This volume contains studies of leading archaeologists from the USA, Great Britain, Israel, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, and Austria on the material culture especially pottery of the early Middle Bronze Age in Syria, Egypt, Israel, and the Lebanon. Both individual sites such as Aphek, Ashkelon, Ebla, Tell Arqa, Tell Bia, Tell el-Daba and Qatna (Tell Mishrife) and the regions of the Jordan valley and Salamiyeh as well as specific categories of finds such as Levantine Painted Ware or Dipper Juglets are analysed. This leads to a comprehensive synopsis and discussion of the present knowledge of the first phase of the Middle Bronze Age in the Syro-Palestine area and its adjacent cultures. This up-to-date and far-ranging presentation of the archaeological aspects of this epoch will undoubtedly become a work of reference and a basis for any further research on the topics dealt with. In addition, some of the articles are long-awaited preliminary reports of as yet unpublished excavations.