Ancient Philistine pottery has been discovered at Khirbet Arai, the site of new excavations located near Tel Lachish. In the three test squares that were dug, archaeologists discovered an undecorated Philistine bell-shaped bowl as well as painted Philistine pottery. Different structures were discovered and the levels have been assigned preliminary dates of the 12th and 9th centuries BC - the biblical periods of the later Judges and Israelite kingdoms. The dig directors are hopeful that new excavations, scheduled to begin this month, will answer questions about the arrival of the Philistines in the area, the decline of the Canaanite culture, and the development of the Kingdom of Judah.
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