The Early Kingdom of Judah in Light of Radiometric Dating

New radiometric dating evidence challenges the 'low chronology' model of the Iron Age, revealing that Judah's early kingdom flourished by the 10th century BCE with fortified urban centers like Khirbet Qeiyafa and Gezer. Contrary to minimalist claims, these sites—characterized by casemate walls and strategic positioning—demonstrate sophisticated urban planning aligned with biblical traditions. The study, led by Y. Garfinkel (2024), analyzed samples from Judahite sites, including a six-chambered gate at Gezer, dated to Solomon's reign. This contradicts earlier assumptions that such structures belonged to Israel or were post-Solomonic, instead supporting the historical reliability of biblical accounts of Judah's territorial expansion and monumental construction.

Garfinkel, Y. (2024). The Early Kingdom of Judah in Light of Radiometric Dating. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 12(4), 443–448. https://doi.org/10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.12.4.0443