Canaanite Jerusalem:
Early settlement in Jerusalem was based around the Gihon Spring, agriculture, and the watershed highway. Non-biblical texts include execration texts, figurines used to curse enemies, on which Jerusalem ("Rusalimum") was mentioned. The el-Amarna letters were written by the city's early leaders to Egypt, asking for money or protection. Also, certain fortifications like a tower gate near Gihon ("Fountain Gate?") and Pool Tower ("tower of Siloam?"), are examples of pre-David archeological evidence. There is also evidence of two separate kings before David ruled. Furthermore, the Book of Joshua states that "Joshua defeated the whole land...he left no one remaining but utterly destroyed all that breathed," implying that he easily conquered Jerusalem. Yet, another the book of Judges and a different chapter of Joshua seem to contradict this idea, leaving three possibilities of how the Israelites got there. These are conquest, immigration, and the idea that they were always there due to mixed ethnic origins.
David's Jerusalem:
Some people debate whether or not David actually existed. However, the Tel Dan inscription refers to the followers of "The House of David." This does not necessarily confirm that David existed, but it does prove that a certain group called themselves "followers" of someone who referred to himself as "David."
Many archeological findings have been attributed to the early Iron age. These include an eastern retaining wall, the "stepped stone structure" or "millo," as well as the Houses of Ahiel and Bullae.
No comments:
Post a Comment