This video adds a dynamic layer to our learning experience of this class. Incorporating visuals of Tel Qasile and diving into the daily lives of the Philistines through the connection with archeology, really helps viewers be more engaged in the subject. The mix of information and creativity makes it easier to understand and remember the important details. Personally, learning about the Philistines' material culture and the sea-centric aspects of their lives has been able to provide insights that have helped me grasp difficult concepts. Eliav's guided tour through the ruins provides an important visual aid, enhancing my understanding of their rich culture.This video offers a unique perspective on the Philistines' impact on the region and their lasting influence throughout history.
The professor did an amazing job of explaining the Tel Qasila and how it impacted the Philstines. Using videos makes learning fun and helps you better understand the concept you're learning.
Eliav did a good job of explaining Tel Qasila and how it was impactful for the understanding we have gained about the Philistines and their culture. Their culture is deeply rooted to the materials they used and archaeologists were able to dig up these materials to see how the Philistines lived back then.
These videos are incredibly enjoyable to watch because they examine and teach history in an in depth and entertaining manner. Not only was this video informative about Tel Qasila and the material culture of the Philistines, but because it provided the information in a creative way it is more easily digestible and also more memorable. I personally think the Philistines and their culture are fascinating because of how much they shaped the region and the impact they left on it. Seeing Eliav take us through the ruins gave me a great visual aid and helped me truly understand what their material culture and everyday life was like.
Tel Qasila was a big part of our lecture in Eliav's class. We were provided with this youtube video as a background for our lecture along with the history of this part of the region. Eliav does an amazing job describing how the land and the changes to the land interferes with culture. After many groups taking the land over the previous groups, a change in culture is provided and some saved, some lost. It adds to the multicultural landscape over the years and proves how our region that we have been studying all semester long is very diverse.
This engaging video on the Philistines at Tel Qasila brings lectures to life. It's like a time machine showing how Israel and Palestine's history is full of ups and downs. The area's been through a lot, from being super prosperous to dealing with tons of invasions. It's interesting how the Philistines, part of the Sea Peoples, settled there and brought their own culture and tech, like worshiping the half-fish god Dagon and using iron. The video does a great job connecting this ancient stuff to today's issues, showing that some things don’t change much. It's like history repeating itself with different groups fighting over the same land. This immersive style not only aids in retaining knowledge but also sparks curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of Tel Qasila.
I think videos add a whole new important aspect of learning. Supplementing the words with actual footage of the place we are studying makes the information stick so much better and really brings to life the material. I also think this is one of the best examples of archeology speaking to the lives of the Philistines with the importance of the sea and their worshipping of Dagon. This is one of my favorite videos we have watched in this class.
I found this video enlightening. Seeing the fertile plains and seashore up close shows just how important this area would have been for a people coming from other areas in the Mediterranean. Additionally, getting to see the temple at Tel Qasila and its intricacy and material culture was something that connects so strongly with what Eliav teaches in his lectures.
l love the way that Eliav uses multimedia platforms to engage his students in his lectures. The video format of content is extremely helpful for me as a learner so I appreciate videos like this. The visual imagery that Eliav provides at Tel Qasila and the surrounding region really sets the scene and contributes to my broader understanding if the geography in Israel. I also love the fact that we are shown various artifacts excavated at the site. Being able to see Eliav lecture from the very place he is discussing is really awesome for students and makes learning more engaging. Tel Qasila is fascinating and really tells us a lot about the sea people, their origins, beliefs, and way of life. This was a very well done and informative video!
The visual elements of the Philistine artifacts gave me a better understanding of their culture. Their unique pottery reflects how they incorporated aspects of the surrounding cultures such as the Canaanites and Egyptians into their Aegean lifestyle. Additionally, seeing the present-day land of the Seashore plains allowed me to understand its geographic importance for agricultural production and why it was the site of numerous battles against the Newcomers in the 12th and 11th centuries. Lastly, seeing Professor Eliav walk through the well-preserved temple within the tel showed me the importance of religion for the Philistines and their deep relationship with the sea.
This video was so well made! I really appreciated how they showed the land while the speaker was talking about it to give us a better visual sense. The images of the various items that were so significant to the Philistines were also very helpful visual tools in order to better understand their way of life so long ago. I think it's so cool that Eliav was able to actually go into the Tel and truly embrace the history. We're really lucky that so much has survived over so many years and now archaeologists and historians have the privilege of re-walking the paths of those who came before us.
The combination of lectures on the Middle East and a first-hand documentation of what still stands makes me appreciate the geographical lens through which to view history. Moving from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods to the quarrel over Canaan in the Avi-Yonah text shows how quickly human civilization advanced. Aqueducts emerged in ancient Rome just twenty years after the foundation of Judaism and introduced irrigation to the world. I'm most impressed by the settlers in Beersheba whose construction of subterreanean dwellings created a cooler climate in the most arid of regions. With or without water, Middle Eastern settlers made the most of the geography they were presented with.
Eliav's videos consistently deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience. It's so nice to see lectures come to life, especially in a geography course, and his added insights make it that much better. This video on the enigmatic Philistines held my attention, shedding light on an almost hidden civilization. Eliav's ability to immerse us in places like Tel Qasila through his visits offers a glimpse into the past and showcases the detailed craftsmanship of ancient structures. Another well-produced video!
It is fascinating how a group could come in, be involved in so much conflict and history, and then simply disappear. But, as Eliav has proven they still had so much impact on the history of the area. Especially as we look at how some Palestinians have claimed to be related to them as well as Canaanites it is undoubtedly an important group. Not only that but their role in the development of the area and how that sheds light on the theories surrounding the settlement of the area and the Bible's accuracy. The mystery and controversy surrounding them is so crucial to the context of the area and yet they were simply a group that showed up then disappeared.
This insightful exploration of the historical dynamics between the Philistines and Israelites provides a fascinating backdrop to the contemporary conflict in the region. The narrative skillfully draws parallels between ancient struggles for territory and the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the enduring complexities of the area. The description of the Philistine Temple adds a tangible dimension to the historical account, offering a vivid glimpse into the cultural and religious aspects of these ancient civilizations. Overall, the commentary on the continuity of tensions over thousands of years adds depth to our understanding of the geopolitical challenges faced by the modern-day inhabitants of Israel and Palestine.
Getting to see Eliav walk through the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasila really helped connect the teachings from class to a tangible site and further my understandings. The temple's layout and description fall directly in line with our understanding of Philistine's sea culture and how they incorporated aspects of their religion into things like their architecture. Overall a really amazing and informative video!!
Watching this video about Tel Qasila helped put the information learned about the Philistines as "Sea People" into context. Now that we are a few weeks into the course, I am understanding a common theme: water. Water's prevalence, location and travel capabilities seem to have shaped history in many ways. This video is yet another example of how geography is the backbone of history. Geography influenced the people, not the other way around. A prime example of this is how the Philistines ending up on such a fertile piece of land enabled them to assert dominance over the Israelites.
I think the most astounding part of this video for me is the fact that Professor Eliav was actually able to physically walk through the Philistine temple on Tel Qasila. I am impressed with how well the architecture has held up despite the building of temple being thousands of years ago. I really should not be as surprised as I am, but it is always interesting to learn of the ability of ancient civilizations to create for themselves structures. Being able to have a visual representation and walk through of these sights helps me to understand the content of the course better as well.
I really benefitted from watching this video because it clearly articulates how the past conflict explains the current situation in Israel/Palestine. I specifically like how Eliav stresses the amount of time that has passed since the initial conflict in history, but how they have yet to be solved to this day. I also enjoy how the video begins with a description of the topography, agricultural possibilities, and broad process of migration in settlement in this land before delving into any conflict, past or present. It provides good context to not only the video, but also for future lectures in the semester.
This video has helped me immensely on understanding the geography of the region better, especially regarding tel qasila the origin and dynamics of the people living there as amalgamation was mentioned. It’s very informative and entertaining to study with the video accompanying
The brilliant juxtaposition presented by Eliav between the ancient and modern settlers of the sea shore plains and the central hill allows one to understand the critical impact of the geography of the region. The fact that the dominant civilisation always lived on the sea shore plain is imperative to understand the social dynamics of the region, especially in the modern context. Lastly, I must say that the approach used by Eliav of walking through places while talking about them places the viewer in that location and enables a much deeper understanding of the topic.
This video, although short, was packed full of rich information that can be utilized to help connect the dots between the long, rich history of conflict and today's complicated matters of affairs. I feel as though I have more of a sense of how long and strenuous this conflict has been and has become. I also quite enjoy having the visuals of the actual cities, temples, and places mentioned in class. It helps me to put everything into perspective.
I very much enjoyed the terminology professor Eliav uses in discussing a "nation with no lands". It's always interesting to see how professor Eliav ties in historical events to the narrative which continues today. Beyond the connections to today, it is always intriguing to view how different cultures of the past differed from ours today. I enjoy learning about the lives of those in history beyond just the major events.
It is interesting to watch this video with amazing shots of the seashore plains while we are learning about the different people groups who have lived there and the conflicts, both in ancient times and ongoing. The relevance of history to modern events always astounds me, and learning about the history of this area lends valuable knowledge and draws interesting parallels to current events.
This video was very impressive and helpful to my learning about the ancient Iron Age Philistines. While learning in lecture is always very in-depth, watching this video and getting to see this ancient city and the remnants left there is eye opening and shows so much about how ancient Philistines lived. Specifically seeing how all aspects of their society faced and were near the sea showed how much they valued and praised the water as mariners. This access to the water was definitely big help for them when battling the Canaanites and Egyptians.
I really enjoyed watching this video because I found the story of the Philistines to be super interesting, as they made great use of the sea during their time. They were known as the sea people and even their God, Dagon, was a mariner. The important of the sea and Tel Qasila was greatly shown and it was very helpful when reinforcing concepts talked about in class.
The Tel Qasila was an extremely interesting video to watch because of how appealing of a region it is. The Tel Qasila was invaded by the sea people, and Eliav explains how they made their culture apparent through architecture and building. His explanation of the orientation of the building was very helpful, as how it related to where these people came from. He also talks about the confrontation between the Israelites and Philistines as similar to the confrontation between the Israelis and Palestinians currently, which I found helpful. Ultimately, this video gave an excellent explanation of the context of the region and the importance of how things in the past affect how things are now in the region.
As we continue to discuss the histories of modern Israelis and Palestinians in class, I found this video to be a great supplement to the curriculum. Seeing the architecture and structure of the Philistine civilizations up close in this format has helped me better understand not just where the Philistines lived, but how, and how their culture may have existed in these structures. Reading #20 on the course website is a great piece that connects much of the information discussed here as well.
