Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses
Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses Tell
Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4000–600 BCE)·Canaanite/Israelite·🇮🇱 Southern District, Negev, Israel
About
About Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses
Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses in Southern District, Negev, Israel is a Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4000–600 BCE) tell attributed to Canaanite/Israelite culture. German and Syrian excavations document stratified sequence with ceramic seriation and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and ancillary settlement.
Why it mattersKey Canaanite/Israelite site illustrating Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4000–600 BCE) tell traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban planning of Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses
- 02Chronology of lower town
Theories
- 01Administrative centre for Canaanite/Israelite
- 02Trade hub on Euphrates/Khabur
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4000–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Canaanite/Israelite
- Purpose
- Chalcolithic town 10 ha then Iron Age citadel with temple
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4000 BCE
Initial settlement
c. 2000 BCE
Major expansion and fortification
On the ground
Structures & features
31.2822° N · 35.1322° E · 481 m · 3 mapped features
Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses — Main Mound
moundMain tell mound Tel Arad — Negev Fortresses 15 m high with stratified phases
31.2830° N · 35.1330° ETel Arad — Negev Fortresses — Lower Town
settlementLower town settlement 10 ha with houses and kilns
31.2813° N · 35.1317° ETel Arad — Negev Fortresses — Gate Area
gateFortified gate with mudbrick walls and bastions
31.2833° N · 35.1315° E