Recent Excavations Near the Gihon Spring and Their Reflection on the Character of Iron II Jerusalem

Abstract

The paper presents discoveries from recent excavations in Areas C and H at the City of David, Jerusalem, where a sequence of Iron II strata contribute to understanding the development of ancient Jerusalem from the late 9th/early 8th centuries BCE until the 586 BCE destruction. These data are used to emphasize two issues regarding the Iron II city: that the Middle Bronze Age fortifications built around the Gihon Spring were still functioning; and that the city expanded at a gradual pace until it reached its peak size in the late 8th century BCE. The latter point is important when considering the impact of the destruction of the Northern Kingdom on the extent and population of Jerusalem.

Keywords:

• Jerusalem
• Iron Age Jerusalem
• City of David
• Western Hill
• Gihon Spring
• Rock-cut pool