But perhaps not all has been lost as possible archaeological clues have been found, dating back to the 10th century BC.
Professor Meyer said: “Although royal inscriptions attesting to the building activity of Ancient Near Eastern kings have been found by archaeologists, inscriptions attesting to the building activity of the famous Israelite King Solomon have yet to be discovered.
“However, archaeological evidence discovered from three major cities in ancient Israel: Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer validate the biblical account of Solomon rebuilding these cities as administrative centres spaced throughout Israel at key junctures.
“By far the largest Old Testament period of Israeli construction took place during the reign of King Solomon, thereby indicating his control and protection over the coveted International Highway that traced the Fertile Crescent through Israel.”