Bible Archeology Discoveries

Gezer Gate
Discovered: Foothills of the Judaean Mountains at the border of the Shfela, Israel
From: (c. 920 BC)

On Tel Gezer, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a huge, six-chambered gate complex, dating to Solomon's time (920 BC). This once huge gate complex stands only 4-5 feet tall today.

With the street pavement partially gone, one can see the exposed sewer channel.' The sewer ran under the street, through the city, and into the valley beyond. It drained seasonal rain and carried away sewage. The sewer emptied into the "swamp," a cesspool of refuse, animal carcasses, and even human bodies.

On the right and left of the sewer channel, the remains of each gate chamber can still be distinguished. Based on archaeological remains, the gatehouse at Gezer was over 45 feet wide, nearly 60 feet long, and contained three chambers on each side of the street.

King Solomon fortified the three key cities of Gezer, Hazor, and Megiddo with huge six-chambered gates. While there has been controversy regarding his involvement with the gate at this partoicular find, recent carbon dating does confirm the consruction to the period of his presumed reign (c. 900-1000 BC).

"And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build the house of Jehovah, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a portion unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.
And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether, and Baalath, and Tamar in the wilderness, in the land,"
1 Kings 9: 15-19

Select Pages

- page 19 of 71 -

Notable Finds

Much of what is described in Bible text is lost to history, requiring readers to assume the historicity of the scriptures.

However, many of the places and events described in the Old and New Testaments are periodically corroborated by archeological finds.

Some finds simply help us to better understand things from the ancient world. However, others provide important evidence as to the truth of scripture regarding things about which there had previously been skepticism.

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