The Iron Age in Palestine is conveniently divided into two major periods of disproportionate lengths: Iron Age I (IA I) from around 1200 – 1000 BC; and Iron Age II (IA II), from 1000 to 587/40 BC. Iron Age II will be discussed in the next chapter. While the absolute chronology for Iron Age I is still debated by archaeologists and historians, and different dates are still proposed, the date given above will be assumed for this discussion. Both archaeological and historical arguments can be presented to support this date – at least, in part.