Coastal sites in the vicinity of the Carmel Ridge were active partners in trade networks of the eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age. The three sites considered in this study are Tell Abu Hawam, Tel Akko, and Tel Nami. Archaeological remains from the three sites, especially from recent excavations, indicate that the active economic alliances were with the northern part of the eastern Mediterranean. It is suggested that these sites were utilized as anchorages serving the east-to-west routes, from the Mediterranean Sea, across Cisjordan, to Transjordan. It is also suggested that within the Late Bronze IIB period, possible geopolitical and geomorphological changes brought about changes in the utilizations of the anchorages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]