Late Bronze Age

After its destruction by Thutmose III, the city shows little sign of occupation until the beginning of the Late Bronze Age II. During this period (when the Amarna letters were written), Palestine was under the control of Egypt. The city shows dramatic growth and trade with Egypt. Buildings were constructed with plaster floors, outdoor courtyards, and sealed stone drains. Egyptian artifacts included Amarna period bowls, glass beads, scarabs, gold foil, and faience pendants. Walled fortifications were relocated (enlarging the city) and expanded downward to bedrock. The walls were enlarged to three and a half meters thick and five meters in height. The water tunnel at Gezer likely dates to this period. Some evidence of another 13th century bc burn level indicates that this period ended then. This destruction is likely attributed to the destruction of the city described in the Merneptah Stele.