Tel Qasile

Transliterated Name	Source	Name
Tel Qasile	Hebrew	תל קסילה
Tell Qasila	English (variant)	Tell Qasila
El Qasile	Arabic (transliterated)	القصيلة
El-Khirba	Arabic (historical local name)	الخربة

Introduction

from Chat GPT 6, 10 October 2026
sources: Wikipedia and Jewish Virtual Library

Tel Qasile (also Tell Qasile; Hebrew: תל קסילה) is an archaeological site on the northern bank of the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, Israel, within the grounds of the Eretz Israel Museum. The settlement was established during the 12th century BCE and became an important center of Philistine culture during the early Iron Age. The settlement was located on a kurkar hill on the northern bank of the River. Excavations beginning in 1948 under Benjamin Mazar, followed by investigations directed by Amihai Mazar, revealed twelve principal archaeological strata (I-XII) and a sequence of three superimposed temples associated with Strata XII-X.

The final Philistine temple, associated with Stratum X, was destroyed during the late 11th or early 10th century BCE. Excavations revealed burned architectural remains, collapsed structures, and associated artifacts. The destruction is generally interpreted in the context of regional political and military developments, although its precise cause remains uncertain.

Identification

Amihai Mazar in Stern et al. (1993 v. 4)

Tell Qasile lies within the borders of Tel Aviv, on the north bank of the Yarkon River, at a distance of about 150 m from the river and about 1.75 km (1 mi.) east of its estuary (map reference 1309.1678). The economic life of the settlement on the site was based to a great extent on the river. Its waters were used for irrigation, which allowed the development of a diversified agriculture. It is very likely that in various periods the settlement was an inland port, and ships sailed upstream through the Yarkon River estuary and anchored near the mound. This is also borne out by the discovery here of imported pottery. The role of this settlement as an inland port is also reflected in the biblical account of the shipment of cedars for the building of the Temple in the time of Solomon (2 Chr. 2:16) and of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:7). Trees were apparently floated up the Yarkon and unloaded at one of the settlements on its banks, probably at Tell Kudadi or Tell Qasile.

Excavations

Amihai Mazar in Stern et al. (1993 v. 4)

Three consecutive seasons of excavations were conducted at Tell Qasile from 1948 to 1950, on behalf of the Israel Exploration Society, under the direction of B. Mazar, and with the participation of T. Dothan, I. Dunayevsky, and J. Kaplan. The excavations were concentrated on the southern part of the mound, over an area of about 1,200 sq m (area A); in 1949 and 1950, excavations on a smaller scale were also conducted on the northwest slope. The boundaries of the mound were traced, and its area established: it is 150 m long from north to south and 100 to 110 m wide from east to west. The overall area of the ancient settlement was thus some 4 a. The buildings situated on the boundaries of the settlement on the south and west slopes of the mound were eroded. Scant remains survived of the fortifications from the end of the twelfth to the beginning of the tenth centuries BCE (strata XI-X; see below).

The excavations at Tell Qasile were resumed between 1971 and 1974, and short seasons were conducted between 1982 and 1989. The excavations were directed by A. Mazar, on behalf of the Eretz Israel Museum (formerly Haaretz Museum), the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Israel Exploration Society. The recent excavations were concentrated in area C in the central-eastern part of the mound; an area of 1,300 sq m was excavated. The major find in this area was the sacred precinct of the Philistine city. Except for a few sherds from a short-lived settlement in the Middle Bronze Age I, the earliest remains on the mound date to the beginning of the Iron Age.

Maps, Aerial Views, Plans, and Sections

Maps

Normal Size

Fig. 1 Location Map

Fig. 1

Map of the sites along the Yarkon River

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Mazar (1980)

from Mazar (1980)

Magnified

Fig. 1 Location Map

Fig. 1

Map of the sites along the Yarkon River

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Mazar (1980)

from Mazar (1980)

Aerial Views

Tel Qasile in Google Earth

Tel Qasile

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Tel Qasile on govmap.gov.il

Tel Qasile

click on image to explore this site on a new tab in govmap.gov.il

Plans

Site Plans

Normal Size

Fig. 13.1 Site Plan

Fig. 13.1

Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout

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Mazar (2026)

of Tel Qasile in Stratum X from Mazar (2026)
Fig. 2 Site Plan

Fig. 2

Contour Map of Tel Qasile, with location of excavated areas

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Mazar (1980)

from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 13.2 Plan of

Fig. 13.2

Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C

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Mazar (2026)

