Tel en-Nasbeh is an archaeological site covering 3.2 hectares, located north of ancient Jerusalem. Many researchers have identified the site with Mizpah, an important city in the territory of Benjamin during the biblical period. However, following new research at Nabi Samwil, some have suggested locating Mizpah there, and identifying Tel en-Nasbeh with another city, perhaps Beeroth. Others have suggested that the name ‘Mizpah’ referred to Tel en-Nasbeh only over the course of part of the biblical period. It should be noted that most of the uncovered architectural elements were covered once more at the end of the site’s excavations, but over the years various parts of the site were destroyed due to unsupervised construction and archaeological robbery.
History of the Site’s Research
The site was excavated by a joint expedition from the Pacific School for Religion and the American School of Oriental Study and Research (ASOR), led by American archaeologist William Badè, over the course of five seasons, in the years: 1926-1927, 1929, 1932 and 1935. In 1935 Badè published a book on the method of his excavation but died in 1936 prior to publishing a full excavation report. The report was published in 1947 by archaeologists Joseph Wampler and Chester McCown. With the advancement of research and dating methods, the finds were reexamined and in 1993 an updated report was published by archaeologist Jefferey Zorn.
The Site during the Bronze Age and early Iron I
The site was first settled in limited capacity during the Early Bronze I period (3300-3050 BCE), which is reflected in two burial caves and some pottery sherds. The site was abandoned and resettled only during the Iron I period (1200-1000 BCE), when the caves were reused, a few rock-hewn installations were created and possibly used as grain stores, and it’s possible that there were a few low-quality structures. Among the pottery vessels may be counted collared-rim jars and Early Philistine vessels. The site was likely settled by Israelites during this period.
The Site during the end of the Iron I and Iron II
Circa the end of the Iron I-early Iron IIa periods (circa 1050-970 BCE) the small settlement at the site was destroyed and over it a fortified settlement was built, featuring a casemate wall and a few large structures. The settlement was likely divided into smaller neighborhoods by paths. A few pillared houses and water installations were built, and an oil industry developed at the site, reflected in a few oil presses. In the beginning of the 9th century BCE the settlement was surrounded by a massive inset/offset wall. From the mid-Iron II period until the Babylonian destruction (850-586 BCE) the settlement was expanded significantly, and many more structures were erected. During this period the city likely served as a citadel on the Kingdom of Judah’s northern border. A bronze collar fragment which preserves part of a Babylonian inscription with the words “…his very own son, for the well-being of his life dedi[cated…” should probably be dated to the 7th-6th centuries BCE. Other findings include: Scarabs, seals, a handle with the Hebrew inscription ‘daughter of the king’ and dozens of ‘LMLK’ jar handles.
The Site during the Babylonian, Persian and Hellenistic Periods
During the Babylonian and Persian periods (586-400 BCE) the site became an administrative center and underwent several renovations. Among the most significant courses was exchanging the rough stone pillars with monolithic pillars and building taller buildings, among them what was likely a palace and a series of storage buildings. Other findings include: A number of ‘YHD’ jar handles, early Attic vessels, and an imitation of an Athenian tetradrachm. This site was likely destroyed circa the end of he Persian period. At the onset of the Hellenistic period (beginning of the 3rd century BCE) the site was settled anew in limited, unfortified capacity. During this period a wine industry developed as the site, reflected in two winepresses and remnants of a vineyard. Other findings include Hellenistic coins. This was likely active until the onset of the Roman period.
Bibliography
N. Avigad, ‘A Hebrew Inscription from Tell en-Nasbeh’, Bulletin of the Israel Exploration Society 17 (1953), pp. 95-97 [Hebrew].
C. C. McCown and others, Tell En-Naṣbeh: Excavated under the Direction of the late William Frederic Badè, 1: Archaeological and Historical Results, Berkeley and New Haven 1947.
D. Vanderhooft and W. Horowitz, ‘The Cuneiform Inscription from Tell En-Naṣbeh: The Demise of an Uknown King’, Tel Aviv 29 (2002), pp. 318-327.
J. R. Zorn, Tell en-Nasbeh: A Re-evaluation of the Architecture and Stratigraphy of the Early Bronze Age, Iron Age and Later Periods, Vol. I: Introduction, Syntheses and Special Studies (Ph.D. Dissertation), University of California 1993.