Shechem I is an indispensable tool for the study of the Middle Bronze Age in Syria-Palestine. The primary material which it presents serves to define the ceramic boundaries of the Middle Bronze IIB Period, and thus it contributes to a sharper definition of the debate about the nature of the MB IIA transition to MB IIB and the validity of the term MB IIC.--Douglas L. Esse, The University of Chicago in Journal of Near Eastern Studies Vol. 47, No. 4Cole's major achievement in Shechem I is to demonstrate when certain ceramic forms first appear in the relative sequence at Shechem. We must, of course, allow for the limited Shechem database, as well as for the possibility of regional variations or new material from elsewhere that may insert nuances into the picture. Nevertheless, Cole has provided a demonstration that soundings and sherds--when carefully controlled--can produce reliable and useful results in ceramic chronology. For the larger picture of Shechem and cultural development in the Middle Bronze Palestine, we shall have to await further volumes in this series.--William G. Dever, University of Arizona in BASOR 276