At the close of the Late Bronze Age at Yoqneʿam, Stratum XIXa preserves evidence of a violent destruction accompanied by intense burning. In Area A4, Ben-Tor in Ben-Tor et al. (2005a:10) reported “an accumulation, ca. 70 cm high, of collapsed burnt bricks and other indications of an immense conflagration” resting above Stratum XIXa surfaces. Similarly, Ben-Ami in Ben-Tor et al. (2005b:154) described “about one meter of brick collapse and residues of conflagration.” In the large eastern courtyard (L.2375/2376 + L.2374), a white plaster floor was sealed by “a thick layer of brick collapse,” while the beaten-earth floor of the alley between W.349 and W.388 “was sealed by brick debris from the collapse of the walls” (Ben-Ami in Ben-Tor et al. 2005b:154). Ben-Ami concluded that “the violent destruction that terminated the Stratum XIX settlement marks the end of the Late Bronze Age at Yoqneʿam,” noting that brick and stone collapse covered the room floors and bore clear signs of intense conflagration across the entire area.

Following this event, the foundations of Stratum XVIII, marking the beginning of Iron Age I, were cut into the debris. Ben-Tor in Ben-Tor et al. (2005a:10) notes the presence of an extensive ca. 50-100 cm. thick fill above the Stratum XIXa destruction layer, indicating that after the destruction, "the place had probably been abandoned for a considerable length of time." Raphael and Agnon (2018:775) interpreted the destruction as earthquake-related, although neither Ben-Tor in Ben-Tor et al. (2005a) nor Ben-Ami in Ben-Tor et al. (2005b:154) attributed the destruction to an earthquake. The dating of the destruction was based on ceramic evidence.

Photo III.20 - The destruction layer of the final Late Bronze Age city, looking south. Broken vessels and an ash layer are clearly visible. Note the accumulation of debris over remains of Stratum XIXa and below the foundations of Iron Age I walls (Stratum XVIII). - click on image to open in a new tab - Ben-Tor et al. (2005b)