Schwartz Joshua J. Lod (Lydda), Israel: From its Origins through the Byzantine Period: 5600 B.C.E. - 640 C.E

BAR Publishing, 1991. — 210 p. — (BAR International Series 571).Our original intent was not to write the history of ancient Lod. In fact, our initial interest in the settlement was the result of a somewhat circuitous route. In an earlier work (Schwartz 1986), we had studied the history of Jewish settlement in Judaea during the Late Roman and Byzantine Periods. This project had naturally touched upon the history of Jewish settlement in Lod at that time, although this was far from the main thrust of the study. Our interest in Jewish settlement in Judaea led us to continue the study of the region during the Second Temple Period and during the Jabneh Period (70-135 C.E.). Deciding to work "backwards", we began our new project with the Jabneh Period and quite by chance decided to begin our research with the study of Lod at that time. We were soon swamped by the tremendous amount of material pertaining to Lod during those years. As we were drawn into the web of Lod traditions and sources, it became increasingly clear that ancient Lod had possessed the potential to have become a great urban center. Its location was excellent, at the intersection of many important routes and thoroughfares, and it was surrounded by rich and fertile lands.