Since I am beginning to think about geography more for the final paper, this footage was extremely interesting and relevant to me. Seeing the lushness of the area contrasted with the barren desert helped me to truly understand the rarity of this geological treasure. The video also deepened my understanding of the importance of tels and their historical value.
Prior to watching the video at the beginning of the semester I had no knowledge of the Philistines, I hadn’t given much thought into the ancient history of Israel. After watching the video, I understand who the Philistines were and why they settled the land. They are a unique culture and, seeing artifacts of their culture, helped me envision their society.
It's fascinating to hear that the video deepened our understanding of the ancient history of Israel, particularly in relation to the Philistines. Exploring their culture and artifacts provide a clear picture of their society. History has a way of offering new perspectives, and it's great that we are able to gain insights into the unique aspects of the Philistine culture and their settlement in the land.
This video was very interesting to watch and be able to learn about the importance of the Seashore Plains in both ancient times and modern-day Israel. It is fascinating to see the temple that the Philistines worshipped in and why they found this region to be so appealing. Learning about the Sea Peoples and being able to visualize their existence through this video further confirms the concept that we return to every class of the importance of geography in ancient history.
Being able to visually see the geographic location of Tel Qasila, helps convey the importance and influence of such elements in the culture of the Philistines. Unlike the Israelites, the location of the Philistines settlement exposed them to many different cultures such as the Mycenaeans and other Sea People. In many ways, this cultural affinity gave the Philistines a major advantage in their survival and way of life. I enjoyed watching the video and seeing Eliav explain the Philistine temple!
It was very interesting to hear about how the Philistines' entry into the seashore plains took place and how they set up their civilization. The look inside of the Philistine temple was very cool to see. I have always found it interesting to see glimpses of how ancient peoples worshiped.
Going back to this video after studying the majority of the Philistines’ history sheds a new light on how interesting they were as a people. They arrived in the area, dominated for some time and then were bested by the other newcomers, the tribes. As we are now studying the emergence of synagogues, it is interesting to see the Philistine temple. Just like how synagogues face towards Jerusalem and the destroyed temples, the Philistine temple faces the sea.
I found this video greatly helpful in grasping a better understanding of who the Philistines were as a group and their importance in the history of the region. I think this short clip is very well made, as it starts by giving context regarding the seashore plains, the area that these people inhabited in much earlier ages, then proceeds to dive deeper into who the Philistines were as a group and finally briefly mentions how this group (with their name) still resemble some type of presence in modern Israel/Palestine. Overall, a great informative and useful video.
I think the fact that the current day conflict dates back to pre historic times is incredibly interesting and unique to study. Eliav touches on the fact that the Philistines, "the sea people", come from various areas and explains the intentions they had in regards to settling in the region. In addition, it is neat that he touches on the physical attributes of the land and how they saw the opportunity to prosper in that region. Moreover, the geographical benefits of the region are rooted in the causes of the issues and the overall problems which is neat and cool for Eliav to lecture on. I am looking forward to studying the dynamic relationship between these groups as we move forward into the study of more modern times.
I found the seashore plains to be quite fascinating. I believe that we discussed the effect that the seashore plans had on our region. It was fascinating to learn about Philistia and the voyage of the sea people. To witness Eliav in the Philistine temple on Tel Quasila was such a profound moment. They were sea people who worshiped the sea since the temple faced west toward the sea. I learned that because of their proximity to the sea, they had greater economic and military strength. Additionally, because of their location, they were among the first to benefit from the metal that was brought into the area.
I think that this video brilliantly highlights how the present is shaped by history. Like Eliav says, so many things from the time of the philistines hasn't changed. I also think that this can help people grasp the complexity and rich history that comes with the conflict since it has truly been around for many millenniums.
This video was very interesting, and it does a great using archeology to understand the ways in which societies lived in antiquity. In particular, Tel Qasila and the temple allow us to have a better idea of the Philistine culture and society. This is especially true knowing the fact that there are no primary sources regarding the Philistine language, so this tel provides a great and informative alternative to understand the Philistines. The temple, pottery, and other material evidence found in the tel provides great support for the belief that the Philistines came from a culture oversees, such as from the Aegean area. I think this video is useful in an understanding of the land of Israel/Palestine in times of antiquity, and it can provide useful information to present-day conflicts/events in the area, too.
This was the perfect video to watch as I was writing about the Seashore plains and did not have enough information. I like how in Eliav’s lectures he talks about something and if there is not enough information you could go to his website and find more things. For example, Eliav talked about the seashore plains but this video just goes more into detail on who lived there, what it has to offer and what it has become over time. I knew the Philstines lived there but it was interesting to see it in a video as I am a visual learner!
Rewatching this video at the end of the semester made me realize how much I learned from the course and the fascinating history of the Philistines and their culture. Now I have a better understanding of the conflict from the last week of the course when we learned that in the UN settlement, the UN gave Tel Aviv to the Jewish state, which relates to the history of the land and the people that lived in the land.
The insight that Eliav provides in this video into the origins and culture of the Philistines was really fascinating. I never would have thought that people from the late Bronze Age made use of maritime travel, but it's a testament to the overall ingenuity of the Sea People. Also a reflection of their resourcefulness is the use of iron in warfare by the Sea People, which was still not enough to conquer the Israelites. However, despite their defeat, the Philistines instilled many material and symbolic cultural features into the land of Israel/Palestine, some of which are still very much alive today, contributing to the rich diversity of the region. An example of this is the ruins of many temples scattered throughout the land on sites such as Tel Qasila. The Sea People had unwavering praise for Dagon, a half-man half-fish God, and this is evidenced by the orientation of the temple facing the sea. The story of the Philistines exemplifies the pivotal role that water plays in Israel/Palestine, however in this case, it is not fresh water which was instrumental in their success, but the sea.
I found this video very interesting and informational. I was surprised to learn so much about Tel Qasila and what surrounds it and I didn't think the seashore plains had such a big impact on it as it did. It was helpful to hear which groups of people lived where and when during the conflict, especially in past times, and how it relates to modern-day.
This video was very interesting. It was nice to be able to see the landscape that the Philistines inhabited, and it really brought what we learned in lecture to life. Being able to see that their temple faced towards the sea and learning about their worship of a half-fish, half-man god really reinforced my knowledge that the Philistines were very culturally connected with the sea. Also fascinating to hear how Eliav compares the ancient conflict between the Philistines and Israelites to the modern-day conflict between Palestinians and Israelites. Really shows how this land has a long history of conflict.
It is always interesting to take a deeper look at the physical sites we discuss in class. After watching this video, it is clear that material culture that can be gathered from these sites is incredibly useful in determining how societies of the past carried themselves in their daily lives. In this case, the insight into the lives of the Philistines was particularly interesting.
It is wonderful that we can use tels to understand the material culture and identity of the Philistines. Specifically, Tel Qasila helped us corroborate findings with tales of the Philistines in the Bible and their use of iron during the time. It is also interesting to think about how the Philistines had a long-lived culture after their disappearance and that in the modern day, we have the same confrontation between the Philistines and the Israelites. Yet, now it is with the Palestineans and the Israelis.
We just reviewed the Tel Qasile in class. The Tel Qasile has been a very crucial excavation site for archaeologists to determine what ancient life was like in the region. The Tel Qasile sits right at the mouth of the Yarkon river and in the heart of Tel Aviv. I think it is also telling that such an important archaeological site is in one of the most vital modern cities. This video provided beautiful visuals showing Tel Qasile, as well as informative.
Learning about the creation of the five cities, Philistine culture, and how they worshipped was insightful. I wonder how much more one could learn had there been more ancient texts out there.
It is super engaging to learn about the newcomers that arrived in Israel-Palestine after the fall of the global power of Egypt while seeing visuals of the land in current time. Of course, the land probably looked vastly different back then, but it helps me paint a mental picture of what the immigration to Israel-Palestine might have looked like. Seeing Eliav explore a Philistine Temple was also very educational, because without him explaining the different architectural aspects of the temple, I would have had no idea what I was looking at. This was a great introduction to learning about the Philistines coming to Israel-Palestine.
I really liked this video and watching it really makes me want to go visit Palestine and see Tel Qasile. Although in class we focused more on the impact of the Philistines, rather than their history, I was always amazed by the things they did. I also think about how they shaped Judaism and the origin of our region. I also am very interested in how the Sea played a huge role in their everyday lives, even their God, Dagon, who was half fish half man. It really shows me how the ideologies and things in history shaped the lives of civilizations. I am amazed at how well preserved this temple was.
I found this video really interesting because it's amazing how Eliav really went to the sight of Tel Qasile in order to analyze how a temple of the Philistines gives us insight into how they lived and their culture. I think that the history of the Philistines is very interesting because while they were present in the region for a long time, a lot of their culture and origin are questioned, which makes It so interesting how Eliav is able to analyze them through this material culture in the Tel.
I really like being able to watch these videos before or after learning about the topic in lecture because I feel like it makes the ideas and concepts a lot more palatable. Personally, seeing the architecture of Tel Qasila and the Philistine culture that could be pulled out of it, like the worship of the Sea and the god Dagon, along with lots of Hellenistic-esc culture, which highlighted the Greek origins of the Philistines. I also think it is super cool to see how the Philistines never really left the region now that we are at the Hellenistic Period and Roman Period and how the region of Judea is now called Palestina. Even though we haven't really talked about the Philistines at all in the past month or so, but it is still important to keep their presence in the back of my head.
This video was overflowing with compelling information that has proven to be important in revealing the origin of current issues. Not only did the video discuss the Philistines' occupancy of the Seashore plains, but he mentioned some aspects of the land that are essential to consider when analyzing their culture. He mentions how their geological location contributed to influence from other Metetranian powers, made for a constant fear of invasion, and contributed to how and who they worshiped. I found it clarifying to see inside a Tel, for it brought what we have been discussing in class into perspective. I am interested in continuing to learn how the Philistines compared to the Israelite tribes at this time in history.
I found this video to be very interesting as it provides perspective on both the ancient history of the land in Israel/Palestine and also how it relates to modern-day. I enjoyed seeing Tel Qasila and being able to visualize what a tel looks like after discussing it in class so frequently. It is interesting to me how although so much time has passed, there is still conflict over this land and although many other reasons have had an influence on the conflict, the geography is still of high importance to why the land is so desirable.
