Short essay (knowledge and understanding question from the grading guidelines). I will choose two of the following six essays on the test (30 points each).

1. When did the Late Bronze Age end? Why does A. Mazar date the end of the LBA to 1200 BCE and R. Gonen date the end of the LBA to 1150? When would you date the end of the LBA and why?
2. Describe how the gates and "stables" at Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer were attributed originally to Somomon, but then the stables were dated to the 9th century (hint: discuss Megiddo Strata VA-IVB and Hazor X as you present your evaluation-see Lance, pp. 67-90).
3. Assuming the middle chronology is correct (Hazor X = Megiddo VA-IVB = 10th century), describe the archaeological character of the united monarchy. How does this material assist our reading of the biblical texts?
4. Describe the Assyrian campaigns of Tiglath Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib. How are these campaigns related to the archaeological record? Why are they important for establishing an absolute chronology in the 8th century BCE.
5. Why does kingship develop late in Israel in relation to its neighbors? How does kingship develop in Israel and what is the opposition to it?
6. Is archaeology useful for biblical interpretation in the absence of consensus? In you answer give examples from the 10th century BCE.