Anth 340 PPT Lecture 17 The Philistines

ANT 340 / 640:
The Archaeology and History of the “Bible Lands”:

Ancient (Syria)-Palestine.
Notes and images compiled by Gregory Mumford © 2023
Lecture 17:
Iron Age I: Philistines (Days of the Judges)
Table of contents: The Philistines
1. The Sea Peoples’ arrival in Canaan: The P-l-s-t & others 4
2. Sea Peoples’ arrival in Canaan: P-l-s-t & others, historical sources 6
3. The Sea Peoples’ arrival in Canaan: The initial settlement 29
4. The Philistines: Settlement patterns at the main sites 37
5. The Philistines: Settlement patterns in general 46
6. The Philistines: Settlement patterns in the periphery of Philistia 52
7. The Philistines: Settlement patterns –Philistia & NW Negev 66
8. The Philistines: Settlement patterns –the Philistine emergence 75
9. The Philistines: Settlement patterns –planning, walls & layout 85
10. The Philistines: Settlements, public buildings & significance 93
11. The Philistines: Settlements, residential areas 97
12. The Philistines: Settlements, temples & shrines 101
13. The Philistines: Religion & culture, cult figurines 117
14. The Philistines: Religion & culture, ritual vessels 122
15. The Philistines: Religion & culture, cultic significance 132
16. The Philistines: Material culture, glyptic art and writing 136
17. The Philistines: Mortuary material culture, burial customs 140
18. The Philistines: Demise of the Philistines 148
19. Summary of main points 161
20. Selected sources 166
Instructor tips for lectures, etc.:
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reinforcement & reviews of materials/concepts.
(2). Take notes on lectures, etc. …

→ The act of writing down notes, even with
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https://howtostudyincollege.com/how-to-get-good-grades/note-taking-strategies/
(3). Complete the required textbook
readings, and/or review the ppt.,
prior to the specific class day …
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comprehension of the material, and will enable
asking focused questions where something
may be less clear (in the textbook or lecture).
(4). Ask questions during the class if

