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Tell er-Ras

Tell er-Ras Mound of Tell er-Ras

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Used with permission from BibleWalks.com


Names
Transliterated Name Source Name
Tell er-Ras Arabic تلّ الرأس
Introduction
Introduction

  • from Chat GPT 5.2, 27 February 2026
Tell er-Ras (تلّ الرأس) is situated on a north- trending ridge extending from the summit of Mount Gerizim. From this elevated position it commands a clear view over Tell Balata, the site of ancient Shechem, in the valley below.

The site preserves the remains of a temple dedicated to Zeus, reflecting Hellenistic and Roman-period religious activity on Mount Gerizim. Its placement on a prominent spur overlooking Shechem underscores both the visual dominance and symbolic significance of the sanctuary within the sacred landscape of the mountain.

Maps, Aerial Views, Plans, Sections, and Illustrations
Maps, Aerial Views, Plans, Sections, and Illustrations

Maps

Normal Size

  • Fig. 7 - Location Map from
    Figure 7

    Map of the Nablus region showing the line of the stairway from the valley to the temple site.

    JW: Also showing the location of Ancient Shechem center right

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    Bull and Campbell (1968)

Magnified

  • Fig. 7 - Location Map from
    Figure 7

    Map of the Nablus region showing the line of the stairway from the valley to the temple site.

    JW: Also showing the location of Ancient Shechem center right

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    Bull and Campbell (1968)

Aerial Views

Normal Size

  • Annotated Satellite View of
    Annotated Satellite View of Tell er-Ras and environs

    Used with permission from BibleWalks.com
    Tell er-Ras and environs from biblewalks.com
  • Tell er-Ras in Google Earth
    Tell er-Ras

    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth
  • Tell er-Ras on govmap.gov.il
    Tell er-Ras

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

Magnified

  • Annotated Satellite View of
    Annotated Satellite View of Tell er-Ras and environs

    Used with permission from BibleWalks.com
    Tell er-Ras and environs from biblewalks.com
  • Tell er-Ras in Google Earth
    Tell er-Ras

    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth
  • Tell er-Ras on govmap.gov.il
    Tell er-Ras

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

Plans

Area Plans

Temple and surroundings

Normal Size

  • Fig. 3 Plan of structures on
    Figure 3

    Outline plan of the structures on Tell er-Ras

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    Tell er-Ras from Bull and Campbell (1968)
  • Fig. 12 Plan of Building A
    Figure 12

    Plan of Building A, the Hadrianic temple on Tell er-Ras

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    (Hadrianic temple) from Bull and Campbell (1968)

Magnified

  • Fig. 3 Plan of structures on
    Figure 3

    Outline plan of the structures on Tell er-Ras

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    Tell er-Ras from Bull and Campbell (1968)
  • Fig. 12 Plan of Building A
    Figure 12

    Plan of Building A, the Hadrianic temple on Tell er-Ras

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    (Hadrianic temple) from Bull and Campbell (1968)

Sections

Normal Size

  • Fig. 8 Section through Cistern II
    Figure 8

    Section through Cistern II, looking west

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    from Bull and Campbell (1968)

Magnified

  • Fig. 8 Section through Cistern II
    Figure 8

    Section through Cistern II, looking west

    Bull and Campbell (1968)
    from Bull and Campbell (1968)

Illustrations

Normal Size

  • Illustration of the sanctuary
    Illustration of the sanctuary of Zeus on Tell er-Ras

    Used with permission from BibleWalks.com
    of Zeus on Tell er-Ras from biblewalks.com

Magnified

  • Illustration of the sanctuary
    Illustration of the sanctuary of Zeus on Tell er-Ras

    Used with permission from BibleWalks.com
    of Zeus on Tell er-Ras from biblewalks.com

Archaeoseismic Chronology
Cistern II Earthquake - 2nd half of the 4th century CE

Discussion

Discussion

Archaeoseismic Effects
Cistern II Earthquake - 2nd half of the 4th century CE

Effect Location Figure Comments
Collapsed Walls and architecture Cistern II
Figure 3

Outline plan of the structures on Tell er-Ras

Bull and Campbell (1968)
Figure 8

Section through Cistern II, looking west

Bull and Campbell (1968)
  • destruction layer - 1.10 m of loose grey earth containing architectural fragments, vaulting, and building stones - Bull and Campbell (1968:15-17)
  • Cisterns I and VI exhibited similar stratigraphy to Cistern II

