Report from Philistine Gath: Fortifications, a Gate and Other Cool Stuff

The 2016 season of excavation at Tell es-Safi/Gath, the 20th year of this project, has revealed yet more fantastic finds. The most exciting finds from this season are, without a doubt the remains of the massive fortifications of the lower city of Philistine Gath, dating to the 10th-9th cent BCE (the time of David and Solomon and slightly afterwards), which apparently include a very large, and well-preserved gate. In the vicinity of the gate there are various structures and features, including a temple and an area of metallurgical activities. These new finds helps us understand the role of Philistine Gath during this period, and most importantly, its status in relation the early Judahite Kingdom. In this lecture, these and other finds from the various excavation areas will be described. This was part of the Biblical Excavations DVD.