you are confused/wish more data
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clarity or further information not contained in
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asks questions, the lecture proceeds …).
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Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Sea Peoples’
arrival in Canaan:
The P-l-s-t & others …
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Settlement of Philistines and other
Sea Peoples:
• The “Sea Peoples” represent many
ethnic groups who arrived & settled in
the Levant in late LB 2B - early Iron I.
• The best known group = the Peleset
= biblical “Philistines”
• The anc. textual materials are relatively
sparse regarding the Sea Peoples,
thereby making the archaeological
record the most important source for
understanding this time period.
• The increasing excavation of Philistine
sites and defining of their material
culture assemblage is enabling a much
better understanding of their settlement
in the southwest coastal plain. The “P – l – s – t”
E.g., Trude Dothan excavations → Peleset (Egyptian)
Other excavations
→ Philistines (biblical texts)
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Sea Peoples’
arrival in Canaan:
The P-l-s-t & others:
HISTORICAL SOURCES
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• Individual groups in the Sea Peoples’
coalition are attested prior to 1200 BC:
Mid-late 14th cent. BC Amarna Letters:
- Sherden appear as mercenaries in
Egypt’s army.
- The Lukka appear as sea raiders.
13th cent. BC:
- Sherden attested as auxiliaries in the
Egyptian army under Ramesses II,
in the Battle of Kadesh against Hatti.
- 5 groups of “foreigners from the sea”
fight with the Libyans against Egypt
during Merenptah’s reign:
- Sherden
- Shekelesh
- Lukka
- Tursha (Teresh)
- Akawasha (Ekwesh)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• Individual groups in the Sea Peoples
Duringare
coalition LBattested
Age …prior to 1200 BC:
Mid-late 14th cent. BC Amarna Letters:
- Sherden appear as mercenaries in
Egypt’s army.
- The Lukka appear as sea raiders.
13th cent. BC:
- Sherden = attested as auxiliaries in
the Egyptian army under Ramesses II,
in the Battle of Kadesh against Hatti.
- 5 groups of “foreigners from the sea”
fight with the Libyans against Egypt in
Merenptah’s reign: late 13th cent. BC
- Sherden (i.e., allies & enemies)
- Shekelesh
- Lukka (sea raiders elsewhere)
- Tursha (Teresh)
- Akawasha (Ekwesh)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
- The Sea Peoples are best described
in Ramesses III’s Medinet Habu texts
regarding the their invasion in year 8,
which focused on ‘Hatti’, Cilicia (Kode),
W.Anatolia (Arzawa), Cyprus (Alashya)
- They are described as gathering in
Amurru (Lebanon; SW of Kadesh) in
preparation to attack Egypt’s N. empire
Medinet Habu: Ramesses III
- Ramesses III claims victory against
both land forces in Palestine,
HATTI
Arzawa
and a sea invasionCilicia
of the delta.
- Plst (Philistines) = freq. cited in Bible
- Shekelesh Cyprus
- Weshesh
- Tjekel (or Shkl) = sea raiders; at Dor
- Dnn (Denyen; Dnnym) → Cylicia
- Sherden (other R-III texts)
- Teresh(other R-III texts)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
-Amurru:
The Sea Peoples are best described
•in Ramesses
Mainly a III’s Medinet Habu texts
Hittite controlled
andfocused
which dominated
on Hatti,area in(Kode),
Cilicia the
northern(Arzawa),
W.Anatolia Levant Cyprus
… (Alashya)
preparation to attack Egypt’s N.Empire
and a sea invasion of the delta.
- Shekelesh
- Weshesh
- Dnn (Denyen; Dnnym) → Cylicia
- Teresh (other R-III texts)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
- The Sea Peoples are best described
in Ramesses III’s Medinet Habu texts
which focused on Hatti, Cilicia (Kode),
W.Anatolia (Arzawa), Cyprus (Alashya)
preparation to attack Egypt’s N. empire
Medinet Habu: Ramesses III
and a sea invasion of the delta.
- Shekelesh
- Weshesh
- Dnn (Denyen; Dnnym) → Cilicia
- Teresh (other R-III texts)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• Medinet Habu battle scenes illustrate:
- Bird-headed ships for Sea Peoples
with square/rectilinear sails.
- 3 Sea Peoples’ ships have warriors
wearing “feathered”/flaring helmets,
with captions elsewhere designating Feathered helmets =
such persons as: worn by 3 Sea Peoples:
a. Peleset (= Philistines) Not just Peleset !
b. Denyen
c. Tjekel
- 2 Sea Peoples’ ships have warriors
wearing helmets with a pair of horns,
who are elsewhere designated as
d. Sherden
- The Sea Peoples in general fight with
a. Long swords
b. Spears
c. Circular shields
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources: Peleset
• In land battle scenes, the Sea Peoples (Philistines)
= depicted wearing “feathered” helmets
in 6-spoked chariots that hold a three- Denyen
person crew: i.e., Anatolian-type crew
a. Charioteer (driver) Tjekel
b. Two spearmen
- Their chariots are accompanied by
groups of infantry in groups of four with
a. Lances/spears
b. Long swords
c. Circular shields
- Behind the advancing Sea Peoples’
troops appear ox-drawn wagons that
hold women, children, & some troops
i.e., migrating families of Sea Peoples.
- Most Sea Peoples = clean-shaven
- Some = bearded (including Plst; Tjkl)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• In land battle scenes, the Sea Peoples
= depicted wearing “feathered” helmets
in 6-spoked chariots that hold a three-
person crew:
a. Charioteer (driver)
b. Two spearmen
- Their chariots are accompanied by
groups of infantry in groups of four with
a. Lances/spears
b. Long swords
c. Circular shields
- Behind the advancing Sea Peoples’
troops appear ox-drawn wagons that
hold women, children, & some troops
i.e.,migrating families of Sea Peoples.
- Most Sea Peoples = clean-shaven
- Some = bearded (including Plst; Tjkl)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Cyprus: Potential links with (migrant?)
“Peleset” OR Denyen /Tjekel
Historical sources:
• Enkomi on Cyprus has yielded some
artifacts depicting similar Sea Peoples:
- E.g., Ivory box lid with a chieftain in a
chariot accompanied by a soldier with
a “feathered” helmet, a beard, a battle
axe, etc.
- E.g., A seal illustrating a soldier with
a “feathered” helmet, circular shield,
etc.
→ Hence, important links exist between
Cyprus and at least this major part of
the Sea Peoples:
i.e., Peleset, Denyen, and Tjekel.
• Ramesses III boasted about a victory
regarding these, & other, Sea Peoples
in Papyrus Harris I:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Enkomi (Cyprus)
Historical sources:
• Enkomi on Cyprus has yielded some
artifacts depicting similar Sea Peoples:
- E.g., Ivory box lid with a chieftain in a
chariot accompanied by soldier with
a “feathered” helmet, a beard, a battle
axe, etc.
CYPRUS
- E.g., A seal illustrating a soldier with
a “feathered” helmet, circular shield,
etc.
→ Hence, important links exist between
Cyprus and at least this major part of
the Sea Peoples:
i.e., Peleset, Denyen, &/or Tjekel.
• Ramesses III boasted about a victory
regarding these, & other, Sea Peoples
in Papyrus Harris I:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• R-III (Papyrus Harris I):
- “I slew the Denyen in their islands,
while the Tjekel and the Philistines
were made ashes.”
- “The Sherden and the Weshwesh
were made non-existent, captured
all together and brought in captivity
to Egypt like the sand of the shore.”
- “I settled them in strongholds, bound
in my name.”
- “Their military classes were as
numerous as hundred-thousands.”
- “I assigned portions for them all with
clothing and provisions from the
treasuries and granaries every year.”
May not necessarily mean strongholds
in Canaan (versus “Egypt” only …) ???
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• Despite Ramesses III’s claims of
victory against the Sea Peoples’,
in essence the enemy obtained their
ultimateobjective: They settled
both in Egypt and Palestine, albeit
initially as Egyptian “captives.”
• Egypt’s incorporation of “captives”
& families into Egyptian territory …
formed one of various components
contributing to Egypt’s decline and
loss of its northern empire.
• The late 12th cent. BC Onomastacon
of Amenemope dates after the
Sowing
northern empire “the seeds
fell and cites:of
decline/destruction”
a. Sherden, Tjekel, Peleset in Canaan
of Egypt’s
b. 3 major empire
cities: Ashkelon, Ashdod, &
Gaza (later
(actually = farassoc.
more withcomplex)
Philistines).
→ It implies these peoples were quite
settled by 1150-1100 BC.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• Despite Ramesses III’s claims of
Iron 1Bagainst
victory post-Egyptian empire:
the Sea Peoples’,
Sea Peoples’
in essence the settlement
enemy obtained their
in Canaan
ultimate objective, namely they settled
• both
Sherden
in Egypt and Palestine, albeit
• initially
Tjekelas Egyptian “captives.”
•• Egypt’s
Pelesetincorporation of “captives” and
their of
Rise families
citiesintolinked
Egyptian
toterritory
Philistines:
• formed one of various
i.e., Ashkelon, components
Ashdod, Gaza
contributing to Egypt’s decline and
(Ashkelon = already important in LB)
loss of its northern empire.
• The late 12th cent. BC Onomastacon
of Amenemope dates after the
northern empire fell, and cites:
a. Sherden, Tjekel, Peleset in Canaan
b. 3 major cities: Ashkelon, Ashdod, &
Gaza (= later assoc. with Philistines).
→ It implies these peoples = quite
settled by 1150-1100 BC.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• A late Dyn.20 tale, now entitled “The
Journey of Wenamon,” dates roughly
to a few years before the end of
Dyn.20 (ca. 1069 BC):
- The tale mentions Wenamon stopping
at Dor (North Palestine), where a
Tjeker (Tjekel) settlement is noted.
E.g., “I reached Dor, a Tjeker town”
• Biblical texts and other evidence give
good evidence for Peleset (Philistines)
being located in the southern plain.
• The Sherden are suggested, by
default, to have settled in the northern
valleys and plains in Canaan.
E.g., J. Tubb suggests an enclave
existed at Tell es-Saidiyeh (see past
lecture on LB 2B burial customs).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• The Journey of Wenamon also noted
Sea Peoples’ descendants in various
roles:
- Sailors: 11 Tjeker/Tjekel ships pursue
Wenamon to Byblos.
- The city rulers along the coast are
provided names with non-Canaanite
components:
E.g., “Tjekerbaal, the prince of Byblos”
- The Bible provides most data on the
But the text alludes
Philistines, noting their 5 (main) cities:
to his Canaanite
1. Gaza
ancestry …
2. Ashkelon
3. Ashdod
4. Gath (Tel Safit / Tell es-Safi)
5. Ekron (Tel Miqne)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• The Journey of Wenamon also noted
Sea Peoples’ descendants in various
roles:
- Sailors: 11 Tjeker/Tjekel ships pursue
Wenamon to Byblos.
- The city rulers along the coast are
provided names with non-Canaanite
components:
E.g., “Tjekerbaal, the prince of Byblos”
- The Bible provides most data on the
Philistines, noting their 5 (main) cities:
1. Gaza
2. Ashkelon
3. Ashdod
4. Gath (Tel Safit / Tell es-Safi)
5. Ekron (Tel Miqne)
The Philistine “pentapolis”
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Historical sources:
• These five Philistine city-states appear
to have maintained some sort of loose
confederation / coalition / alliance:
• Each city had a seren (like a Greek
tyranos / “tyrant”). Warlords?
• The Books of Judges & Samuel in
the Bible/Torah contain recollections
from the Judean-Israelite perspective
about relations with the Philistines.
• Hence, these accounts are mostly
biased (via enemies of the Peleset),
reflecting:
a. Skirmishes and battles between the
Philistines and Israelites for control
of the Shephelah.
b. Philistine attacks into the hill country
against Kings Saul and David, who
were forging a kingdom there.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Diverse
Historical sources: backgrounds
• Suggested origins of Sea Peoples:
a. The Bible equates the Philistines with
“Kaphtor,” which may = Crete(?)
(Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4; etc.)
b. The balance of the evidence for the
Sea Peoples in general suggests
Ionia (in coastal Anatolia), and
the Aegean (including Crete).
c. The Bible mentions some Philistine
names and designations that have
some links with Luwian languages
from Western Anatolia. (Luwian)
d. The evidence from material culture
remains from Philistine sites suggests
a strong Mycenaean link.
e. Cyprus also forms a major link, but
appears to be part of the eastern
movement of Mycenaeans, etc.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Mycenaean Philistine
Historical sources:
• Suggested origins of Sea Peoples:
a. The Bible equates the Philistines with
“Kaphtor,” which may = Crete(?)
(Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4; etc.)
b. The balance of the evidence for the
Sea Peoples in general suggests
Ionia (in coastal Anatolia), and
the Aegean.
c. The Bible mentions some Philistine
names and designations that have
some links with Luvian languages
from Western Anatolia.
d. The evidence from material culture
remains from Philistine sites suggests
a strong Mycenaean (Aegean) link.
e. Cyprus also forms a major link, but
appears to be part of the eastern
movement of Mycenaeans, etc. Motifs on Myceneaen & Phil. pottery
Origins of the Philistines: Nat. Geographic July 3, 2019.
“Now, a study published today in the journal Science Advances,
prompted by the unprecedented 2016 discovery of a cemetery
at the ancient Philistine city of Ashkelon on the southern coast
of Israel, provides an intriguing look into the genetic origins and
legacy of the Philistines. The research appears to support their
foreign origin, but reveals that the reviled outsiders were soon
marrying into the local populations.”
“The four early Iron Age DNA samples, all from infants buried
beneath the floors of Philistine houses, include proportionally
more “additional European ancestry” in their genetic signatures
(roughly 14%) than in the pre-Philistine Bronze Age samples
(2% to 9%), according to the researchers. While the origins of this
additional “European ancestry” are not conclusive, the most
plausible models point to Greece, Crete, Sardinia, and the
Iberian peninsula.” by Kristin Romey (extracted quotations)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/07/ancient-dna-reveal-philistine-origins/
“Entangled Identity” for Philistines
• Recent views of Philistines have
shifted to seeing them as …
• “entangled transcultural society,”
containing multiple entities drawn
from central-eastern Med. (e.g.,
Mycenaean, Minoan, Cypriot,
Anatolian, & other affiliations)
and indigenous Canaanites.
• Significant aspects of “Pirate-like
culture” in Philistine+Sea Peoples
• Phil. term for rulers (Bibl. seren)
may come from Luwian tarwanis,
“warlord”: Anatolian pirate chiefs?
• Phil. settlement & socio-cultural
formation = viewed as an intricate,
ongoing development in Iron I-II.
• Minimal evidence for destruction
of Canaanite settlements in area
of their emergence: assimilation. 2019
Philistine & other regional foodways:
• Diff. types of hearths & cooking
pots in Philistia also revealed more
diverse cooking traditions, plus
Aegean, non-Aegean, etc. foodways
• Some other foods included:
Pork, dog, and different/new plants
(See A. M. Maeir in 2019, textbook)
• 16 MB-early Iron Age teeth+skeletal
remains reveal people consuming
bananas, turmeric, & soybeans
(import from Southern Asia).
• 1100 BC Tell Erani: calculus from
the teeth of burials revealed:
Traces of sesame (also imported
from south Asia).
• Another burial (50s) from Tell Erani
yielded traces of bananas, via a
protein causing ripening in bananas
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/philistines-taste-far-flung-foods-dental-plaque
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Sea Peoples’
arrival in Canaan:
The initial settlement.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Helladic/Mycenaean IIIC pottery
Initial settlement of the Sea Peoples:
• After the c.1200 BC destruction that
appears throughout much of Greece,
and elsewhere, modifications & new
types of Mycenaean pottery appear:
→ Mycenaean IIIC pottery.
• It continues pre-1200 BC traditions,
i.e., cultural continuity, but displays
greater regional differences & variants
between manufacturing locations.
• Mycenaean IIIC1b sub-group = esp.
common in Cyprus (= Myc. refugees):
= Typical Mycenaean forms,
- Monochrome brown-black on light
surface with Mycenaean motifs:
a. spirals,
b. birds,
c. fish,
d. geometrical patterns.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• After the ca.1200 BC destruction that
appears throughout much of Greece,
and elsewhere, modifications & new
types of Mycenaean pottery appear:
→ Mycenaean IIIC pottery.
• It continues pre-1200 BC traditions,
i.e., cultural continuity, but displays Mycenaean IIIC.1b pottery
greater regional differences & variants from Rhodes and Cyprus
between manufacturing locations.
• Mycenaean IIIC1b sub-group = esp.
common in Cyprus (= Myc. refugees):
= Typical Mycenaean forms,
- Monochrome brown-black on light
surface with Mycenaean motifs:
a. spirals,
b. birds,
c. fish,
d. geometrical patterns. Iron 1A: Mycenaean IIIC1b pottery
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• Identical Myc. IIIC1b pottery is also
commonly found locally made in the
Philistine settlements in S. Palestine:
a. Ashdod Stratum XIII
b. Ekron Stratum VII
• This Myc. IIIC1b pottery immediately
post-dates the LB 2B strata:
i.e., it post-dates ca.1200 BC in Pal.
• NAA reveals it is made locally:
i.e., Potters conversant with producing
identical pottery to Cyprus (& Greece)
• Similar Myc. IIIC pottery appears in
N. Palestine at Acre and Beth-Shan,
and in coastal Lebanon-Syria,
albeit in less quantities than Philistia:
Mycenaean IIIC.1b pottery

Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• Identical Myc. IIIC1b pottery is also
commonly found locally made in the
Philistine settlements in S. Palestine:
a. Ashdod Stratum XIII
b. Ekron Stratum VII
• This Myc. IIIC1b pottery immediately
post-dates the LB 2B strata:
i.e., it post-dates ca.1200 BC in Pal.
• NAA reveals it is made locally:
i.e., Potters conversant with producing
identical pottery to Cyprus (& Greece)
• Similar Myc. IIIC pottery appears in
N. Palestine at Acre and Beth-Shan,
and in coastal Lebanon-Syria,
albeit in less quantities than Philistia:
Mycenaean IIIC.1b pottery

Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• The occurrence of virtually identical
Myc.IIIC1b pottery in Cyprus+Philistia
• The huge quantities of Myc.IIIC1b in
both Cyprus and Philistia,
• The ultimate origins of the Myc.IIIC
pottery forms from Greece/Mycenae
→ Suggest a similar Myc. origin for a
significant? portion of the population in
Iron 1 Cyprus = “Achaeans” (scholars)
Iron 1 Philistia = “Philistines” (Bible, +)
- Basically Mycenaean Greek refugees
who migrated eastwards ca.1200 BC.
- For a few decades the Myc. Settlers
produced Myc.IIIC1b pottery (Iron 1A),
- “Peleset” soon merge their Myc.IIIC1b
style with Egyptian & Canaanite forms
→Bichrome “Philistine” pottery I-1B Note: Migrants merging with locals!
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• The occurrence of virtually identical
Myc.IIIC1b pottery in Cyprus+Philistia
• The huge quantities of Myc.IIIC1b in
both Cyprus and Philistia,
Aegean Anatolian
• The ultimate origins of the Myc.IIIC
pottery forms from Greece/Mycenae
Cypriot
→ Suggest a similar Myc. origin for a
significant portion of the population in
Iron 1 Cyprus = “Achaeans” (scholars)
Iron 1 Philistia = “Philistines” (Bible, +)
- Basically=Mycenaean Greek refugees
who migrated eastwards ca.1200 BC.
- For a few decades the Myc. Settlers
produced Myc.IIIC1b pottery (Iron 1A),
- “Peleset” soon merge their Myc.IIIC1b
style with Egyptian & Canaanite forms
→Bichrome “Philistine” pottery I-1B Note: Migrants merging with locals!
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Phase-1: Iron 1A
• Ca.1200 BC year 8 of Ramesses III
- Sea Peoples land-sea battle with
Egypt in Palestine and Delta.
- Egyptian “victory”
- Captives → auxiliaries in Egy. army
settled in strongholds
- Others settle in Canaan
• Egyptian northern empire continues
in Canaan until ca.1150 BC (→Iron 1B)
Aegean, Anatolian, Cypriot, etc.
- Retaining ‘Mycenaean’ identity in the

initial settlers and the next settlement
generation (“Myc.” in living memory).
Phase-2: Iron 1B
• Ca.1150+ BC (post-Ramesses VI) ...
- Philistines & remnant Canaanites
develop a new culture in Philistia.
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement pattern.
Main sites …
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Settlement pattern & stratigraphy:
• 5 Philistine cities = pentapolis
= five cities of the seranim in Philistia:
a. GazaCoast (?)
b. Ashkelon Coast Excav
c. Ashdod 3 km inland Excav
d. Gath Lower Shephelah Excav
e. Ekron Lower Shephelah Excav
Ashdod:
The Philistine “pentapolis”
Stratum XIII: 1200-1150 BC (Egy.-emp.)
• Unfortified approx. 20 acre city
• Pre-planning and dense occupation
• Myc.IIIC1b pottery made locally
• Canaanite-style pottery made locally
Strata XII-XI: 1150-1050? BC (late D.20)
• Re-buildings of Philistine Str.XIII city
• LB wall → foundation of Str.XII+ wall
Stratum X: 1050-1000 BC (early D.21):
• Expands → 100 acres with wall+gate.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• 5 Philistine cities = pentapolis
IRON 1A
Ashdod: (1200-1150 BC)
During Iron 1A Egyptian Empire
a. GazaCoast (?)
Has “Philistine”
•b. Ashkelon Coast (pottery)Excav
•c. Ashdod 3 km inland
Retains Canaanites Excav
(mat.cult.)
d. Gath Lower Shephelah (?)
•e. Ekron
= unfortified
Lower Shephelah Excav
Ashdod:
• Pre-planning and dense occupation
• Myc.IIIC1b pottery made locally
• Expands → 100 acres with wall+gate.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• 5 Philistine cities = pentapolis (1150-1000 BC)
Ashdod:
During Iron 1B post-Egy Empire
a. GazaCoast (?)
•b. Ashkelon
Building a Coast
city wall Excav
•c. Ashdod
Expanding3later:
km inland
100 acresExcav
d. Gath Lower Shephelah (?)
(with fortifications)
e. Ekron Lower Shephelah Excav
Ashdod:
•• Pre-planning
Affluenceand & power = growing
dense occupation
during Iron
• Myc.IIIC1b 1Bmade locally
pottery
• Expands → 100 acres with wall+gate. Ashdod
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Settlement pattern & stratigraphy: IRON 1A
Ekron (= Tel Miqne):
• Identification based on text noting Ekron (1200-1150 BC)
and Joshua 15:10-11 description: i.e.,
it lay West of Timnah + Beth-Shemesh
and South of the Sorek Brook.
• Tel Miqne = 50 acres (= a major site).
Stratum VII: 1200-1150 BC (Egy.-emp.)
• Ekron
Large quantities of Myc.IIIC1b pottery
(Tel Miqne):
•→ initial Philistine/Myc. settlement I-1A
= A significant & large site
• Presumably 50 acre site (some excav.)
during Iron 1A (Egy. Emp.)
Strata VI-IV: 1150-1000 BC (Dyn.20-21)
• Albeit smaller than Ashdod
• City fortified
• Public buildings & industrial areas
• Material contact with Cyprus & Aegean
• Large amount of Philistine Bichrome
in strata VI-V (1150-1070? BC: = D.20)
• New drab red slip pottery in Str.IV
(1070? – 1000 BC: = early Dyn.21).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Ekron (= Tel Miqne):
• Identification base on text noting Ekron
Aand Joshua 15:10-11
Philistine city in description: i.e.,
Biblical texts
it lay West of Timnah + Beth-Shemesh
and South of the Sorek Brook.
• Tel Miqne = 50 acres (a major site).
Stratum VII: 1200-1150 BC (Egy.-emp.)
• Large quantities of Myc.IIIC1b pottery
→ initial Philistine/Myc. settlement I-1A
Ekron (Tel Miqne):
• City fortified
• Public
Iron buildings
1A Egyptian empire:
& industrial areas The temple which he built, 'kysh
•• Material contact
Philistine with Cyprus implied
settlement & Aegean (Achish, Ikausu) son of Padi, son of
• Large amount
via Myc. of Philistine
IIIC1b potteryBichrome Ysd son of Ada, son of Ya'ir, ruler of
in strata VI-V (1150-1070? BC: = D.20) Ekron, for Ptgyh his lady. May she bless
•• New
Canaanites
drab red slipstill present
pottery in Str.IV him, and protect him, and prolong his
(i.e., material culture)
(1070? – 1000 BC: = early Dyn.21). days, and bless his land.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
Ekron (= Tel Miqne): (1150-1000 BC)
• Identification base on text noting Ekron
Ekron
and Joshua(Tel15:10-11
Miqne):
description: i.e.,
• it Iron
lay West
1Bofpost
Timnah + Beth-Shemesh
Egyptian Empire
and→ South
city =offortified(!)
the Sorek Brook.
•• TelMuch
Miqnecontact
= 50 acres (a major
with site).
Cyprus
& Aegean
Stratum (trade/influence)
VII: 1200-1150 BC (Egy.-emp.)
•• Large quantities
Philistine of Myc.IIIC1b
Bichrome pottery
pottery
→ initial Philistine/Myc. settlement I-1A
• City fortified
• Public buildings & industrial areas
• Material contact with Cyprus & Aegean
• Large amount of Philistine Bichrome
in strata VI-V (1150-1070? BC: = D.20)
• New drab red slip pottery in Str.IV
(1070? – 1000 BC: = early Dyn.21).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Settlement pattern & stratigraphy: IRON 1A
Ashkelon:
• Sporadic remains of Philistine strata. (1200-1150 BC)
• 150 acre city (15,000+? population)
Iron 1A stratum (1200-1150 BC; D.20):
• Myc.IIIC1b pottery
Iron 1B strata (1150-1000 BC: D20-21):
Ashkelon:
• Philistine bichrome pottery
•• Fortification
Iron 1A (Egyptian
wall Empire)
→ city = 150 acres
Philistia:
• Excavations
Mycenaean IIIC1b= pottery
& surveys determining
the extent
i.e., of Philistine
Philistine control and
presence
influence in the southern coastal plain
and Shephelah during Iron 1A-B.
• Tel Mor may have become a port for
Ashdod in Iron 1A (post-1200 destr.):
= an unfortified village in Strata IV-III.
• T. Sippor near Ashkelon = I-1A village
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Ashkelon
Ashkelon:
• Sporadic remains of Philistine strata.
• 150 acre city (15,000+? population)
IRON 1B
(1150-1000
• Myc.IIIC1b pottery BC)
Iron 1B strata (1150-1000 BC: D20-21):
• Philistine bichrome pottery
• Fortification wall
Philistia:
Ashkelon:
• Excavations & surveys = determining
Iron 1B (post-Egy. Empire)
the extent of Philistine control and
• influence
Philistine
in theBichrome pottery
southern coastal plain
= continuing
and Shephelah duringsettlement
Iron 1A-B.
• Tel(descendants
Mor may have becomeof initial
a port for
Mycenaeans
Ashdod & others)destr.):
in Iron 1A (post-1200
alongside
= an unfortified Canaanites
village in Strata…
IV-III.
•• T. City = near
Sippor fortified(!)
Ashkelon = I-1A village Brick-paved rampart
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement pattern.
Philistia in general …
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Philistia:
Ashkelon:
•• Sporadic
Assessing the nature
remains & extent
of Philistine strata.
• 150
of Philistine control, culture,
acre city (15,000+? and
population)
influence …
a. Within Philistia (beyond Bible)
• Myc.IIIC1b pottery
b. Regarding the indigenous Ashdod in Plain of Philistia
Iron 1B strata (1150-1000
Canaanite underlying BC:culture
D20-21):
• Philistine
(hybridbichrome
culture &pottery
subordinate?)
• Fortification wall Israelites …
c. Neighbouring
Philistia:
• Excavations & surveys = determining
the extent of Philistine control and
influence in the southern coastal plain
and Shephelah during Iron 1A-B.
• Tel Mor may have become a port for
Ashdod in Iron 1A (post-1200 destr.):
= an unfortified village in Strata IV-III.
• T. Sippor near Ashkelon = I-1A village
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
Philistines also settled other sites: (1150-1000 BC)
Tell Qasile north bank of River Yarkon
• Founded in Iron 1B, ca.1150 BC, after
Egyptian empire lost Canaan/Philistia.
• = a newly founded Philistine site.
• 2 km east of sea on kurkar ridge.
Tell Qasile:
•• Well-sited as a portsettlement
Newly founded (via Yarkon river)
• Strata
AFTER Egyptian
XII-X empire falls:
span 1150-1000 BC
1150 C+
• Destroyed in early 10th century BC,
by a massive fire, which is generally
• = Important site for understanding
equated with King David’s conquest
the Philistines (re: excavation)
of Philistia (via biblical accounts).
Other Philistine settlements:
• Aphek & Tel Gerisa = minor towns.
• Jaffa, formerly a major port, = minor
town in Iron 1B (but a major Philistine
cemetery lay at Azor nearby).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• a newly founded Philistine site.
• Well-sited as a port (via Yarkon river)
• Strata XII-X span 1150-1000 BC Tel Qasile: Tel Aviv in background
Tell
OtherQasile:
Philistine settlements:
• Aphek
Destroyed
& Tel early
Gerisa 10=thminor
cent. towns.
BC
Kingformerly
• Jaffa, David’saconquest
major port,of=Philistia
minor
(viainBiblical
town Iron 1Btexts)
(but a is one Philistine
major candidate
• cemetery
Other options: Civil
lay at Azor strife? Bedu?
nearby).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• 2 km east of sea
Aphek
on kurkar ridge.
• Well-sited as a port (via Yarkon river)
• Strata XII-X span 1150-1000 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Philistines also settled other sites:
Aphek
• Jaffa
Well-sited as a port (via Yarkon river)
Iron 1B:
• Strata XII-X span 1150-1000 BC Tell Gerisa,
• Destroyed in early 10th century BC, Area B,
by a massive fire, which is generally housing
of Philistia (via biblical accounts). Jaffa
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement pattern.
Periphery of Philistia
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• The appearance of Philistine pottery
at sites in the northern Shephelah
suggests contact, influence, and poss.
Philistine control(?) in this region.
Gezer:
Stratum XIV (1200-1150 BC: D.20-emp)
• Impoverished stratum
Strata
Gezer:XIII-XI (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
••NoLate
fortifications
Egyptianfound (yet)
empire in Canaan
• Minor amount
→ the ofimpoverished
city is Phil. Bichrome sherds
• Mainly continues a as Canaanite town
Tel Batash (= Timnah):
Stratum Vc-a (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• 9 km S. of Gezer; 7 km E. of Ekron
• ID with Timnah via Joshua 15:10
• Called a Philistine city in Judges 14-15
• Fortified city with dense occupation
• Large quantities of Philistine Bichrome
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Gezer:
Strata XIII-XI (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• No fortifications found (yet)
• Minor amount of Phil. Bichrome sherds
• Mainly continues as a Canaanite town
Gezer:
Stratum
• PostVc-a (1150-1000
Egyptian empireBC: D.20-21)
in Canaan
• 9 km
→ theS. ofcity
Gezer;
has 7 km E.Philistine
some of Ekron
• ID with presence,
Timnah via but Joshua
mostly15:10
seems
• Called atoPhilistine
continuecity asina Judges
Canaanite14-15
• Fortifiedtown
city with
(i.e.,dense occupation
material culture).
Gezer: 12th cent. BC NW Building
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• The appearance of Philistine pottery (1150-1000 BC)
Tel Batash
at sites in the(Timnah)
northern Shephelah
Gezer:
Strata XIII-XI (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
Stratum Vc-a (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Confirming
Philistine some
control(?) in thislater
region.
Biblical written accounts
Gezer:
regarding
Stratum the Philistines:
XIV (1200-1150 BC: D.20-emp)
i.e., the nature
• Impoverished stratumof Timnah
(Tell(1150-1000
Strata XIII-XI Batash) BC: D.20-21)
Stratum Vc-a (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• Large quantities of Philistine Bichrome Tel Batash (= Timnah) Areas B & D
Iron 1B: Philistine level of housing
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
Beth-Shemesh: (1150-1000 BC)
Stratum III (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• 7 km East of Philistine Timnah.
• ID as Israelite town in I Samuel 6:9-15
• BUT it contains much Phil. Bichrome
→ difficult to assign ethnicity via the
presence of material culture (trade?).
Puzzling over other later
The naturewritten
Biblical of Philistine settlement in
accounts
Southern Shephelah is also unclear:
regarding the Philistines:
Lachish:
i.e., the nature of
Stratum VI (1200-1150 BC: Dyn.20)
Beth Shemesh
• Retains an Egyptian garrison? in I-1A
(whichin is
• Destroyed later called
ca.1150 BC at the end of
Egypt’s control but
Israelite, of Palestine.
appears
• Remains
to have a strong
abandoned untilPhilistine
ca.1000 BC
afterpresence
which it is re-occupied
/ influence …)the
during
United Monarchy period.
However, other sites continue here …
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Beth-Shemesh:
Stratum III (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
The nature of Philistine settlement in
PuzzlingShephelah
Southern over other later
is also unclear:
Biblical written accounts
Lachish:
regarding
Stratum the Philistines:
VI (1200-1150 BC: Dyn.20)
•i.e.,
Retains
thean Egyptian
nature ofgarrison? in I-1A
• Destroyed
Beth in ca.1150 BC at the end of
Shemesh
Egypt’s control of Palestine.
(which is later called
• Remains abandoned until ca.1000 BC
after “Israelite,” BUT appears
which it is re-occupied during the
UnitedtoMonarchy
have a strong
period. Philistine
presence
However, / influence
other sites …)…
continue here
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1A
Beth-Shemesh: (1200-1150 BC)
Stratum III (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
The nature of Philistine settlement in
Lachish:
• Destroyed in ca.1150 BC at the end of
after which it is re-occupied during the
However, other sites continue here …
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Beth-Shemesh:
Stratum III (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
presence of material culture (trade?). Ramesses III controls
The nature of Philistine settlement in Lachish (in Iron 1A)
Lachish:
• Destroyed in ca.1150 BC at the end of
after which it is re-occupied during the
Lachish: Bronze strip from gate? trim
However, other sites continue here … Bearing cartouche of Ramesses III
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Eitun:
• SE of Lachish (in S. Shephelah)
• Burial caves have yielded much wealth
in Phil. Bichrome pottery, figurines, etc.
• NAA reveals Philistine pottery came
from coastal plain (i.e.,= imports; trade)
• May suggest = affluent “Philistine”(?)
settlement at Tel Eitun nearby.
Tell Beit Mirsim:
Stratum B2 (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• Unfortified settlement
Lachish
• Philistine Bichrome pottery (trade?)

