Folia Theologica 16. (2005)
Solomon Pasala: Archaeological Evidences for Solomonic period
136 S. PASALA The two main points at issue were the following: Kenyon, while agreeing with Yadin's proposed changes in the stratigraphy and plan of the site, believed that the end of stratum VA- IVB should be dated to the year 950 BC.31 Aharoni also rejected the rtew stratigraphic sequence of the levels at Megiddo and proposed a subdivision of his own. He transferred some of the buildings, such as palace 6000, to the time of David, leaving most of the structures to stratum IVA in Solomon's time, such as the stables and gate 2 1 5632. It is clear from the above description that all that has been proposed by Yadin as Solomonic, seems to be in doubt. We have already seen some people's opinions, but now 1 would like to concentrate on I. Finkelstein, who among many others, has expressed a contrary opinion regarding the dating of strata, basing on material culture. 3.1.1. Israel Finkclstcin's view: At the outset we must recognize that there are certain drawbacks in absolute chronology, namely, there is a gab of 400 years between the battles of Rameses III with the Sea People (early twelfth century), and the Assyrian campaign (late-eight century). During this period we have no chronological anchors to connect the biblical facts. Secondly, some writers like Davies, Thomson, and Lemche have cast doubts uport the Biblical description of the United Monarchy. We need to place Finkelstein in this context to understand him better. Solomonic Mediggo, argues Finkelstein, with its elaborate "ashlar" palaces and the four entry gates at Megiddo, Hazor and Gezer, requires a well-developed and well-organized state stretching over most of the territory of western Palestine. Execution of such large-scale building activities would require an advanced administration33. Because of this, he proposed a low chronology for Philistine pottery which has far-reaching implications for the archaeology of the tenth-ninth centuries BC. The archeology of United Monarchy stands on two pillars, namely, the excavations at 31 Y. AHARONI, - Y. YADIN, - Y. SHILOH, «Megiddo», 1021. 32 Y. AHARONI, - Y. YADIN, - Y. SHILOH, «Megiddo», 1021-1022. 33 I. FINKELSTEIN, «The Archaeology of the United Monarchy: An Alternative View», in Levant 28 (1996) 177.
