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Evidence Found Edomites Infiltrated Negev at Close of First Temple

August 5, 1971
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Evidence of the Edomites’ infiltration into the Negev at the close of the First Temple era was uncovered by archaeologists of Tel Aviv University at the Tel Malhata site between Beersheba and Arad. This infiltration was described by the prophets Ezekiel. Jeremiah, and Obadiah. An excavation group of 50 men, headed by Dr. Moshe Cohavi of Tel Aviv University, uncovered the Edomite settlement, including many places of pottery brought from across the Jordan. This find tends to support the theory that the Edomites were in control of the Negev shortly before the downfall of the Kingdom of Judea. The excavators also unearthed remnants of an Israeli city, originally settled in the tenth century B.C.E. whose name remains to be identified. Especially impressive were the fortifications of the city which include embankments and a wall 13 feet wide.

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