Archaeoseismic Intensity Estimates
Cistern II Earthquake - 2nd half of the 4th century CE

Effect Location Figure Comments Intensity
Collapsed Walls and architecture Cistern II
Figure 3

Outline plan of the structures on Tell er-Ras

Bull and Campbell (1968)
Figure 8

Section through Cistern II, looking west

Bull and Campbell (1968)
  • destruction layer - 1.10 m of loose grey earth containing architectural fragments, vaulting, and building stones - Bull and Campbell (1968:15-17)
  • Cisterns I and VI exhibited similar stratigraphy to Cistern II
 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).

Notes and Further Reading
References

Articles and Books

Bull, R. J., and Campbell, E. F. (1968) "The Sixth Campaign at Balâṭah (Shechem)," Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 190: 2–41.

Excavation Reports

Sellin, E. (1914) "Anzeiger der Kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Philologisch-historische Klasse 51: 35–40, 204–207." ; (1926) ZDPV 49: 229–236, 304–320; (1927) ZDPV 50: 205–211, 265–274; (1928) ZDPV 51: 119–123.

Sellin, E., and Steckeweh, H. (1941) ZDPV 64: 1–20. Welter, G. (1932) Archaeologischer Anzeiger: 289–314.

Cole, D. P. (1984) Shechem I: The Middle Bronze IIB Pottery, Winona Lake, Ind. – open access (borrow with free account) at archive.org

Campbell, E. F. (1991) Shechem II: Portrait of a Hill Country Vale, Atlanta. – open access (borrow with free account) at archive.org

Websites

Joseph Lookout adjacent to Tell er-Ras on Mount Gerizim, at biblewalks.com

Bibliography from Stern et al (1993)

Reports of the Austrian and German expeditions

E. Sellin, Anzeiger der Kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenschqften in Wien, Philologisch-historische Klasse 51 (1914), 35-40, 204-207; id., ZDPV 49 (1926), 229-236, 304-320; 50 (1927), 205-211, 265-274; 51 (1928), 119-123;

E. Sellin and H. Steckeweh, ibid. 64 (1941), 1-20; G. Welter, Archaeologischer Anzeiger (1932), 289-314.

Reports of the American expeditions

Main publications

G. E. Wright, Shechem: The Biography of a Biblical City, New York 1965

D.P. Cole, Shechem I: The Middle Bronze lIB Pottery, Winona Lake, Ind. 1984

E. F. Campbell, Shechem II: Portrait of a Hill Country Vale, Atlanta 1991.

Other studies

G. E. Wright et al., BASOR 144 (1956), 9-26; 148 (1957), 11-28

L. E. Toombs and G. E. Wright, ibid. 161 (1961), 11-54; 169 (1963), 1-60

L. E. Toombs, ADAJ 17 (1972), 99-110;

R. J. Bull (et al.),BASOR ISO (1965), 7-41; id. (and E. F. Campbell), ibid. 190(1968), 2-41

E. F. Campbell etal., ibid. 204 (1971), 2-17

J.D. Seger, ibid. 205 (1972), 20-35

G. R. H. Wright, ZDPV89 (1973), 188-196

W. G. Dever, BASOR 216 (1974), 31-52

R. Boling, BASOR Supplementary Studies 21 (1975), 25-85.

Reports of Israeli excavations

A. Zertal, TA 13-14 (1987), 105-165 [el-Burnat].

Ceramic and artifact studies

F. W. Freiherr von Bissing, Mededelingen der Koniklijke Akademie van Wetenschappen, Amsterdam, Afd. Letterkunde 62/B (1926), 1-24

H. W. Muller, Der Waffenfund von Balata-Sichem und die Sichelschwerter, Munich !987 [weapon hoard]

F. M. T. Bohl, ZDPV 49 (1926) 320-327

W. F. Albright, BASOR 86 (1942), 28-31 [cuneiform tablets]

F. M. Cross, Jr., ibid. 167 (1962),14-15

A. Zeron, TA 6(1979), 156-157[/mbn seal]

S. H. Horn,JNES2i (1962), 1-14;25 (1966) 48-56; 32(1973), 281-289 [scarabs]

0. R. Sellers, BA 25 (1962), 87-96 [coins]

G. E. Wright, BASOR 167 (1962), 5-13 [seals]

G. R. H. Wright, PEQ 97 (1965), 66-84; 101 (1969), 34-36 [fluted columns]

V. Kerkhof, BASOR 184 (1966), 20-21 [inscribed stone weight]

M. H. Wieneke, JNES 35 (1976), 127-130 [clay sealings]

S. Geva, ZDPV 96 (1980), 41-47 [tridacna shell]

P. W. Lapp, BASOR 172 (1963), 22-35 [stamped jar handles]

id., Palestinian Ceramic Chronology, 200 BC-AD 70, New Haven 1961,41-49 and passim

N. L. Lapp, BASOR 175 (1964), 14-26 [Hellenistic pottery]

P. W. Lapp, Archiiologie und A/tes Testament (K. Galling Fest.), Tiibingen 1970, 179-197

N. L. Lapp, BASOR 257 (1985), 19-43 [Persian pottery]

J. S. Holladay, Magnolia Dei: The Mighty Acts of God (G. E. Wright Fest., eds. F. M. Cross, Jr., etal.), Garden City, N.Y. 1976, 253-293 [Iron II pottery]

R. S. Boraas, The Archaeology of Jordan and Other Studies (S. H. Horn Fest.), Berrien Springs, Mich. 1986, 249-263 [Iron I pottery]

D. P. Cole, Shechem I: The Middle Bronze IIB Pottery, Winona Lake, Ind. 1984

G. R. H. Wright, Opuscula Atheniensia 7 (1967), 47-75 [Cypriot and Aegean pottery]

S. H. Horn, Jaarbericht ex Oriente Lux 20 (1968), 71-90 [1913-1914 objects]

S. H. Horn and L. G. Moulds, AUSS 7 (1969), 2-46 [1913-1914 pottery]

V. Kerkhof, Oudheidkundige Mededelingen uit het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden te Leiden 50 (1969), 38-109 [artifacts from the Austro-German expeditions].

Interpretive studies

F. M. T. Bohl, De Opgraving van Sichem, Zeist, Netherlands 1927

E. Sellin, ZAW 50(1932), 303-308

R. J. Bull, BA 23 (1960), 110-119

R. J. Bull and G. E. Wright, Harvard Theological Review 58 (1965), 234-237

E. F. Campbell and J. F. Ross, BA 26 (1963), 2-27

E. F. Campbell, Magnolia Dei: The Mighty Acts of God (G. E. Wright Fest., eds. F. M. Cross, Jr., etal.), Garden City, N.Y. 1976,39-54

id., The Word of the Lord Shall Go Forth (D. N. Freedman Fest.), Winona Lake, Ind. !983, 263-271

id., The Answers Lie Below (L. E. Toombs Fest.), Lanham, Md. 1984 67-76

S. H. Horn, Jaarbericht Ex Oriente Lux 18 (1965), 284-306

G. E. Wright, Archaeology and Old Testament Study, London 1967, 355-370

J. F. Ross and L. E. Toombs, Archaeological Studies in the Holy Land, New York 1967, 119-127

G. R. H. Wright, ZDPV83 (1967), 199-202

id., ZAW80 (1968), 1-35; 82 (1970), 275-278; 87 (1975) 56-64

id., PEQ 103 (1971), 17-32

id., Zeitschriftfiir Assyriologie 74 (1984), 267-289

id., ZDPV 101 (1986),1-8

J.D. Seger, Levant 6 (1974), 117-130

id., EI 12 (1975), 34*-45*

K. Jaros, Sichem, Gottingen 1976

K. Jaros and B. Deckert, Studien ziir Sichem-Area, Giittingen 1977

L. E. Toombs, ASOR Symposia, 69-83

id., Put Your Future in Ruins (R. J. Bull Fest.), Briston, Ind. 1985, 42-60

M.D. Fowler, PEQ 115 (1983), 49-53

R. G. Boling and E. F. Campbell, Archaeology and Biblical Interpretation (D. Glenn Rose Fest.), Atlanta 1986, 259-272

D. Dorsey BASOR 268 (1987), 57-70.

Wikipedia pages

Mount Gerizim



Mount Ebal



Shechem