Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – In this comprehensive study, Professor Garfinkel from the Insтιтute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examines the earliest fortified sites in the kingdom of Judah during the 10th century BCE.

Aerial view of the casemate city wall of Khirbet Qeiyafa. Credit: Insтιтute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The research focuses on five key sites: Khirbet Qeiyafa, Beth Shemesh, Tell en-Naṣbeh, Khirbet ed-Dawwara, and Lachish. These sites reveal significant insights into the urbanization process, urban planning, and borders of the earliest phase of the kingdom of Judah, the days of David and his grandson Rehoboam.

The Shephelah (shefela) region, located southwest of Jerusalem, played a crucial role in the kingdom of Judah’s development due to its favorable ecological conditions for agriculture. The research highlights that the Shephelah’s low rolling topography, fertile soil, and ample precipitation made it the breadbasket of the kingdom and a region capable of supporting a large population.

The study emphasizes the importance of the kingdom’s expansion into the Shephela and its agricultural resources as a key stage in its development.

Contrary to previous beliefs that the kingdom’s expansion occurred in the late 9th or 8th century BCE, 200 to 300 hundred years after David, Professor Garfinkel’s research demonstrates that the kingdom had already begun expanding into the hill country and the northern Shephelah as early as the 10th century BCE. The southern Shephelah expansion followed approximately two generations later in the time of Rehoboam.

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The research delves into the urbanization process of the kingdom of Judah, focusing on the fortified settlements at Khirbet Qeiyafa, Beth Shemesh, Lachish, Tell en-Naṣbeh, and Khirbet ed-Dawwara. These sites showcase an urban plan characterized by a casemate city wall with a peripheral belt of structures aʙuттing the wall.

Notably, Lachish, Level V, exhibits a similar pattern but without casemates in its city wall. The findings have far-reaching implications for understanding the urban planning and territorial boundaries of the earliest phase of the kingdom of Judah.

Three things are common to all these cities: they were fortified with a casemate city wall, they are located on the kingdom border and are located on a main road leading into the kingdom. Khirbet Qeiyafa on the Elah Valley protected the southwest border of the kingdom. Beth Shemesh on the Soreq Valley protected the western border of the kingdom.

Tell en-Naṣbeh near Ramallah protected the north and Khirbet ed-Dawwara protected the northeast border. Radiometric dating techniques confirm that the fortified cities of Khirbet Qeiyafa and Beth Shemesh dates back to the first quarter of the 10th century BCE., the time of King David. The analysis of the urban planning and the geographical location of the sites clearly indicates that we have a strong kingdom that was able to build well-planned cities on its borders, protecting the main roads leading into its capital Jerusalem.

This research sheds new light on the early city planning of the kingdom of Judah and enriches our knowledge of the urbanization process and territorial expansion during the 10th century BCE.

Prof. Garfinkel provided an explanation of the research findings, stating, “The discovery of a barrier wall in this area effectively defines the boundaries of the urban core of the Kingdom of David, putting an end to the longstanding historical debate surrounding the existence of the Kingdom and its borders.”

A close-up of one of the casements in the city wall of Khirbet Qeiyafa. Credit: Insтιтute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

He further elaborated, affirming, “This finding provides tangible evidence on the ground, dated to the relevant period, supporting the biblical accounts of King Rehoboam’s expansion and fortification as described in the Book of Chronicles. It is a rare instance where we can present historical and archaeological evidence aligning with biblical narratives from the tenth century B.C.”

Regarding the publication date of the research, Prof. Garfinkel explained, “The evidence were known before, it is not a matter of new discoveries. What was needed was someone to come along and observe the complete picture that these findings portray. I am glad that I was able to fulfill that role.”

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The excavations that formed the basis of these conclusions were conducted by Saar Ganor from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Prof. Michael Hazel from the Southern Adventist University in the USA.

Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff