Megiddo, Haifa District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)
A Unique Continuity
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
1. A Unique Continuity Marker
The deep section dug by the University of Chicago Expedition (1925-1939) provides a unique glimpse into the nearly thirty settlements built one on top of the other at the site. Due to the unique continuity of its occupation from the Neolithic period through the Persian period - and the scope of its excavations, Tel Megiddo is considered the 'cradle' of biblical archaeology and the 'laboratory' of modern research methods.
[Text on the Right Side of the Marker]:
7000-3500 B.C.
Neolithic & Chalcolithic
3500-2200 B.C.
Early Bronze
2200-2000 B.C.
Intermediate Bronze
2000-1550 B.C.
Middle Bronze
1500-1150 B.C.
Late Bronze
1150-1000/900 B.C.
Iron I
1000/900 - 732 B.C.
Iron II (Israelite)
732-586 B.C.
Iron II (Assyrian, Egyptian)
586-530 B.C.
Babylonian
530-332 B.C.
Persian
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tel Megiddo series list.
Location. 32° 35.124′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sacred Area (here, next to this marker); The Northern Palace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Northern Stables (within shouting distance of this marker); Schumaker's Excavations (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); From Megiddo to Armageddon (about 120 meters away); Tel Megiddo National Park (about 120 meters away); A Public Grain Silo (about 120 meters away); The Southern Palace (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Megiddo.
Regarding A Unique Continuity. The text on this historical marker shares two different views on when the Iron I Period ended (either 1,000 or 900 B.C.) and when the Iron II Period began (once again, either 1,000 or 900 B.C.). These two different views are the
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
2. A Unique Continuity Marker
Close-up view of the English text displayed on the left side of the historical marker.
It should be noted that this debate in view points is focused on the period in Ancient Near History from about 1,000 to 800 B.C. (the time period that this historical marker's timeline falls into) and that the debate is centered around matching the historical timeline of the literature found in the text of the Bible with the historical timeline of the archaeological evidence being found in the lands and physical sites associated with the Bible.
The author of one of these links (who is pro minimalist) writes, "Maximalism and Minimalism: labels for two opinions about the relation between written evidence and archaeology, which sometimes are conflicting...The labels 'maximalism' and 'minimalism' were coined in the debate about the historical reliability of the Bible. For more than a century, archaeologists have been digging in the Near East, and inevitably, they found contradictions between the archaeological record and the story told in the Bible...'Minimalism' and 'maximalism' are two principles to cope with this situation. Maximalist scholars assume that the Biblical story is more or less correct, unless archaeologists
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
3. A Unique Continuity Marker
Close-up view of the illustration showing the major excavation trench, that revealed the different levels of occupation, from the different periods of history, displayed on the historic marker.
The author of the other link (who is pro maximalist) writes, "According to the minimalists, the United Monarchy never split into two kingdoms, Judah and Israel, because it never existed in united form in the first place. Their account is that the two kingdoms developed side by side, with the Kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, developing at a far later stage, after the consolidation of the Kingdom of Israel in the ninth and eighth centuries BCE. In this interpretation, David and Solomon are entirely fictional figures."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Tel Megiddo. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on April 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. The Megiddo Expedition. This is a link to information provided by The Megiddo Expedition Website. (Submitted on April 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Tell Megiddo. This is a link to information provided by the BibleWalks.com website. (Submitted on April 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 9, 2013
4. A Unique Continuity
A panoramic view of the same area of the Tel Megiddo excavation shown on the historical marker's displayed illustration.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
5. A Unique Continuity Marker
A distant view from the park trail, of the historical marker, situated on the north side crest of the major excavation trench that was dig through a portion of Tel Megiddo.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
6. A Unique Continuity Marker
View of the historical marker on an observation platform, overlooking the excavation trench.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
7. A Unique Continuity Marker
View of the historical marker and a portion of the excavation trench beneath it.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 552 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
