 A number of sites have been suggested as the location of his mines, including the workings at the Timna valley near Eilat.Research published in September 2013 has shown that this site was in use during the 10th century BCE as a copper mine possibly by the Edomites, who the Bible reports were rivals of and frequently at war with King Solomon.The Bible does refer to King Solomon having sent out, in partnership with his Phoenician allies, trading expeditions along the Red Sea, which brought exotic wares and animals from Africa to Jerusalem.