Mentioned several times in Bible. The lower city was first settled during the Chalcolithic period, around 4000 BC. Canaanite city 3150-2200 BC. I the Early Canaanite period (Early Bronze Age, 3100-2950 BC), Arad was a large city.Caaanite Arad was abandoned in 2600 BC unknown reasons and for about 1,500 years, up to the early Israelite period. when a small settlement was established at the north-eastern corner of Canaanite town of Arad.
See:
- Philip J. King: Jeremiah: An Archaeological Companion, Westminster John Knox Press 1993, pp. 53-58