Talk:Mount Gerizim Temple/GA1

GA Review

Article (edit | visual edit | history) · Article talk (edit | history) · Watch

Nominator: Mariamnei (talk · contribs) 11:29, 14 October 2024 (UTC)

Reviewer: I will review this article over the next few days; aiming to have feedback here by this time next week. Richard Nevell (talk · contribs) 18:35, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

GA review (see here for what the criteria are, and here for what they are not)

1. It is reasonably well written.

   a (prose, spelling, and grammar): b (MoS for lead, layout, word choice, fiction, and lists):

   The 'Bell' section is too short; if it is a significant find then more context is needed – eg: when was it found; to what period did it date; is it typical or unusual – and if it is not significant there is no need to mention it. At the very least a standalone section is not needed in its present state per MOS:PARA "Short paragraphs and single sentences generally do not warrant their own subheadings". Otherwise, MOS has largely been followed.

   There are some awkward turns of phrase that I have listed underneath this review.

   • There isn't much more to add about the bell, so I combined it with the previous text on inscriptions and retitled it 'Inscriptions and small findings'. Mariamnei (talk) 15:20, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

2. It is factually accurate and verifiable, as shown by a source spot-check.

   a (reference section): b (inline citations to reliable sources): c (OR): d (copyvio and plagiarism):

   The article makes extensive use of academic sources. The text is properly referenced, aside from the second paragraph of the 'Archaeology' section and the last sentence of the preceding paragraph which lack citations. I conducted a spotcheck of statements supported by references 9, 19, 35, 48, and 60 in this version of the article. Results are detailed below in a subsection. There was an example of close paraphrasing that needs to be addressed, and I may conduct further checks to see if this is more extensive.

3. It is broad in its coverage.

   a (major aspects): b (focused):

   In most places, the article has a good level of detail, but there are significant gaps which need to be addressed. I have detailed these in a subsection below.

4. It follows the neutral point of view policy.

   Fair representation without bias:

   The article lays out the evidence and the interpretation. The modern Samaritan interpretation of the site is presented as a secondary view, almost fringe, but this does seem to represent what the sources have said. Additional information about the modern Samaritan understanding of the site may enhance the article's balance.

5. It is stable.

   No edit wars, etc.:

6. It is illustrated by images and other media, where possible and appropriate.

   a (images are tagged and non-free content have non-free use rationales): b (appropriate use with suitable captions):

7. Overall:

   Pass/Fail:

Coverage and context

• The infobox has no coordinates although the article presents the excavation led by Magen as having found the temple enclosure.

• I see the coordinates in the infobox now! Looks like someone already handled it. Mariamnei (talk) 16:17, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• Greenberg's Israeli Archaeological Activity in the West Bank 1967-2007: A Sourcebook lists some alternative names for the site on Mount Gerizim which, unless they refer to other parts of the archaeological site, should be mentioned.

• Looking through the list, it seems like none of the names actually refer to the Temple itself. Jebel et-Tur is the Arabic name for all of Mount Gerizim, while Tell er-Ras appears to refer to one of the mountain's extensions, located north of the mountain's summit, where the ancient Samaritan precinct was located. As for Kh. esh-Sheikh Ghanim, the name seems primarily connected to a medieval shrine near the sanctuary site, so I'm not sure it can be used as a synonym for the Temple itself. Mariamnei (talk) 15:20, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• Fair enough. Richard Nevell (talk) 10:34, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• Though no openly licensed site plan is available, this one hosted on the website of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum may be useful to include in an external links section or using Template:External media to link to it more prominently.

• Woah, awesome find! Adding it to the article. Mariamnei (talk) 16:35, 29 October 2024 (UTC)Mariamnei (talk) 16:17, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• What was near the temple when it was first built? What (Samaritan) community did it serve?

• Not much; I noted in the article that the temple was the first structure erected at the site. Archaeological evidence, particularly epigraphic, indicates that Samaritans from both their homeland of Samaria and diaspora communities, including those as far away as Delos, sent offerings to the temple (see the last paragraph under History#Seleucid period). Mariamnei (talk) 16:35, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• There is no mention of the contested legality of excavations in the West Bank. This is perhaps the most significant omission.