The video's analysis of Philistine early history is fascinating; particularly modern archaeologists' ability to work with and understand ancient civilizations with little historical records is a miracle of the modern age. Conflicts between Philistines, Sea People, and precursor Tribes of Israel are fascinating to understand as a start to the much larger story of the conflict in the region. The culmination of the Philistines tale, where the Israelite tribes emerge victoriously, casts an interesting juxtaposition. At the same time, the Tribes are the victors, the Philistines name and might become associated with the land for centuries after. My greatest takeaway from this video is that the situation will eventually change regardless of what or who is in power. For all involved, a peaceful, cooperative change is the best solution.
It so fascinating to examine the history of the seashore plains. For such a geographically small place, the region is rich in history and culture. Throughout our class we have discussed the seashore plains and the people who inhabited them in great detail. It is so interesting to examine how the land, and the various peoples who inhabited the land, changed and evolved over time. Additionally, we discussed the importance of water many times throughout the course of our class. It is fascinating how water not only affected migration, settlement, and economics, but also culture and religion. I really enjoyed studying how religions and cultures formed around the Mediterranean Sea, and the importance of water can be examined through various peoples' religions and cultural materials. For example, the depiction of the Philistine god, Dagon, expresses the importance of the Mediterranean Sea in Philistine religion and culture! The seashore plains have fostered great civilizations and great histories, I really enjoyed studying them!
It is very interesting to look at how the Temples look and how they have evolved in comparison to what we have learned in class. It is nice to see the cultural and architectural aspects of the Philistines and how they have impacted culture in the Middle East.
It is extremely interesting to see how prehistory, the time before systems of writing were developed/utilized, are important in understanding history and current events. This video solidifies Professor Eliav's claim in his lectures that geography is of great importance, and is not merely a backdrop for historical events. This is seen in the video because the Philistines live in an area of fertility and access to water, which gave them advantages (in terms of economy and military) that other communities did not have.
This video was really interesting and really helped me solidify in my mind exactly who the Philistines and the Sea People were. Having heard about the Sea People multiple times, learning about who they actually were in this video was great. I thought it was really interesting how much the Philistines affected the region, through the cities they built with the early Israelites. Additionally, I found their strong connection to the sea really interesting, even in how the building ruin that Eliav talks about faces towards west, or the sea.
It is very interesting to see Professor Eliav walk through the excavated remains of the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasile. I am impressed by how well the architecture has held up since the Iron Age. The video of Tel Qasile puts into perspective the material culture of the Philistine. In addition, it is helpful to understand how Tel Qasile became an economic and military strategy during the Iron Age. For instance, the Philistines became the first to produce iron, which helped them fight off other tribes. Also, the SeaShore plains became advantageous for the Philistines because of the Tel facing the sea to see newcomers or invaders as well as worshiping Dagon, the god of the Sea.
The Philistines, and Tel Qasila, had such an important impact on history of the region of modern Israel/Palestine that understanding their roots is necessary to understanding the continuous conflict between two ethnicities to this day. Their arrival, and the reasons why, are an entire cause and effect system that has lead us to the current situation in that region of our world. The conflicts between the Philistines and what is to become Israel have been fought for so long that it has become difficult to recover from easily, and has stirred continuous animosity.
I find this video to be very intriguing. It is amazing to me how Eliav is able to understand so much of the Philistine culture and practices based on the location and alignment of the settlement. I loved learning about what made this location in the Seashore plains, next to the Mediterranean Sea so important to them. It is amazing to learn about the Philistines while "virtually" visiting their cities and seeing the remains of their material culture first hand as supposed to just hearing about it in a class room environment.
I agree! Eliav's explanation of historical events through major contextualization is the best way I've got to learn history. I love history in general, but getting this perspective that is actually through a multitude of lenses shone the light upon groups who maybe were seen as heroic or the victim, or whatnot. Seeing every perspective and making our own judgments based on what the evidence says, is accurate history. And I agree that these "virtual" visits do make it all the more real and immersive.
It was very enjoyable to see the actual Tel Aviv in Israel on the video, which I've only seen and heard in class through images. Tel Aviv looked very peaceful with the broad green field, wide sea, and many different buildings in the video, as opposed to the fact that the Israelis and Palestinians had been fighting over the territory. It's so much fun to learn about different cultures and people's history on the other side of the world. I'm very content with the class and the ample course materials.
I really enjoyed watching this video because it was interesting to see Tel Quasila and its architectural components. It is amazing that it still remains intact and has held strong for thousands of years. The video shows so much more of a Tel than any images in class.
I really enjoyed watching this video because it further highlights the importance of geography in the region and shows a new prospective on what life was like in Israel thousands of years ago. The Philistine's unique combination of culture and religion are an aspect of the region's history I had never learned about before class. It is so fascinating how this one group's existence was the reason for such a big power shift when the tribes of Israel united.
I agree. Before this class, I had rarely ever thought about the Philistines except for their relation to the Israelites through religious teachings when I was a child. Of course they have a history and culture and world far beyond what religious classes I was taught when young. It was so interesting to see their own religious and cultural ways of life. Additionally, it was interesting to see how important the seashore plains were to the Philistines. Our lesson on geography has helped me better picture where the things we learn about take place, and I am curious to see how else the seashore plains will affect both the Philistines and the Israelites.
These videos are always enjoying to watch. It's always nice to see what you're learning about in lecture visually, and the supplemental information is always useful. I was drawn to this video because I find the Philistines one of the more interesting groups we've learned about. They are shrouded in mystery, where the only thing we really know is from other groups of people at the time. It's fascinating how much we can learn about them from studying the archeology and the few sources about them. Overall, another well produced video that was engaging and informative.
After viewing this video again while working on some course work I came to a conclusion. During the semester many small pieces of information stuck with me. There are certain periods, battles, figures, and phrases that I consider almost daily. However, one of the most striking, is that the Philistine temple in Tel Qasila is oriented towards the origin of those who built it, west towards the sea. I think this stuck by me because it was the first time I really understood material culture and its role in showing what was important to a group of people.
The Pentapolis of the Philistines is fascinating to think about for me, as it shows how even in ancient times urbanization and centralized pockets of population density were both integral to society and also a great way to parse through cultures' history and learn more about them. Thinking about the Philistines' cities, three of their major five were harbor cities, further emphasizing the importance of the sea to their people. Additionally, the temple at Tel Qasile faced the sea, and their God, Dagon, was also emblematic of the sea. By sifting through archaeological remains and trying to interpret them, historians are often able to learn far more about a culture through their cities than I previously would have imagined.
I found the part where Eliav talks about the geographical location of Tel Qasila particularly fascinating. The way that the layout of this city directly supports the Bible's description of their religious culture is really interesting. The location of this site further proves the significance of water to this ethnic group for religious reasons, economic benefits and military advantages. This video is the first time in the course where we can see a clear connection between the settlers of this area in the Iron Age and today through cultural practices. I look forward to pointing out more and more connections between these ancient ethnic groups and the occupants of the territory today throughout the course.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the contrast between economic prosperity and war. After learning about the Crusades, I have a greater understanding of why and how the region has been constantly threatened by landscape and invasion. Returning to discussion of the Philistines is also interesting because it demonstrates how many different groups have occupied, and therefore feel a connection to this region. In addition, the Philistines using water as their strength as the sea people connects to the overarching theme of the importance of water, which is still a relevant strategy as we discuss the Crusades. Furthermore, this video provides really interesting details and connections, emphasizing themes that repeat and underscore the course as a whole.
It's incredible but also saddening to see that the modern turmoil within the region is actually just a historical event repeating itself. It's great how Eliav can turn this site into a moment for historical examination and reflection, especially given how bad things are getting in the Israel. I'm also impressed with how well the video is narrated and edited.
I enjoyed learning about Tel Qasila. It was interesting to see what a Philistine city looked like, especially with the proper cultural contexts. The Philistines, the sea peoples, left their mark on the region and demonstrated their commitment to the sea through the worship of their sea g-d Dagon. I thought their political structure of a pentapolis is fascinating, and demonstrates their greek origin, given that was the structure of greece during the bronze age. The Pentapolis demonstrates the Philistines culture in that they were a commercial, seafaring and agile people. Very interesting to see!
I find it incredible how much information can be gained by studying the archaeological remains of different societies. In the video, Professor Eliav talks about an ancient Philistine temple found on Tel Qasile. After some additional research, I found that Tel Qasile is home to three Philistine temples, each an extension of the one before. The increasing size of the newer temples is likely an indication of the city’s increasing population, further corroborated by the fact that the Philistines had great agricultural, economic, and military benefits living on the Seashore Plains. In the latest temple’s courtyard, an altar was found surrounded by layers of ash covering the bones of sheep, goats, cows, and camels. This finding suggests sacrifice was an important component of the Philistine religion. Also found at Tel Qasile include ancient living quarters and pottery vessels, offering further insight into the lives of the Philistines. These archaeological remains, paired with a proper understanding of the geography of the region, can help us understand how the Philistines prospered and became such a major threat to tribes during the time of David. Source: www.eretzmuseum.org.il/e/101/
I really enjoyed this video because I thought it did a nice job of complimenting what I learned in lecture. The lecture content and slides are interesting, but seeing a video provides an even more complete picture of what it was like to experience Tel Qasila. The attention to detail in the video was impressive as well, especially the scene describing the caliph's entrance -- I felt like I was there. Also, after learning repeatedly about the undeniable importance of geography in our region, it was interesting to examine a significant site that was not strategically located. This speaks to the importance that religion held -- religion, alone, could define a city.
Yaron's videos fascinate each time I watch one. There is always an in depth view as if I were standing in the location, specifically here Tel Qasila. I am in awe of how it has held up over the years and that people, in this video Yaron, are able to walk through history, literally. This provides clear evidence of how the Philistines lived. I am always shocked at how intricate and well built ancient buildings are.
This was a very informative video. It was interesting to learn about the Seashore Plain, a fertile region that is always susceptible to war and animosity because of its richness. Many invaders find the land appealing which adds to its complex history. The Philistines, otherwise known as the Sea People, were one of these invaders. They were a group deeply rooted in their Greek culture and its system revolving a lot around trade and the sea. However, they always were in confrontation with the Israelites. Additionally, the Philistines do not have many existing references to their history but they did play a very important role on the current state of the region. One important and monumental place for the Philistines was Tel Qasila. The impressive architecture stood out for me and the way it pointed towards the sea. Even the god they worshiped related the sea with being half fish and half human. The most interesting point is that the fighting over the region is still happening today with Palestine and Israel which shows the full-circle nature of this dispute.
I think this video gives us great insight by going back to the philistines with the pentapolis being brought up, when in class we haven't mentioned them in a while. Being able to see a temple from the Iron age, used to worship Dagon, is also extremely cool. Seeing the Philistines disappear in history after their lost, but still being able to be seen within culture and heritage reminds us that cultures are a mix of previous ones. Its also ironic that the geographic locations switched with Israel being on the central hill to the seashore plains with conflict involving the central hill.
