Shimron is one of the last major biblical sites yet to be properly explored by archaeologists. Now the tel, a mound formed by subsequent levels of human habitation, has become the focus of a major expedition. The archaeologists have already turned up the remains of a large Canaanite city from the Middle Bronze Age; a prosperous Hellenistic town with international connections; and a Jewish village from the Roman era.I'm not holding my breath on that one. But if the question brings in funding, I'm for it.
Researchers hope the site will help answer key questions about the historicity of the Bible, including, possibly, whether the Israelite conquest narrated in the Book of Joshua actually happened.
Fun fact: the excavation is funded by the Museum of the Bible.
The site is also important for the Second Temple era:
During this phase, the village was called Simonias, and played a key role in Jewish history. It is mentioned in the Talmud and the Mishna, and it also appears in the autobiography of Josephus Flavius, the Jewish general and historian charged with defending the Galilee during the Great Revolt of 66-70 C.E.A long article worth reading. Haaretz requires free registration for access to the full text.
It was at Simonias, Josephus tells us, that he won a victory against the Romans, temporarily halting their advance in the region. Josephus would eventually switch over to the Romans after being captured, but perhaps it is a testament to his early military prowess that the Jewish village at Simonias appears to have endured well into the 4th century.
Past PaleoJudaica posts on the Tel Shimron excavation are here and here.
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