Ashdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud)
Ashdod · Isdud · Azotus
Late Bronze – Iron Age (1700–600 BCE)·Philistine–Israelite·🇮🇱 Southern District, Philistine Plain, Israel
About
About Ashdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud)
Ashdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud) in Southern District, Philistine Plain, Israel is a Late Bronze – Iron Age (1700–600 BCE) tell of Philistine–Israelite tradition. Philistine Pentapolis city with continuous Bronze–Iron stratigraphy. 1700 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst tell 20 ha, lower city 50 ha, philistine ashlar citadel. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose mudbrick on stone socle with philistine bichrome, ashlar citadel, iron forge architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Philistine–Israelite networks across the Southern District. Threats include urban expansion, coastal erosion, looting; research continues on Philistine–Israelite chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Philistine–Israelite Late Bronze – Iron Age (1700–600 BCE) in Southern District, Philistine Plain; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Philistine–Israelite levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
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.1700 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze – Iron Age (1700–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Philistine–Israelite
- Purpose
- Philistine Pentapolis city with continuous Bronze–Iron stratigraphy
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1700 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
31.7558° N · 34.6588° E · 30 m · 3 mapped features
Ashdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud) — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
31.7562° N · 34.6593° EAshdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud) — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
31.7552° N · 34.6582° EAshdod (Tel Ashdod / Isdud) — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
31.7560° N · 34.6580° E