Biblical Archaeology Review

Ofer, “Hebron.”

Avi Ofer, “Hebron,” New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, vol. 2, pp. 607–608. Also see Moshe Anbar and Nadav Na’aman, “An Account Tablet of Sheep from Ancient Hebron,” Tel Aviv 13–14, pp. 3–12, and Moshe Anbar, “A Cuneiform Tablet from the 17th-16th Centuries B.C.E. Discovered at Hebron” (Hebrew) Qadmoniot 22, no. 3–4, 1989, pp. 94–95.

Avi Ofer was unaware of the Early Bronze Age wall and gateway Hammond excavated because they were unpublished and had been reburied in the 1970s. Ofer interpreted the small segment he found as a straight continuation of the Middle Bronze Age II wall running east from Hammond’s tower. But the location and alignment of the segment also fits into the proposed plan of an eastern gate tower. The author expresses gratitude to Ofer for sharing information about his excavation during the 1980s prior to its publication.

See Jeffrey R. Chadwick, “The Archaeology of Biblical Hebron in the Bronze and Iron Ages: An Examination of the Discoveries of the American Expedition to Hebron” (University of Utah Middle East Center, 1992). Professor Hammond kindly shared with me all the available documents from his excavation, including his field notes, pottery notes, and stratigraphic notes and charts. The author expresses gratitude for Professor Hammond’s continued willingness to share information regarding his excavation at Hebron.