Today in lecture we discussed the ambiguity that surrounds Jerusalem's history pre and even in bible writings. The earliest settlement in Jerusalem most likely existed during the Chalcolithic Period and there has been a continuous settlement until today. Some of the main settlement factors that attracted civilization included water (the Gihon Spring), agriculture (Emek Refa'im), and communication and trade through the Watershed Highway. Some of the earliest non-biblical references to Jerusalem occurred during the Bronze Age. Records include the Execration Text, fortifications, and the Amarna Letters.
The earliest biblical references include Joshua and Judges which blatantly contradict each other when describing the existence of the Jebusites and whether or not they they were murdered. There is also ambiguity surrounding how the Israelites arrived in Jerusalem. Theories include conquest, immigration, and a Caanite-mixed ethnic origin. We continued to discuss David's Jerusalem, who David was, and the mystery surrounding David, his existence, and whether or not he was he was a good man.
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