Digging in ’89

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Ashkelon

The Bible frequently mentions the Philistine port city of Ashkelon. Samson went there in a rage and killed 30 men (Judges 14:19); David lamented “Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon” when he learned of the death of Saul and Jonathan, slain by the Philistines at the Battle of Gilboa (2 Samuel 1:20); and the seventh-century B.C. prophet Zephaniah predicted that “Ashkelon shall become a desolation” (Zephaniah 2:4).

Previous work at this large seaside site located in a National Park has uncovered a vast array of remains, including Canaanite and Philistine buildings, Persian period (539–332 B.C.) warehouses, a huge cemetery for dogs, a Roman and Byzantine bath-house and bordello, erotic oil lamps and Islamic houses and streets.

Banias (Caesarea Philippi)

Lying at the foot of Mt. Hermon, Banias overlooks the Jordan Valley’s fertile north end, an area of lush vegetation and abundant opportunities to swim and walk. A source of the Jordan River flows from a cave nearby, where the Greeks dedicated a shrine “to Pan and the Nymphs,” according to an inscription. As the Greek historian Polybius tells, Antiochus the Great defeated Egypt in an important battle at Banias in about 200 B.C. Josephus records that Herod the Great erected a temple to Augustus here, and that Herod’s son Philip beautified and enlarged the city, which he renamed Caesarea Philippi.

Workers during the 1989 season, the second, will excavate structures in both the public and private sectors of the city.

Bethsaida

The Gospels mention Bethsaida more often than any other town except Jerusalem and Capernaum. The birthplace of the Apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip, Bethsaida was where Jesus restored a blind man’s sight (Mark 8:22–26) and fed the multitude (Luke 9:10–17). In addition, Josephus led forces that clashed with the Romans here during the First Jewish Revolt (67–70 A.D.). Excavations in 1987 determined the town’s exact location, which is now identified with a tell on the east side of the Jordan River, slightly north of the Sea of Galilee.

In the coming season, archaeologists hope to expose a monumental building (possibly a palace or fortress) on the mound’s summit and to excavate a private house in the residential quarter.

Caesarea Maritima

A marvel of ancient engineering, Caesarea’s Mediterranean harbor was large enough to hold an entire Roman fleet. Herod the Great built the city and harbor between 22 and 10 B.C. on the site of an earlier Phoenician and Hellenistic trading station. A major Mediterranean port for over 1,000 years, Caesarea reached its zenith during Byzantine times (330–640 A.D.), when it was the largest city in Palestine. An inscription bearing the name of Pontius Pilate was found here, where he resided. Peter’s conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion (Acts 10:1–48), and Paul’s brief imprisonment (Acts 23–25) also occurred in Caesarea.

Two expeditions conduct digs at Caesarea, on land and in the harbor. The Caesarea Ancient Harbor Excavation Project plans to investigate four areas in 1989: harbor facilities now on land, an early Christian church recently identified on the approximate site of an earlier Herodian temple, the Byzantine fortification system and the aqueducts north of the city. The Joint Expedition to Caesarea Maritima hopes to complete work on the Roman and Byzantine administrative center, to elucidate the city plan, and to survey and draw the many mosaics.

Caesarea is currently the subject of a major traveling exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institution. (See BAR articles: 019Lindley Vann, “Herod’s Harbor Construction Recovered Underwater,” BAR 09:03; Robert L. Hohlfelder, “Caesarea Beneath the Sea,” BAR 08:03; Robert J. Bull, “Caesarea Maritima—The Search for Herod’s City,” BAR 08:03.

Ein Yael

Located in Jerusalem’s Rephaim Valley, where King David defeated the Philistines (2 Samuel 5), Ein Yael was a major agricultural area during Biblical times. A terraced farm at the site dates to the Iron II period (1000–586 B.C.) or earlier. The site also contains Roman bath houses and a mid-third-century A.D. Roman villa with beautiful mosaic floors and frescoed walls. Unique to this site is a “Living Museum,” where visitors participate in the crafts and industries that were part of daily life on an Iron Age farm.

The 1989 season will focus on the restoration of an ancient bath-house with frescoed walls and a Star of David mosaic.

