The 10 most important finds from Khirbet Qeiyafa

The 10 most important finds from Khirbet Qeiyafa

1. Olive pits for 14C dating

Radiometric dating: 1020-980 BC Khirbet Qeiyafa shows that fortified cities appeared in Judah in the time of King David and not 300 years later as low chronology claims The end of low chronology Oxford University

Major approaches to the rise of the Kingdom of Judah Qeiyafa

Methodological problems of the low chronology 1. Geography Radiometric samples taken from northern sites. No samples taken from Judah. 2. Stratigraphy Radiometric samples taken from Late Iron I and from later phases of Iron IIa. No samples taken from early Iron IIa. No samples taken from Megiddo Vb.

2. A stone shrine model It was intentionally smashed into dozens of fragments

The shrine model after restoration

Doors and windows decorated with recessed frames: a symbol of divinity and royalty

Seven groups of roof beams, each with three planks. The earliest example of triglyphs carved in stone. A landmark for classical architecture

Artistic reconstruction of Solomon s Temple at the Harvard Semitic Museum (1 Kings, 6)

The Biblical description of Solomon s Temple Hebrew: mezuza revi`it and mezuza hamishit = quadruple and quintuple doorframes; zela`ot = roof beams

3. Qeiyafa ostracon

Image of the ostracon by CRI Inc., Woburn, MA

The ostracon in full flattened contrast, enhanced 3% (produced at Megavision Laboratory).

מ[ ב[ מ.. אלתעש]?[ : ועבדא: [?] שפט ]? [?] ואלמ]?[ שפט י. [?]גר]?[בעלל. [?]כי א]?.נקמיבדמלכ חרמ]?[.שכ.גרת.

a. The longest Proto-Canaanite inscription ever found b. The earliest Hebrew inscription known to date c. A letter

4. Rich assemblage of cultic paraphernalia, unearthed in three different shrines; no figurines, no graven images of gods or goddesses

The upper part of a clay shrine model

5. Rich assemblage of weapons: indication of intensive wars in the Elah Valley during this period

Khirbet Qeiyafa geopolitical importance a. On the border between Judah and Philistia b. Overlooking the Elah Valley, the main road leading from the Coastal Plain to the hill country: Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron c. Only 8 miles from Philistine Gath, a 90-acre city. Biblical tradition places the battle between David and Goliath here.

6. A barrel juglet from Cyprus Importance: 1. Connecting the site chronology and culturally with northern Israel, Phoenicia and Cyprus 2. Evidence of economic strength: Qeiyafa (and the Judean Kingdom) engaged in international trade

Different views of the Cypriot barrel juglet Gilboa, A. 2012. Cypriot Barrel Juglets at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Other Sites in the Levant: Cultural Aspects and Chronological Implications. Tel Aviv 39: 133 49.

7. Egyptian scarabs: connection with Egypt.

8. Ashdod Ware: Philistine red slipped pottery with black and white lines

Khirbet Qeiyafa

Tell es-safi Ben-Shlomo, D., Shai, I. and Maeir, A.M. 2004. Late Philistine Decorated Ware ("Ashdod Ware"): Typology, Chronology, and Production Centers. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 335:1 34.

At Khirbet Qeiyafa only earlier types of Ashdod ware were found, allowing distinction between two phases in the development of this group. Early group (Ashdod I) Late group (Ashdod II)

9. Qeiyafa Jar Storage jar with fingerimpressed handle

Taxation by central authority: provisions were collected, transferred, stored and redistributed in large pottery storage jars Hundreds of such jars were found

About 600 impressed jar handles were found

3 1 The beginning of a long tradition of stamped jar handles: typical of Judah; not used by Philistines, Canaanites or Israelites 5 4 2

A large storage building was found in Area F, in the northern part of the city

10. Qeiyafa Cake On July 17 th, 2013 a celebration of the project s conclusion was held at Khirbet Qeiyafa, with representatives of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Nature and Parks Authority and the Prime Minister s Office. The highlight of the event was the Qeiyafa cake!

Thank you!!