Jerusalem's Shifting Center: The Western Slope of the Southeastern Ridge between the Bronze Age and the Early Persian Period

This article presents an updated overview of the settlement history along the western slope of the southeastern ridge of Jerusalem as it descends towards the Central Valley, based on current knowledge. The focus is on the Iron Age and the Persian period. Based on recent major discoveries at the Giv'ati Parking Lot excavations, including extensive rock hewing, it is claimed that Jerusalem's center shifted westward in a gradual process that began during late Iron Age IIA (ninth century BCE), and intensified following the 760 BCE earthquake and the transfer of the Gihon Spring water to the western side of the ridge. The process culminated after the Babylonian destruction of 586 BCE and the rebuilding of the city, this time along the Central Valley and mainly on the western slope.