Judahite

Cities

The existence, extent, and political structure of an early Judahite kingdom remain subjects of scholarly debate. Garfinkel's reconstruction identifies a relatively extensive early Judahite territorial system, whereas scholars including Israel Finkelstein and Nadav Na'aman have proposed alternative models in which some of the settlements attributed to Judah were associated with local Canaanite communities or early highland polities other than Judah. According to Yosef Garfinkel, the fortified cities of the Kingdom of Judah during the 10th century BCE were located at Khirbet Qeiyafa, Tell en-Nasbeh, Khirbet el-Dawwara (by Halhul), Tel Beit Shemesh, and Tell Lachish. However, Nadav Na'aman argues against this and says no connection between Khirbet Qeiyafa and the Judean highlands can be established, arguing it likely still was a Canaanite city in the 10th century BCE. Similar discussion exists around Tel Beit Shemesh and Tel Lachish, who according to some scholars belong to the Shephelah and became under influence of Judah later during the 9th or 8th centurty BCE.