Stratum X in Areas A and C from Mazar (2026)
Fig. 13.7 Plan of

Fig. 13.7

Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown

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Mazar (2026)

Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown from Mazar (2026)

Magnified

Fig. 13.1 Site Plan

Fig. 13.1

Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout

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Mazar (2026)

of Tel Qasile in Stratum X from Mazar (2026)
Fig. 2 Site Plan

Fig. 2

Contour Map of Tel Qasile, with location of excavated areas

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Mazar (1980)

from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 13.2 Plan of

Fig. 13.2

Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C

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Mazar (2026)

Stratum X in Areas A and C from Mazar (2026)
Fig. 13.7 Plan of

Fig. 13.7

Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown

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Mazar (2026)

Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown from Mazar (2026)

Area Plans

Area C

Normal Size

Fig. 4 Plan of Area C

Fig. 4

Area C, Stratum XII, schematic Plan

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Mazar (1980)

Stratum XII from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 5 suggested

Fig. 5

Two suggested reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII).

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Mazar (1980)

reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII) from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 9 Plan of Area C

Fig. 9

Area C, Stratum X, schematic Plan

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Mazar (1980)

Stratum X from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 10 Isometric

Fig. 10

Isometric reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X)

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Mazar (1980)

reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X) from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 11 Plan of

Fig. 11

Plan of Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds

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Mazar (1980)

Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 12 Exonometric

Fig. 12

Exonometric view of Area C, Stratum X; looking south west.

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Mazar (1980)

view of Area C, Stratum X from Mazar (1980)

Magnified

Fig. 4 Plan of Area C

Fig. 4

Area C, Stratum XII, schematic Plan

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Mazar (1980)

Stratum XII from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 5 suggested

Fig. 5

Two suggested reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII).

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Mazar (1980)

reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII) from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 9 Plan of Area C

Fig. 9

Area C, Stratum X, schematic Plan

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Mazar (1980)

Stratum X from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 10 Isometric

Fig. 10

Isometric reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X)

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Mazar (1980)

reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X) from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 11 Plan of

Fig. 11

Plan of Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds

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Mazar (1980)

Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds from Mazar (1980)
Fig. 12 Exonometric

Fig. 12

Exonometric view of Area C, Stratum X; looking south west.

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Mazar (1980)

view of Area C, Stratum X from Mazar (1980)

Sections

Normal Size

Fig. 3 Schematic section

Fig. 3

Schematic section of the Tell, from east to west, looking north

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Mazar (1980)

of the Tell from Mazar (1980)

Magnified

Fig. 3 Schematic section

Fig. 3

Schematic section of the Tell, from east to west, looking north

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Mazar (1980)

of the Tell from Mazar (1980)

Phasing

Area A

from Stern et al. (1993 v. 4)

Stratum	Period	Date	Description
I	Arab	Early Islamic period	Scattered remains; poorly preserved.
II	Byzantine	4th-6th centuries CE	Scattered architectural remains.
III	Late Roman	3rd-4th centuries CE	Large building, probably a market, with long rooms and colonnaded halls.
IV	Herodian	1st century CE	Large building with massive stone foundations and dressed ashlars.
V	Hellenistic	3rd-2nd centuries BCE	Sparse architectural remains.
VI	Persian	5th-4th centuries BCE	Large public building with rooms surrounding a courtyard.
VII	Iron IIC	8th century-732 BCE	Limited architectural remains. Probable destruction associated with the Assyrian campaign of Tiglath-pileser III.
VIII	Iron IIB	9th century BCE	Continuation of the public building and residential quarter from stratum IX1, with modifications.
IX1	Iron IIA	10th century BCE	Large public building, probably an administrative center. Residential buildings continued in use.
IX2	Iron IIA	10th century BCE	Israelite settlement established above the ruins of stratum X. Four-room houses and silos.
X	Iron IB	Late 11th-early 10th centuries BCE	Planned Philistine residential quarter with streets, workshops, and storerooms. Destroyed by conflagration.
XI	Iron IB	Late 12th-early 11th centuries BCE	Large stone building and massive mud-brick fortification wall. Destruction attributed to an earthquake.
XII	Iron IB	Late 12th-early 11th centuries BCE	Earliest substantial settlement. Mud-brick buildings constructed on kurkar bedrock. Destroyed by conflagration.