Tel Halif:
Stratum VII (1070? – 1000+ BC: D.21)
→ Hence, it is tricky to determine the
exact nature of Philistine contact.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Eitun:
• May suggest = affluent “Philistine”?
Tell Beit Mirsim:
Stratum B2 (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
Tel Halif:
Stratum VII (1070? – 1000+ BC: D.21)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
Tel Eitun: (1150-1000 BC)
Tell Beit Mirsim:
Stratum B2 (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
Tel Halif:
Stratum VII (1070? – 1000+ BC: D.21)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tell Beit Mirsim: mound
Tel Eitun:
Tell Beit Mirsim:
Stratum B2 (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
Tel Halif:
Stratum VII (1070? – 1000+ BC: D.21)
• Unfortified settlement Generic
Philistine
Bichrome
→ Hence, it is tricky to determine
pottery the Tell Beit Mirsim Stratum B: Iron 1
exact nature of Philistine contact. Unfortified town with many grain silos
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
Tel Eitun: (1150-1000 BC)
Tell Beit Mirsim:
Stratum B2 (1150-1000 BC: D.20-21)
• Philistine Bichrome
Tel Halif
pottery (trade?)
Tel Halif:
Stratum VII (1070? – 1000+ BC: D.21)
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement pattern.
Philistia & NW Negev
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• Philistine settlement is significant in the
(1150-1000 BC)
coastal plain and NW Negev.
Tel Sera‘:
Stratum VIII/VII (1100-1000 BC):
• Philistine Bichrome pottery
Tell Jemmeh:
Several strata (1150-1000 BC)
• Occupation & kiln with Phil. Bichrome
Tell Far‘ah (South):
Iron 1A-B strata (1200 – 1000 BC)
• reusing Egyptian fort (post-LB Age)
• Major Iron Age cemetery: Ph-Bichrome
Deir el-Balah:
Iron 1A-(B) stratum (1200-1150/+? BC)
• Impoverished Philistine settlement Tell Sera‘
Tel Sera‘
above Egyptian LB Age fortress.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Sera‘:
• Unfortified settlement Tell Sera‘: aerial view of mound
Tell Jemmeh:
Deir el-Balah:
• Impoverished Philistine settlement
above Egyptian
Generic imageLB ofAge fortress. ware
bichrome
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• Philistine settlement is significant in the (1150-1000 BC)
Tel Sera‘:
Tell Jemmeh:
Tell Far‘ah (South):1928 Petrie
Tell Jemmeh
Deir el-Balah:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Sera‘:
IRON 1B
(1150-1000 BC)
Tell Jemmeh: Tell Jemmeh mound & Iron 1 stratum
Several strata (1150-1000 BC) Petrie 1928
Jemmeh
Deir el-Balah:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1A-B

