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AJJUL, TELL EL-

A site (0934.0976) located 9 km. (6 mi.) SW of Gaza. The first major excavations were undertaken by Sir William Flinders Petrie between 1930 and 1934, who identified the site as ancient Gaza. William F. Albright thought the site was Beth-eglayim. Aharon Kempinski challenged that identification, believing it to be the Hyksos city of Sharuhen. The site has yielded three general city occupations, five “palace”/fortress phases, and numerous tomb groups.

Occupation first began on the site in the Early Bronze IV period with cemeteries to the east and west of the mound which yielded pottery. The “courtyard” cemetery was found within the courtyard of the palace, and predates the first building phase on the mound. All of these tombs fall into the Middle Bronze I period, with some yielding scarabs of Late Middle Kingdom date, documenting the Egyptian influence at the site.

A great fosse runs around three sides of the tell. It was not built up, like the typical MB glacis, but was cut out of the sandstone of the hill itself. The removed blocks were used as foundation material for the palace complex. A mudbrick wall was built along the fosse in a later period, but may rest on MB foundations.

Covering ca. 2000 sq. m. (2392 sq. yds.), Palace I was built in a square with side chambers around a central courtyard. Placed on top of some of the tombs in the courtyard cemetery, Palace I was founded in the MB II period, after 1780 b.c. This palace was contemporary with the first level of occupation in the city (City III). A rich tomb probably of a Hyksos noble contained horses and chariot remains. The ceramic data indicate that this level was destroyed in the 16th century.

Palace II was built on top of Palace I in a different style, and much smaller. Judging from the variety of Cypriot ceramic imports, the Palace II/City II phases may have lasted until 1400 or Late Bronze IB. Palace III is a very different building from the previous palace, built of “black brick” with very thick walls and probably two stories high. Albright considered it an Egyptian fortress on the Zile-Gaza Road. The final phase of Palace III and City I goes into the 14th century. Palace IV, slightly altered in size, probably dates to LB IIB (13th century). The “governor’s tomb,” a very rich burial at the foot of the tell, yielded a scarab of Ramses II and a massive seal ring of Tutankhamen, documenting an official Egyptian presence on the site. The final palace, Palace V, cannot be accurately dated but may date to the Early Iron Age.

ʿAjjul is one of the richest sites in Palestine, best known for the artistic quality of its smaller finds. Using cloisonne and granulation, the ʿAjjul jewelers created magnificent gold bracelets, earrings, torques, pendants, and hair ornaments. The goldwork is contemporary with the other great art medium, bichrome-ware pottery. Known as ʿAjjul painter ware, this ceramic or its influence reached as far afield as Cyprus, Cilicia, and North Syria and flourished for ca. 60-75 years from 1550 to the early 15th century. Possibly the most attractive pottery produced in Palestine, its designs featured geometric patterns, fish, and birds painted in red and black.

Bibliography. O. Tufnell and A. Kempenski, “{Ajjul, Tell el-,” NEAEHL 1:49-53.

Thomas W. Davis

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AJJUL, TELL EL-

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)