A Hierarchical Settlement Pattern on the Western Border of the Kingdom of Judah: A View from Tel Burna

One of the key parameters for a territorial kingdom is settlement hierarchy. In Iron Age II Judah, one can note at least three tiers of urban hierarchy. The first tier is the royal city and capital - Jerusalem. The second tier is major administration centres - such as Lachish. The third tier is regional centres like Beersheba and Beth Shemesh. The Shephelah is one of the regions that was intensively excavated and studied in the last few decades. Hence, the data about various sites that played different roles in the settlement pattern is fresh and available. Tel Burna was a Judahite town (Biblical Libnah?) in the western Shephelah. The settlement was established in the Early Iron Age IIA and was occupied through the Iron Age II. In the Late Iron Age IIA, a casemate wall was constructed enclosing the summit and creating a fortress 70x70 m in size. Yet, the settlement was not limited to the fortified area but spread also to the north, east and west. Further-more, agricultural installations and other daily life activities reflect the civic character of the in-habitants. In this contribution, I will present the role of Tel Burna in this region, incorporating it into the urban hierarchy of Jerusalem, and reflecting on changes and processes in light of geopolitical changes in the region.