(See Gershon Edelstein, “Ancient Jerusalem’s Rural Food Basket,” BAR 08:04.)

Har Karkom

Boasting 35,000 petroglyphs—the largest concentration of rock art in the Negev—and some 600 archaeological sites, the vicinity of Har Karkom provides a rich field for exploration. Subject of a heated debate in BAR, Har Karkom is identified by archaeologist Emmanuel Anati as a holy site from the time of the Exodus, perhaps even Mt. Sinai, but in the view of archaeologist Israel Finkelstein it is simply a popular gathering place for nomads over the millennia. Whoever is right, the site has abundant pottery, altars, campsites and tumulus gravesites dating from about 3000–2000 B.C.

Short periods of fieldwork will occur several times during 1989 to complete the survey of sites in this area.

(See BAR articles: Emmanuel Anati, “Has Mt. Sinai Been Found?” BAR 11:04; Israel Finkelstein, “Raider of the Lost Mountain—An Israeli Archaeologist Looks at the Most Recent Attempt to Locate Mt. Sinai,” BAR 14:04.)

Petra

First identified by J. L. Burckhardt in 1812, Petra, in Jordan, the most famous Nabatean site, features spectacular temples and tombs sculpted from red sandstone cliffs between about 50 B.C. and the end of the first century A.D. Less well known are the remains of the ancient Edomite capital at Petra and of the later Roman and Crusader occupations. Excavations in 1989 will focus on Nabatean workshop and domestic areas.

(See BAR articles: Philip C. Hammond, “New Light on the Nabataeans,” BAR 07:02; Avraham Negev, “Understanding the Nabateans,” BAR 14:06.

Rehovot ba-Negev

Not to be confused with the city of Rehovot near Tel Aviv, Rehovot ba-Negev (Rehovot in the Negev) has a deep well traditionally identified as a well that Isaac 020dug (Genesis 26:22). Although the site has so far yielded no remains from the Iron Age or earlier, it does offer volunteers the chance to excavate one of the best-preserved ancient cities. Founded as a caravansary by the Nabateans in the first century B.C., the city flourished during the Byzantine period (fourth to seventh centuries A.D.) and then declined and became depopulated during the seventh and eighth centuries. Finds include four Byzantine churches, more than 30 burials and many Greek and Arabic inscriptions.

In the upcoming season, excavation will continue at the Byzantine cemetery, at the Central Church and at the caravansary and dwelling quarter at the city’s edge.

Sataf

Overlooking the Sorek Valley, Sataf lies near the fortress of Suba in the Judean hills west of Jerusalem. Rural settlements at the site date back about 6,000 years and exhibit a well-preserved system of agricultural terraces below two bubbling springs with pools. Long a favorite destination for Jerusalem hikers, Sataf has yielded finds from the fifth millennium B.C. to the Byzantine period.

Sepphoris

The traditional birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus, Sepphoris has been continuously occupied from the Iron Age to the present. During the Roman period, Sepphoris was rebuilt in grand style by Herod Antipas. In the first century A.D., Josephus testified to its beauty, calling it “the ornament of all Galilee.” After the Second Jewish Revolt against Rome (132–135 A.D.), Sepphoris became, for a time, the seat of the Sanhedrin, the central legal and spiritual council of the Jewish people. In about 200 A.D., Rabbi Judah Hanasi (Judah the Prince) compiled in Sepphoris the collection of rabbinical legal rules called the Mishnah. Discoveries at the site include bronze statuettes of Pan and Prometheus, a large mosaic floor with mythological scenes and the extraordinary mosaic female portrait featured on the January/February 1988 BAR cover.

Sepphoris is being excavated by two teams—one from Duke University, the other from the University of South Florida. In 1989, the Duke University team expects to complete excavation of the building complex where the large mosaic was found and will continue exploration of domestic structures. The University of South Florida team will further expose major architecture.