Area C

from Stern et al. (1993 v. 4)

Stratum	Period	Date	Description
I1	Medieval	Crusader or early Mameluke period	Sugar-producing installations and a new well that partly damaged the earlier Philistine temple walls.
I2	Early Arab	Early Islamic period	Possible caravanserai with a central courtyard surrounded by rooms. Associated well and irrigation channels. Building destroyed by fire.
II1	Byzantine	Later Byzantine period	Bathhouse constructed above an earlier building. Hypocaust supported by brick arches and columns. Finds included a coin of Chosroe II.
II2	Byzantine	Early Byzantine period	Remains of a building subsequently overlain by the Byzantine bathhouse.
III	Late Roman	3rd-4th centuries CE	Few architectural remains preserved.
IV	Herodian	1st century CE	Pit containing Herodian pottery. Limited architectural evidence.
V	Hellenistic	3rd-2nd centuries BCE	Limited remains. No substantial architectural complex identified.
VI	Persian	5th-4th centuries BCE	Pits containing Persian-period pottery, a stamped jar handle, and a coin of Alexander the Great. A deep rock-cut well was also associated with this period.
"VII"	Late Iron Age	7th century BCE	Sparse occupation represented by pottery deposits and pits. Occupation followed a prolonged settlement gap after Stratum VIII.
VIII	Iron IIA	10th century BCE	Partial rebuilding of the temple and surrounding courtyard. New buildings erected northwest of the temple. Settlement remained sparsely populated. Destruction possibly associated with Shishak's campaign.
IX	Iron IIA	10th century BCE	Partial reconstruction following the destruction of Stratum X. Temple walls rebuilt and courtyard floors repaired. Residential areas were reduced and some buildings replaced by open spaces.
X	Iron IB	Late 11th-early 10th centuries BCE	Large Philistine temple (Building 131) with antechamber, cella, raised platform, and wooden columns. Associated courtyards, cult installations, and residential buildings. Temple and residential quarter destroyed by violent conflagration.
XI	Iron IB	Late 12th-early 11th centuries BCE	Philistine temple (Building 200) constructed above the earlier temple. Associated cult objects, offering pit, and smaller shrine (Building 300). Public and residential buildings continued from Stratum XII with modifications.
XIIA	Iron IB	12th century BCE	Earliest Philistine temple (Building 319), constructed of mud brick with benches and a raised cult platform. Associated courtyard, ritual deposits, and public buildings.
XIIB	Iron IB	12th century BCE	Earliest occupation phase. Fragmentary floors and poorly constructed buildings founded directly on bedrock. Small quantities of Philistine-style pottery.

Suggested dates of the Iron Age strata

from Mazar (2026)

Table 13.3

Suggested dates of the Iron Age strata

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Mazar (2026)

Chronological Divisions

The Bronze Age of the Levant

The Iron Age in the Southern Levant

Stratum XII Earthquake (?) - Iron I - 2nd Half of 12th century BCE

Discussion

References

Mazar (1980) - Excavations at Tell Qasile Part One

Chapter Three - Stratum XII: The Earliest Philistine Sanctuary

Conclusions

from Mazar (1980:19-20)

Although Stratum XII has been excavated in only a limited area, certain conclusions concerning the development of the settlement here can be deduced. The first phase of occupation (XIIB) is represented by white lime floors laid on bedrock. Several walls (610, 603, 621, 533 and 585) may have been erected already in this phase, but the major building phase is related to the foundation of Temple 319. In this phase Walls 533, 585 and 519 formed a continuous line separating the temple precinct on the north from the dwelling area to the south. This division was preserved in subsequent strata, thus indicating a continuation of the urban planning.

The rather small temple of Stratum XII was enclosed by buildings on three sides. In the subsequent strata, the temple was to be rebuilt on a larger scale, though its orientation and the location of its holy-of-holies were retained. The temple courtyard was very large in comparison with the rather limited size of the edifice itself. No signs of any enclosure wall of the temple precinct were found; if such a wall had existed, it would have been eroded completely on the eastern side of our excavated area, and would have extended beyond the limits of our excavations on the north. The oblong room (314) at the northwest corner of the courtyard would seem to have formed part of the temple complex, like similar rooms in the subsequent strata. The area west of this room was probably an open public area.

