Text, Gold jewelry from Tell el-Ajjul

Gold jewelry from Tell el-Ajjul. MBIIC (1650-1550 B.C.) During the latter part of the Middle Bronze Age, Tell el - Ajjul in southern Canaan, fell within the Hyksos sphere of influence. The city of Stratum II was founded around 1670 B.C., and included a place-fort constructed using Egyptian techniques. It was destroyed in about 1570, most probably by Ahmose following his expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt and the destruction of their capital Avaris. In the ruins of the city, a number of hoards of jewelry were found. The jewelry is strongly Egyptian in style, but shows in its sophisticated techniques of repousse and granulation, considerable skill and refinement, typical of Canaanite craftsmanship of this period. For the most part, the jewelry consists of earrings and pendants. The large plaque is thought to represent the Canaanite goddess of fertility, Astarte, and the small fly was an Egyptian military decoration awarded for valor.