List of Figures and Tables

Fig. 1a. Four-winged lmlk-seal with the name Socoh (Meidad Suchowolski, Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority). Fig. 1b. Two-winged lmlk-seal with the name Socoh (Clara Amit, Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority). Fig. 1.1. Map of the southern regions of Israel, marking the main cities of the Philistines and the Kingdom of Judah. Fig. 1.2. Map of the Elah Valley with the location of the main sites along its course. Fig. 1.3. Aerial photograph of Socoh with the Elah Valley to the north and west. Fig. 1.4. The Elah Valley and Kibbutz Netiv HaLamed Heh from Socoh. Fig. 1.5. Detailed map of Socoh and its vicinity. Fig. 1.6. The perennial blue lupine flower (Lupinus pilosus). Fig. 1.7. A typical view of the blue lupine blossoms, a botanical phenomenon that is unique to Socoh. Fig. 1.8. A ruined house in the Islamicperiod village of Khirbet Shuweikeh. Fig. 1.9. A large enclosure in the Islamicperiod village of Khirbet Shuweikeh. Fig. 1.10. A collapsed building in the Islamicperiod village of Khirbet Shuweikeh. Fig. 1.11. A well preserved at the bottom of the valley near the Islamicperiod village of Khirbet Shuweikeh. Fig. 1.12. The western edge of Socoh. Fig. 1.13. Aerial photograph of the northern and western edge of Socoh. Fig. 1.14. The narrow plateau of Socoh. Fig. 1.15. Aerial photograph of Socoh showing exposed bedrock in a large portion of the site. Fig. 1.16. Exposed bedrock on Socoh with rockcut installations. Fig. 1.17. Exposed bedrock on Socoh with a rockcut channel and cistern. Fig. 1.18. Exposed massive architecture built on bedrock on the southern slope of Socoh. This may be part of a fortifijication system and a city gate. Fig. 1.19. A massive Iron Age wall running from east to west on the plateau. Fig. 1.20. A massive Iron Age wall running from east to west on the northern slope.