The area south and west of the temple precinct was closely built up already in this stratum. This picture is in contrast with the findings in Area A, where only poor remains could be attributed to Stratum XII and most of the area remained unbuilt. This indicates that the temple precinct was originally at the very heart of the settlement; only in succeeding strata were the peripheral regions intensively built up.

The succession of layers of ash and lime floors, reaching an average thickness of 0.50 m in Courtyard 110 and more than 1 m in Locus 324, are an indication of the long span of Stratum XII. As revealed by a study of the pottery, this stratum covers the entire second half of the 12th century B.C.

It is difficult to define the end of this first city and the cause of its destruction. No traces of fire were found, and it is impossible to say if the destruction was caused by violent conquest or by some other reason. The southern wall of Temple 319 was found fallen to the north, a possible result of an earthquake; although this phenomenon was defined in one place only, and thus is insufficient proof, the possibility that an earthquake brought the end of this city should not be excluded.

Stratum X Destruction - Iron I - Late 11th or Early 10th century BCE

Discussion

References

Mazar (1980) - Excavations at Tell Qasile Part One

Chapter Five - Stratum X: Further Development Of The Philistine Sanctuary

Conclusions

from Mazar (1980:46-47)

Building activity at Tell Qasile reached its peak in Stratum X. The transition from Stratum XI to Stratum X can be defined as a quiet process rather than the result of a violent destruction. The buildings of Stratum X were constructed with the intention of improving and elaborating the earlier structures, while the general layout of the area was preserved. Some architectural units of Stratum XI, such as Room 261 and Shrine 300, continued to exist essentially without change. Three of the outer walls of the main temple of Stratum XI continued to be used, though the plan of the interior underwent a radical change and the building was enlarged to the east. The open courtyard of Stratum XI was divided in Stratum X into a street, from which entrances led into two separate courtyards before each temple. Single rooms within the courtyards served the cult, and before the main temple, a sacrificial altar was built. The long wall, which divided the area south of the temple enclosure from east to west already in Stratum XII, continued to exist in Stratum X, although some segments on its eastern side were rebuilt. It served as the northern wall of a block of buildings bordered by a street on the south. Thus, the temple enclosure on the north and the dwelling houses on the south, bordered by parallel streets on at least two sides, created a block ("insula"), recalling the planning of Area A in this same stratum. It seems, therefore, that Stratum X composed a well planned town, with parallel streets surrounding blocks of buildings composed of two rows of structures with adjoining back walls.

While in Strata XII and XI the floors of the open areas were raised several times, such a phenomenon was not found in Stratum X, a fact which may indicate a shorter duration for the latter stratum. Indications of two building phases in Stratum X were observed only in the southeastern corner of Building 225, which was built over a kurkar floor of the same stratum.

Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well.

The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David.

Mazar (2026) - Excavations at Tell Qasile Part Three

Chapter Thriteen - Synthesis and Conclusions

The Destruction of Stratum X

from Mazar (2026:594-595)

The destruction of Stratum X was certainly a dramatic moment in the city’s life. Many rooms, mainly storage rooms where perhaps quantities of oil were kept, and the principal temple were burnt at high temperatures, causing mudbricks to turn dark red and leaving thick layers of black ash and fallen burnt brick debris. Fig. 13.7 shows the locations of burnt rooms in Areas A and C, and of rooms destroyed violently without fire. The date of this destruction was discussed above in this chapter.

Who or what caused this destruction? B. Mazar and recently Faust and Farber suggested that the town was conquered by David, who took over Jaffa and the Yarkon region (Maisler 1951c: 23; Mazar 1986: 71 [first published in 1964]; Faust and Farber 2025: 324–325, 347, 408). Kempinski (1989: 89–90) suggested that an earthquake caused the destruction. The current skepticism regarding the geographical scope of David’s state and its military capabilities may cast doubt on the first possibility. However, there is no known alternative historical event to account for this destruction in the early tenth century BCE, except perhaps an attack by neighbors or foreigners (see below). The earthquake option can be negated, since no direct evidence for such an event was found, while evidence for plundering and deliberate iconoclasm found in the temple of Stratum X points to destruction by human hands.

