Rural Complexity in the Intermediate Bronze Age: Settlement Patterns and Intra-Site Spatial Organization in Lower Galilee

This study explores the settlement patterns in Intermediate Bronze Age Lower Galilee, focusing on the Ḥorbat Qishron sites and their socio-economic organization. The spatial arrangement and the hierarchical structures of the settlements are analyzed, particularly in light of the discovery of a walled settlement at Ḥorbat Qishron South, a unique feature in this period. The study also considers the implications of settlement patterns for economic activities, social organization and communal endeavors, shedding light on the role of households as basic economic units and the potential of centralized economic models. Furthermore, it discusses the significance of ceramic assemblages, radiocarbon dating and burial practices in understanding chronological and social dynamics within the region. Overall, the research highlights the nuanced interplay between spatial organization, socio-economic structures and cultural practices in shaping settlement patterns during the Intermediate Bronze Age in Lower Galilee.