Stratum XII at Tell Qasile dates to the second half of the 12th century BCE, during the Early Iron Age I (Philistine period). In Area C, excavations revealed Temple 319, the earliest of three successive Philistine temples at the site. Mazar (1980:19-20) reported that the southern wall of Temple 319 had collapsed northward, possibly as a result of an earthquake. No evidence of burning was found in the destruction horizon. Although the cause of destruction remained uncertain, Mazar considered both violent conquest and and earthquake. The earthquake interpretation is tentative. Mazar emphasized that the northward wall collapse was documented at only one location.