New discoveries in Azeca, city of the biblical battle between David and Goliath


This summer, Sonia and Marco Nadler, from Institute of Archeology at Tel Aviv University, have added a new excavation to their extensive list of seven active excavations. Azeca, a city of the ancient kingdom of Judah that ranks high in the Bible (both as a fortification and as a border town rising in the Ellah Valley), It is the site of the legendary battle between David and the giant Goliath. The new excavation will be led by TAU Professor Oded Lipschits, Dr. Yuval Gadot and Professor Manfred Oeming from the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

The Assyrian king Sennacherib described Azeca as "an eagle's nest with towers projecting to the sky like swords”. The Judaite fortress borders the land of the Philistines and was strategically positioned for military action and trade. This significant cultural city could host the answer to significant historical puzzles about the development of the kingdom of Judah, the relationship between Judah and its neighbors, and Judahite culture.

The first excavation session will take place between July 15 and August 24, 2012. Volunteer registration is now open for the first session in what the principals call a truly traditional dig, with pigtails from universities around the world. "In every area we are excavating there will be participants from all over the world”Says Dr. Gadot. "It's a great way to meet new people and gain valuable experience”. The rest of the details about the new excavation are available in his web page.

Beneath the layers of destruction.
After years of excavation in Ramat rahelNear Jerusalem, the heart of the kingdom of Judah, researchers are looking for Azeca to learn more about life on the outskirts of that ancient kingdom. "We were asking questions about the history of Judah from the western frontier”Says the teacher Lipschits, noting that the main Philistine kingdom of Gath It is located a few kilometers west of Azeca. The place probably served as the setting for the David and Goliath story, the story of an unlikely Judaite hero who defeated the Philistine warrior champion, because Azeca was really "a meeting point between the two cultures", Explain.

In addition to this cultural significance, Azeca was also a gateway to the Judaite kingdom, located along the main roads that lead from the coastal plains to the mountains of Judah to the heart of the kingdom. Although the city flourished for millennia, its natural riches and strategic position were an invitation card to foreign powers.

Researchers hope to find extraordinary discoveries beneath the city's layers of destruction, which It was conquered in 701 BC. by the Assyrians and in 586 by the Babylonians. When a place is abandoned, the people who once lived there usually get together and move on, but this was not possible due to a sudden and catastrophic event, like a warsays Dr. Gadot. Beneath the layer of destruction, the cultural finds are well preserved and there could also be remnants of an invasion, such as a siege ramp, like the one found in the Judaite city of Lachich.

Source: aftau