Shephelah

From ArchaeoWiki

The Shephelah (Hebrew: הַשְפֵלָה, "lowland") is the designation applied to the extensive region of low foothills between the mountains of the Central Hill Country of Cisjordan (Judea) and the coastal plains of Philistia.

Three features distinguish the Shephelah from the Central Hill Country:

1. a difference in elevation ranging from 400 m to 500 m
2. the Shephelah is a geographical synclinal depression while the mountains are an anticline
3. the Shephelah is composed of Senonian and Eocene chalks, while the mountains are primarily Cenomanian and Turonian limestones

Archaeological Sites

• Beth Shemesh
• Gezer
• Lachish
• Timnah

Bibliography

• Anson Rainey [1983], "The Biblical Shephelah of Judah", BASOR 251 (1983), pp.1-22.