This video was very interesting. In one of last week's readings, they mentioned the "Sea people" as a seemingly anonymous group from abroad. This video gave context to that name and showed that while the Philistines were not a long-lasting people, they indeed had a large impact on the historical and cultural development of the region. Once again, this speaks to the fluidity of ethnic groups in the Levant, and how just because a group no longer exist, does not mean its traditions fade into obscurity.
It is truly amazing to see the ancient buildings. I love to see how temples have evolved, and how temples are built between different ethnic groups. I also find it very interesting that the same areas continued to be re-inhabited over time even though there inhabiters have no idea that the area was taken in the past. That is why geography is amazing. The same areas continue to give the same advantages centuries apart.
I find the point that Eliav made about the Philistine's significance today quite interesting. It is amazing how a people that seemingly vanished, with no mention of them after their defeat at the hands of the Israelites, was still so present in history. Their impact on culture, which is visible in names and pottery show that one group that only inhabits a region for a short time can have far-reaching effects long after they're gone. Although they probably didn't know it, the ancient Philistine activities have a quite large significance in today's world.
This video was super interesting to walk especially because Eliav was able to actually be inside the Philistine temple and describe what was actually right in front of him. It was so cool to see the importance of the seashore plains to the Philistines and how geography serves such a great purpose to these ancient civilizations. Their whole religion relied on the sea, bringing them the title of the “Sea People.” It’s crazy to see how these temples have survived through time, wars, and weather. Enough of it remains that a story can be told about the area, the people, and their way of life.
I agree! As a visual learner seeing what Eliav talks about in class in video form and present by Eliav is really unique and interesting. The seashore plains does provide a lot geographically from its ports, who has lived there and it’s fertile land. Yes even though the Philistines lived there thousands and thousands of years ago, we can still see and tell their story today which is astounding!
The Philistines fascinate me. How a group of people just ended up in one of the most important areas in the region. How they were able to incorporate new metal to gain an advantage on their enemy. I like to think of the seashore planes as a place with incredible beauty and usefulness. Its beauty is a blessing, but also a curse. Everyone loves it, maybe too much so they fight for it.
This was one of my favorite videos to watch for class because I find it interesting how the tel provides so much information about the Philistines, such as their use of iron. There is also a lot of historical significance surrounding this location, because despite the fact that the Philistines settled on the seashore plains, modern day Palestinians do not identify with this ethnic group. Instead, they use the Canaanites to support their claim to the land. The mention of the pentapolis is also interesting to me because many of these cities exist in modern day Israel, and it's incredible how they lasted for so many years and are still functioning as ports.
In every lecture, Eliav stresses the importance of geography in ancient times and currently as it is integral to who controls the land and what power it gives them. To this end, the once-great empires that have now developed in to nations that are still in conflict with each other over land, only this time the land they claim as theirs has flipped. The reflection of the Philistine's location as a settlement in their material culture and religious beliefs is fascinating and important to understanding the development of the region. Furthermore, Eliav mentions the hostile contention between the Israeli tribes and the Philistines as a "win or vanish" situation because they had nowhere else to go, which is eerily familiar to the sentiment today. This video and the readings we have to do build upon the fact that understanding the origin of the region really is invaluable to understanding the region in its entirety now and sets the scene for the conflict that has been ongoing for centuries.
I thought this was a really interesting video to watch. It gave a lot of information about the Philistines and the development of their culture. The tel gives a lot of information about the history of the Philistines and their use of tools and iron. After taking the whole course, it is easy to see how the Philistines flourished because of their location on the sea shore plains and how they were able to dominate over other local kingdoms. It is clear that their kingdom was able to have a lasting impact on the region which is evident in the continued existence of cities like Gaza and Ashdod.
I find this video interesting because archaeology provides us with so much information about societies. I learned why the Sea Peoples found the Seashore plains, specifically the Tel Qasila, as an attractive place for settlement. I found it fascinating that the Bible says that their religion was based on the worshipping of Dagon, a God who was half human and half fish. I enjoyed seeing and understanding what a Tel looks like also.
It was very interesting to learn about the settlement of the Philistines in the eastern Mediterranean region. Groups that chose to settle in the region had to balance the constant threat of invasion with the prosperity and advantages of the land. It was fascinating to see the architecture and artifacts of the Philistine settlement of Tel Qasila, especially the significance of the orientation of buildings to the west towards the Mediterranean Sea. The ruins, which are thousands of years old, are surprisingly well preserved and much of the structure of the walls, steps, and pillars are intact. I wonder why the Philistines seemed to "disappear" from history after they were defeated by the people of Israel, yet so much of their culture and cities still remain today
Watching this video after taking the course allows me to recognize how the seashore plains was a location for economic prosperity throughout history. With the proximity to water, the Philistines and many generations to come (with an exception to some empires who allowed the seashore plains to disintegrate) would take advantage of the prime location and use it for trade. This further highlights one of the major themes of the course, the importance of being close to the scarce water in the region.
In Tel Qasilah, as Eliav taught us, has been tremendously helpful to understand the culture of the region. The Philistines left behind pottery that was clearly different than the ones the 12 tribes of central hill did. This video teaches us just that but also goes more into the details of the seashore plains, its port cities, its culture, and its history. With great visuals!
Its so interesting that something as simple as pottery could be so crucial in our understanding and formation of history. People hundreds and thousands of years ago had no idea that the practical pottery they used to get water, store things, etc would be how we learn about their lives. And now the smallest details of the pottery they made give us insights into some of the biggest mysteries like where they originated from.
I found this video very interesting. I enjoyed learning about Tel Qasila's unique elements, and was surprised to discover how the territory has served as a source of conflict for centuries. Although the modern contention is different from history, the similarity of the dispute to what is happening today is surprising.
What's interesting about this is that even though so much time has passed, groups still continue to vie over the same land. Even though there has been so much conflict in the past, the land continues t be important to so many cultures. This ties back to the point that geography does help shape history.
Since learning about this in class, I have always found it so interesting that 'The Sea People' ended up mainly on the Central Hill in the West Bank. This is pretty much as far from the sea as you can get. It shows that Israelis and Palestinians share many similarities, and have even managed to share land and live on land that the other have previously lived on. For many, it is common knowledge that the Israelites written in biblical stories were in the land of Israel-Palestine. For those same people, it is not as common to acknowledge the Philistines who lived around the same, were also thriving in the land. Wrapping up this semester means looking back at everything, and it is fascinating to have been able to follow these two groups through history. I had no idea that the Palestinians were called the Philistines and that they had their own religion, God (Dagon), and culture. Times have changed significantly, and it is unfortunate to note that the relationship between the two groups who live in this land began with conflict.
I found it fascinating to be able to see what the layout of their structure looked like. The fact that you were able to walk inside of their living space is so cool. It is like a window back in time thousands of years. It is hard to believe it is still there after all those years, seeing as it was made out of stone and mud bricks. I would love to learn more about the architecture of ancient buildings like these.
I also found the ancient architecture fascinating! Seeing how well-kept some of those ruins are is truly amazing. I would love to go on an ancient architecture tour of the middle east and take a deeper dive into what inspired their building styles and layouts. The fact that it isn't even that challenging to picture what life in those buildings were thousands of years ago is something us people should be grateful for (due to such great preservation). I think seeing the smaller details within the ruins, analyzing the building layouts, and getting that snapshot of ancient life was one of the best aspects talked about in this video.
Reviewing this video now, especially with the semester is coming to an end, it's pretty interesting to see how much the world has shifted over time. The Saladin era feels like ancient stuff to us, much like how the Philistines would've felt ancient to them. We often get caught up thinking everything will stay the same, but history keeps proving us wrong. Looking back at history, you realize nothing really sticks around for too long. Our current issues - the conflicts, culture, politics, and all that - they'll end up just a few lines in some history book. It's a bit mind-blowing every time I take a step back and think about it.
This video really fascinated me, and I learned a lot. One fact that I find interesting is that the Temple of the Philistines faced the sea because the Philistines really valued/ appreciated the sea, and in Judaism today, our synagogues face Jerusalem. So it is interesting that this idea can be traced all the way back to ancient times. In addition, their main God (mentioned in bible and mentioned in other sources) is Dagon, which means half fish half human, which just emphasizes their connection to the sea.
It was interesting to learn that the Philistines arrived at the southern seashores around the same time that Israelites got to the central hill. Despite how long ago this occurred, it seems to have set up the subsequent fighting over the next hundreds of years. I look forward to learning about the origins of early conflict between the two groups--whether or not it was based entirely on land and resources or if there were cultural, ethnic, and/or religious causes, too.
It's interesting to hear about how their connection to the sea really shaped all aspects of their identity, from how people viewed them to their religion, culture and economy. I also thought it was interesting how at the end, he linked the history of the Philistines to the modern day conflict in the region. It got me thinking about one of the most common points of debate in the conflict - who got there first? There seems to be this idea that whoever was on the land first has the right to stay there. But in this class you learn about all the different groups that travelled here - the groups that rose into prominence and faded into obscurity, the kingdoms that fought hard for power and lost that same power only a few centuries later, the empires that ruled over the inhabitants for a period and eventually returned back to their origins. If you think about the number of people who have touched this land and all the people today who likely had ancestors who touched this land, it begs the question of how we can even trace who got there first and if this concept really has any place in the debate.
What I find most interesting about this video is that comment that the "whole orientation of the temple is facing West toward the sea." As discussed in class and mentioned in the video, the Phillistines originated from islands across the Mediterranean. The fact that their structure is related to the sea in this specific, thought out way demonstrates that ancient people were not simply animals who pursued survival. Rather, such information demonstrates how even ancient civilizations were intelligent and made connection between their identities and the world around them, something that I think is easy to forget when studying past societies in modern times.
This video was really exciting to watch because Eliav was actually able to go inside the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasila. It was intriguing to hear about how the Philistines' entry into the seashore plains took place and how they set up their civilization. Also, its surprising that the temple is still mostly intact even though the temple was built thousands of years ago.
All videos that Eliav make benefit the learning experience because of the visual aid that explicitly displays the material culture. For example, here we see this ancient temple with columns, facing west toward the Mediterranean. This material evidence corroborates the information we already had about one of the gods they worship, Dagon who was half human, half fish. Having the temple face the sea would make the Philistines feel closer to this god and perhaps appease this god more. This information adds to the Philistines' religious identity which is interesting because it is similar to some customs that later religious groups will use.
