Archaeologists Uncover Possible 10th Century B.C.E. City Gate Near Sea of Galilee

Complete article (with lots of pictures)

...Located at an ancient Tel (or mound containing archaeological remains) just northeast of the Sea of Galilee, the structure is located near a later (9th century), fully excavated city gate complex which is part of a larger ancient settlement or city that some scholars suggest is the possible site of the capital city of the biblical Geshurites, a people who shared an important connection with the ancient Israelites...

The more ancient Geshurite city at the same location is eluded to in II Samuel 3:3, which records the birth of King David's son Absalom by his wife Maacah, who was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. The marriage between David and Maacah has been interpreted by scholars as a means of strengthening the political union between the kingdom of Geshur and Israel, as this was not an uncommon practice among the royalty of ancient kingdoms. It was also to the land of Geshur that Absalom fled for refuge after he slew his half-brother Amnon: "But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur." (II Samuel 13: 37) Absalom 's daughter, also called Maacah, married Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, the king of Judah after the united Israelite kingdom split into two kingdoms, Judah in the south and Israel in the north...

If the find proves to be a 10th century city gate complex, the discovery could have implications within the context of the current scholarly debate about the nature of ancient Israel during that time. Many scholars and archaeologists argue that the paucity of archaeological evidence in support of the kingdoms of David and Solomon under Israel's United Monarchy as described in the biblical record cast doubt on the historicity of such an expansive State. One prominent school of thought maintains that Israel during the 10th century (the time of David and Solomon) was more like a tribal chiefdom, with few, if any, of the characteristics normally attributed to a large, highly developed State or kingdom, such as monumental architecture and other artifacts that reflect a centralized authority commanding vast resources. Recent discoveries at some archaeological sites have, however, provided possible evidence of such a State organization in ancient Israel.

The existence of a monumental 10th century city gate complex at Bethsaida, attributable to the capital city of Geshur, could support the historicity of an expansive, developed State organization or United Monarchy for ancient Israel as recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Assuming the biblical account of the royal and political bonds between Geshur and the House of David is accurate, it would be unlikely that such a relationship would ever have developed between the Geshurite kingdom and a tribal chiefdom with comparatively few resources and influence....