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Location
Tel Eton is located in the Shfela region of southern Israel, about 8 km east of the modern city of Kiryat Gat. It is situated on a hill that rises about 50 meters above the surrounding plain.
Yuri Feldman
History
The site of Tel Eton was occupied during the Bronze Age (ca. 3300-1200 BCE) by the Canaanites, who built a fortified city there. During the Iron Age (ca. 1200-586 BCE), the Israelites conquered the city and made it a part of the kingdom of Judah.
Archaeological Finds
Excavations at Tel Eton have uncovered several significant archaeological finds, including a gatehouse, a casemate wall, and a large storage facility. The gatehouse is particularly well-preserved and is one of the largest and most complex structures of its kind in the region. It is thought to have been built in the 9th or 8th century BCE.
The casemate wall is another impressive feature of the site. It consists of two parallel walls with a space between them that was filled with earth and stones. This design made the wall more resistant to attacks and provided extra protection for the city.
The large storage facility found at Tel Eton is another important discovery. It was a large structure with several chambers that were used to store agricultural produce such as grain and wine. This suggests that Tel Eton was an important center of trade and commerce during its heyday.
Biblical Significance
Tel Eton is mentioned in the Bible as Eglon one of the cities given to the tribe of Judah. According to the biblical account, the Israelites conquered the city and drove out its Canaanite inhabitants. The book of Joshua describes how the city was taken by the Israelites after a long siege.