Stele of Seti, 1294-1279 BCE

Several basalt steles in royal Egyptian style, dating from the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 12th century BCE, were found in secondary use in Canaanite temples of the 11th century BCE. Two steles from the reign of Pharaoh Seti I include his names and titles.

The “Large Stele,” the most impressive find from the period of Egyptian rule of Canaan, describes the victory over the Canaanite cities, which had rebelled against Egypt and mentions them by name, including Beit She’an. The “Small Stele” describes the pharaoh’s victory over tribes living in the hill region near the city; among them the Apiru (the name of the biblical Hebrews in Egyptian documents).

Geva, Hillel, Archeological Sites in Israel, No. 7. Jerusalem- Israel Information Center, 2001.