Similar questions were raised concerning the contemporary violent destruction of Megiddo Stratum VIA. The Chicago excavators and Kempinski (1989: 89) suggested that an earthquake destroyed the city, while others, including the current excavators from Tel Aviv University, believe that it was due to violent conquest by “highlanders” (Finkelstein 2013a: 1337).¹¹ Similarly, Lehmann wrote: “Apparently, these destructions were primarily the result of expansion out of the tribal highlands into the lowlands…Such warfare eventually led to the destruction of sites such as Megiddo Stratum VIA….Tribal leaders akin to Saul, David, and Solomon may well have played a role in this process” (Lehmann 2023: 72–73). Concerning the contemporary destructions in the Jezreel Valley, Arie (2023a: 124) concludes: “It appears that Israelite elements from the Samarian Hills who attained social and political maturity towards the end of the Iron I were responsible for this devastation of the Jezreel Valley.” The destruction of Stratum X at Tell Qasile may be explained similarly. It could have been caused by Israelites from the central hill country under similar circumstances, possibly related to the rise of David in Jerusalem. However, this cannot be determined with any certainty.

Footnotes

11 According to Finkelstein’s original low chronology, Megiddo VIA was destroyed by Shishak (Finkelstein 1996: 183). This was negated (Mazar 2005 and elsewhere). A higher date in the tenth century BCE for this destruction was supported by radiocarbon dates, prompting the Megiddo excavators to change their minds. Arie (2013: 743) suggested that Megiddo VIA was destroyed ca. 980 BCE and that Shishak encountered the city of Stratum VB.

Stratum XII Earthquake (?) - Iron I - 2nd Half of 12th century BCE

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
Collapsed Wall	Temple 319 in Area C Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 4 Area C, Stratum XII, schematic Plan Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 5 Two suggested reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII). Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980)		"It is difficult to define the end of this first city and the cause of its destruction. No traces of fire were found, and it is impossible to say if the destruction was caused by violent conquest or by some other reason. The southern wall of Temple 319 was found fallen to the north, a possible result of an earthquake; although this phenomenon was defined in one place only, and thus is insufficient proof, the possibility that an earthquake brought the end of this city should not be excluded." - Mazar (1980:19-20)

Stratum X Destruction - Iron I - Late 11th or Early 10th century BCE

Effect	Location	Description
Fire	Temple 131, Room 204, and Building 225 in Area C Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 9 Area C, Stratum X, schematic Plan Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 10 Isometric reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X) Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 11 Plan of Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 12 Exonometric view of Area C, Stratum X; looking south west. Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)
Fire	Buildings K, J, W and O in Area A Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)
Collapsed Walls	Shrine 300 and Street 224 Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)

Stratum XII Earthquake (?) - Iron I - 2nd Half of 12th century BCE

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
Collapsed Wall	Temple 319 in Area C Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 4 Area C, Stratum XII, schematic Plan Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 5 Two suggested reconstructions of Temple 319 (Stratum XII). Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980)		"It is difficult to define the end of this first city and the cause of its destruction. No traces of fire were found, and it is impossible to say if the destruction was caused by violent conquest or by some other reason. The southern wall of Temple 319 was found fallen to the north, a possible result of an earthquake; although this phenomenon was defined in one place only, and thus is insufficient proof, the possibility that an earthquake brought the end of this city should not be excluded." - Mazar (1980:19-20)	VIII+

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224). Parts of this location may be subject to liquefaction.

