In the Middle Bronze Age, Canaanite material culture was closely tied to the rise of early urban life in the southern Levant. With urban development came new challenges—and new human responses and innovations—in areas such as settlement planning, security, water management, and production. These advances were supported by diverse social structures that encouraged technological innovation and allowed Canaanite culture to flourish.

This lecture will explore the material remains of this early urban world, highlighting how they appear at key archaeological sites across Canaan.