  I didn't see any discussions on the legal aspects in the sources. Do you happen to have any suggestions? Mariamnei (talk) 13:22, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

  Excavations in the West Bank are inherently controversial and their legality contested (except for salvage excavations) with reference to Second Protocol of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The porotocol . These two sources give useful context: 1, 2. Richard Nevell (talk) 14:39, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

  I see, though I'm uncertain how to incorporate this. There doesn't appear to be content directly referencing the site in question, and it seems largely sourced from advocacy groups, is that correct? Given that this article focuses on ancient history and archaeology, it may not be the best place to get into contemporary politics. Could we, perhaps, say something along the lines of, "The excavations occurred in the present-day West Bank, where archaeological work is often controversial due to the territory's disputed legal status." Would that work? Mariamnei (talk) 21:27, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

• the remains of the sanctuary were revealed through over nineteen seasons of archaeological excavations conducted by Yitzhak Magen What is Magen's affiliation and role?

• I've added both. Mariamnei (talk) 13:22, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• What are the circumstances that led to the excavation? How did the Samaritan community react? Were they involved?

  I couldn't find any info about this in the sources. Mariamnei (talk) 13:22, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• There is no mention of tourism to the site.

• Taken care of. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• There is no mention of the site's state of conservation.

• Added. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• There are also two paragraphs that are just a sentence long. One sentence paragraphs may indicate that the text is not sufficiently integrated into the article.

• Fixed. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• What did the temple consist of in its early phase? A precinct is mentioned as having survived Alexander the Great's activities in the area but is presented without explanation. This may be linked to the issue of terminology detailed in the #Copyedits section below.

• You can check out the details about the findings from the Persian period in the "Archaeology#First Phase" section. Basically, that same area stayed pretty much unchanged for 250 years after it was built, spanning the time of Alexander and the Ptolemies, right up until it was rebuilt during the Seleucid period, under the rule of Antiochus III. Mariamnei (talk) 13:22, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• During the Ptolemaic period, a significant construction initiative commenced on Mount Gerizim Can we be more precise about this? Or at least indicate in the text the start and end dates of the Ptolemaic period?

• Magen doesn't give specific dates for that construction wave, but he does mention various coins from various Ptolemaic kings. I've gone ahead and copy-edited the text to include start and end dates for the entire period. Mariamnei (talk) 13:22, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• The precinct, measuring 136 x 212 meters with 2.6-meter-thick walls, incorporated Greek architectural elements, distinguishing it from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Which of these features was different to the Jerusalem Temple? Or is it all of them?

• I decided to drop the comparison because the details in the source seem a bit fuzzy. Magen does highlight some similarities between the first phase and the Jerusalem Temple, especially regarding the overall plan of the Gerizim temple, which appears to align with Ezekiel's vision for a future temple in Jerusalem (a plan also followed on the ground). However, the comparison with the Hellenistic-era precinct is a bit less clear, since the Second Temple, after its renovation by Herod, also incorporated Greek architectural elements. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• When individuals are mentioned for their opinion, eg According to Gary N. Knoppers, an indication of their background would contextualise why their opinion or conclusions are highlighted.

• I generally mention individual scholars only when discussing different theories that address the same question. I've added a brief indication, but I believe we should avoid getting too detailed about each scholar, focusing instead on the substance to keep the reading accessible. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• Can we be more precise about when the Byzantine church was built?

• Done. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• The context is missing for the establishment of the church, namely the Samaritan revolts.

• I've added some context, can you check? Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• What happened to the church?

• It was abandoned and ended up in ruins by the 11th century, and later, the tomb-shrine of Sheikh Ghanim was built right on its fortifications. Adding all this to the article now. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• The destruction is not recorded in the Book of Maccabees or in Samaritan literature, and the only evidence for it comes from the writings of Josephus So to be clear, there is no archaeological evidence of the destruction of the temple?

• Nope, what the text actually meant is that Josephus is the only one who wrote about the destruction. Fixing! Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• Much clearer in the article now. Richard Nevell (talk) 23:11, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

• ...though replacing his means of persuasion with coercion So what coercion was used?