Stratum X Destruction - Iron I - Late 11th or Early 10th century BCE

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Description	Intensity
Fire	Temple 131, Room 204, and Building 225 in Area C Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 9 Area C, Stratum X, schematic Plan Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 10 Isometric reconstruction of Temple 131 (Stratum X) Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 11 Plan of Temple 131 (Stratum X) with location of finds Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980) Fig. 12 Exonometric view of Area C, Stratum X; looking south west. Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (1980)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)	?
Fire	Buildings K, J, W and O in Area A Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)	?
Collapsed Walls	Shrine 300 and Street 224 Fig. 13.1 Tel Qasile in Stratum X, with the suggested settled area and street layout Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.2 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026) Fig. 13.7 Schematic plan of Stratum X in Areas A and C, showing burnt rooms in red and rooms destroyed without fire in brown Click on image to open in a new tab Mazar (2026)	"Many of the buildings of Stratum X were destroyed by a violent fire. In Area C, Temple 131, Room 204 and Building 225 were all burned. In Area A, Buildings K, J, W and O were burned. On the other hand, no traces of fire were found in Shrine 300, which was destroyed by the collapse of its walls to the north. Similar collapsed brick walls were seen in Street 224 as well. The destruction of Stratum X can be explained in two ways: the city may have been taken in battle and its buildings razed; but it is also possible that the town was destroyed by an earthquake, during which buildings collapsed and caught fire. Although the first alternative seems more plausible, the second should not be ignored. The pottery and finds show that the destruction occurred at the end of the eleventh century or the beginning of the tenth century B.C. A violent conquest of this site at such a time may be attributed to King David." - Mazar (1980:46-47)	VIII+

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224). Parts of this location may be subject to liquefaction.

References

Excavation Reports

Mazar, A. (1980) Excavations at Tell Qasile. Part One: The Philistine Sanctuary: Architecture and Cult Objects. Qedem 12, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Mazar, A. (1985) Excavations at Tell Qasile. Part Two: The Philistine Sanctuary: Various Finds, the Pottery, Conclusions, Appendixes. Qedem 20, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Mazar, A. (2026) Excavations at Tell Qasile, Part Three: The Iron Age Town. Qedem Monographs 66, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 608 pp.

Websites

Tel Qasile at the Jewish Virtual Library

Bibliography from Stern et al. (1993 v.4)

Main publications

B. Maisler (Mazar), IEJ 1 (1950-1951), 61-76, 125-140, 194-218

A. Mazar, Excavations at Tell Qasile 1-2: The Philistine Sanctuary (Qedem 12; 20), Jerusalem 1980-1985

id., IEJ 36 (1986), 1-15.

Other studies

B. Maisler (Mazar), JNES 10 (1951), 265-267

A. Mazar, BA 36 (1973), 42-48

40 (1977), 82-87

id., IEJ 23 (1973), 65-71

25 (1975), 77-88

id., RB 80 (1973), 412-415

82 (1975), 263-268

id., Temples and High Places in Biblical Times, Jerusalem 1977, 18-19

ibid., Jerusalem 1981, 105-107

id., Qedem 12, 20 (Reviews), BAR 7/5 (1980), 8-9

Phoenix 28/1 (1982), 39-41

Syria 59 (1982), 348-349

AJA 87 (1983), 402-403

BASOR 271 (1988), 82-85

JQR 80 (1990), 411-414

id., ESI 3 (1984), 90-92

4 (1985), 89-90

7-8 (1988-1989), 147-148

(with S. Harpaz) 9 (1989-1990), 52-53

id., BAR 10/3 (1984), 54-59

id., Society and Economy, 251-260

A. Lemaire, Inscriptions Hebraiques I: Les Ostraca, Paris 1977, 251-255

H. Ritter-Kaplan, IEJ 28 (1978), 199-200

id., RB 85 (1978), 415-416

id., ESI 1 (1982), 109

id., 'Atiqot 17 (1985), 195-200

Y. Tsafrir, IEJ 31 (1981), 223-226

A. Catastini, Egitto e Vicino Oriente 7 (1984), 119-123

id., Henoch 6 (1984), 129-138

R. Macuch, IEJ 35 (1985), 183-185

M. Burdajewiez, RB 93 (1986), 222-235

id., The Aegean Sea Peoples and Religious Architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean at the Close of the Late Bronze Age (BAR/IS 558), Oxford 1990, 46-54

A. Miller Rosen, Cities of Clay: The Geoarcheology of Tells (Prehistoric Archaeology and Ecology), Chicago 1986, 89-91, 99-105

A. Ovadiah, IEJ 37 (1987), 36-39

O. Negbi, Annual of the British School at Athens 83 (1988), 339-357

Weippert 1988 (Ortsregister)

S. Bunimovitz, TA 17 (1990), 210-222

J. S. Holladay, Jr., BASOR 277-278 (1990), 23-70

W. Zwickel, ZDPV 106 (1990), 57-62.

Wikipedia pages

Tel Qasile

from Wikipedia