All agree that in Eretz Yisrael during the period of the monarchy (referred to by archaeologists as the Iron Age II), there was a real upheaval, with a new culture growing upon the ruins of the Canaanite cities. The classic view of biblical archaeology connected this phenomenon with David and Shlomo, whose political and economic power is attested to in Tanakh. However, in recent years this evidence has been rejected by some scholars from the “Lox Chronolgy” school of thought.
All agree that in Eretz Yisrael during the period of the monarchy (referred to by archaeologists as the Iron Age II), there was a real upheaval, with a new culture growing upon the ruins of the Canaanite cities. This culture is characterized by a higher quality of construction and sophisticated ceramics. Fortified cities appeared, along with public structures and water supply systems, all showing evidence of a centralized government. This construction stands out prominently against the background of the meager, scattered construction of the Iron Age I. Another undisputed fact, with significant implications for the entire discussion, is the absence of any external findings (such as Egyptian, Assyrian or Babylonian inscriptions) during this period.
The main question is when these changes took place – i.e., when the transition from the Iron Age I to the Iron Age II occurred. The classic view of biblical archaeology (known in this context as the "High Chronology") connected this phenomenon with David and Shlomo, whose political and economic power is attested to in Tanakh – most particularly in the extensive construction projects undertaken by Shlomo throughout the country
However, in recent years this evidence has been rejected by some scholars from the “Lox Chronolgy” school of thought. Instead of the tremendous unified kingdom described in Tanakh, they propose a view of Yehuda as a small, sparse and isolated rural society. To this view, it was admiration for the figures cast by David and Shlomo that led the authors of the Books of Shemuel and Melakhim – some three hundred years later – to transform their small sovereign territory into a legend of a huge united kingdom.
The evidence of these two schools is discussed in detail in the full article.
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Edited by the HaTanakh Site team