Photo Essay: Beth-shemesh
Dale W. Manor
Harding University
Excavations on the north edge of the tell looking west over the Soreq Valley. Photo by D. Manor.
Tell Beth-shemesh rests on the inner edge of the Shephelah in the Soreq Valley adjacent to the rising central hills of southern Canaan. With only ephemeral ceramic remains dating from the Early Bronze Age, the earliest architectural remains that have been identified at the site are from the Middle Bronze Age II; there is then almost continuous occupation into the mid- to late seventh century B.C.E. The site, which is some 12 miles (20 km) west of Jerusalem, stood sentinel over a north-south route, which hugged the junction of the Shephelah and the central hills and an east-west route from the coast through the Soreq Valley.