Generic
Image of
Egyptian
fort
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Tell Far‘ah South
Tel Sera‘:
Tell Jemmeh: Iron 1 stratum
Deir el-Balah:
Petrie 1932
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1A
Tel Sera‘:
Tell Jemmeh:
Deir el-Balah:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Sera‘:
Tell Jemmeh:
Deir el-Balah:
above a columned building (Samson).
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement pattern.
Philistine emergence
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Actually = merging
Philistines and
Settlement pattern & stratigraphy: Canaanite cultures
• The Philistine settlement in Palestine
appears to be relatively widespread in
the southern coastal plain.
Iron 1A: ca.1200-1150 BC.
• They ‘replace’ some former Canaanite
settlements (destroyed ca.1200 BC).
• Other Canaanite sites = abandoned
for a period: e.g., Hazor and Lachish.
• They initially established some large
unfortified cities (with Egy. “permission”)
Iron 1B: ca.1150-1000 BC
• They introduce some fortified towns
• They expand & fortify other towns
• They found some small rural villages
• They adopt new Phil. Bichrome ware
→ Hence, the Philistines not only raided
Palestine, but they both replaced and
incorporated prior Canaanite culture.
Ramesses III
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
IRON 1B
• The Philistine settlement in Palestine (1150-1000 BC)
appears to be relatively widespread in
the southern coastal plain.
Iron 1A: ca.1200-1150 BC.
• They replace some former Canaanite
settlements (destroyed ca.1200 BC).
• Other Canaanite sites = abandoned
for a period: e.g., Hazor and Lachish.
• They initially established some large
unfortified cities (with Egy. permission)
Iron 1B: ca.1150-1000 BC
• They introduce some fortified towns
• They expand & fortify other towns
• They found some small rural villages
• They adopt new Phil. Bichrome ware
→ Hence, the Philistines not only raided
and/or settled within parts of Palestine,
but they both replaced & incorporated
prior Canaanite culture (= alongside Canaanites)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Ekron
• Mycenaean IIIC1b pottery appears
only at Ashdod and Ekron in Iron 1A.
• Other sites yield a Philistine presence
only in Iron 1B via Phil. Bichrome ware
(acc. to Mazar’s date for Bichrome).
• Hence, the Philistine settlement in
Palestine initiated a beach-head at
Ashdod and Ekron ca.1200-1150 BC
• With a subsequent expansion into the
hinterland and periphery of Philistia
during early Iron 1B. ca.1150+ BC,
after Egypt lost control of Palestine.
• It appears that the Philistines did not
eliminate the residual Canaanite
population, but assimilated with them
to form a new culture typified by
Philistine Bichrome ware, etc.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
ACTUALLY =
Settlement pattern & stratigraphy: infiltration and
• Mycenaean IIIC1b pottery appears
only at Ashdod and Ekron in Iron 1A.
assimilation …
• Other sites yield a Philistine presence
only in Iron 1B via Phil. Bichrome ware
(acc. to Mazar’s date for Bichrome).
• Hence, the Philistine settlement in
Palestine initiated a ‘beach-head’ at
Ashdod and Ekron ca.1200-1150 BC
• With a subsequent expansion into the
hinterland and periphery of Philistia
during early Iron 1B. ca.1150+ BC,
after Egypt lost control of Palestine.
• It appears that the Philistines did not
eliminate the residual Canaanite
population, but assimilated with them
to form a new culture typified by
Philistine Bichrome ware, etc.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Philistine Bichrome pottery:
• Philistine bichrome pottery emerged
from local Mycenaean IIIC1b pottery.
• It apparently appears ca.1150 BC,
at the end of Iron 1A & fall of Egypt’s
northern empire in Palestine.
• It continues to ca.1000 BC, with a few
modifications in Iron 1B.
Philistine bichrome
• Philistine bichrome ware owed much
to Myc.IIIC1b, but it also adopted
a. Canaanite use of red & black paint,
b. Some Egyptian forms & designs
• Its Myc. origins appear via var. forms:
a. Bell-shaped bowls with 2 handles
b. Larger bell-shaped kraters
c. “Stirrup jars”: 2 handles; false spout
d. Strainer jugs
e. Cylindrical pyxides (box-like)
f. Tall narrow bottle (like Cypriot one) Philistine bichrome
g. Horn-shaped bottle (like Cypriot one)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Transition from Myc.IIIC1b → bichrome
occurs at Tel Miqne-Ekron:
- Myc.IIIC1b & early Philistine Bichrome
co-appear at Ekron.
- Some designs reveal more similarities
to Myc.IIIC designs than Bichrome.
- Philistine dec. usually occurs in frames
in a frieze across a vessel’s body.
a. Frames = Mycenaean motif
b. Birds = common Myc. motif
c. Spirals = common in Myc.
d. Fish become rare in Bichrome
e. Egy. lotus appears once naturally,
& more frequently stylized into
triangles.
Bichrome draws
- Late 11th cent upon multiple
BC (1050-1000 BC) exp.
Cultures, including
a deterioration Myc./Aegean
in Philistine pottery:
e.g., Bird
Cypriot, Canaanite …
motif disappears
Egyptian,
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Transition from
Philistine Bichrome → bichrome
Myc.IIIC1bdraws upon
occurs at Tel Miqne-Ekron:
multiple cultures:
•- Myc.IIIC1b
Mycenaean & early
(incl.Philistine
Aegean &Bichrome
Cypriot)
• co-appear
Egyptianat Ekron.
•- Some
Canaanite
designs reveal more similarities
→toAMyc.IIIC
new, hybrid
designstype of pottery.
than Bichrome.
- Philistine dec. usually occurs in frames
in a frieze across a vessel’s body.
a. Frames = Mycenaean motif
b. Birds = common Myc. motif
c. Spirals = common in Myc.
d. Fish become rare in Bichrome
e. Egy. lotus appears once naturally,
& more frequently stylized into
triangles.
- Late 11th cent BC (1050-1000 BC) exp.
a deterioration in Philistine pottery:
e.g., Bird motif disappears
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Bichrome ware disappears
• Philistine Bichrome pottery appears
alongside Canaanite-derived pottery:
- Philistine Bichrome at Tel Qasile
forms 20% of the pottery.
- Remaining 80% = Canaanite-derived.
- NAA reveals both = made locally.
• Indigenous (Canaanite) potters may
have manufactured Philistine Bichrome Iron II red slip emerging
for their “political overlords.” (Myc.?)
• In general, the distribution of Philistine
Bichrome pottery is restricted mainly to
the areas ascribed to their settlement:
i.e., the coastal plain of Philistia.
• Small quantities of Philistine Bichrome
appear in the Sharon Plain, Jezreel &
Beth-Shan valleys, Upper Galilee (Dan)
→ probably signifying trade.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• Philistine Bichrome pottery appears
alongside Canaanite-derived pottery:
- Philistine Bichrome at Tel Qasile
forms 20% of the pottery.
- Remaining 80% = Canaanite-derived.
- NAA reveals both = made locally.
• Indigenous (Canaanite) potters may
have manufactured Philistine Bichrome
for their political overlords.
• In general, the distribution of Philistine
Bichrome pottery is restricted mainly to
the areas ascribed to their settlement:
i.e., the coastal plain of Philistia.
• Small quantities of Philistine Bichrome
appear in the Sharon Plain, Jezreel &
Beth-Shan valleys, Upper Galilee (Dan)
→ probably signifying trade.
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement planning:
Walls & town layout.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Architecture:
• After gaining independence upon the
collapse of Egypt’s northern empire,
the Philistines fortify their major cities
(i.e., presumably not permitted before).
Iron 1B city fortification walls:
• Stratum XII Ashdod contained a very
substantial solid city wall (= placed
above LB Age casemate wall).
• Strata
Post-Egyptian
VI-IV at Ekronempire:
yielded a large
mud
Ironbrick
1B city wall – 1000 BCE)
(1150
• Stratum Vc-a Timnah (Batash) had a
→ Philistines
moderate city wall.fortify cities
Iron 1B city planning:
• Ashdod provides an idea, but contains
many small excav. areas in 20+ acres.
• The 4 acre site of Tel Qasile yields
the best Philistine town plan.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Architecture:
• After gaining independence
Post-Egyptian empire: upon the
collapse
Iron 1Bof(1150
Egypt’s–northern empire,
1000 BCE)
→ Philistines
(i.e., presumably notfortify cities
permitted before).
• Strata VI-IV at Ekron yielded a large
mud brick city wall
moderate city wall.
https://thelonghaulwithisaiah.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/105-716-bc-and-the-philistines-are-

still-around/
the best Philistine town plan. Ashdod LB Age casemate

Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Architecture:
• After gaining independence
Post-Egyptian empire: upon the
collapse
Iron 1Bof(1150
Egypt’s–northern empire,
1000 BCE)
→ Philistines
(i.e., presumably notfortify cities
permitted before).
mud brick city wall
moderate city wall.
Lachish
(Tell ed-Duweir)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Architecture:
• After gaining independence upon the
collapse of Egypt’s northern empire,
(i.e., presumably not permitted before).
mud brick city wall
moderate city wall.
Ashdod
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
City planning (cont.’):
Tel Qasile:
Qasile 1150 – 1100 BC (Iron 1B).
Stratum XII tightly-packed town centre
with more loosely arranged periphery.
• Segregated cultic area with a 25 m
long wall subdividing the temple from
the town to the south.
• A large public building lay to the south
Qasile 1100-1050 BC (Iron 1B).
Stratum XI contained an even denser
Tell Qasile:
occupation (i.e., population increase)
• Initial
with settlement
many new structures.yields …
a. Congested
Qasile 1050-1000 BCtown(Iron 1B).
Stratum X yielded cultic
b. Separate area in
major changes
townc.planning, including an(admin.?)
Public building orthogonal
grid-work of streets and buildings,
creating blocks / neighbourhoods.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Qasile:
Tell Qasile:
Later
•with moreIron 1Barranged
loosely settlement …
periphery.
• Segregated cultic area
a. Increased with a 25 metre
population
long wall subdividing
(greater the temple from
congestion)
the town to the south.
b. Many new buildings
with many new structures.
Stratum X yielded major changes in
town planning, including an orthogonal
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tel Qasile:
Tell Qasile:
End
• with of Iron 1B settlement …
more loosely arranged periphery.
a. Major changes in town
• Segregated cultic area with a 25 metre
planning
long wall subdividing the temple from
b.town
the Affluent town …
to the south.
with many new structures.
Stratum X yielded major changes in
town planning, including an orthogonal
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Settlement architecture:
Public buildings:
Interpretation / significance.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Public buildings:
Tel Qasile’s public building:
The secular/public building found in
Stratum XII consisted of:
• A large hall (6.7 m long along interior)
• Plastered mud brick walls
• Interior mud brick benches
• Central mud brick hearth (plastered)
Tel Miqne-Ekron public building:
Strata V-IV large hall with a large hearth
and two pillar bases in a complex with
three adjacent associated rooms.
• Interpreted as an elite house/palace.
Parallels:
• Such hearths = foreign to Canaan
• Common feature in elite housing from
the Aegean, Anatolia, & Cyprus.
• Mycenaean introduction by Philistines.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Public buildings:
Parallels:
• Such hearths = foreign to Canaan
• Common
Aegean & Anatolian
feature linksfrom
in elite housing
• Mycenaean introduction by Philistines.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC PYLOS Palace of Nestor
Public buildings:
Parallels:
• Such hearths = foreign(!) to Canaan
• Common feature in elite housing from
•Mycenaean+introduction by Philistines.
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Residential areas.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Stratum X: 1050 – 1000 BC
Residential areas:
• Qasile’s Stratum X residential units
had a regular plan found elsewhere
in Iron Age Palestine:
a. Square – rectilinear structure
averaging 10 x 10 m.
b. Courtyard with a row of pillars for
a roofed area: i.e., animal stabling
c. Open area in courtyard.
d. Dwelling rooms at back of courtyard
and sometimes parallel to courtyard
→ Some are called “pillared buildings”
→ Others have a “four-room” plan,
which become a basic type in the
11th cent. (mid-late Iron 1B) onwards
Courtyards:
• Ovens, clay loom weights (from looms)
and grinding & crushing installations
Genericolives,
(for cereals, Iron Age
anddwelling
grapes).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Residential areas:
• Qasile’s Stratum X residential units
had a regular plan found elsewhere
in Iron Age Palestine:
a. Square – rectilinear structure
averaging 10 x 10 m.
b. Courtyard with a row of pillars for
a roofed area: i.e., animal stabling
c. Open area in courtyard.
d. Dwelling rooms at back of courtyard
and sometimes parallel to courtyard
→ Some are called “pillared buildings”
→ Others have a “four-room” plan,
which become a basic type in the
11th cent. (mid-late Iron 1B) onwards
The “four-room”
Courtyards:
• Ovens, clay loom weights (from looms) house characterizing
and grinding & crushing installations the Iron Age in S. Levant
(for cereals, olives, and grapes).
Reconstructed Philistine house –from 12th cent. BC Ashkelon
https://www.ancientpages.com/2019/07/04/mysterious-philistines-they-migrated-across-mediterranean-dna-testing-shows/philistinehouse13/
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Temples & shrines.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Temples:
Qasile temples:
• Str.XII-X yielded 3 successive temples
Qasile Str.XII temple: 1150-1100 BC:
• Small mud brick shrine 6.4 x 6.6 m.
• Hall with an eastern entry
• Altar platform on west wall (opp. door)
for cult statue)
• Benches along walls: votive offerings
• Outer courtyard to east containing ash
layers, organic matter, & animal bones
(i.e., from daily sacrifices, etc.)
Tell Qasile stratum XII shrine: ca.1150-1100 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Qasile Str.XI temple: 1100-1050 BC:
• A stone structure replaced the mud
brick shrine measuring 5.75 x 8.50 m.
• The door moved to NE corner
• Small western room contained shrine’s
ritual equipment (“treasury”):
Many cultic items and votives.
• Benches for offerings lay along the
interior wall faces.
• Small subsidiary shrine lay to the W:
- It had an indirect (“bent”) axis
- It had a raised altar platform
- It has benches along its walls
- Maybe secondary shrine (consort?)
which has parallels in the Aegean
and Cyprus (= foreign to Canaan).
• Late Strat. XI contains pits (favissa)
for ritual items, numerous pots, and
large quantities of animal bones.
Tell Qasile stratum XI shrine: ca.1100-1050 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Qasile Str.X temple: 1050-1000 BC:
• The city’s inhabitants rebuilt the shrine
a. using parts of the former walls,
b. raising the floor level inside,
c. adding an entry portico → bent axis
• New offering benches were placed
along the walls and plastered.
• West wall received an altar platform
• Traces of two cedar pillars lay on the
limestone column bases (for the roof)
• A storeroom (“treasury”) lay to the
west, behind the altar.
• Stone walls segregated the temple
courtyard from the town.
• The small shrine (consort?) from Str.
XI lay against the western back wall
and had its own courtyard.
Tell Qasile plastered benches+
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Tell Qasile stratum X shrine: ca.1050-1000 BC
Tel Qasile temple:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Qasile Strata XII-X temple summary:
• Qasile’s temple evolved in its plan
during the 150 years spanning Iron 1B.
• Such changes are less common in
Canaanite temples (but appear in the
Lachish Fosse Temple + Myc. temples)
• The Qasile temple modifications
probably reflect a growing prosperity in
the Philistine community, which prob.
wished to embellish their local temple:
a. Expanding it,
b. Building it with more stone
c. Embellishing its entry
d. Adding a “treasury”
e. Adding a small shrine for a consort
or secondary deity.
f. Placing courtyards in front of each
shrine (plus favissa).
• Basic elements stayed the same:
A western altar; benches; E/NE entry.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC LB 2B
Qasile Strata XII-X temple summary: Lachish
Has similarities in plan to 1300-1100 BC
(LB 2B-Iron 1) temples:
a. Earlier LB Age Lachish Fosse Temple
which may be an Aegean-style shrine.
b. Mycenaean temples in the Aegean
c. Temple at Phylakopi on Melos island.
d. Kition temple on Cyprus.
Tell Qasile
• There may have been influences
between temple architecture in the
Aegean, Cyprus and the Levant. Fosse Temple III
• However, the temple at Tel Qasile
appears to have more parallels with
the Aegean and Cyprus than with
Canaan, thereby reflecting the
overall Philistine’s Mycenaean and
Cypriot (in-transit) heritage.
See also Philistine temple at Tell es-Safi (Gath)
See “Philistine temple” found in Tel Aviv (BAR, 1:2 (1975 June)
https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/1/2/2
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Qasile Strata XII-X temple summary:
Has similarities in plan to 1300-1100 BC
temples:
a. Earlier LB Age Lachish Fosse Temple
which may be an Aegean-style shrine.
Kition
b. Mycenaean temples in the Aegean
c. Temple at Phylakopi on Melos island.
d. Kition temple on Cyprus.
• There may have been influences
between temple architecture in the
Aegean, Cyprus and the Levant.
• However, the temple at Tel Qasile
appears to have more parallels with
the Aegean and Cyprus than with
Canaan, thereby reflecting the
overall Philistine’s Mycenaean and
Cypriot (in-transit) heritage.
Cyprus: LB Age Kition, shrine

Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Religion & culture:
Cult figurines.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Cult objects: figurines.
• Philistine sites yield two types of cultic Ashdoda
figurine that derive from Myc. types:
(1). A female deity seated in a chair
called an “Ashdoda” (after the site with
the initial/best example).
Earlier Mycenaean examples display
replica
similar goddess figurines, sometimes
seated in chairs.
(2). A female figure with hands on head
in a “mourning”-figurine posture.
These figures are normally attached to
pottery vessels (kraters), often found in
funerary contexts.
Earlier similar Mycenaean examples.
• The Philistine examples display their
own distinct styles, but retain sufficient
connections with their Myc. origins. Philistine “Ashdoda” figurine.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Ashdoda
• Philistine sites yield two types of cultic
More broadly “Aegean”
in their origins
called an “Ashdoda” after the site with
the initial/best example.
seated in chairs.
funerary contexts.
own distinct styles, but retain sufficient
connections with their Myc. origins.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
seated in chairs.
funerary contexts.
More
• The broadly
Philistine “Aegean”
examples display their
own distinct styles,origins
in their but retain sufficient
connections with their Myc. origins.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Philistine female “mourning”
Cult objects: figurines. figurines & their Mycenaean
antecedents.
Earlier Mycenaean examples display Philistia
seated in chairs.
Naxos
funerary contexts.
More broadly “Aegean”
own distinct styles, but retain sufficient in their origins.
connections with their Myc. origins. Become less common over time
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Religion & cuture:
Ritual vessels.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Canaanite
Cult objects: ritual vessels.
• The Qasile temples produced many
fragments from ritual pottery vessels:
a. Canaanite-derived forms
b. Cypriot-derived forms.
c. Apparently new forms.
• Decorated cylindrical stands for bowls Egyptian
used in ritual offerings: sacred meals?
a. Portrayals of dancers on a stand
b. Depictions of 2 lionesses on a stand
c. Bird heads & wings on several bowl
(i.e., popular Myc./Phil. bird motif) Philistine
• Special ritual vessels:
d. Lion-head shaped cup (LB Age
examples from Ugarit and Aegean?)
e. A female-shaped jar for pouring
libations from breasts: fertility cult?
f. Kernoi: circular tubes with hollow-
spouted animal, pomegranate, and
jar attachments: for pouring liquids.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Philistine ritual pottery stands.
• Decorated cylindrical stands for bowls
(i.e., popular Myc./Phil. bird motif)
jar attachments: for pouring liquids. Offering a “sacred meal” (?).
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
b. Depictions of 2 lionesses on a stand Philistine ritual duck-bowl
c. Bird heads & wings on several bowl (some Egyptian influence).
Egyptian-derived
influence
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Lion head rhyton Crete
libations from
Aegean andbreasts: fertility cult?
Syrian-derived
spouted influences …
animal, pomegranate, and
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Phil.-ritual female-shaped jar:
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
f. Kernoi: circular tubes with hollow- Kernoi: circular tubes with hollow
spouted animal, pomegranate, and spouted animals, etc., for pouring
jar attachments: for pouring liquids. liquids: = ritual equipment
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
g. Kernos bowls: Bowls with a hollow
tubes connected to hollow-spouted
animal forms: for pouring liquids.
• These special ritual pouring containers
appear in Iron 1 Philistia and Cyprus.
h. A jar containing five openings may
have facilitated sacred plants, etc.
i. A ceramic plaque portrays a shrine’s
façade accompanied by two deities
in relief (later defaced: by Israelites?)
j. Life-size human-face pottery masks
prob. for rituals personifying a deity.
k. Life-size animal-head pottery masks
prob. for rituals assuming deity’s role
l. Triton shell,
Aegean andpresumably as a horn in
Cypriot-derived
influences
ritual calls …
(known elsewhere in Med.)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Cult objects: ritual vessels. Triton shells:
• Special ritual vessels: Often used as a trumpet
g. Kernos bowls: Bowls with a hollow
i.e., ritual calls
tubes connected to hollow-spouted
animal forms: for pouring liquids.
• These special ritual pouring containers
appear in Iron 1 Philistia and Cyprus.
h. A jar containing five openings may
have facilitated sacred plants, etc.
i. A ceramic plaque portrays a shrine’s
façade accompanied by two deities
in relief (later defaced: by Israelites?)
j. Life-size human-face pottery masks
prob. for rituals personifying a deity.
k. Life-size animal-head pottery masks
prob. for rituals assuming deity’s role
l. Triton shell, presumably as a horn in
ritual calls (known elsewhere in Med.)
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Religion & culture:
Cultic significance.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Meaning of cult furnishings:
• In essence, the town’s elite & populace
built a series of shrines to their patron
deities in order to obtain spec. results:
Divine benefits for the town & citizens.
• To contact and satisfy their deities
sufficiently, a specific interface is req.:
namely a temple/shrine dedicated to
a particular deity & his/her needs.
• The shrine, being the deity’s earthly
“home,” needs to be sufficiently fine to
attract the deity/deities to it:
(i.e., “you get what you pay for”).
• Such deities needed servants =priests
maintaining divine household & needs
• Temple furnishings also needed to be
special, reflecting one’s respect for a
deity, and possibly aspects particular
to a specific deity and requirement/use
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Cult objects: votive offerings.
• Beads from jewelry
• Ivory items: fittings from boxes and
other valuable items: cosmetic jars, etc
• Alabaster (calcite) vessels: usually jars
for holding precious unguents
• Numerous pottery vessels: often the
containers in which food and other
offerings are provided.
Probable meanings: Generic calcite
• In essence, various people offered goblet (D. el-Balah)
things of various values, from food to
products, to town deities in exchange
for various desired outcomes: E.g.,
- Good health (for selves/others)
- Prosperity (spec. ventures/in general)
- Action against foes (spec./in general)
- Good weather (for voyages)
- Happiness
Generic (e.g., votive
view: good spouse, etc.)
offerings
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Tel Miqne-Ekron: “Hearth shrine”
Cult objects: votive offerings.
• Generic
Beads from jewellery
view: votive offerings
• Ivory items: fittings from boxes and
other valuable items: cosmetic jars, etc
• Alabaster (calcite) vessels: usually jars
for holding precious unguents
• Numerous pottery vessels: often the
containers in which food and other
offerings are provided.
Probable meanings: Qasile
• In essence, various people offered
things of different values,from food to
products,to town deities in exchange
for various desired outcomes: E.g.,
- Good health (for selves/others)
- Prosperity (spec. ventures/in general)
- Action against foes (spec./in general)
- Good weather (for voyages)
- Happiness (e.g., good spouse, etc.)
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Material culture:
Glyptic art & writing.
Glyptic art and writing:
• The early Iron Age has yielded
minimal evidence for the Philistine
writing/script (and their language).
• Only a few components in the
few scripts affiliated with the early
Philistines reveal Indo-European
origins (in an entangled culture)
• There is no demonstrated link to
the Mycenaean Greek language
and writing systems.
• The Philistines do not appear to
need the Mycenaean-type writing
which = tied to the very different
Mycenaean palace system and
economy.
• Their sociopolitical system in
Philistia may not have required a
Myc.-type writing (on clay tablets),
or poss. used perishable papyrus?
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Anchor/pyramidal-type seal
• The seals from Philistine sites include
mainly small conical or pyramidal seals
with crude through linear renditions of
human and animal figures.
• Some seal design motifs include:
a. A seated person playing a harp/lyre
b. Brief texts with linear letters,
resembling “Cypro-Minoan script.”?
• An early postulated further aspect of
Philistine material with ties / links to
the Aegean and Cyprus. Disproven!
Meaning:
• Stamp seals =both protective/magical
amulets and symbols of ownership
when applied to wet clay/impressions.
• They appear in everyday usage,
votive offerings, & funerary offerings,
with now
BUT practical through
shown magical
to be uses.
incorrect(!)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• The seals from Philistine sites include
mainly small conical or pyramidal seals
with crude through linear renditions of
human and animal figures.
• Some seal design motifs include:
a. A seated person playing a harp/lyre
b. Brief texts with linear letters,
resembling Cypro-Minoan script.
• Hence, in yet again another aspect of
Philistine material culture, further links
E.g.,
occur amuletic
with protection
the Aegean and Cyprus.
Meaning:
•Stamp seals =both protective/magical
amulets and symbols of ownership
when applied to wet clay/impressions.
• They appear in everyday usage,
votive offerings, & funerary offerings,
with practical through magical uses. E.g., potential hazards …
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
Mortuary material culture:
Burial customs.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Burial customs:
• The Philistine sites & their cemeteries
have revealed various burial customs:
Azor and Tel Zeror:
• Pit-cut graves for single interments
• Rectilinear cist graves
• Double pithos (pottery vessel) coffins
• Tel Zeror =a Tjekel/Tjeker region near
Dor (see Journey of Wenamon).
• Some traces of cremation (unclear)
Tell el-Far‘ah (South) Cemetery 600: Azor: Iron Age 1B cremation burial
• Many simple pit graves
Tell Farah (S):
• Five rock-cut cave tombs associated Tomb contents
with elite Philistine burials
(like cemetery 900 from Iron 1A).
Tel Eitun:
• Wealthy Philistine burials nearby.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Aegean-type(?) chamber tombs
Burial customs:
Azor and Tel Zeror:
• Tel Zeror = a Tjekel/Tjeker region near
(Philistine) “Bench tombs”
Tell el-Far‘ah (South) Cemetery 600:
• Five rock-cut cave tombs associated
Tel Eitun:
•Uncommon, andburials
Wealthy Philistine foreign-derived
nearby.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC Aegean-type(?) chamber tombs
Burial customs:
Ashkelon: ashlar built tombs
Azor and Tel Zeror:
• Tel Zeror = a Tjekel/Tjeker region near
Tell el-Far‘ah (South) Cemetery 600:
• Five rock-cut cave tombs associated
Tel Eitun: Elite Philistine rock-cut cave tombs
• Wealthy “Philistine” burials nearby. i.e., prob. Aegean-derived burials.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Burial customs:
Tell el-Far ‘ah (South) & Beth-Shan:
• Ceramic anthropoid coffins are not
found in the Iron 1B Philistine period
of settlement. Egyptian-derived
• The vertically striped headdresses
Ashkelon: ashlar on
a few ceramic coffin
built lids from these
tombs
sites may reflect “feathered” helmets Debated “link” with Philistines
on several “Sea Peoples” (DEBATED):
Peleset, Tjekel/Tjeker, and Denyen.
• The Iron 1A ceramic coffins at Deir el-
Balah tend to be “grotesque” in style,
& may reflect Sea Peoples serving in
Egyptian garrisons adopting modified
Egyptian burial containers.
• Only a few Philistines and possibly a
few other Sea Peoples adopted this
Egyptian-derived burial container,
otherwise it remains non-Philistine.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Burial customs:
of settlement.
• The vertically striped headdresses on
a few ceramic coffin lids from these
sites may reflect “feathered” helmets
few other Sea Peoples adopted this Medinet Habu: Ramesses III
Egyptian-derived burial container, Designating POWs with “feathered”
otherwise it remains non-Philistine. helmets as Peleset, Tjeker, Denyen
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Burial customs:
of settlement.
Egyptian burial containers. DEBATED
few other Sea Peoples adopted this Beth-Shan: Iron 1A 1200-1150 BC
Egyptian-derived burial container, “Sea Peoples” anthropoid coffin lid
otherwise it remains non-Philistine. (derived from an Egyptian practice)
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
Burial customs:
of settlement.
& mayEgyptian-type
reflect Sea Peoples serving in
coffins
• Only a few Philistines & possibly a few
other Sea Peoples may have adopted
this Egyptian-derived burial container,
otherwise it remains non-Philistine.
Iron Age I:
(1,200 – 1,000 BCE)
The Philistines:
--
Demise of Philistines.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
The end of the Philistine culture:
• The dearth of contemporary texts
dealing with the Philistine settlement
leaves the assumption that their period
of settlement spanned basically
1200 – 1150 BC: Iron 1A (early Dyn.20)
• The Philistine migrations do not
appear sufficiently numerous or volatile
to have eradicated or replaced the bulk
of the (former) Canaanite populace.
• Indeed, many Canaanite coastal
towns/cities were destroyed, including
Egyptian installations; others survived.
• This included a certain proportion of
civilian and military deaths, but Egypt INTEGRATION(!)
managed to defeat the Sea Peoples.
→ Canaanite culture continued under
Egyptian control alongside a new and
small group of settlers: Philistines, etc.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• The dearth of contemporary texts
dealing with the Philistine settlement
leaves the assumption that their period
of settlement spanned basically
1200 – 1150 BC: Iron 1A (early Dyn.20)
• The Philistine migrations do not
appear sufficiently numerous or volatile
to have eradicated or replaced the
former Canaanite populace.
• Indeed, many Canaanite coastal
towns/cities were destroyed, including
Egyptian installations;others survived.
• This included a certain proportion of
civilian and military deaths, but Egypt
managed to “defeat” the Sea Peoples.
→ Canaanite culture continued under Assimilation
Egyptian control alongside a new and
small group of settlers: Philistines, etc.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
• Egyptian references to the placement
of Philistines (Tjeker, Denyen, etc.) in
Egyptian military posts = presumed to
be in Canaan (overseeing Canaanites,
in conjunction with the Philistine’s
military origins and biblical references),
→ suggest that they formed the ‘upper’
levels of Canaanite society in Iron 1A
→ Inherited this position of dominance
after Egypt abandoned its N. empire,
perhaps in agreement with the Peleset
(i.e., like mercenaries minding Egypt’s
interests in Canaan).
Late Ramesside royal names cluster
in Philistia, suggesting royal contact.
• Hence, Philistine minority appears to
have merged slowly with a Canaanite
majority to form a new hybrid culture.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
The Philistines (& P-l-s-t) culture:
• Egyptian references to the placement
of Philistines (Tjeker, Denyen, etc.) in
Egyptian military posts = presumed to
be in Canaan (overseeing Canaanites,
in conjunction with the Philistine’s
military origins and biblical references),
→ suggest that they formed the upper
levels of Canaanite society in Iron 1A
→ Inherited this position of dominance
after Egypt “abandoned” its N. empire,
perhaps in “agreement” with Egypt
(i.e., like mercenaries, or “vassals”?,
minding Egypt’s interests in Canaan).
Late Ramesside royal names cluster
in Philistia, suggesting royal contact.
• Hence, Philistine minority appears to
have merged slowly with a Canaanite
majority to form a new hybrid culture.
Iron Age IB: 1150 – 1000 BCE
Ramesses VIII. Iron 1B …
Ca. 1125 – 1123 BCE
International Relations:
-Despite a one year reign, R-VIII
is known from a scarab at Gezer
in southern Palestine.
-This indicates at least some

