British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Understanding the History of Ancient Israel

Abstract

The Spade and the Text: The Interaction between Archaeology and Israelite History Relating to the 10-9 th centuries BCE

Amihai Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

This paper explores the mutual relationship between archaeological research and historical reconstruction of Israelite history relating to the 10-9 th centuries BCE, with emphasis on the 10 th century BCE. The working hypothesis is that archaeology might serve as a tool to examine the possible historicity of certain biblical texts relating to this period, in spite of the late writing/redaction of those texts. The following subjects will be discussed:

Shoshenq I's raid to Palestine: its significance for evaluating certain historical, archaeological and chronological issues related to the late 10 th century BCE.

The archaeological chronology of the 10-9 th centuries in light of the current debate between 'low' and 'high' chronology for this period. A Modified Conventional Chronology is suggested, according to which there was a great deal of continuity in the material culture from the 10 th to the 9 th centuries. The Iron IIA period should be dated to ca. 980-840, as many archaeologists agree today. It becomes difficult to say in many cases whether a certain level or structure should be dated to the 10th or 9th centuries BCE. Nevertheless, there are sufficient data to isolate 10 th century BCE remains, if we follow the chronology suggested above.

Jerusalem of the Iron I/IIA is evaluated and described as a medium-sized town with a huge citadel, the largest of its kind in the entire country during this period. This citadel may be identified with the biblical 'Citadel of Zion'.

Demography, urbanization, the archaeology of certain key sites, and literacy have been used in the past as arguments against the existence of a strong United Monarchy. A renewed survey of these subjects leads to a more balanced evaluation of the United Monarchy, and of the emergence of the independent states of Israel and Judah. The kingdom of David and Solomon should not be described as a magnificent empire, yet there is enough evidence to interpret them as polities of regional importance, based on local charismatic leadership. Changes in the material culture during the 10th century might be related to the geo-political changes that took place then.