Archaeological research on the character of Jerusalem during this period remains contested. The city is referenced in the “Amarna Letters,” a royal archive of Pharaoh King of Egypt, which documents his correspondence with his subjects throughout the ancient east. Six letters were found in the archive from Abdi-Heba, King of Jerusalem. In the letters, Abdi-Heba seeks assistance from the King of Egypt in waging war against the Habiru, a nomadic warring nation throughout the cities of the country during this period.
Despite this reference, archaeological research on the nature of the city during this period remains in dispute. One of the areas at the heart of the controversy is Area G. Remains of a large fortification system were found in this area. Some scholars presume that this system is part of the remains of the city’s palace under the reign of the Jebusites, prior to King David’s conquest. Other scholars reject this presumption and claim that the structure is the palace of King David himself. A further claim posits that these remains comprise a set of walls constructed over a period of 1,000 years, and cannot be regarded as the remains of any single structure