• The coercion used was the physical destruction of the Gerizim Temple to compel the Samaritans to worship in Jerusalem, but unlike his actions toward the Idumeans, he didn’t enforce conversion or displacement. Bourgel says that this was a change from Jonathan's earlier, softer approach, which relied on offering tax exemptions as a means of persuasion. Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

• the Samaritans appeared to be prohibited from rebuilding the sanctuary What is this based on? Knoppers appears to be suggesting that because the temple was not rebuilt the Samaritans were not allowed to rebuild it. If the reasoning cannot be expanded further, I would suggest clearly indicating that this is Knoppers' view.

• The presence of the Hasmonean garrison really shows that they didn't want the Samaritans to rebuild the site, but that doesn't mean Herod or his sons explicitly stopped them from trying. I'm adding an attribution to Knoppers (he, by the way, used the term 'evidently'. I think he thought that the Samaritans would have rebuilt the sanctuary if they had been allowed to do so). Mariamnei (talk) 17:11, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

Copyedits

• Perhaps the biggest issue is that the term temple may be used inconsistently. For example:

  The physical remnants of the temple have yet to be located

  yet

  The temple's initial phase was constructed in the mid-5th century BCE and functioned for around 250 years

  and

  Archaeological excavations have revealed that the Samaritan Temple on Mount Gerizim was constructed during the 5th century BCE

Are the second and third quotes referring to the temple building or the temple complex (which appears to include courtyard, chambers, and more)? The contradiction needs to be addressed head on and other uses of the temple checked and clarified as appropriate.

• The second and third texts address historical statements on the temple in its broader sense, encompassing both the central building and surrounding complex. I'm revising the first text to clarify that it specifically refers to the building, but I believe the others are fine as they are, since they make general statements about the history of the entire temple complex in this broader sense. Mariamnei (talk) 20:24, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• the Samaritan priestly class rose to prominence among the Samaritans The first 'Samaritan' in the phrase can be dropped as the second one makes it clear that the priests are part of Samaritan society.

  Right! fixed. Mariamnei (talk) 20:24, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• The precinct was significantly expanded and constructed with smooth stones quarried from depth 'At depth' is an unusual phrase, what is meant?

  It's meant to say that these weren't just stones collected from the field, but actually quarried from underground. I'm changing it to say: "using smoothly cut stones quarried from below the surface." Mariamnei (talk) 20:24, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

• the construction of a monumental guard tower and double fortifications What are double fortifications?

  Pilgrims traveling from Shechem, situated to the east, would first encounter two successive walls upon reaching the site. This is illustrated in Magen (2007), at the top of page 164. Mariamnei (talk) 20:24, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

  I think that would be worth explaining. Richard Nevell (talk) 22:40, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

  I rewrote this part to focus only on the most important aspects. Hope that's clearer now! Mariamnei (talk) 21:16, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Source spotchecks

• 9: The Wikipedia article reflects the source, with no original research, copyright, or close paraphrasing issues.

• 19: According to 2 Maccabees (6:1–6), the king sent an official "to pollute the temple in Jerusalem and to call it the temple of Olympian Zeus, and to call the one in Gerizim the temple of Zeus-the-Friend-of-Strangers, as did the people who lived in that place." This is cited to Knoppers 2013, p. 176. Knoppers does not include that quote, but does cite 2 Maccabees (6:1–6); having checked the relevant chapter and verse of 2 Maccabees, this is correct but Knoppers was not the source of the quote, at least not directly; as a reader I would expect that a quote like that would be present in the reference text and is either Knopper’s translation or Knopper notes which translation is used.

• Knopper mentions on page 259 that he’s using the Anchor Bible version of II Maccabees, so I'm updating the translation to match that one. Mariamnei (talk) 15:06, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

• 35: The cited chapter covers pages 67-80, so there is no page 88 as currently cited. Otherwise the Wikipedia article reflects the source, with no original research, copyright, or close paraphrasing issues.

• 48: The Wikipedia text is quite close to the cited source; while it is not word-for-word identical, I think it approaches close paraphrasing.

