Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- I INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEMS
- II SOME METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
- III AROUND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN THE IRON AGE
- IV JORDAN IN THE IRON AGE
- V ISRAEL IN THE IRON AGE
- 13 Ladder of Time at Tel Reḥov: Stratigraphy, archaeological context, pottery and radiocarbon dates
- 14 Quality Control of Groningen 14C Results from Tel Reḥov: Repeatability and intercomparison of Proportional Gas Counting and AMS
- 15 The Groningen Radiocarbon Series from Tel Reḥov: OxCal Bayesian computations for the Iron IB–IIA boundary and Iron IIA destruction events
- 16 14C Results from Megiddo, Tel Dor, Tel Reḥov and Tel Hadar: Where do they lead us?
- 17 High or Low: Megiddo and Reḥov
- 18 Correlation and Chronology: Samaria and Megiddo Redux
- 19 Iron-Age 14C Dates from Tel Dan: A high chronology
- 20 Iron I Chronology at Ashkelon: Preliminary results of the Leon Levy expedition
- 21 Desert Settlement through the Iron Age: Radiocarbon dates from Sinai and the Negev Highlands
- 22 Trajectories of Iron Age Settlement in North Israel and their Implications for Chronology
- VI HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- VII CONCLUSION
- Index
21 - Desert Settlement through the Iron Age: Radiocarbon dates from Sinai and the Negev Highlands
from V - ISRAEL IN THE IRON AGE
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- I INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEMS
- II SOME METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
- III AROUND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN THE IRON AGE
- IV JORDAN IN THE IRON AGE
- V ISRAEL IN THE IRON AGE
- 13 Ladder of Time at Tel Reḥov: Stratigraphy, archaeological context, pottery and radiocarbon dates
- 14 Quality Control of Groningen 14C Results from Tel Reḥov: Repeatability and intercomparison of Proportional Gas Counting and AMS
- 15 The Groningen Radiocarbon Series from Tel Reḥov: OxCal Bayesian computations for the Iron IB–IIA boundary and Iron IIA destruction events
- 16 14C Results from Megiddo, Tel Dor, Tel Reḥov and Tel Hadar: Where do they lead us?
- 17 High or Low: Megiddo and Reḥov
- 18 Correlation and Chronology: Samaria and Megiddo Redux
- 19 Iron-Age 14C Dates from Tel Dan: A high chronology
- 20 Iron I Chronology at Ashkelon: Preliminary results of the Leon Levy expedition
- 21 Desert Settlement through the Iron Age: Radiocarbon dates from Sinai and the Negev Highlands
- 22 Trajectories of Iron Age Settlement in North Israel and their Implications for Chronology
- VI HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- VII CONCLUSION
- Index
Summary
Abstract
Iron Age desert settlements in the Negev Highlands and the adjacent area of north-eastern Sinai are still enigmatic. Various theories have been developed to explain these settlements, particularly concerning the majority of the fortresses that are built in an elliptical or irregular shape. Chronology is obviously a crucial factor in archaeological theory-building. The time factor in Levantine Iron Age archaeology used to be like pottery clay that could be moulded to suit various theories. Radiocarbon dating, notwithstanding its limitations, provides an independent and scientific basis for chronology, though quality control is essential. Radiocarbon dates are presented from Iron Age strata at Tell el-Qudeirat in north-eastern Sinai, and from Nahal Ha'Elah and Horvat Haluqim in the Negev Highlands. Our main conclusion is that the establishment of the elliptical fortresses and related settlements appears to predate the Solomonic period.
Introduction
There are many remains of Iron Age settlements in the hilly desert of the Central Negev and adjacent area of north-eastern Sinai. Detailed archaeological surveys in part of the region have so far uncovered about 350 Iron Age sites, containing 58 fortresses, 1195 dwelling structures, 360 animal pens, many cisterns, 30 threshing floors and 80 silos dug into the ground, as reported by Haiman (1994). The climate of the region is arid; the average annual rainfall ranges from about 125 mm in the north to 75 mm in the south (Bruins 1986).
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- The Bible and Radiocarbon DatingArchaeology, Text and Science, pp. 349 - 366Publisher: Acumen PublishingPrint publication year: 2005