Tel Tamar is located about 40 kilometers south of the Dead Sea in the Aravah valley, close to the town of Ein Hatzevah. The tel contains archaeological levels from the 10th century BCE (the time of Solomon) all the way up to the early Islamic period. One of the most important finds on the tel was an Edomite shrine with 75 intentionally-smashed idols and incense burners. These objects were smashed with large stones (ashlars), and all of the pieces (with the exception of one small piece) remained where they were smashed until the excavators discovered them. The reconstructed ritual items are now on display in the Israel Museum.
The tel includes a 10th century BCE fortress, which is mentioned in 1 Kings 9:17-18. The text there says, "So Solomon rebuilt Gezer and the lower Beth-horon and Baalath and Tamar in the wilderness, in the land of Judah..." (NASB) Many translations (Artscroll included) associate this city with "Tadmor," which is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 8:4. However, the Hebrew in the Melachim passage clearly says "Tamar." The archaeological evidence from Tel Tamar shows this to be true.
Tamar is also mentioned in Ezekiel 47:19 and 48:28 as part of the southern boundary for the land of Israel in the olam haba. "The south side toward the south shall extend from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt and to the Great Sea. This is the south side toward the south.... And beside the border of Gad, at the south side toward the south, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt, to the Great Sea."
Tel Tamar is a great arachaeological site because you can see history from many time periods over the ages. I am especially interested in the 10th century fortress, since that time period is the focus of my studies and my favorite time in history. I was ecstatic that we found a potsherd from the 10th century at the site during our excavations, right under a piece of the retaining wall for that fortress. I hope that we are able to do more excavations on the 10th century fortress in the future, and maybe even dig down into the middle of it instead of only seeing the four corners.
Link: Jewish Virtual Library.
