According to Balensi, Herrera, and Artzy in Stern et al. (1993 v.1), Hamilton (1935) distinguished two phases within Stratum V at Tell Abu Hawam, “separated by the destruction of the earlier fortifications.” In subsequent work, Anati (1963) refined this sequence into three subdivisions, a phasing later summarized and adopted by Balensi, Herrera, and Artzy: Stratum VA, a temporary fishermen’s settlement later covered by wind-blown sand; Stratum VB, the fortified city uncovered by Hamilton; and Stratum VC, a short reoccupation during the Egyptian Twentieth Dynasty. Excavations in 1985–1986 reportedly “confirmed Anati’s use of three subdivisions for stratum V.” The destruction horizon belongs to Stratum VB. It was marked by “burned domestic installations” north of gateway 67 that “abutted the inner face of the city wall,” indicating conflagration within the fortified city. The earlier fortifications themselves had already been destroyed, suggesting a violent episode that terminated the main urban phase. In a lecture delivered in London in April 1988, Jacqueline Balensi reportedly discussed “evidence of damage to fortification walls [of Stratum VB] by a tidal wave,” as noted by Warren and Hankey (1989:156, 160–161). On the basis of information attributed to Balensi, they further opined that the “city was violently burnt and destroyed, possibly by earthquake.” In contrast, Balensi, Herrera, and Artzy suggested that the damage might have resulted from “a violent sea storm?” The available summaries do not provide detailed photographs or structural descriptions sufficient to adjudicate between seismic and storm-related mechanisms. Chronologically, Balensi (1980:586–587), as reported by Warren and Hankey, dated Stratum VB to ca. 1230–1200 (or perhaps 1175) BCE, followed by abandonment until about 1125 BCE. Subsequent Stratum IVA was dated to ca. 1125–1050 BCE. If the destruction of Stratum VB reflects a single catastrophic event—whether earthquake, tsunami, sea storm, or a combination followed by fire—it would fall around 1200 BCE, at the close of the fortified city’s occupation.