Kiryat Gat (Israel) (AFP)
Archaeologists said Monday they have located in central Israel the site of an ancient Philistine city where, according to biblical history, David had found refuge while he was being pursued by King Saul.
"It's not 100% sure but I would say there is a 90% chance that it's the biblical city of Ziklag," Professor Yossef Garfinkel, head of the Institute of Archeology, told AFP from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Mr Garfinkel and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority conducted excavations in three main areas spread over more than 1,000 m2.
The site, which overlooks tens of hectares of wheat fields, is located in Khirbet al-Rai, near Kiryat Gat, in central Israel.
The city of Ziklag was dominated by a Philistine king who reigned over the nearby town of Gath after the arrival in the area in the 12th century BC of the "peoples of the sea," as the Philistines were called in the biblical writings. and Egyptians.
Its location was up to now the subject of scientific controversy, 12 possible localities having been identified. There was no sufficient trace of philistine and Jewish occupation to identify the city of the biblical narrative, explains Professor Garfinkel.
The proximity of the site to the Philistine city of Gath, but also the discovery of objects typical of the Philistine civilization, as well as hundreds of pottery dating from the time of King David led the researchers to estimate that it was from Ziklag.
At the entrance to the site, Mr. Ganor presents a dozen potteries, one of which was used according to him to serve beer.
He also reports the discovery "of more than 1,500 tools used to cut wheat", a "treasure" according to him.
According to Professor Garfinkel, Ziklag is a major discovery that, according to him, testifies that David's character is not mythological.
He plans at least five new excavation sessions, which he hopes will see other aspects of the site updated.
The Philistines arrived in the region in the 12th century BC. JC, DNA tests on their bones having recently revealed that they came from southern Europe.
They dominated the territory today in central and southern Israel, as well as the Gaza Strip, and were a feared enemy of the Jewish kingdoms.
In the biblical story, David, pursued by King Saul who tries to kill him, goes to the king of Gath to protect him, and he offers him to go to Ziklag, not far.
According to the first book of Samuel, when Saul learns that David is in the kingdom of Gath, "he ceased to pursue him."
David then headed the city of Ziklag and then became Israel's second king after Saul's death, according to the Bible.
? 2019 AFP