Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 11: Article 12 (2011)

Israel Finkelstein, Ido Koch, and Oded Lipschits, "The Mound on the Mount: A
Possible Solution to the 'Problem with Jerusalem'"

Abstract:

Following Knauf's suggestion (2000), the article raises the possibility that
in most periods in the second and first millennia BCE the main built-up area
of Jerusalem was limited to a mound on the Temple Mount. This mound, which
may have covered an area of five hectares and more, was boxed-in under the
Herodian platform. At these periods activity in the City of David ridge was
restricted to the area near the Gihon spring. In the Iron IIB and late
Hellenistic Periods the fortified settlement expanded simultaneously to both
the City of David ridge and the southwestern hill. In these two periods
there was no need to fortify the western side of the City of David, as this
line ran in the middle of the city.

To access the article directly please go to
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_159.pdf