Radiocarbon Dating the “Wilderness of Zin”

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9242007
AutoresHendrik J Bruins (0000-0002-8249-1258), Johannes Van Der Plicht (0000-0003-4298-7037)
Año2007
Volumen49
Número2
Páginas481-497
Fecha de publicación2007-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaRadiocarbon (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0033-8222 • E-ISSN: 1945-5755
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0033822200042417
OpenAlexW1958504959
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas20
Referencias citadas38

An important archaeological survey was conducted by Leonard Woolley and T E Lawrence in 1914 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund in the Negev and northeastern Sinai deserts—the “Wilderness of Zin.” The region of Ain Kadeis, associated by some scholars in the 19th century with biblical Kadesh-Barnea, received much attention in their survey and discussions. Concerning the vexed question of Kadesh-Barnea, Woolley and Lawrence gave their preference for the nearby Ain el Qudeirat Valley, and in particular the ancient tell. Their survey contributed significantly in the shaping of scholarly opinion on the matter, even until today. But modern surveys and excavations failed to identify any archaeological remnants of the 2nd millennium BCE in the above regions, thereby putting the above associations in question. The Middle Bronze Age II, Late Bronze Age, and Iron Age I that cover this millennium are considered missing in the area in archaeological terms. However, our research reveals that archaeological remains of the 2nd millennium BCE do exist in the region, as determined chronologically by radiocarbon dating. A geoarchaeological approach is required to investigate terraced fields in wadis, which contain a unique record of human activity in these desert regions

Ancient history · Archaeology · Bronze Age · Excavation · Geography · Iron Age · Radiocarbon dating · Wilderness · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Historical Studies · History