The Early Bronze Age (EBA) of the southern Levant was the first period in which many sites became fortified. This process reached its climax during the latter part of the period (namely Early Bronze III). Until recently, most scholars saw this phenomenon as an indication that the period was characterized by a high level of organized conflict. The following article analyses the fortifications of eight EBA sites, as well as other markers of warfare, and argues that the period's fortifications were not as tactically efficient as they seem. Furthermore, other markers of war are generally missing. It seems that the period's fortifications were built mainly to demonstrate a town's might and power while deterring potential attackers. Taking into account the rise of social complexity during the period, they were also used to consolidate the society through the construction process and possibly to control movement and serve as a boundary marker. Incipient leaders, who planned and coordinated the construction, used possible threats and the construction process to aggrandize themselves as being the ‘protectors’ of the settlement.

中文翻译：

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有时防御只是一个借口：南黎凡特青铜时代早期的防御墙

黎凡特南部的早期青铜时代 (EBA) 是许多遗址被加固的第一个时期。这一过程在该时期的后期（即早期青铜三世）达到了高潮。直到最近，大多数学者都认为这一现象表明这一时期的特点是高度有组织的冲突。以下文章分析了八个 EBA 站点的防御工事，以及其他战争标志，并认为该时期的防御工事并不像看起来那样有效。此外，通常缺少其他战争标志。似乎那个时期的防御工事主要是为了展示一个城镇的力量和力量，同时阻止潜在的攻击者。考虑到这一时期社会复杂性的上升，它们还被用来通过建设过程巩固社会，并可能控制运动并用作边界标志。计划和协调建设的初期领导人利用可能的威胁和建设过程来强化自己作为定居点的“保护者”。