The Other Side of Beth Shemesh: Salvage archaeology exposes deep history of famed Biblical site

Biblical Archaeology Review ^ | May 28, 2021 | Boaz Gross

[SunkenCiv]

Tel Beth Shemesh was one of the first biblical sites to be excavated in the Land of Israel. The site is perched on a low hill overlooking the wide Soreq Valley, a main water source crossing lush agricultural land, on the border between the higher Shephelah (foothills) to the west and the Judean Highland to the east. Biblical Beth-Shemesh appears in the Books of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles—notably as the place where the Philistines returned the briefly captured Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites (1 Samuel 6).

In 1856, Edward Robinson identified the archaeological site as biblical Beth-Shemesh, using both its geographical features, which correlate with biblical and other textual descriptions, and the Arabic name of an abandoned village found on its eastern side: Ein Shams ('Ain Shems).

The first to excavate the site was Duncan Mackenzie, who launched an expedition in 1911 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund. This was followed by a large-scale American expedition led by Elihu Grant of Haverford College between 1928 and 1931. In 1990, Shlomo Bunimovitz and Zvi Lederman launched a new, multi-year expedition on behalf of Bar Ilan University (1990–1993), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (1994–1996), and Tel Aviv University (1997–present)...

With excavations focused on the western mound, where the Bronze and Iron Age remains were close to the surface, it was wrongly assumed that the site of Beth Shemesh was bordered by the road that divided the ancient mound from the abandoned Arab village to the east. This road later became Israel's Highway 38.

In 2018, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) mandated salvage excavations at the ruins of the Arab village, Tel Beth Shemesh (East), to allow for the expansion of Highway 38.

[SunkenCiv]

First used during the Persian and Hellenistic periods, this cave, together with an elaborate system of manmade tunnels, functioned as a hide out for the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh during the time of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt (132–136 C.E.). Photo courtesy Israeli Institute of Archaeology.

[SunkenCiv]

History-related Philistine keyword topics, sorted:

• Arrowhead from biblical battle discovered in Goliath's hometown [05/29/2021]
• The Last Stand of the Philistines: Archaeologists Find Clue to the Fall of Gath [05/29/2021]
• Stunning views from Goliath's hometown show its ancient strategic importance [05/03/2021]
• Archaeology bombshell: Discovery of 145 human remains that 'solves biggest Bible mystery' [07/31/2020]
• Women, teenagers worked as potters in ancient Israel, scholars show [Gath] [07/07/2020]
• Rare figurines uncovered at lost biblical city [04/17/2020]
• Biblical home of the Ark of the Covenant is 'discovered' in a 3,000-year-old temple in Israel that archaeologists believe was 'intentionally desecrated' with animal DUNG by the Philistines [12/19/2019]
• Archaeology, genetics confirm Bible story of Philistines' origins [08/05/2019]
• Plague in humans 'twice as old' but didn't begin as flea-borne, ancient DNA reveals [07/28/2019]
• Archaeologists uncover earliest evidence for equid bit wear in the ancient Near East [07/28/2019]
• Archaeologists announce discovery of the biblical city of Ziklag [07/10/2019]
• Scholars say Philistine genes help solve biblical mystery [07/03/2019]
• Israeli scientists brew beer with revived ancient yeasts [05/23/2019]
• The Last Days of Canaanite Azekah [02/27/2019]
• Ark of the Covenant inside a church in Ethiopia? Historian's claim of having seen the Ark disputed [12/12/2018]
• Bible Ark FOUND: End of Days relic 'smuggled by Jews to Africa' and hidden HERE [Ethiopia] [12/03/2018]
• Where Did the Philistines Come From? [10/03/2018]
• New DNA Discoveries Prove the Bible Accurate, Despite What Headlines Claim [08/01/2017]
• 'Solomon's Palace' discovered in Israel, . . . (truncated) [09/04/2016]
• Israel Find May Help Solve Mystery Of Biblical Philistines [07/10/2016]
• Excavations at Idalion, Cyprus: Crossing Cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean [April 6, 2016] [04/01/2016]
• Queen of the Philistines: Trude Dothan (1922-2016) [02/04/2016]
• Goliath Gates: Entrance to Famous Biblical Metropolis Uncovered [08/19/2015]
• Philistines introduced sycamore, cumin and opium poppy into Israel during the Iron Age [09/01/2015]
• Bible Proved Historically Accurate Once Again. Goliath's Gates Found [08/06/2015]
• Archaeologists Unearth Another Impressive Biblical Find [08/06/2015]
• Goliath Gates: Entrance to Famous Biblical Metropolis Uncovered [08/05/2015]
• Archaeologists discover humongous gate in Goliath's hometown [08/04/2015]
• Sex, drugs and Philistines: A biblical psychedelic scene [05/30/2015]
• Last practitioner of Minoan rituals may have lived in Jerusalem's Old City till '48 [05/04/2015]
• The Five Stones of Truth [03/16/2015]
• Cultural connections with Europe found in ancient Jordanian settlement [01/27/2014]
• Ancient City Discovered Beneath Biblical-Era Ruins in Israel [11/18/2013]
• Genetic study proves Israel's wild boars originated in Europe [11/10/2013]
• Archaeologists say they uncovered King David's Palace [07/19/2013]
• Does this coin found near Jerusalem prove that Samson lived? [07/31/2012]
• Mosaic in Israel Shows Biblical Samson [07/05/2012]
• 3,000-year-old artifacts fuel Biblical archaeology debate [05/08/2012]
• 3,000-year-old altar uncovered at Philistine site suggests cultural links to Jews [07/29/2011]
• In Israel, Diggers Unearth The Bible's Bad Guys [07/10/2011]
• Diggers Unearth Philistines Remains in Israel, Providing scholars with clues to the Bible's bad guys [07/09/2011]
• In Israel, diggers unearth the Bible's bad guys [07/08/2011]
• David and Solomon [11/15/2010]
• Philistine Temple Ruins Uncovered in Goliath's Hometown [07/30/2010]
• Archaeologists Uncover Goliath's Hometown [07/14/2010]
• Experts dig up dirt on David and Goliath [08/08/2009]
• New evidence surfaces of David's kingdom [11/17/2008]
• Sick Rams Used As Ancient Bioweapons [11/29/2007]
• Samson Effect [11/01/2007]
• Bronze Age building uncovered near Gaza [09/19/2007]
• A serving of Philistine culture: Boar, dog and fine wine [09/03/2007]
• Philistines, But Less And Less Philistine [03/13/2007]
• Special Report: Ekron Identity Confirmed [ from 1998 ] [11/20/2006]
• Anti-social Samson [04/04/2006]
• Has the Biblical Goliath Been Found? [11/10/2005]
• Dig Backs Biblical Account Of Philistine City Of Gat [08/14/2005]
• Muslims Say "Samson" was the first suicide bomber [07/11/2005]
• Ethnic Groups in Philistia [09/08/2004]
• Bio Warfare Rears Its Head- The Ancient world USED IT!!!(MUST READ!) [01/30/2004]
• Bees, snakes, germs - any weapon in a pinch [11/30/2003]

[SunkenCiv]