This video adds a dynamic layer to our learning experience of this class. Incorporating visuals of Tel Qasile and diving into the daily lives of the Philistines through the connection with archeology, really helps viewers be more engaged in the subject. The mix of information and creativity makes it easier to understand and remember the important details. Personally, learning about the Philistines' material culture and the sea-centric aspects of their lives has been able to provide insights that have helped me grasp difficult concepts. Eliav's guided tour through the ruins provides an important visual aid, enhancing my understanding of their rich culture.This video offers a unique perspective on the Philistines' impact on the region and their lasting influence throughout history.
The professor did an amazing job of explaining the Tel Qasila and how it impacted the Philstines. Using videos makes learning fun and helps you better understand the concept you're learning.
Eliav did a good job of explaining Tel Qasila and how it was impactful for the understanding we have gained about the Philistines and their culture. Their culture is deeply rooted to the materials they used and archaeologists were able to dig up these materials to see how the Philistines lived back then.
These videos are incredibly enjoyable to watch because they examine and teach history in an in depth and entertaining manner. Not only was this video informative about Tel Qasila and the material culture of the Philistines, but because it provided the information in a creative way it is more easily digestible and also more memorable. I personally think the Philistines and their culture are fascinating because of how much they shaped the region and the impact they left on it. Seeing Eliav take us through the ruins gave me a great visual aid and helped me truly understand what their material culture and everyday life was like.
Tel Qasila was a big part of our lecture in Eliav's class. We were provided with this youtube video as a background for our lecture along with the history of this part of the region. Eliav does an amazing job describing how the land and the changes to the land interferes with culture. After many groups taking the land over the previous groups, a change in culture is provided and some saved, some lost. It adds to the multicultural landscape over the years and proves how our region that we have been studying all semester long is very diverse.
This engaging video on the Philistines at Tel Qasila brings lectures to life. It's like a time machine showing how Israel and Palestine's history is full of ups and downs. The area's been through a lot, from being super prosperous to dealing with tons of invasions. It's interesting how the Philistines, part of the Sea Peoples, settled there and brought their own culture and tech, like worshiping the half-fish god Dagon and using iron. The video does a great job connecting this ancient stuff to today's issues, showing that some things don’t change much. It's like history repeating itself with different groups fighting over the same land. This immersive style not only aids in retaining knowledge but also sparks curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of Tel Qasila.
I think videos add a whole new important aspect of learning. Supplementing the words with actual footage of the place we are studying makes the information stick so much better and really brings to life the material. I also think this is one of the best examples of archeology speaking to the lives of the Philistines with the importance of the sea and their worshipping of Dagon. This is one of my favorite videos we have watched in this class.
I found this video enlightening. Seeing the fertile plains and seashore up close shows just how important this area would have been for a people coming from other areas in the Mediterranean. Additionally, getting to see the temple at Tel Qasila and its intricacy and material culture was something that connects so strongly with what Eliav teaches in his lectures.
l love the way that Eliav uses multimedia platforms to engage his students in his lectures. The video format of content is extremely helpful for me as a learner so I appreciate videos like this. The visual imagery that Eliav provides at Tel Qasila and the surrounding region really sets the scene and contributes to my broader understanding if the geography in Israel. I also love the fact that we are shown various artifacts excavated at the site. Being able to see Eliav lecture from the very place he is discussing is really awesome for students and makes learning more engaging. Tel Qasila is fascinating and really tells us a lot about the sea people, their origins, beliefs, and way of life. This was a very well done and informative video!
The visual elements of the Philistine artifacts gave me a better understanding of their culture. Their unique pottery reflects how they incorporated aspects of the surrounding cultures such as the Canaanites and Egyptians into their Aegean lifestyle. Additionally, seeing the present-day land of the Seashore plains allowed me to understand its geographic importance for agricultural production and why it was the site of numerous battles against the Newcomers in the 12th and 11th centuries. Lastly, seeing Professor Eliav walk through the well-preserved temple within the tel showed me the importance of religion for the Philistines and their deep relationship with the sea.
This video was so well made! I really appreciated how they showed the land while the speaker was talking about it to give us a better visual sense. The images of the various items that were so significant to the Philistines were also very helpful visual tools in order to better understand their way of life so long ago. I think it's so cool that Eliav was able to actually go into the Tel and truly embrace the history. We're really lucky that so much has survived over so many years and now archaeologists and historians have the privilege of re-walking the paths of those who came before us.
The combination of lectures on the Middle East and a first-hand documentation of what still stands makes me appreciate the geographical lens through which to view history. Moving from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods to the quarrel over Canaan in the Avi-Yonah text shows how quickly human civilization advanced. Aqueducts emerged in ancient Rome just twenty years after the foundation of Judaism and introduced irrigation to the world. I'm most impressed by the settlers in Beersheba whose construction of subterreanean dwellings created a cooler climate in the most arid of regions. With or without water, Middle Eastern settlers made the most of the geography they were presented with.
Eliav's videos consistently deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience. It's so nice to see lectures come to life, especially in a geography course, and his added insights make it that much better. This video on the enigmatic Philistines held my attention, shedding light on an almost hidden civilization. Eliav's ability to immerse us in places like Tel Qasila through his visits offers a glimpse into the past and showcases the detailed craftsmanship of ancient structures. Another well-produced video!
It is fascinating how a group could come in, be involved in so much conflict and history, and then simply disappear. But, as Eliav has proven they still had so much impact on the history of the area. Especially as we look at how some Palestinians have claimed to be related to them as well as Canaanites it is undoubtedly an important group. Not only that but their role in the development of the area and how that sheds light on the theories surrounding the settlement of the area and the Bible's accuracy. The mystery and controversy surrounding them is so crucial to the context of the area and yet they were simply a group that showed up then disappeared.
This insightful exploration of the historical dynamics between the Philistines and Israelites provides a fascinating backdrop to the contemporary conflict in the region. The narrative skillfully draws parallels between ancient struggles for territory and the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the enduring complexities of the area. The description of the Philistine Temple adds a tangible dimension to the historical account, offering a vivid glimpse into the cultural and religious aspects of these ancient civilizations. Overall, the commentary on the continuity of tensions over thousands of years adds depth to our understanding of the geopolitical challenges faced by the modern-day inhabitants of Israel and Palestine.
Getting to see Eliav walk through the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasila really helped connect the teachings from class to a tangible site and further my understandings. The temple's layout and description fall directly in line with our understanding of Philistine's sea culture and how they incorporated aspects of their religion into things like their architecture. Overall a really amazing and informative video!!
Watching this video about Tel Qasila helped put the information learned about the Philistines as "Sea People" into context. Now that we are a few weeks into the course, I am understanding a common theme: water. Water's prevalence, location and travel capabilities seem to have shaped history in many ways. This video is yet another example of how geography is the backbone of history. Geography influenced the people, not the other way around. A prime example of this is how the Philistines ending up on such a fertile piece of land enabled them to assert dominance over the Israelites.
I think the most astounding part of this video for me is the fact that Professor Eliav was actually able to physically walk through the Philistine temple on Tel Qasila. I am impressed with how well the architecture has held up despite the building of temple being thousands of years ago. I really should not be as surprised as I am, but it is always interesting to learn of the ability of ancient civilizations to create for themselves structures. Being able to have a visual representation and walk through of these sights helps me to understand the content of the course better as well.
I love how Eliav highlights the importance of the direction the houses were built which alludes to the philistine's way of life.
I really benefitted from watching this video because it clearly articulates how the past conflict explains the current situation in Israel/Palestine. I specifically like how Eliav stresses the amount of time that has passed since the initial conflict in history, but how they have yet to be solved to this day. I also enjoy how the video begins with a description of the topography, agricultural possibilities, and broad process of migration in settlement in this land before delving into any conflict, past or present. It provides good context to not only the video, but also for future lectures in the semester.
This video has helped me immensely on understanding the geography of the region better, especially regarding tel qasila the origin and dynamics of the people living there as amalgamation was mentioned. It’s very informative and entertaining to study with the video accompanying
The brilliant juxtaposition presented by Eliav between the ancient and modern settlers of the sea shore plains and the central hill allows one to understand the critical impact of the geography of the region. The fact that the dominant civilisation always lived on the sea shore plain is imperative to understand the social dynamics of the region, especially in the modern context. Lastly, I must say that the approach used by Eliav of walking through places while talking about them places the viewer in that location and enables a much deeper understanding of the topic.
This video, although short, was packed full of rich information that can be utilized to help connect the dots between the long, rich history of conflict and today's complicated matters of affairs. I feel as though I have more of a sense of how long and strenuous this conflict has been and has become. I also quite enjoy having the visuals of the actual cities, temples, and places mentioned in class. It helps me to put everything into perspective.
I very much enjoyed the terminology professor Eliav uses in discussing a "nation with no lands". It's always interesting to see how professor Eliav ties in historical events to the narrative which continues today. Beyond the connections to today, it is always intriguing to view how different cultures of the past differed from ours today. I enjoy learning about the lives of those in history beyond just the major events.
It is interesting to watch this video with amazing shots of the seashore plains while we are learning about the different people groups who have lived there and the conflicts, both in ancient times and ongoing. The relevance of history to modern events always astounds me, and learning about the history of this area lends valuable knowledge and draws interesting parallels to current events.
This video was very impressive and helpful to my learning about the ancient Iron Age Philistines. While learning in lecture is always very in-depth, watching this video and getting to see this ancient city and the remnants left there is eye opening and shows so much about how ancient Philistines lived. Specifically seeing how all aspects of their society faced and were near the sea showed how much they valued and praised the water as mariners. This access to the water was definitely big help for them when battling the Canaanites and Egyptians.
I really enjoyed watching this video because I found the story of the Philistines to be super interesting, as they made great use of the sea during their time. They were known as the sea people and even their God, Dagon, was a mariner. The important of the sea and Tel Qasila was greatly shown and it was very helpful when reinforcing concepts talked about in class.
The Tel Qasila was an extremely interesting video to watch because of how appealing of a region it is. The Tel Qasila was invaded by the sea people, and Eliav explains how they made their culture apparent through architecture and building. His explanation of the orientation of the building was very helpful, as how it related to where these people came from. He also talks about the confrontation between the Israelites and Philistines as similar to the confrontation between the Israelis and Palestinians currently, which I found helpful. Ultimately, this video gave an excellent explanation of the context of the region and the importance of how things in the past affect how things are now in the region.
As we continue to discuss the histories of modern Israelis and Palestinians in class, I found this video to be a great supplement to the curriculum. Seeing the architecture and structure of the Philistine civilizations up close in this format has helped me better understand not just where the Philistines lived, but how, and how their culture may have existed in these structures. Reading #20 on the course website is a great piece that connects much of the information discussed here as well.