diplomatic and commercial
relations continued between
Egypt and Philistia.
GEZER
DYN.20 no.8: Ramesses IX. Iron 1B Ca. 1123 – 1104 BCE
Background:
-R-IX's 18-year reign is relatively more
stable politically & economically.
International relations: Syria-Palestine:

Karnak Temple Stela notes foreign lands:
"[.....]. Every Egyptian and the foreigners Cedar
of every foreign land, south and north,
Lapis lazuli
west and east, shall carry(?) [.....]"
"[....] every foreign land, saying:
'You are [our lord] [.....]"
-High Priest of Amun-Re, Amenhotep,

notes using cedar (Pylons VII-VIII).
GEZER
-High Priest Amenhotep may have
left a Chapel Text citing the use
of genuine lapis lazuli for Amun-Re.
-Gezer (Philistia) has yielded an

inlay fragment of Ramesses IX.
DYN.20 no.9: Ramesses X. Iron 1B Ca. 1104 – 1094 BCE
Background:
-R-X reigned as little as 3 years,
or possibly for as long as 9 years.
-Like R-IX, he remains relatively

little known.
International Relations:
Syria-Palestine:
-R-x’s name occurs on scarabs from
a. Tell Masos (S. Palestine)
b. Beth-Shemesh
c. Tell Farah (South).
-An allusion to R-X’s commercial and

Beth Shemesh
diplomatic relations with Byblos
occurs in The Journey of Wenamon.
Tell Masos
-This tale notes an earlier expedition
(led by Egyptian messengers) to Byblos Tell Farah (S)
during the time of Khaemwaset.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
The “end” of the Philistine culture:
• Iron Age 1B spanned 1150-1000 BC,
witnessing the slow adjustment of
Myc./Aegean-Philistine cultures to
post-1200 BC Canaanite culture.
• The distinct Philistine Bichrome pottery
becomes decreasingly popular and
is replaced by a red slip and burnished
pottery by 1000 BC: advent of Iron 2A.
• The Philistine
Late adoption of ware
red slipped and
burnished pottery appears in Strata
XI-X at Tell Qasile (1100-1000 BC)
alongside Bichrome pottery.
• Some vessels span both types, such
as a red-slipped krater with black-
painted spirals in Str.X: 1050-1000 BC
• Bichrome disappears by ca.1000 BC Former visible surviving traits of
• However, the Philistines maintained Philistine culture diminish,
political independence after 1000 BC. but Philistines remain independent.
Iron Age 1: ca. 1200 – 1000 BC
The “end” of the Philistine culture:
• Iron Age 1B spanned 1150-1000 BC,
witnessing the slow adjustment of
Mycenaean-Philistine cultures to
post-1200 BC Canaanite culture.
• The distinct Philistine Bichrome pottery
becomes decreasingly popular and
is replaced by a red slip and burnished
pottery by 1000 BC: advent of Iron 2A.
• The adoption of red slipped and
burnished pottery appears in Strata
XI-X at Tell Qasile (1100-1000 BC)
alongside Bichrome pottery.
• Some vessels span both types, such
as a red-slipped krater with black- Tel Miqne-Ekron: red slip+burnish jugs
painted spirals in Str.X: 1050-1000 BC
Former visible surviving traits of
• Bichrome disappears by ca.1000 BC
Philistine culture diminish,
• However, the Philistines maintained but Philistines remain independent.
political independence after 1000 BC.
Iron Age 2A:
1000 – 925 BCE
Iron Age 2B+:
925-740+ BCE
Maximalist
view of Isr. Philistia
Philistia
Iron 2A Iron 2B+

