The cultural period we refer to as the Early Bronze Age I in the southern Levant continued for the entire second half of the fourth millennium. During this period human society underwent far-reaching changes. At the beginning of the period the settlement pattern of the village was reasonably equal and unfortified. Over time the settlement became large and more consolidated. It became multi-layered, hierarchal (urban-like or perhaps even urban) and sometimes even fortified.
Although the material culture of the Early Bronze Age I is primarily local in nature, signs of external influence are constantly seen. As far as it is possible to learn from the archaeological evidence, in this period there was an ever increasing process of external influences that reflects the social development to a certain extent. The lecture will address the nature of this process and will proffer a view of the external ties of human society in this period.
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