Since I am beginning to think about geography more for the final paper, this footage was extremely interesting and relevant to me. Seeing the lushness of the area contrasted with the barren desert helped me to truly understand the rarity of this geological treasure. The video also deepened my understanding of the importance of tels and their historical value.
Prior to watching the video at the beginning of the semester I had no knowledge of the Philistines, I hadn’t given much thought into the ancient history of Israel. After watching the video, I understand who the Philistines were and why they settled the land. They are a unique culture and, seeing artifacts of their culture, helped me envision their society.
It's fascinating to hear that the video deepened our understanding of the ancient history of Israel, particularly in relation to the Philistines. Exploring their culture and artifacts provide a clear picture of their society. History has a way of offering new perspectives, and it's great that we are able to gain insights into the unique aspects of the Philistine culture and their settlement in the land.
This video was very interesting to watch and be able to learn about the importance of the Seashore Plains in both ancient times and modern-day Israel. It is fascinating to see the temple that the Philistines worshipped in and why they found this region to be so appealing. Learning about the Sea Peoples and being able to visualize their existence through this video further confirms the concept that we return to every class of the importance of geography in ancient history.
Being able to visually see the geographic location of Tel Qasila, helps convey the importance and influence of such elements in the culture of the Philistines. Unlike the Israelites, the location of the Philistines settlement exposed them to many different cultures such as the Mycenaeans and other Sea People. In many ways, this cultural affinity gave the Philistines a major advantage in their survival and way of life. I enjoyed watching the video and seeing Eliav explain the Philistine temple!
It was very interesting to hear about how the Philistines' entry into the seashore plains took place and how they set up their civilization. The look inside of the Philistine temple was very cool to see. I have always found it interesting to see glimpses of how ancient peoples worshiped.
Going back to this video after studying the majority of the Philistines’ history sheds a new light on how interesting they were as a people. They arrived in the area, dominated for some time and then were bested by the other newcomers, the tribes. As we are now studying the emergence of synagogues, it is interesting to see the Philistine temple. Just like how synagogues face towards Jerusalem and the destroyed temples, the Philistine temple faces the sea.
I found this video greatly helpful in grasping a better understanding of who the Philistines were as a group and their importance in the history of the region. I think this short clip is very well made, as it starts by giving context regarding the seashore plains, the area that these people inhabited in much earlier ages, then proceeds to dive deeper into who the Philistines were as a group and finally briefly mentions how this group (with their name) still resemble some type of presence in modern Israel/Palestine. Overall, a great informative and useful video.
I think the fact that the current day conflict dates back to pre historic times is incredibly interesting and unique to study. Eliav touches on the fact that the Philistines, "the sea people", come from various areas and explains the intentions they had in regards to settling in the region. In addition, it is neat that he touches on the physical attributes of the land and how they saw the opportunity to prosper in that region. Moreover, the geographical benefits of the region are rooted in the causes of the issues and the overall problems which is neat and cool for Eliav to lecture on. I am looking forward to studying the dynamic relationship between these groups as we move forward into the study of more modern times.
I found the seashore plains to be quite fascinating. I believe that we discussed the effect that the seashore plans had on our region. It was fascinating to learn about Philistia and the voyage of the sea people. To witness Eliav in the Philistine temple on Tel Quasila was such a profound moment. They were sea people who worshiped the sea since the temple faced west toward the sea. I learned that because of their proximity to the sea, they had greater economic and military strength. Additionally, because of their location, they were among the first to benefit from the metal that was brought into the area.
I think that this video brilliantly highlights how the present is shaped by history. Like Eliav says, so many things from the time of the philistines hasn't changed. I also think that this can help people grasp the complexity and rich history that comes with the conflict since it has truly been around for many millenniums.
This video was very interesting, and it does a great using archeology to understand the ways in which societies lived in antiquity. In particular, Tel Qasila and the temple allow us to have a better idea of the Philistine culture and society. This is especially true knowing the fact that there are no primary sources regarding the Philistine language, so this tel provides a great and informative alternative to understand the Philistines. The temple, pottery, and other material evidence found in the tel provides great support for the belief that the Philistines came from a culture oversees, such as from the Aegean area. I think this video is useful in an understanding of the land of Israel/Palestine in times of antiquity, and it can provide useful information to present-day conflicts/events in the area, too.
This was the perfect video to watch as I was writing about the Seashore plains and did not have enough information. I like how in Eliav’s lectures he talks about something and if there is not enough information you could go to his website and find more things. For example, Eliav talked about the seashore plains but this video just goes more into detail on who lived there, what it has to offer and what it has become over time. I knew the Philstines lived there but it was interesting to see it in a video as I am a visual learner!
Rewatching this video at the end of the semester made me realize how much I learned from the course and the fascinating history of the Philistines and their culture. Now I have a better understanding of the conflict from the last week of the course when we learned that in the UN settlement, the UN gave Tel Aviv to the Jewish state, which relates to the history of the land and the people that lived in the land.
The insight that Eliav provides in this video into the origins and culture of the Philistines was really fascinating. I never would have thought that people from the late Bronze Age made use of maritime travel, but it's a testament to the overall ingenuity of the Sea People. Also a reflection of their resourcefulness is the use of iron in warfare by the Sea People, which was still not enough to conquer the Israelites. However, despite their defeat, the Philistines instilled many material and symbolic cultural features into the land of Israel/Palestine, some of which are still very much alive today, contributing to the rich diversity of the region. An example of this is the ruins of many temples scattered throughout the land on sites such as Tel Qasila. The Sea People had unwavering praise for Dagon, a half-man half-fish God, and this is evidenced by the orientation of the temple facing the sea. The story of the Philistines exemplifies the pivotal role that water plays in Israel/Palestine, however in this case, it is not fresh water which was instrumental in their success, but the sea.
I found this video very interesting and informational. I was surprised to learn so much about Tel Qasila and what surrounds it and I didn't think the seashore plains had such a big impact on it as it did. It was helpful to hear which groups of people lived where and when during the conflict, especially in past times, and how it relates to modern-day.
This video was very interesting. It was nice to be able to see the landscape that the Philistines inhabited, and it really brought what we learned in lecture to life. Being able to see that their temple faced towards the sea and learning about their worship of a half-fish, half-man god really reinforced my knowledge that the Philistines were very culturally connected with the sea. Also fascinating to hear how Eliav compares the ancient conflict between the Philistines and Israelites to the modern-day conflict between Palestinians and Israelites. Really shows how this land has a long history of conflict.
It is always interesting to take a deeper look at the physical sites we discuss in class. After watching this video, it is clear that material culture that can be gathered from these sites is incredibly useful in determining how societies of the past carried themselves in their daily lives. In this case, the insight into the lives of the Philistines was particularly interesting.
It is wonderful that we can use tels to understand the material culture and identity of the Philistines. Specifically, Tel Qasila helped us corroborate findings with tales of the Philistines in the Bible and their use of iron during the time. It is also interesting to think about how the Philistines had a long-lived culture after their disappearance and that in the modern day, we have the same confrontation between the Philistines and the Israelites. Yet, now it is with the Palestineans and the Israelis.
We just reviewed the Tel Qasile in class. The Tel Qasile has been a very crucial excavation site for archaeologists to determine what ancient life was like in the region. The Tel Qasile sits right at the mouth of the Yarkon river and in the heart of Tel Aviv. I think it is also telling that such an important archaeological site is in one of the most vital modern cities. This video provided beautiful visuals showing Tel Qasile, as well as informative.
Learning about the creation of the five cities, Philistine culture, and how they worshipped was insightful. I wonder how much more one could learn had there been more ancient texts out there.
It is super engaging to learn about the newcomers that arrived in Israel-Palestine after the fall of the global power of Egypt while seeing visuals of the land in current time. Of course, the land probably looked vastly different back then, but it helps me paint a mental picture of what the immigration to Israel-Palestine might have looked like. Seeing Eliav explore a Philistine Temple was also very educational, because without him explaining the different architectural aspects of the temple, I would have had no idea what I was looking at. This was a great introduction to learning about the Philistines coming to Israel-Palestine.
I really liked this video and watching it really makes me want to go visit Palestine and see Tel Qasile. Although in class we focused more on the impact of the Philistines, rather than their history, I was always amazed by the things they did. I also think about how they shaped Judaism and the origin of our region. I also am very interested in how the Sea played a huge role in their everyday lives, even their God, Dagon, who was half fish half man. It really shows me how the ideologies and things in history shaped the lives of civilizations. I am amazed at how well preserved this temple was.
I found this video really interesting because it's amazing how Eliav really went to the sight of Tel Qasile in order to analyze how a temple of the Philistines gives us insight into how they lived and their culture. I think that the history of the Philistines is very interesting because while they were present in the region for a long time, a lot of their culture and origin are questioned, which makes It so interesting how Eliav is able to analyze them through this material culture in the Tel.
I really like being able to watch these videos before or after learning about the topic in lecture because I feel like it makes the ideas and concepts a lot more palatable. Personally, seeing the architecture of Tel Qasila and the Philistine culture that could be pulled out of it, like the worship of the Sea and the god Dagon, along with lots of Hellenistic-esc culture, which highlighted the Greek origins of the Philistines. I also think it is super cool to see how the Philistines never really left the region now that we are at the Hellenistic Period and Roman Period and how the region of Judea is now called Palestina. Even though we haven't really talked about the Philistines at all in the past month or so, but it is still important to keep their presence in the back of my head.
This video was overflowing with compelling information that has proven to be important in revealing the origin of current issues. Not only did the video discuss the Philistines' occupancy of the Seashore plains, but he mentioned some aspects of the land that are essential to consider when analyzing their culture. He mentions how their geological location contributed to influence from other Metetranian powers, made for a constant fear of invasion, and contributed to how and who they worshiped. I found it clarifying to see inside a Tel, for it brought what we have been discussing in class into perspective. I am interested in continuing to learn how the Philistines compared to the Israelite tribes at this time in history.
I found this video to be very interesting as it provides perspective on both the ancient history of the land in Israel/Palestine and also how it relates to modern-day. I enjoyed seeing Tel Qasila and being able to visualize what a tel looks like after discussing it in class so frequently. It is interesting to me how although so much time has passed, there is still conflict over this land and although many other reasons have had an influence on the conflict, the geography is still of high importance to why the land is so desirable.
