Webster et al. (2023: 9) describe the Stratum 12 B Building in the southern gate area as having been “destroyed in a fiery conflagration, whose calamitous nature is evidenced by the remains of three individuals.” The victims included a badly burned adult and child discovered in Room A, and “an adult female evidently killed by the collapsing building,” found in the southwest corner of Unit D. Burnt destruction debris and restorable pottery were identified in multiple rooms.

According to Webster et al. (2023: 9), Stratum 12 B was assigned to the Late Bronze IIB period based on pottery, a 19th Dynasty bifacial plaque, and its stratigraphic position below the distinctly Iron I Stratum 11. The destruction horizon is associated with the military campaign of Merneptah; the Merneptah Stele records a victory by Merneptah’s army over Gezer.