THE SITES OF MORDOT ARNONA AND ARMON HANATZIV ON THE SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS OF JERUSALEM: AN ALTERNATIVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

Israel Finkelstein*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Remains of two monumental structures have recently been unearthed on the ridge of the British Mandatory Government House on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem – Mordot Arnona and Armon HaNatziv. Here I suggest my interpretation of the nature and date of the sites – different from the ones given by the excavators. In the case of Mordot Arnona, I propose a contrasting order of construction periods and in the case of Armon HaNatziv a divergent location for the original building and an alternative interpretation for the circumstances of its demise. I suggest that the two buildings were constructed in the first half of the 7th century BCE, the days of King Manasseh, and that they were dismantled and buried in the late 7th century, possibly in relation to actions taken by King Josiah (2 Kings 23). I also propose a somewhat similar history for Ramat Rahel.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)225-242
Number of pages18
JournalRevue Biblique
Volume130
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amon HaNatziv
  • Jerusalem
  • Josiah
  • Josiah’s reform
  • King Manasseh
  • Late monarchic Judah
  • Mordot Arnona
  • Ramat Rahel

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