Tel Batash
Timnah · Timnath · Tell Butashi
MB to Iron Age (c.2000–600 BCE; peak Philistine Timnah c.1200–600)·Canaanite → Philistine (Timnah) → Judah·🇮🇱 Central District, Sorek Valley, Israel
About
About Tel Batash
Tel Batash is biblical Timnah in Sorek Valley — Samson's Timnah (Judges 14) and Philistine border town between Ekron and Gezer. Mazar/Kelm 1977–89 revealed MB glacis, LB–Iron Philistine houses with Ashdod ware, Judahite destruction and 7th c. Assyrian pottery. Destruction layer 604 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar marks town's end.
Why it mattersBiblical Timnah (Samson); Philistine–Judah frontier stratigraphy.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Samson historicity?
- 02Philistine vs Judahite attribution?
Theories
- 01Frontier cultural negotiation (Mazar)
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.2000 BCE
- Period
- MB to Iron Age (c.2000–600 BCE; peak Philistine Timnah c.1200–600)
- Culture
- Canaanite → Philistine (Timnah) → Judah
- Builders
- Philistine Timnah → Judah
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1977 (Kelm/Mazar)
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1200 BCE
Philistine Timnah occupied
c.700 BCE
Judahite/Assyrian town
604 BCE
Nebuchadnezzar sack
1977
Kelm-Mazar excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
31.7800° N · 34.9100° E · 80 m · 3 mapped features
Southeast Glacis and Iron Age Housing
settlementMB glacis with Philistine LB–Iron houses and Ashdod ware
31.7803° N · 34.9102° EJudahite Public Building
palaceIron II pillar building with destruction debris (604 BCE)
31.7797° N · 34.9103° EWestern Gate Area
fortificationGate bastion and street with 7th c. Assyrian pottery
31.7805° N · 34.9096° E