The video's analysis of Philistine early history is fascinating; particularly modern archaeologists' ability to work with and understand ancient civilizations with little historical records is a miracle of the modern age. Conflicts between Philistines, Sea People, and precursor Tribes of Israel are fascinating to understand as a start to the much larger story of the conflict in the region. The culmination of the Philistines tale, where the Israelite tribes emerge victoriously, casts an interesting juxtaposition. At the same time, the Tribes are the victors, the Philistines name and might become associated with the land for centuries after. My greatest takeaway from this video is that the situation will eventually change regardless of what or who is in power. For all involved, a peaceful, cooperative change is the best solution.
It so fascinating to examine the history of the seashore plains. For such a geographically small place, the region is rich in history and culture. Throughout our class we have discussed the seashore plains and the people who inhabited them in great detail. It is so interesting to examine how the land, and the various peoples who inhabited the land, changed and evolved over time. Additionally, we discussed the importance of water many times throughout the course of our class. It is fascinating how water not only affected migration, settlement, and economics, but also culture and religion. I really enjoyed studying how religions and cultures formed around the Mediterranean Sea, and the importance of water can be examined through various peoples' religions and cultural materials. For example, the depiction of the Philistine god, Dagon, expresses the importance of the Mediterranean Sea in Philistine religion and culture! The seashore plains have fostered great civilizations and great histories, I really enjoyed studying them!
It is very interesting to look at how the Temples look and how they have evolved in comparison to what we have learned in class. It is nice to see the cultural and architectural aspects of the Philistines and how they have impacted culture in the Middle East.
It is extremely interesting to see how prehistory, the time before systems of writing were developed/utilized, are important in understanding history and current events. This video solidifies Professor Eliav's claim in his lectures that geography is of great importance, and is not merely a backdrop for historical events. This is seen in the video because the Philistines live in an area of fertility and access to water, which gave them advantages (in terms of economy and military) that other communities did not have.
This video was really interesting and really helped me solidify in my mind exactly who the Philistines and the Sea People were. Having heard about the Sea People multiple times, learning about who they actually were in this video was great. I thought it was really interesting how much the Philistines affected the region, through the cities they built with the early Israelites. Additionally, I found their strong connection to the sea really interesting, even in how the building ruin that Eliav talks about faces towards west, or the sea.
It is very interesting to see Professor Eliav walk through the excavated remains of the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasile. I am impressed by how well the architecture has held up since the Iron Age. The video of Tel Qasile puts into perspective the material culture of the Philistine. In addition, it is helpful to understand how Tel Qasile became an economic and military strategy during the Iron Age. For instance, the Philistines became the first to produce iron, which helped them fight off other tribes. Also, the SeaShore plains became advantageous for the Philistines because of the Tel facing the sea to see newcomers or invaders as well as worshiping Dagon, the god of the Sea.
The Philistines, and Tel Qasila, had such an important impact on history of the region of modern Israel/Palestine that understanding their roots is necessary to understanding the continuous conflict between two ethnicities to this day. Their arrival, and the reasons why, are an entire cause and effect system that has lead us to the current situation in that region of our world. The conflicts between the Philistines and what is to become Israel have been fought for so long that it has become difficult to recover from easily, and has stirred continuous animosity.
I find this video to be very intriguing. It is amazing to me how Eliav is able to understand so much of the Philistine culture and practices based on the location and alignment of the settlement. I loved learning about what made this location in the Seashore plains, next to the Mediterranean Sea so important to them. It is amazing to learn about the Philistines while "virtually" visiting their cities and seeing the remains of their material culture first hand as supposed to just hearing about it in a class room environment.
I agree! Eliav's explanation of historical events through major contextualization is the best way I've got to learn history. I love history in general, but getting this perspective that is actually through a multitude of lenses shone the light upon groups who maybe were seen as heroic or the victim, or whatnot. Seeing every perspective and making our own judgments based on what the evidence says, is accurate history. And I agree that these "virtual" visits do make it all the more real and immersive.
It was very enjoyable to see the actual Tel Aviv in Israel on the video, which I've only seen and heard in class through images. Tel Aviv looked very peaceful with the broad green field, wide sea, and many different buildings in the video, as opposed to the fact that the Israelis and Palestinians had been fighting over the territory. It's so much fun to learn about different cultures and people's history on the other side of the world. I'm very content with the class and the ample course materials.
I really enjoyed watching this video because it was interesting to see Tel Quasila and its architectural components. It is amazing that it still remains intact and has held strong for thousands of years. The video shows so much more of a Tel than any images in class.
I really enjoyed watching this video because it further highlights the importance of geography in the region and shows a new prospective on what life was like in Israel thousands of years ago. The Philistine's unique combination of culture and religion are an aspect of the region's history I had never learned about before class. It is so fascinating how this one group's existence was the reason for such a big power shift when the tribes of Israel united.
I agree. Before this class, I had rarely ever thought about the Philistines except for their relation to the Israelites through religious teachings when I was a child. Of course they have a history and culture and world far beyond what religious classes I was taught when young. It was so interesting to see their own religious and cultural ways of life. Additionally, it was interesting to see how important the seashore plains were to the Philistines. Our lesson on geography has helped me better picture where the things we learn about take place, and I am curious to see how else the seashore plains will affect both the Philistines and the Israelites.
These videos are always enjoying to watch. It's always nice to see what you're learning about in lecture visually, and the supplemental information is always useful. I was drawn to this video because I find the Philistines one of the more interesting groups we've learned about. They are shrouded in mystery, where the only thing we really know is from other groups of people at the time. It's fascinating how much we can learn about them from studying the archeology and the few sources about them. Overall, another well produced video that was engaging and informative.
After viewing this video again while working on some course work I came to a conclusion. During the semester many small pieces of information stuck with me. There are certain periods, battles, figures, and phrases that I consider almost daily. However, one of the most striking, is that the Philistine temple in Tel Qasila is oriented towards the origin of those who built it, west towards the sea. I think this stuck by me because it was the first time I really understood material culture and its role in showing what was important to a group of people.
The Pentapolis of the Philistines is fascinating to think about for me, as it shows how even in ancient times urbanization and centralized pockets of population density were both integral to society and also a great way to parse through cultures' history and learn more about them. Thinking about the Philistines' cities, three of their major five were harbor cities, further emphasizing the importance of the sea to their people. Additionally, the temple at Tel Qasile faced the sea, and their God, Dagon, was also emblematic of the sea. By sifting through archaeological remains and trying to interpret them, historians are often able to learn far more about a culture through their cities than I previously would have imagined.
I found the part where Eliav talks about the geographical location of Tel Qasila particularly fascinating. The way that the layout of this city directly supports the Bible's description of their religious culture is really interesting. The location of this site further proves the significance of water to this ethnic group for religious reasons, economic benefits and military advantages. This video is the first time in the course where we can see a clear connection between the settlers of this area in the Iron Age and today through cultural practices. I look forward to pointing out more and more connections between these ancient ethnic groups and the occupants of the territory today throughout the course.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the contrast between economic prosperity and war. After learning about the Crusades, I have a greater understanding of why and how the region has been constantly threatened by landscape and invasion. Returning to discussion of the Philistines is also interesting because it demonstrates how many different groups have occupied, and therefore feel a connection to this region. In addition, the Philistines using water as their strength as the sea people connects to the overarching theme of the importance of water, which is still a relevant strategy as we discuss the Crusades. Furthermore, this video provides really interesting details and connections, emphasizing themes that repeat and underscore the course as a whole.
It's incredible but also saddening to see that the modern turmoil within the region is actually just a historical event repeating itself. It's great how Eliav can turn this site into a moment for historical examination and reflection, especially given how bad things are getting in the Israel. I'm also impressed with how well the video is narrated and edited.
I enjoyed learning about Tel Qasila. It was interesting to see what a Philistine city looked like, especially with the proper cultural contexts. The Philistines, the sea peoples, left their mark on the region and demonstrated their commitment to the sea through the worship of their sea g-d Dagon. I thought their political structure of a pentapolis is fascinating, and demonstrates their greek origin, given that was the structure of greece during the bronze age. The Pentapolis demonstrates the Philistines culture in that they were a commercial, seafaring and agile people. Very interesting to see!
I find it incredible how much information can be gained by studying the archaeological remains of different societies. In the video, Professor Eliav talks about an ancient Philistine temple found on Tel Qasile. After some additional research, I found that Tel Qasile is home to three Philistine temples, each an extension of the one before. The increasing size of the newer temples is likely an indication of the city’s increasing population, further corroborated by the fact that the Philistines had great agricultural, economic, and military benefits living on the Seashore Plains. In the latest temple’s courtyard, an altar was found surrounded by layers of ash covering the bones of sheep, goats, cows, and camels. This finding suggests sacrifice was an important component of the Philistine religion. Also found at Tel Qasile include ancient living quarters and pottery vessels, offering further insight into the lives of the Philistines. These archaeological remains, paired with a proper understanding of the geography of the region, can help us understand how the Philistines prospered and became such a major threat to tribes during the time of David.
Source: www.eretzmuseum.org.il/e/101/
I really enjoyed this video because I thought it did a nice job of complimenting what I learned in lecture. The lecture content and slides are interesting, but seeing a video provides an even more complete picture of what it was like to experience Tel Qasila. The attention to detail in the video was impressive as well, especially the scene describing the caliph's entrance -- I felt like I was there. Also, after learning repeatedly about the undeniable importance of geography in our region, it was interesting to examine a significant site that was not strategically located. This speaks to the importance that religion held -- religion, alone, could define a city.
Yaron's videos fascinate each time I watch one. There is always an in depth view as if I were standing in the location, specifically here Tel Qasila. I am in awe of how it has held up over the years and that people, in this video Yaron, are able to walk through history, literally. This provides clear evidence of how the Philistines lived. I am always shocked at how intricate and well built ancient buildings are.
This was a very informative video. It was interesting to learn about the Seashore Plain, a fertile region that is always susceptible to war and animosity because of its richness. Many invaders find the land appealing which adds to its complex history. The Philistines, otherwise known as the Sea People, were one of these invaders. They were a group deeply rooted in their Greek culture and its system revolving a lot around trade and the sea. However, they always were in confrontation with the Israelites. Additionally, the Philistines do not have many existing references to their history but they did play a very important role on the current state of the region. One important and monumental place for the Philistines was Tel Qasila. The impressive architecture stood out for me and the way it pointed towards the sea. Even the god they worshiped related the sea with being half fish and half human. The most interesting point is that the fighting over the region is still happening today with Palestine and Israel which shows the full-circle nature of this dispute.
I think this video gives us great insight by going back to the philistines with the pentapolis being brought up, when in class we haven't mentioned them in a while. Being able to see a temple from the Iron age, used to worship Dagon, is also extremely cool. Seeing the Philistines disappear in history after their lost, but still being able to be seen within culture and heritage reminds us that cultures are a mix of previous ones. Its also ironic that the geographic locations switched with Israel being on the central hill to the seashore plains with conflict involving the central hill.
