The Canaanite City at Tel Reḥov

Abstract

The article describes the development of the city throughout the Late Bronze–Iron Age I sequence. A massive Early Bronze fortification system was revealed on the slope of the upper mound. Following the end of EB III, there was an occupation gap until LB I/IIA, when a ten hectare Canaanite city was founded and became one of the largest cities in the southern Levant, identified with Reḥob, mentioned in several Late Bronze Age sources. The unusual foundation of a city in the Late Bronze Age may have been related to the Egyptian garrison town at nearby Beth-Shean. Though exposure was limited in scope, the results indicate that unlike many other sites, Reḥov maintained its Canaanite urban character throughout this period with no occupation gap.