8500 bce and 539 bce.

The author (Jonathan N. Tubb)has directed the British Museum's excavations at Tell es-Sa'idiyeh in present-day Jordan since 1985 and is curator of Syria-Palestine within the Western Asiatic Department of the British Museum.

Tubb provides easy-to-read details of ancient international trading systems between the Canaanites and other culture groups from the Egyptians and Mycenaeans to Indus River Valley peoples. Though based primarily on archeological evidence to infer Canaanite culture habits, the book also objectively takes into account many historically accurate aspects from written records both Biblical and secular.

Extra-cultural influences upon the Canaanites are inferred through changing burial techniques (particularly Canaanite shaft tombs), architecture, and to a lesser extent, pottery styles. Evidence from archeological sites in Persia and Egypt show how widespread trade was even at such an early time in ancient history.

Pieces of the archeological puzzle are fit together with historical written records to show when and where new culture groups began to settle in the region and what eventually became of the Canaanites. The power vacuum left after the fall of the Egyptian empire allowed for expansion of new groups such as the Sea Peoples from southwestern Anatolia and the Aegean that settled in the Gaza area (of whom included the Philistines), and the Hebrews who eventually established the Kingdom of Israel around the Jordan River in Judea and Samaria. The author posits that the Israelites were in fact a sub-set of Canaanite culture and many parallels are drawn in the book on this point.

I found the book to be very informative and easy to follow. There are both color and black and white photos of Canaanite artifacts and sites in the book that really help to bring about a better understanding of the text you read. A very informative and enjoyable book!

Bible Lands is a visual tour to the Holy Land. The geography, the history and the ancient civilizations of its people are revealed. Stunning real-life photographs are what make the eyewitness books so great. There are pictures of swords, statues, ships and the land.

What did Solomon's temple look like? Where the earliest human statues ever found? What does Assyrian armor look like? How did the Phoenicians dye their clothes? How did Abraham live and what did people eat in Old Testament times?

You will also discover who the Israelites were and how the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Holy Land is a region which is quite diverse in its terrain. There is a map on page 6 and 7 which shows the entire area being discussed. Do you wonder what the Tower of Babel looked like. Well, a picture of a ziggurat is about as close as you will get to the real thing. Each picture has text which explains the items. I would have enjoyed seeing larger pictures of the artwork and smaller pictures of say a watermelon.

I loved the picture of the illuminated manuscript which is from the medieval period and it is a page from a decorated Latin Bible. An interesting two pages shows how modern archeology began in the Holy Land in 1865 and all the tools used are displayed.

Very educational and fun to see how people in the past lived.

This book has power, experience and such greatness. It shows you things about the Bible that I never even knew could even exist. Like the pillar of salt/rock that Lot's wife was turned into because she looked back. Wow. You have to read this book. The Bible put things in persceptive in those times. But seeing them as they are today, is like WOW. Read this book over and over again. I know I will.