This video was very interesting. In one of last week's readings, they mentioned the "Sea people" as a seemingly anonymous group from abroad. This video gave context to that name and showed that while the Philistines were not a long-lasting people, they indeed had a large impact on the historical and cultural development of the region. Once again, this speaks to the fluidity of ethnic groups in the Levant, and how just because a group no longer exist, does not mean its traditions fade into obscurity.
It is truly amazing to see the ancient buildings. I love to see how temples have evolved, and how temples are built between different ethnic groups. I also find it very interesting that the same areas continued to be re-inhabited over time even though there inhabiters have no idea that the area was taken in the past. That is why geography is amazing. The same areas continue to give the same advantages centuries apart.
I find the point that Eliav made about the Philistine's significance today quite interesting. It is amazing how a people that seemingly vanished, with no mention of them after their defeat at the hands of the Israelites, was still so present in history. Their impact on culture, which is visible in names and pottery show that one group that only inhabits a region for a short time can have far-reaching effects long after they're gone. Although they probably didn't know it, the ancient Philistine activities have a quite large significance in today's world.
This video was super interesting to walk especially because Eliav was able to actually be inside the Philistine temple and describe what was actually right in front of him. It was so cool to see the importance of the seashore plains to the Philistines and how geography serves such a great purpose to these ancient civilizations. Their whole religion relied on the sea, bringing them the title of the “Sea People.” It’s crazy to see how these temples have survived through time, wars, and weather. Enough of it remains that a story can be told about the area, the people, and their way of life.
I agree! As a visual learner seeing what Eliav talks about in class in video form and present by Eliav is really unique and interesting. The seashore plains does provide a lot geographically from its ports, who has lived there and it’s fertile land. Yes even though the Philistines lived there thousands and thousands of years ago, we can still see and tell their story today which is astounding!
The Philistines fascinate me. How a group of people just ended up in one of the most important areas in the region. How they were able to incorporate new metal to gain an advantage on their enemy. I like to think of the seashore planes as a place with incredible beauty and usefulness. Its beauty is a blessing, but also a curse. Everyone loves it, maybe too much so they fight for it.
This was one of my favorite videos to watch for class because I find it interesting how the tel provides so much information about the Philistines, such as their use of iron. There is also a lot of historical significance surrounding this location, because despite the fact that the Philistines settled on the seashore plains, modern day Palestinians do not identify with this ethnic group. Instead, they use the Canaanites to support their claim to the land. The mention of the pentapolis is also interesting to me because many of these cities exist in modern day Israel, and it's incredible how they lasted for so many years and are still functioning as ports.
In every lecture, Eliav stresses the importance of geography in ancient times and currently as it is integral to who controls the land and what power it gives them. To this end, the once-great empires that have now developed in to nations that are still in conflict with each other over land, only this time the land they claim as theirs has flipped. The reflection of the Philistine's location as a settlement in their material culture and religious beliefs is fascinating and important to understanding the development of the region. Furthermore, Eliav mentions the hostile contention between the Israeli tribes and the Philistines as a "win or vanish" situation because they had nowhere else to go, which is eerily familiar to the sentiment today. This video and the readings we have to do build upon the fact that understanding the origin of the region really is invaluable to understanding the region in its entirety now and sets the scene for the conflict that has been ongoing for centuries.
I thought this was a really interesting video to watch. It gave a lot of information about the Philistines and the development of their culture. The tel gives a lot of information about the history of the Philistines and their use of tools and iron. After taking the whole course, it is easy to see how the Philistines flourished because of their location on the sea shore plains and how they were able to dominate over other local kingdoms. It is clear that their kingdom was able to have a lasting impact on the region which is evident in the continued existence of cities like Gaza and Ashdod.
I find this video interesting because archaeology provides us with so much information about societies. I learned why the Sea Peoples found the Seashore plains, specifically the Tel Qasila, as an attractive place for settlement. I found it fascinating that the Bible says that their religion was based on the worshipping of Dagon, a God who was half human and half fish. I enjoyed seeing and understanding what a Tel looks like also.
It was very interesting to learn about the settlement of the Philistines in the eastern Mediterranean region. Groups that chose to settle in the region had to balance the constant threat of invasion with the prosperity and advantages of the land. It was fascinating to see the architecture and artifacts of the Philistine settlement of Tel Qasila, especially the significance of the orientation of buildings to the west towards the Mediterranean Sea. The ruins, which are thousands of years old, are surprisingly well preserved and much of the structure of the walls, steps, and pillars are intact. I wonder why the Philistines seemed to "disappear" from history after they were defeated by the people of Israel, yet so much of their culture and cities still remain today
Watching this video after taking the course allows me to recognize how the seashore plains was a location for economic prosperity throughout history. With the proximity to water, the Philistines and many generations to come (with an exception to some empires who allowed the seashore plains to disintegrate) would take advantage of the prime location and use it for trade. This further highlights one of the major themes of the course, the importance of being close to the scarce water in the region.
In Tel Qasilah, as Eliav taught us, has been tremendously helpful to understand the culture of the region. The Philistines left behind pottery that was clearly different than the ones the 12 tribes of central hill did. This video teaches us just that but also goes more into the details of the seashore plains, its port cities, its culture, and its history. With great visuals!
Its so interesting that something as simple as pottery could be so crucial in our understanding and formation of history. People hundreds and thousands of years ago had no idea that the practical pottery they used to get water, store things, etc would be how we learn about their lives. And now the smallest details of the pottery they made give us insights into some of the biggest mysteries like where they originated from.
I found this video very interesting. I enjoyed learning about Tel Qasila's unique elements, and was surprised to discover how the territory has served as a source of conflict for centuries. Although the modern contention is different from history, the similarity of the dispute to what is happening today is surprising.
What's interesting about this is that even though so much time has passed, groups still continue to vie over the same land. Even though there has been so much conflict in the past, the land continues t be important to so many cultures. This ties back to the point that geography does help shape history.
Since learning about this in class, I have always found it so interesting that 'The Sea People' ended up mainly on the Central Hill in the West Bank. This is pretty much as far from the sea as you can get. It shows that Israelis and Palestinians share many similarities, and have even managed to share land and live on land that the other have previously lived on. For many, it is common knowledge that the Israelites written in biblical stories were in the land of Israel-Palestine. For those same people, it is not as common to acknowledge the Philistines who lived around the same, were also thriving in the land. Wrapping up this semester means looking back at everything, and it is fascinating to have been able to follow these two groups through history. I had no idea that the Palestinians were called the Philistines and that they had their own religion, God (Dagon), and culture. Times have changed significantly, and it is unfortunate to note that the relationship between the two groups who live in this land began with conflict.
I found it fascinating to be able to see what the layout of their structure looked like. The fact that you were able to walk inside of their living space is so cool. It is like a window back in time thousands of years. It is hard to believe it is still there after all those years, seeing as it was made out of stone and mud bricks. I would love to learn more about the architecture of ancient buildings like these.
I also found the ancient architecture fascinating! Seeing how well-kept some of those ruins are is truly amazing. I would love to go on an ancient architecture tour of the middle east and take a deeper dive into what inspired their building styles and layouts. The fact that it isn't even that challenging to picture what life in those buildings were thousands of years ago is something us people should be grateful for (due to such great preservation). I think seeing the smaller details within the ruins, analyzing the building layouts, and getting that snapshot of ancient life was one of the best aspects talked about in this video.
Reviewing this video now, especially with the semester is coming to an end, it's pretty interesting to see how much the world has shifted over time. The Saladin era feels like ancient stuff to us, much like how the Philistines would've felt ancient to them. We often get caught up thinking everything will stay the same, but history keeps proving us wrong. Looking back at history, you realize nothing really sticks around for too long. Our current issues - the conflicts, culture, politics, and all that - they'll end up just a few lines in some history book. It's a bit mind-blowing every time I take a step back and think about it.
This video really fascinated me, and I learned a lot. One fact that I find interesting is that the Temple of the Philistines faced the sea because the Philistines really valued/ appreciated the sea, and in Judaism today, our synagogues face Jerusalem. So it is interesting that this idea can be traced all the way back to ancient times. In addition, their main God (mentioned in bible and mentioned in other sources) is Dagon, which means half fish half human, which just emphasizes their connection to the sea.
It was interesting to learn that the Philistines arrived at the southern seashores around the same time that Israelites got to the central hill. Despite how long ago this occurred, it seems to have set up the subsequent fighting over the next hundreds of years. I look forward to learning about the origins of early conflict between the two groups--whether or not it was based entirely on land and resources or if there were cultural, ethnic, and/or religious causes, too.
It's interesting to hear about how their connection to the sea really shaped all aspects of their identity, from how people viewed them to their religion, culture and economy. I also thought it was interesting how at the end, he linked the history of the Philistines to the modern day conflict in the region. It got me thinking about one of the most common points of debate in the conflict - who got there first? There seems to be this idea that whoever was on the land first has the right to stay there. But in this class you learn about all the different groups that travelled here - the groups that rose into prominence and faded into obscurity, the kingdoms that fought hard for power and lost that same power only a few centuries later, the empires that ruled over the inhabitants for a period and eventually returned back to their origins. If you think about the number of people who have touched this land and all the people today who likely had ancestors who touched this land, it begs the question of how we can even trace who got there first and if this concept really has any place in the debate.
What I find most interesting about this video is that comment that the "whole orientation of the temple is facing West toward the sea." As discussed in class and mentioned in the video, the Phillistines originated from islands across the Mediterranean. The fact that their structure is related to the sea in this specific, thought out way demonstrates that ancient people were not simply animals who pursued survival. Rather, such information demonstrates how even ancient civilizations were intelligent and made connection between their identities and the world around them, something that I think is easy to forget when studying past societies in modern times.
This video was really exciting to watch because Eliav was actually able to go inside the Philistine Temple on Tel Qasila. It was intriguing to hear about how the Philistines' entry into the seashore plains took place and how they set up their civilization. Also, its surprising that the temple is still mostly intact even though the temple was built thousands of years ago.
All videos that Eliav make benefit the learning experience because of the visual aid that explicitly displays the material culture. For example, here we see this ancient temple with columns, facing west toward the Mediterranean. This material evidence corroborates the information we already had about one of the gods they worship, Dagon who was half human, half fish. Having the temple face the sea would make the Philistines feel closer to this god and perhaps appease this god more. This information adds to the Philistines' religious identity which is interesting because it is similar to some customs that later religious groups will use.