Gath, lachish and Jerusalem in the 9^th Cent. B.C.E. - An archaeological reassessment

The interpretation of the archaeological and historical data related to Gath, Lachish and Jerusalem in the 9^th cent, b.c.e. is a scholarly challenge of the first order. As more data become available more unanswered questions are being raised. In this paper I discussed and summarized the archaeological aspects of the following issues: 1. Gath was the largest Philistine city during the first part of the 9^th cent, b.c.e. (Stratum A3) before its destruction, apparently by the Aramaean army of Hazael. It is yet unclear whether the city, or at least its acropolis, was fortified by a city-wall. 2. It seems clear that the so-called "siege trench" surrounding Tell es-Sqft on three sides is not a dry siege-moat built by the Aramaean army during the attack on Gath as concluded by Maeir and his colleagues. No alternative interpretation can be offered at present for the trench, its origins and function.