Origins of the Philistines: Nat. Geographic July 3, 2019.
“Now, a study published today in the journal Science Advances,
prompted by the unprecedented 2016 discovery of a cemetery
at the ancient Philistine city of Ashkelon on the southern coast
of Israel, provides an intriguing look into the genetic origins and
legacy of the Philistines. The research appears to support their
foreign origin, but reveals that the reviled outsiders were soon
marrying into the local populations.”
“The four early Iron Age DNA samples, all from infants buried
beneath the floors of Philistine houses, include proportionally
more “additional European ancestry” in their genetic signatures
(roughly 14%) than in the pre-Philistine Bronze Age samples
(2% to 9%), according to the researchers. While the origins of this
additional “European ancestry” are not conclusive, the most
plausible models point to Greece, Crete, Sardinia, and the
Iberian peninsula.” by Kristin Romey (extracted quotations)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/07/ancient-dna-reveal-philistine-origins/
Philistine identity:
• There is no sharp boundary
between the Iron Age II Philistine
material culture & neighboring
items, but some features persist
• Philistine foreign elements in
the Iron Age II material culture →
do dissipates greatly …, BUT …
• Some foreign components do
survive in the later Iron Age:
a. Names of deities
b. Some figurine types
c. Some foodways
• Late 7th cent. BC, Philistine
settlements rebel against the
Neo-Babylonians: In 604 BC,
Nebuchadnezzar II subjugates
and deports many Philistines to
Mesopotamia.
• Persian period repopulation =
mostly Phoenicians …
SUMMARY
OF MAIN
POINTS:
Iron Age 1(A)-B: The Philistines.
Date: ca. 1200 - 1000 BC
Iron 1A: 1200-1150 BC;
Iron 1B: 1150-1000 BC;
Lifestyle: The Peleset settled mainly in the Plain of Philistia, focusing upon
the 5 cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ashodod, Ekron (Miqne),
and Gath (Tel Safi).
They may originate from Crete (Bible: Kaphtor), and appear
to be of Aegean-West Anatolian derivation via various
strong links with Mycenaean art and motifs (e.g.,
Myc. IIIC birds), pottery forms, figurines, etc.
They replace some Canaanite towns, found some new towns,
or continue in earlier towns in Iron 1A;
They later fortify their growing cities in Iron 1B;
The elite housing includes a Mycenaean-style home with a hearth
& pillars (e.g., Pylos “Nestor” palace);
Other homes begin to reveal a “4-room house” plan,
which becomes typical for Iron Age Palestine.
Religion: Philistine temples are Aegean-style in derivation (e.g., Kition;

Phylakopi), with rectilinear plans, interior benches
for votive offerings, an altar, a treasury,
an outer courtyard, etc. (e.g., Tel Qasile);
They yield ash and bones from animal sacrifices, with
ritual equipment: Aegean-derived Ashdoda female
figurines and mourning female figurine (hands to head),
pottery stands, rhyta, and kernoi, triton shells
(i.e., possibly a horn for ritual calls), alabaster vessels,
jewellery, seals, etc.
Technology: The Peleset are shown clean-shaven, wearing a flaring helmet,
upper body armour, and a tasselled kilt, and bear a
circular shield, axe, spear, and sword;
They appear in bird-headed ships, and on land have both
infantry & 3-person chariots, followed by family members
in ox-drawn carts.
Philistine pottery progresses from locally made Mycenaean IIIC
forms (Iron 1A) to Bichrome ware (Iron 1B).
Trade: Aegean-derived Philistine items merge with Canaanite

material culture, but are also traded with settlements
along the borders of Philistia: foothills of the
Israelite hill country; some Egyptian items.
Artwork: Philistine pottery is well-decorated, adopting Myc.IIIC-style

birds, which become a more stylized “Philistine birds”
on their typical Iron 1B Bichrome pottery;
They also use painted spirals, frames, rarely fish, and sometimes
an Egyptian-style lotus blossom on Bichrome pottery.
Burials: Philistine-controlled areas display multiple burial types:

simple pit-graves,
rectilinear cist graves,
pithos pottery jar coffins,
some elite rock-cut bench tombs, and
some cremation burials.
Addendum: origins of the Philistines / P-l-s-t …
• The discovery and debate over the land of Palistin, located in
Syria and debated over its relation to P-l-s-t (Philistine).
• Some argue for a connection:
E.g., Similarities with Egyptian references to P-l-s-t
Similarities to later Biblical references to Philistines
(i.e., written accounts hearkening back to Iron Age 1+)
• Others argue against a connection:
E.g., How reliable is a connection based upon similarities in
some consonants (albeit lack of an “n”): Palistin vs Plst
L. Younger: Cautions about too broad a linkage between
similar letters, providing an example of how similar names
can have few to absolutely no linkage regarding ethnicity:
(a) Roman, (b) Romani, (c) Romanian
References: ASOR 2016 Nov. 17 conference.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_name_%22Palestine%22
traditional associations of P-l-s-t with Philistines (versus some new ones)
SELECTED
SOURCES:
On the Philistines and
Philistines within Sea Peoples
Arranged from most recent to earlier works …
Baker Academic, selected articles
Selected articles relating to the
Philistines, Sea Peoples, etc.:
6. “Archaeology of the Late Bronze
Age,” by Joe Uziel
7. “Archaeology of the Iron Age I,”
by Aren M. Maeir
24. “The Egyptian Sojourn and the
Exodus,” by David A. Falk
25. “The Settlement Period,”
by Pekka Pitkänen
33. “The Late Bronze Age Collapse &
the Sea Peoples' Migrations,”
by Gregory D. Mumford
54. “Trade in the Late Bronze and Iron
Age Levant,” by Joshua T. Walton
Sterne Library:
DS62.23 .B45 2018
2018
Philistines within Sea Peoples:
Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age

Mediterranean c.1400 BC-1000
BC
A. Salimbeti (Andrea),
author. Raffaele D'Amato author.;
Giuseppe Rava 1963- illustrator.
Oxford : Osprey Publishing 2015
Sterne Library:
DF220 .S25 2015
1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization

Collapsed
Eric H. Cline
Princeton : Princeton University
Press 2014
Sterne Library:
GN778.25 .C55 2014
PHILISTINES:
The Philistines and Other “Sea

Peoples" in Text and
Archaeology
Ann E. Killebrew editor.; Gunnar
Lehmann editor.; Society of
Biblical Literature.
Atlanta : Society of Biblical
Literature 2013
Sterne Library:
DS90 .P55 2013
PHILISTINES:
The Philistines and Aegean migration

at the end of the late Bronze Age
Assaf. Yasur-Landau
New York : Cambridge University Press
2010
Sterne Library:
UAB E-Book listing …
PHILISTINES:
Biblical peoples and ethnicity:

an archaeological study of
Egyptians, Canaanites,
Philistines, and early Israel,
1300-1100 B.C.E.
Ann E. Killebrew
Atlanta : Society of Biblical
Literature c2005
Sterne Library:
DS112 .K476 2005
The Sea Peoples and their

World: A Reassessment
Eliezer D Oren; International
Seminar on Cultural
Interconnections in the Ancient
Near East (1995 : University of
Pennsylvania Museum of
Archaeology and Anthropology)
Philadelphia : University
Museum 2000
Sterne Library:
DE73.2.S4 S43 2000
Seagoing Ships & Seamanship

in the Bronze Age Levant
Shelley. Wachsmann
College Station : Texas A & M
University Press ; London :
Chatham Pub. ©1998
Sterne Library:
DE61.S43 W33 1998
PHILISTINES:
People of the Sea: The Search

for the Philistines
Trude. Dothan M Dothan
(Moshe)
New York : Macmillan ; Toronto :
Maxwell Macmillan Canada ;
New York : Maxwell Macmillan
International c1992
Sterne Library:
DS90 .D63 1992
The Sea Peoples: Warriors of

the Ancient Mediterranean,
1250-1150 B.C.
N. K. Sandars (Nancy K.)
New York, N.Y. : Thames and
Hudson 1985
Sterne Library:
DE73.2.S4 S26 1985
PHILISTINES:
• See later written accounts
regarding Israelite relations
with the Philistines …
The new Oxford annotated
Bible with the Apocrypha :
Revised standard version,
containing the second edition
of the New Testament and an
expanded edition of the
Apocrypha
Herbert G May (Herbert
Gordon), 1904-1977.; Bruce M
Metzger (Bruce Manning), 1914-
2007. New York: Oxford
University Press 1977
Sterne Library:
BS191.A1 1977 .N43

Anth 340 PPT Lecture 17 The Philistines

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ANT 340 / 640:

The Archaeology and History of the “Bible Lands”:

(2). Take notes on lectures, etc. …

(4). Ask questions during the class if

(5). Complete optional materials:

Mycenaean IIIC.1b pottery

Mycenaean IIIC.1b pottery

- Retaining ‘Mycenaean’ identity in the

• Philistine Bichrome pottery (trade?)

Tell Far‘ah (South):

• The 4 acre site of Tel Qasile yields

the best Philistine town plan. Ashdod LB Age casemate

Cyprus: LB Age Kition, shrine

-This indicates at least some

International relations: Syria-Palestine:

-High Priest of Amun-Re, Amenhotep,

-Gezer (Philistia) has yielded an

-Like R-IX, he remains relatively

-An allusion to R-X’s commercial and

Iron 2A Iron 2B+

Religion: Philistine temples are Aegean-style in derivation (e.g., Kition;

Trade: Aegean-derived Philistine items merge with Canaanite

Artwork: Philistine pottery is well-decorated, adopting Myc.IIIC-style

Burials: Philistine-controlled areas display multiple burial types:

Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age

1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization

The Philistines and Other “Sea

The Philistines and Aegean migration

Biblical peoples and ethnicity:

The Sea Peoples and their

Seagoing Ships & Seamanship

People of the Sea: The Search

The Sea Peoples: Warriors of

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