The Institute of Archaeology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is pleased to announce the publication of a new research article titled “Early City Planning in the Kingdom of Judah: Khirbet Qeiyafa, Beth Shemesh 4, Tell en-Naṣbeh, Khirbet ed-Dawwara, and Lachish V” by Prof. Yosef Garfinkel. The article appeared recently in the institute publication Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology.
In this comprehensive study, Professor Garfinkel examines the earliest fortified sites in the kingdom of Judah during the 10th century BCE. 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 Shephelah and its agricultural resources as a key stage in its development… read more