The sacred area of early bronze megiddo: History and interpretation

The sacred area at Tel Megiddo was first excavated by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago in 1933-1938 and then by the Tel Aviv University expedition in 1992-2010. At present, readers studying the results have to find their way between four excavation reports, each of which is partial and sometimes contradicts the others, as well as in among various complementary and critical studies. The primary aim of the present study is to present a comprehensive picture of the Megiddo sacred area and its history during the Early Bronze Age. As the excavated data are largely incomplete and open to different interpretations, emphasis will be put here on the author's views and stratigraphic interpretations. Finally, the question of whether the sacred area in its various stages was part of a settlement or a pilgrimage site is discussed in detail.