ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reality of the thirteenth and twelfth centuries before the impact of the Philistines was felt, and to see what can be said about Israel at this time. This will be done by an examination of settlement patterns and a new analysis of the formation of the period's material culture, all in light of the Merenptah stela. According to Redford, 'reasonably certain would appear the postulate that in the "Israel" of Merenptah's stela people should construe what the Bible calls the "House of Joseph" ensconced on Mount Ephraim around Shechem'. The reference to Israel in the famous Merenptah's stela of the thirteenth century is an important piece of evidence indicating that Israel had earlier roots. One of the main characteristics of the Late Bronze Age is the large number of tombs that have been found, especially remarkable in proportion to the number of excavated sites, and their great variety.
