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Hazor
This is one side (three chambers) of a six chamber gate at Hazor. Firist Kings 9:15 says Solomon built these at Hzor, Megiddo and Gezer. We saw all three of them.
This is one side (three chambers) of a six chamber gate at Hazor.  Firist Kings 9:15 says Solomon built these at Hzor, Megiddo and Gezer.  We saw all three of them.

In the Bible:
Josh.11:10
, Hazor is “head of all those kingdoms” of Canaanites;
Jud.4:2, Jabin, the king of Hazor, is King of all of Canaan;
2 Kg.9:15
, Solomon fortifies Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer; 2
Kg.15:29
, Tiglath-Pileser destroys Hazor in 732 BC.

Hazor Map

Sets on the international highway from Israel through Syria to Babylon. Fertile soil and trade route location combined with being the northern fortification made Hazor very powerful and populated (20,000) with economic and military significance. First settled in 2500 BC in upper city, but grew to include the lower city by 1700’s before destroyed by Joshua in 1400 BC.

The tel consists of upper city with acropolis and lower fortified city to the  north. Hazor mentioned in archives of Mari on Euphrates in 1700 BC and in Egyptian writing in 1800’s. Pharaoh’s of 1300-1400 BC mention Hazor often. Bible’s first mention of Hazor is King Jabin leading Hazor’s military in coalition vs. Joshua who burns the city. In Judges the upper city had been resettled and threatened Deborah. In 960 Solomon fortified Hazor and built the six chamber gate seen today. In 800’s King Ahab doubled the size and added citadel, storehouse and water system. After continuous attacks by Arameans the city finally fell to Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria in 732 BC.

Yigael Yadin excavated from 1955-58 and 1968-69 to reveal:
1)
Solomon’s Gate and Casemate walls;
2) Canaanite temple under Solomon’s Gate accessed through a staircase to the south of gate;
3) Canaanite Palace with courtyard platform, 2 bases for columns, main entrance, throne room with rooms on 3 sides all destroyed by intense fire of Joshua;
4)
Water system from Ahab dug as a square shaft through layers of settlements and bedrock to reach water 131 feet below street level accessed by descending 80 steps cut in the wall of the shaft. Accessible today on a modern metal staircase.
5) Canaanite temple;
6)
Canaanite Gates;
7) Museum open at site

   
  Hazor Excavatioin Map
Here is the six chamber gate on the left/front of the picture and the defensive tower sitting in front of the gate behind Toni.
Here is the six chamber gate on the left/front and the defensive tower sitting in front of the gate  behind Toni.
The three gates that Solomon had built according to 1 Kings 9:15
The three gates that Solomon had built according to 1 Kings 9:15
The six chamber gate to the right with the guard towers in front. The casemate wall is shown running to the left.
The six chamber gate to the right with the guard towers in front.  The casemate wall is shown running to the left.
   

The casemate walls. This photo shows how the city walls where constructed. There were two walls, an inside and an outside wall. Dirt and fill material filled the cavity in the middle of the city wall.

Toni is holding a sign to label the photo so we could remember what we saw when we got home.

The casemate walls.  This photo shows how the city walls where constructed.
Here is the city entrance.
Here is the Canaanite palace that Joshua would have entered and which they destroyed before burning it in a tremendous fire.  Joshua 11:10, 11.

.

A picture of the remains of the Canaanite palace in Hazor that Joshua burnt.  This palace sets on the upper part of the city.  On the top side of the picture extends a very large lower city that held many buildings and residences.
Galyn found this handle was found in the remains of the old canaanite palace.
Galyn found this handle was found in the remains of the old canaanite palace.

These are some potsherds we found in Hazor.

The items on the left were found in the old palace location and the ones on the right near the new palace.

These are some potsherds we found in Hazor.
This is the site of the new palace. The excavation has been temporarily covered for protection.
This is the site of the new palace.  The excavation has been temporarily covered for protection.
Toni in Hazor.
Toni in Hazor.
 
 
   
 
   
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