Location

Tell el-Kheleifeh is situated in the southern arid zone of the Levant, near the city of Eilat . This area has recently regained scholarly attention due to various archaeological activities.

Identification

The site presents several conundrums that hinder the proper reconstruction of its archaeology and the accurate interpretation of the history of the Gulf of Aqaba region. Key issues include the presence of “Midianite” (Qurayyah Ware) sherds from the 12th century BCE without corresponding period remains, and biblical references to events predating Assyrian intervention in the region.

History

The history of Tell el-Kheleifeh is closely tied to biblical references to Ezion-geber and Elath/Eloth. The site’s strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, where major roads from Arabia and the Hejaz split, suggests its significance in regional trade and politics.

Excavations

Glueck conducted excavations between 1938 and 1940, dividing the site’s remains into five periods of activity, dating from the 10th to the 4th centuries BCE. These periods were identified according to biblical references, with each monarch mentioned in relation to the region granted a layer.

Early Iron Age II (10th Century BCE – Solomon’s Era)

• Archaeological Evidence: This phase is marked by the initial establishment of a copper refinery, which later evolved into an industrial complex. The site’s layout eventually formed an “industrial square.”
  • Biblical Context: This period is often associated with King Solomon’s reign. The Bible describes Solomon’s extensive building projects and trade expeditions, including the development of Ezion-geber, a port near the Red Sea (1 Kings 9:26-28). The industrial activities at Tell el-Kheleifeh might reflect this era’s prosperity and focus on trade and industry.

Mid Iron Age II (9th Century BCE – Jehoshaphat’s Era)

• Archaeological Evidence: The construction of a large solid-wall fortress, indicating a significant military or administrative presence.
  • Biblical Context: This period is linked to the reign of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. The Bible records Jehoshaphat’s military reforms and fortification efforts (1 Kings 22:42-50), which could be related to the construction of the fortress at Tell el-Kheleifeh.

Late Iron Age II (8th Century BCE – Uzziah’s Era and Edomite Takeover)

• Archaeological Evidence: Continued use and potential expansion of the fortress. This period might also reflect changes in administration or function.
  • Biblical Context:
    • Uzziah’s Era: Uzziah (Azariah) of Judah is known for his building projects and military campaigns (2 Kings 15:1-7, 2 Chronicles 26). The Bible mentions his reconstruction of Elath, which could correspond with archaeological findings from this period.
    • Edomite Takeover: The period also aligns with the Edomite control over the region during King Ahaz’s reign (2 Kings 16:6). This shift in control could be evidenced by changes at the site.

Iron Age III (586–539 BCE)

• Tell el-Kheleifeh Context: There is limited or no direct evidence from Tell el-Kheleifeh that distinctly belongs to the Iron Age III. This period in the broader region is marked by the Babylonian conquest and the subsequent Persian period.

Sources

The Archaeology of Tell el-Kheleifeh And the History of Ezion-geber/Elath

Israel Finkelstein Tel Aviv University