this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: The Date of Bethshemesh Stratum II
Author(s): WIGHTMAN, G.J.
Journal: Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Volume: 28    Date: 1990   
Pages: 96-126
DOI: 10.2143/ANES.28.0.525714

Abstract :
This discussion focuses on the architectural phasing and ceramic chronology of Stratum II at Bethshemesh, a town situated in the Judean Shephelah. This stratum had been dated by the excavators to between the 10th and early 6th centuries BC, and this chronology was followed by most later scholars. The present article is divided into four parts: (1) an analysis of the architectural sequence along the western flank of the tell, especially in the vicinity of the casemate wall, this being the area most extensively investigated by the Haverford expedition; (2) a discussion of the Stratum II pottery in relation to the well dated Judahite corpus of Iron Age II-III; (3) an examination of the evidence for occupation at bethshemesh during the 7th and early 6th centuries BC; (4) a sketch of history of the town during the later Iron Age, in teh light of the archaeological reƫvaluation.

Download article