City Planning

Overview

The observation tower provides an expansive vantage point for viewing this well planned site. The Stratum V city, which dates to the 10th century BCE, was built according to a pre-determined and closely followed plan. This plan was followed through Stratum II in the 8th century. Beersheba was built with the same elements as the important Israelite centers to the north, so it seems that this site was built according to the customary plan of Iron Age Israel and Judah. There is a peripheral street that runs parallel to the wall of the tell with buildings on both sides. Houses line the casemate wall, with the casemate forming the back room of the house. It appears that the casemate was built with these houses in mind, as the regular openings into the casemates were an original feature of the wall. A four-chamber gate with a tower on the southeastern side of the tell is flanked by public buildings. Administrative buildings are on the west, and the city’s storerooms are on the east. An impressive water system was built in the eastern quarter, which would have provided the city with water in the event of a siege.

Scholars estimate that the population of Beersheba was around four hundred residents, which is exceptionally small considering the wealth of resources that went into building it, especially into its fortifications and water system. Thus, it appears that the city likely served as an administrative center. Only the elite, such as those responsible for tax collection, military commanders, and priests would have lived in the city. Others would have lived in nearby villages and farms and would likely have engaged in agriculture.