Tel Malhata 2005 Overview

Excavations in the Biblical Negev: Horvat ‘Uza and Tel Malhata
Itzhaq Beit-Arieh

1) Horvat ‘Uza: A Fortress in the Biblical Negev.
This site is an Israelite fortress which was founded in the 7th century BCE and continued in use during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Seven seasons of excavation were conducted here with the participation of Baylor University, Texas. Horvat ‘Uza is located on one of the main routes to the Judean kingdom from the south and the east and functioned, like Arad, as a stronghold on the eastern border of the kingdom. It may perhaps be identified with biblical Qinah. Within the fortress a number of building complexes, streets, a gate and a platform (altar ?) were excavated, and a rich and varied assemblage of pottery vessels and other finds was recovered. Particularly significant are the 35 inscriptions, most of them written in Hebrew. Near the fortress was a contemporary settlement from the Israelite period in which we excavated two building complexes which will be published in a separate chapter of the book. Some 2 km to the south of Horvat ‘Uza the expedition excavated, during a single season, the small Israelite fortress of Horvat Radum which was contemporary with Horvat ‘Uza. Here also building complexes, a gate, a platform and a tower were excavated, and a variety of finds were uncovered, including a number of Hebrew inscriptions. The results of the excavations at Horvat Radum will be described in a separate section within the publication of Horvat ‘Uza.

2) Tel Malhata: A Central Town in the Biblical Negev.
This central Israelite town, which may perhaps be identified with biblical Moladah, is situated on a tell in the Judean Negev. The earliest stratum belongs to the Middle Bronze II B-C. In the Iron Age period it existed from the 10th century to the beginning of the 6th century BCE. Seven seasons of excavation were conducted at the site, which were completed in 2000. Two previous excavation seasons (which are not discussed in the final publication) were conducted by M. Kochavi on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University in the years 1969 and 1971. All the material from these two seasons was transferred to us for inclusion in the final publication.

In the excavations, building complexes, a large storehouse and a fortification system were uncovered.

The finds include a large and varied assemblage of pottery vessels, marked weights, figurines, stamp seals, incense altars, remains of wooden furniture and inscriptions, most of them in Edomite.

There is no doubt that the extensive area of Tel Malhata, its impressive fortifications and the richness of its finds, which many are of Edomite origin , make it one of the most important key sites for historical research of the Judean kingdom and its settlement pattern in the south.