Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency
A tenth-century ashlar building in the Judean lowlands
Found 2006 — Avraham Faust (Bar-Ilan University), excavations 2006–present
Where Tel 'Eton, eastern Shephelah, likely biblical Eglon (Israel)
Dates from c. 1000–920 BCE (founding), used to 701 BCE · Iron Age IIA · Reigns of David and Shlomo (Solomon)
Now at In situ; finds at Bar-Ilan University
How Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency was found
A large four-room building (Building 101) at the top of the mound was excavated. A foundation deposit under the floor, plus charcoal and seeds, gave radiocarbon dates in the late eleventh to tenth century. Faust and Sapir published the results in 2018.
What it is
A 240 square meter four-room house built partly of dressed ashlar stones, with a central courtyard, standing at the highest point of the site. It was the largest building at Tel 'Eton and served as the residence of a governor or elite family until the Assyrian destruction of 701 BCE.
Why it matters for the Bible
Faust argues that the building was founded in the tenth century and that its ashlar work and plan show Judahite state influence reaching into a formerly Canaanite lowland town in the era of David and Solomon. Because such buildings were used for centuries, the pottery found in them dates the end of their life, not the beginning, which Faust calls the 'old house effect'; he suggests this bias has hidden many tenth-century buildings. Critics question how firmly the radiocarbon samples fix the founding date. The site is probably biblical Eglon, though no inscription confirms it.
The Hebrew word: gah-ZEET
גָּזִית
גָּזִית is pronounced gah-ZEET and means hewn (ashlar) stone (Strong's H1496).
People this discovery connects to
- David — דָּוִד (Dah-VEED) — beloved
- Solomon — שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlo-MOH) — his peace
Places
- Eglon — עֶגְלוֹן (Eg-LOHN) — calf-like
Events
Extension of the Davidic kingdom into the Shephelah
Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency in Scripture
Joshua 10:3 First mention of Eglon in Scripture.
Joshua 15:39 Eglon among the Shephelah towns of Judah, the likely identity of Tel 'Eton.
1 Kings 4:7 Solomon's twelve district governors; a residency like this is what a district official's house would look like.
Questions people ask
What is Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency?
A 240 square meter four-room house built partly of dressed ashlar stones, with a central courtyard, standing at the highest point of the site. It was the largest building at Tel 'Eton and served as the residence of a governor or elite family until the Assyrian destruction of 701 BCE.
When was Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency discovered?
It was found in 2006 by Avraham Faust (Bar-Ilan University), excavations 2006–present, at Tel 'Eton, eastern Shephelah, likely biblical Eglon.
Where is Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency today?
In situ; finds at Bar-Ilan University.
Which Bible verses does Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency relate to?
Joshua 10:3, Joshua 15:39, 1 Kings 4:7.
Is Tel 'Eton Governor's Residency authentic?
The building and its Assyrian-period destruction are secure; the tenth-century founding date and its link to the united monarchy are debated.
Related discoveries
- צְלָעוֹתKhirbet Qeiyafa Model ShrinesTwo miniature shrines with architecture echoing Solomon's Temple
- אַרְגָּמָןTimna Valley Copper Mines and 'Slaves' Hill'Tenth-century smelting camps and a scrap of royal purple cloth
- גִּיחוֹןGihon Spring Tower and Pool TowerGiant fortifications guarding Jerusalem's only spring
- מִלּוֹאStepped Stone StructureA giant stone rampart on the slope of the City of David, perhaps the biblical Millo
- מִלּוֹאThe Millo: Where Was It?The Stepped Stone Structure and the Gihon Spring fortifications as rival candidates for the biblical Millo
- חָרְמָהTel MasosA large open settlement in the Beersheba Valley on the eve of the monarchy
Sources
- Faust & Sapir, 'The "Governor's Residency" at Tel 'Eton, the United Monarchy, and the Impact of the Old-House Effect', Radiocarbon 60 (2018)
- Wikipedia: Tel Eton