Chapter 5 - EXCAVATING THE PAST: SETTLEMENT PATTERNS AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN PERSIAN-ERA YEHUD

Summary

Introduction

We are finally in a position to turn to the archaeological data and to examine the possible settlement patterns in Yehud in the mid-fifth century BCE during the reign of Artaxerxes I. It is impossible, however, to determine if a site was occupied specifically during the period from 565–532 BCE, even if it has been excavated, because our dating methods are not that precise. We can generally determine if a site was occupied within a time span of 100–150 years, and this will have to serve as the basis for the current investigation. Site sizes, functions, and locations will be considered, but our final conclusions in terms of any policy for the redevelopment of Yehud during the reign of Artaxerxes I will not be able to be decisively confirmed by artifactual remains since those that were in use or produced during his reign cannot be identified with any certainty.

Preliminary Issues in Using Survey and Excavation Results

Before examining Persian-era remains that have been uncovered during excavations and others that have been identified through surface surveys, we need to be aware of a number of problems that tend to be associated with the retrieval of artifactual remains. These problems impact on the responsible use of archaeological data for the recreation of the past.

Absolute versus Relative Dating

The periods when different sites were occupied are determined in the ancient Near East primarily by the pottery that is found inside the buildings and in pits associated with a given stratum or level of occupational use.