Socioeconomic stratification in an israelite city: Hazor vi as a test case

This article attempts to determine the degree of socioeconomic stratification in Stratum VI of Hazor, based mainly on an analysis of the dwellings uncovered at the site. The analysis of the structures consists of four elements which are examined in relation to each of the architectural units: 1) the area of each of the houses; 2) the quality of construction; 3) the use of common walls; 4) the location of each dwelling within the site. The combination of these components is examined in order to determine the degree of wealth and power enjoyed by the owners of the different dwellings, and it seems that the analysis shows the existence of two distinct population strata: the senior and the wealthy functionaries on the one hand, and the poor on the other, and possibly the existence of a (lower-) middle class.