Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MEGIDDO

(Heb. mĕgiddô)

Aerial view of Megiddo from the east (Photo Baruch Halpern, the Megiddo Expedition)

Temples and altar in Megiddo area J (Early Bronze I-III); strata XIX-XV, with stratum XVIII
temple walls exposed. Here was discovered the largest extant EB I temple in the Levant
(Photo Baruch Halpern, the Megiddo Expedition)

A medium-sized mound (Tell el-Mutesellim, “Mound of the Governor”/Tel Megiddo; 1675.2212) located in the southwest of the Jezreel Valley. Its significance lies in its location on a major pass leading from the coastal plain into the Jezreel Valley, part of the Via Maris which connected Egypt with the Syro-Mesopotamian world.

Megiddo has been subject to three major and many minor excavations. Gottlieb Schumacher excavated from 1903 to 1905 on behalf of the German Society for Oriental Research, with some results published later by Carl Watzinger. The site was later purchased by John D. Rockefeller for the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, which excavated from 1924 to 1939, publishing a series of extensive reports. Yigael Yadin conducted small-scale excavations during the 1960s and 1970s in conjunction with work at Hazor. In 1994 Tel Aviv University began a long-term project directed by David Ussishkin and Israel Finkelstein. This recent project is designed to address unresolved questions left by previous excavations and to reveal entirely new aspects using modern methodologies. Since the recent excavations are on-going, and since the Chicago nomenclature has yet to be supplanted, this review follows the traditional phasing, with updates where necessary.

Stratum XX. This phase is comprised of scattered architectural elements and pottery, and should be dated to the Late Neolithic (Wadi Rabah tradition) and Chalcolithic periods.

Stratum XIX. A structure previously thought to be a “twin temple” of Early Bronze I has been shown to comprise at least two phases of a single broadroom temple dating to the late EB I (Grain Wash tradition) period. The “picture pavement” in the courtyard of this structure is dated to the same period.

Stratum XVIII. An extensive phase also dating to late EB I (Grain Wash tradition). Directly beneath the EB III “Megaron” temple, recent excavations have shown three, possibly four, large (3.5–4.5 m. [11.5–14.75 ft.]) walls of mud brick with cut stone foundations running parallel for more than 40 m. (130 ft.). The areas in between these walls were filled with pottery and animal bones. The entire area appears to have been a huge sacred precinct.

Strata XVII-XVI. Megiddo was largely unoccupied during the EB II period. At the beginning of EB III the sacred precinct was reoccupied, first by an ephemeral squatter level and then by the construction of the large “Megaron” temple circular altar. A large “palace” and massive stone fortification wall were also constructed in this phase.

Stratum XV. Also dating to late EB III, the “Megaron” temple continued in use and was supplemented by the “twin temples,” but the “palace” was replaced by a smaller structure.

Stratum XIV. This poorly preserved level dates to Middle Bronze I (IIA). The EB city wall and temples went out of use, but the sacred precinct retained its function, as shown by the retention of the remains of the Megaron temple. EB IV pottery found in this stratum indicates ephemeral settlement during that period, as do tombs on the slope of the tell.

Stratum XIII-B and A. During MB I (IIA), Megiddo was fortified by a heavy mudbrick wall with stone foundations and gateway. The sacred precinct was replaced by open spaces and domestic structures, many of which had burials below the floors.

Stratum XII. In MB II (IIB) the city wall was doubled in width and the sacred precinct resumed its function, as shown by the appearance of standing stones. Domestic architecture surrounds the area. In the center of the tell a rectangular and palatial structure (the Nordburg) was constructed, with a series of rooms around a central court. Just to the south was the Mittelburg, a smaller elite residence which also had a series of large burial chambers with corbelled roofs, possibly belonging to the leaders of Megiddo.

Stratum XI. Also dating to MB II (IIB), there was little change in this period except for the addition of a stone revetment and glacis to the fortifications.

Stratum X. This phase is characterized by well-built domestic structures and dates to MB III (IIC) A large palace was also constructed in the north of the site near the fortification and gate. The structure is comprised of a central court surrounded by smaller rooms and connected to the gateway.

Stratum IX. During Late Bronze I, the northern palace was enlarged, and the domestic architecture remained impressive. The stratum was destroyed, probably by Thutmose III.

Stratum VIII. Megiddo was reconstructed in LB IB or IIA. The northern palace was enlarged and was found to contain many prestige items, especially jewelry and carved ivories in a basement treasury. In the area of the earlier sacred precinct a rectangular temple with thick walls was constructed. The fortification walls went out of use but the gate appears to be freestanding. A large administrative or elite structure was recently discovered on the lower terrace of the site and may date to this stratum.

Stratum VII-B. In LB IIB the major structures continued in use, including the palace and large temple. The stratum is heavily destroyed.

Stratum VII-A. This phase may be dated to the very end of LB or the beginning of the Iron Age. The palace and temple were poorly rebuilt, only to be destroyed again.

Stratum VI-B. An ephemeral and unfortified settlement with no public buildings.

Stratum VI-A. Rebuilt on a different plan than the preceding strata, this level contains densely arranged residential architecture and one large structure, possibly an elite residence. Sometimes attributed to the Philistines, this level was violently destroyed, producing a destruction horizon visible across the entire tell.

Stratum V-B. Another unimpressive level, typically attributed to David in the 10th century, consisting of fragmentary domestic architecture, some using pillars.

Stratum V-A–IV-B. Typically attributed to Solomon in the 10th century (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:15), this level was fortified with casement walls and gate and had several elite residences on the North Syrian bīt ḫilāni model. Little domestic architecture is known, indicating the site was primarily an administrative and ceremonial center. This phase may have been destroyed by Shishak, whose stela was found at the site.

Stratum IV-A. This long phase dates roughly from the 9th to late 8th centuries. A series of elaborate public buildings was constructed, including structures which may have been stables, administrative buildings, and at least two palaces, on the North Syrian bīt ḫilāni model. Also notable are the offset-inset fortification wall and gate, and water system with vertical shaft and tunnel. Remains of unimpressive domestic architecture have been found, suggesting again the administrative character of the site.

Stratum III. This phase dates to the Assyrian takeover of the site in 732 and its transformation into an administrative center. Three large palaces were constructed in the northwest corner, possibly using existing Israelite structures, and then joined together. The existing city wall was used as a terrace to support the new construction and the gate was rebuilt. In a later subphase an orthogonally planned settlement was constructed. The administrative buildings may also have been reused by the Babylonians.

Stratum II. Dating primarily to the Babylonian period, this unfortified phase has scant domestic architecture and one large rectangular fortress, possibly constructed by Josiah.

Stratum I. During the Persian period, the site was weak and unfortified.

Some Late Roman remains have been excavated recently on the lower terrace of the site, indicating minor utilization during that period, when the site of Leggio (el-Lejjun) assumed greater importance.

Alexander H. Joffe

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MEGIDDO

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)