According to th Book of Joshua, the Hebrew people stormed through Canaan, conquering numerous cities. Jericho was the first city destroyed by Joshua and his Israelite army, followed by 'Ai. Lawrence E. Stager (The Oxford History of the Biblical World, Forging an Identity: The Emergence of Ancient Israel) provides the following chart of cities mentioned in the account, but finds no evidence of a biblical invasion of Canaan. The archaeological evidence is that Joshua did not conquer any city in Canaan. In fact, it is the view of most scholars that this military invasion did not really take place.
* Site not known/ occupation not known
a) Not occupied/ meagre occupation
b) No destruction/ destruction not likely by Israelites
c) Contrary evidence
d) Destruction by Israelites possible
Jericho - Joshua 12:9; 6; 24:11
a) Meagre LB II occupation
Ai - Joshua 12:9; 7:2-8:29
a) No occupation from 2250 to 1200
Jerusalem - Joshua 12:10; Judges 1:21
b) No destruction at the end of LB II
Hebron - Joshua 12:10; 10:3637; 14:13-15; 15:13-14; Judges 1:10
b) No evidence
Jarmuth - Joshua 12:11; 10:5
b) LB II to Iron I occupation
Lachish - Joshua 1211; 10:31-32
c) City VII destroyed in late thirteenth century
Clty VI destroyed c. ll50.
Eglon - Joshua 12:12; 10:34-35
* Tell 'Aitun; LB occupation unclear
Gezer - Joshua 12:12; contra Judges 1:29
d) LB destruction, probably by Merneptah or Philistines
Debir - Joshua 12:13; 10:38-39; 15:15-17; Judges 1. 11-13
b) Tell er-Rabud; no destruction at end of LB
Geder - Joshua 12:13
* Khirbet Jedur; LB II and Iron I pottery; not excavated
Hormah - Joshua 12:.14
* Identification unknown
Arad - Joshua 12:14
a) No LB occupation
Libnah - Joshua 12:15; 10:29-31
* Identification unknown
Adullam - Joshua 12:1
* Khirbet 'Adullam;
not excavated
Makkedah - Joshua 12:.16; 10:28
* Identification unknown
Bethel - Joshua 12:16; 8:17; Judges 1:22-26
d) Destruction in late thirteenth century
Tappuah - Joshua 12:17
* Tell Sheikh Abu Zarad; not excavated
Hepher - Joshua 12:17
* Tell el-Muhaffer;
not excavated
Aphek - Joshua 12:18
c) LB destruction followed by Iron I "Sea Peoples" occupation
Lasharon - Joshua 12:18
* Identification unknown
Madon - Joshua 12:1
* Identification unknown
Hazor - Joshua 12:19; 11:10-13; Judges 4:2
d) LB city, Stratum XIII destroyed in thirteenth century
Shimron-meron - Joshua 12:20
* Identification unknown
Achsaph - Joshua 12:20
Khirbet el-Harbaj: LB II and Iron I pottery
Taanach - Joshua 12:21; contra Judges 1:27
a) Meagre LB II remains; Iron I village destroyed in latter half of twelfth century
Megiddo - Joshua 12:21; contra Judges 1:27
b) LB II/Iron I city, Stratum VIIA destroyed in latter half of twelfth century
Kedesh - Joshua 12:22
b) Tell Abu Qudeis; Iron I settlement, Stratum VIII destroyed in latter half of twelfth century
Jokneam - Joshua 12.22
c) LB II settlement, Stratum XIX destroyed in late thirteenth or twelfth century; gap follows
Dor - Joshua 12:23; contra Judges 1:27
c) 'Sea Peoples' known as Sikils occupy city in twelfth century;
transition from LB to Iron I not yet determined
Goiim - Joshua 12:23
* Identification unknown
Tirzah - Joshua 12:24
b) Tell el-Farah (N); LB II and Iron I occupation; no evidence of destruction.
