The analysis of the modern theories of the Jewish conquest of Canaan: methodology and archaeological evidence

The author proposes an integrated approach to the solution of the problem of reconciling the biblical narrative about the entrance of Jews into Canaan with the archaeological material available. In the author’s opinion, two different tasks — dating the Jews’ entrance into the Promised Land and identifying correctly biblical sites — considered in aggregate, enable to match the Biblical text with the certain period and specific archaeological sites. The information is used about the excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, which is a new candidate for being identified with the biblical Ai. The author concludes that in the event of accepting early chronology of Exodus and Canaan invasion, the archaeological data derived from the excavations at Jericho, Ai and Hazor can be reconciled with the biblical narrative.