Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple
Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple Tell
Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4500 BCE–1000 BCE)·Timna / Egyptian New Kingdom·🇮🇱 Southern Negev, Arabah, Israel
About
About Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple
Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple in Southern Negev, Arabah, Israel is a Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4500 BCE–1000 BCE) hydraulic attributed to Timna / Egyptian New Kingdom culture. German and Syrian excavations document stratified sequence with ceramic seriation and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and ancillary settlement.
Why it mattersKey Timna / Egyptian New Kingdom site illustrating Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4500 BCE–1000 BCE) hydraulic traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban planning of Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple
- 02Chronology of lower town
Theories
- 01Administrative centre for Timna / Egyptian New Kingdom
- 02Trade hub on Euphrates/Khabur
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. 4500 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Iron Age (4500 BCE–1000 BCE)
- Culture
- Timna / Egyptian New Kingdom
- Purpose
- Chalcolithic copper mining and Egyptian Hathor temple
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4500 BCE
Initial settlement
c. 2000 BCE
Major expansion and fortification
On the ground
Structures & features
29.7822° N · 34.9522° E · 241 m · 3 mapped features
- Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple — Main MoundmoundMain tell mound Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple 15 m high with stratified phases29.7830° N · 34.9530° E
- Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple — Lower TownsettlementLower town settlement 10 ha with houses and kilns29.7813° N · 34.9517° E
- Timna Valley — Copper Mines & Temple — Gate AreagateFortified gate with mudbrick walls and bastions29.7833° N · 34.9515° E
Gallery