Archaeologists believe that the Egyptians constructed the 12th-century BCE fortress, which is located next to Kibbutz Gal On and Nahal Guvrin Stream, some 70 kilometers (40 miles) south of Jerusalem. The located was picked strategically in an attempt to protect the heart of the country from marauding Philistine seafarers. The era likely coincided with the period of the biblical judges, according to the IAA.
At some point, the Egyptians abandoned the citadel, paving the way for the destruction of numerous Canaanite cities, likely at the hands of the Philistines.
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According to IAA archaeologists Saar Ganor and Itamar Weissbein the citadel unearthed measures 18 meters (59 feet) by 18 meters and had towers at its four corners that served as lookout posts.
"The citadel we discovered offers a glimpse into the geopolitical reality described in the Book of Judges, where the Canaanites, Israelites and Philistines are battling each other," Ganor and Weissbein were quoted as saying in the statement.
"At the time, the Land of Canaan was ruled by the Egyptians, and its residents were under their protection," the archaeologists said. "But then, during the 12th century BCE, two central players appeared in the area: the Israelites and the Philistines. And thus began a series of bloody territorial struggles."
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
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