High-resolution investigation of a conflagration event in the North-East Temple at Lachish via integration of forensic, stratigraphic and geoarchaeological evidence: A model for studying architectural destruction by fire

Igor Kreimerman, Yosef Garfinkel, Michael G. Hasel, Ruth Shahack-Gross

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Burnt structures are well known archaeologically throughout the Near East. This study proposes an integrated interpretational framework for reconstructing fires in mud-brick structures using macro- and micro-archaeological types of evidence employing well-established tools. While previous research often utilized either macroscopic field evidence or micro-geoarchaeological data, here we present the integration of stratigraphy, architecture and location of artefacts in the framework of archaeology of crisis, spatial reconstruction of fire temperatures using micro-geoarchaeology, insights from experimental archaeology, and concepts from fire investigation. We demonstrate the utility of this integrative framework in a high-resolution reconstruction of a destructive fire event that occurred in the Late Bronze Age North-East Temple at Tel Lachish, ca. 1210–1126 BCE. We identify the area of ignition and the fire propagation path, and propose the cause of the fire in relation to the archaeology and history of the site in the 12th century BCE.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103705
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Volume46
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Funding

Laboratory analyses were supported by funds available to R.S.-G. at the Laboratory for Sedimentary Archaeology, University of Haifa. I.K. was supported by fellowships from the Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Our gratitude is extended to I. Weissbein, who works on the analysis of the finds from the North-East Temple, for sharing his insights with us. Last but not least are the dozens of volunteers who participated in the excavations of the Fourth Expedition to Lachish. Laboratory analyses were supported by funds available to R.S.-G. at the Laboratory for Sedimentary Archaeology, University of Haifa . I.K. was supported by fellowships from the Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Our gratitude is extended to I. Weissbein, who works on the analysis of the finds from the North-East Temple, for sharing his insights with us. Last but not least are the dozens of volunteers who participated in the excavations of the Fourth Expedition to Lachish.

FundersFunder number
Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities
University of Haifa

    Keywords

    • Conflagration
    • Destruction
    • FTIR
    • Fire investigation
    • Lachish
    • Mud bricks

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