>Aren Maeir has a report on the recent excavation of the Middle Bronze Age II fortifications at Tell es-Safi (Gath) and the possible implications of some of the findings. Maeir wrote:

It would appear, at least initially, that the finds from Area F strengthen the understanding of the MB II fortifications as de-facto fortications [sic] [fortifications], built for clearly and well-defined defensive purposes (e.g, Stager, Burke, etc.), as opposed to those who suggest that the so-called fortifications of this period in fact had a primarily symbolic/ideological purpose (e.g., Finkelstein, Bunimovitz).

Read the report by clicking here.

I believe that Maeir’s statement is very important. In the struggle for interpretation of archaeological evidence, the remains of these fortifications tend to affirm the traditional understanding of the history of occupation. As he said, the symbolic/ideological view seems to be refuted by the remains found on site.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Archaeology, Aren Maeir, Gath