Wikipedia article: An inscription written in Paleo-Hebrew script features the Tetragrammaton, seemingly included in the phrase "[the house of] Yhwh",[48] however, this usage is quite rare; the more commonly used divine names in the inscriptions are "God" (אלהא‎) and "the Lord" (אדני‎)

Knoppers 2013, p 128: One of the inscriptions written in paleo-Hebrew script contains the Tetragrammaton, apparently as part of the phrase “[the house of] Yhwh” (no. 383). The use of the Tetragrammaton is, however, relatively rare and is not found among the extant cursive Aramaic inscriptions (Magen, Misgav, and Tsfania 2004: 22–23). The common terms for the divine are Elaha, “God” (אהלא) and “the Lord” (ינדא).

• Got it. I took out the second part of the info and left just the Tetragrammaton section. If you have any other ideas on how to keep all the key points in, let me know! Mariamnei (talk) 15:06, 7 November 2024 (UTC)

• 60 The Wikipedia article reflects the source, with no original research, copyright, or close paraphrasing issues.

With all the above, I have put the article on hold for seven days. Richard Nevell (talk) 22:36, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Further source checks

Prompted by the above, I decided to take a deeper look at the use of Magen 2007 as a source. There were some short sentences in the Wikipedia article which were close to the source, but I think these typically fall under WP:LIMITED. However I did find two passages which closely paraphrase Magen 2007 and need to be rewritten. They are reproduced below for reference.

Reference 12

Wikipedia: During the Persian period, the sacred precinct at the site was relatively small, covering an area of about 96 by 98 meters, not including its gates.[3] The well-preserved western wall extends 84 meters in length and stands 2 meters high, built from large fieldstones sourced from the bedrock, unlike the later Hellenistic precinct made of smoother quarried stones.[12] Excavations revealed unroofed courtyards at both corners of the western wall: the southern courtyard measures 12 by 21.5 meters, while the northern courtyard is 12.5 meters wide, with its length undetermined.[12]

Magen 2007, p. 160: During the Persian period, the precinct measured, not including its gates, some 96 x 98 m (fig. 5). Its western wall, preserved in its entire length and to a height of 2 m, extends for some 84 m and is 1.3 m thick. It was built of large fieldstones wrested from the upper layers of the bedrock, in contrast to the Hellenistic precinct, which was constructed of smooth stones quarried from farther down. Unroofed courtyards were unearthed at the two corners of the western wall: the southern courtyard measured 12 x 21.5 m, and the northern one, the length of which has not been determined, is 12.5 m wide.

Reference 22

Wikipedia: Inscriptions reference priestly titles in both singular (כהן‎, כהנא‎) and plural (כהנים‎, כהניא‎) forms, with one example mentioning "Pinhas the Priest" and "their brothers the priests."[22] Many inscriptions contain formulaic phrases such as "before the God in this place," "before (the) God," or "before the Lord," which are typically associated with temple contexts.[22] One votive inscription in Hebrew reads: "that which Joseph offered for his wife and his sons before the Lord in the temple."[22] One inscription refers to a "house of sacrifice," echoing terminology used for the Jerusalem Temple in the Books of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 7:12).[22] An inscription written in Paleo-Hebrew script features the Tetragrammaton, seemingly included in the phrase "[the house of] Yhwh",[48]

Magen 2007, pp. 166–168: Some contain the titles of the priests who served as religious functionaries (fig. 9), while others contain the formulas “before the God in this place,” “before (the) God,” or “before the Lord,” which are always indicative of a temple (fig. 10). An additional inscription in Hebrew notes “that which Joseph offered for his wife and his sons before the Lord in the temple” (fig. 11). Yet another inscription mentions the “house of sacrifice,” an expression that parallels an expression used to refer to the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chr 7:12). An inscription in Paleo-Hebrew script contains the Tetragrammaton, apparently as part of the phrase “the house of the Lord” (fig. 12).

In these instances the wording has been changed, but the structure is the same: presenting the same information in the same order, including all the same examples. Wikipedia:Close paraphrasing#Example provides a useful comparison. Richard Nevell (talk) 19:09, 23 October 2024 (UTC)

Any thoughts on the changes I applied for both? Do you think that solves the issue? Mariamnei (talk) 21:15, 10 November 2024 (UTC)