Sha’ar ha-Amakim

Archaeologist Benjamin Mazar suggested that this site, near Kibbutz Sha’ar ha-Amakim, about ten miles from Haifa, may have been the location of Gabba-Hippeon, an administrative center where Herod the Great settled his retired cavalry men. Four seasons of excavations have exposed a monumental Hellenistic tower surrounded by a wall. Based on the stone-dressing style and coin and pottery finds, the fortress, 021which guards the entrance to the Esdraelon (Jezreel) Valley, dates to the end of the third or early second century B.C. The site also features a large, subterranean, water supply system.

Shiqmim

Located about 10 miles west of Beer-Sheva, Shiqmim is one of the largest Chalcolithic (c. 4500–3200 B.C.) village sites in Israel. The well-preserved village features residences, alleyways, metalworking areas, public buildings and courtyards. The recent discovery of large, underground storage facilities suggests the presence of a network of subterranean rooms and tunnels. Exploration of these underground structures will be the focus in 1989.

Shuni

Located about four miles northeast of Caesarea, Shuni is the site of the Roman theater of Maiumas, which the people of Caesarea used for water festivals. Other finds at the site include an Asclepion—a building dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing—and a marble statue of Asclepius.

Tel Dan

After 22 years of excavation at Tel Dan, one might expect that everything had been found, but in fact the site continues to yield extraordinary finds. The latest, the head of a scepter, is discussed by Avraham Biran—Tel Dan’s persevering dig director—in “Prize Find: Tel Dan Scepter Head.”

Before the tribe of Dan conquered and settled it (Judges 18), the city of Dan was called Laish. King Jeroboam of Israel (928–907 B.C.) built a sanctuary at Dan to compete with the Temple in Jerusalem and erected one of two golden calves at the site (1 Kings 12:26–29), but no trace of the calf has been found. Nevertheless, many other interesting discoveries have been made, including massive Canaanite ramparts; a standing Canaanite gate with three arches; a tomb with Mycenaean imports; a sacred precinct comprising a high place, chambers and an altar room; and a Roman fountain house.

(See BAR articles: Hershel Shanks, “Avraham Biran—Twenty Years of Digging at Tel Dan,” BAR 13:04; “Is the Cultic Installation at Dan Really an Olive Press?” BAR 10:06; John C. H. Laughlin, “The Remarkable Discoveries at Tel Dan,” BAR 07:05.)

Tel Dor

A major Mediterranean port city from the Bronze Age through the Roman period, Tel Dor is now the site of one of Israel’s largest excavations. Dor played an important role in ancient Israel’s economy and was occupied, at various times, by Canaanites, the Sea Peoples, Israelites, the Assyrians and Phoenicians. One of Solomon’s administrative centers, Dor became a major fortress in the Hellenistic Age. Trypho, king of Syria, took refuge in Dor and was besieged there in 137 B.C. by Antiochus VII, but managed to escape (1 Maccabees 15:10–14, 25, 37–39). The excavations have uncovered slingstones from that siege. A Crusader fortress in the 13th century was the last occupation of the site.

Excavation at this beautiful site has revealed the main street, forum, sewer and aqueduct of the Roman city. The gates and fortifications of the Hellenistic, Persian and Iron Age cities have also been discovered.

The ambitious plans for the upcoming season call for expansion of the Roman city dig, further excavation of the outer gate fortifications, exploration of the Iron Age city and additional work in the Philistine city. Archaeologists hope to locate a major administrative building from the Israelite occupation and more Phoenician structures.

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Tel Gerisa

A major Canaanite site at the mouth of the Yarkon River, a few miles from Tel Aviv, Tel Gerisa was founded in the Early Bronze Age and occupied until the ninth century B.C. The Philistine settlement at Tel Qasile, directly to the north across the river, appears to have adversely affected Tel Gerisa’s fortunes. A small Abbasid Arab occupation in the tenth century A.D. was the last settlement at the site until modern times. Excavations have uncovered a Middle Bronze II (2000–1750 B.C.) fortification system with adjoining houses, a Late Bronze Age monumental building (probably a palace), some Philistine stamp seals, and numerous metal and clay figurines from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages.

In the season ahead, excavators will expose more of the Late Bronze Age monumental building, seeking to discover its purpose and layout.

Tel Hadar

The Bible refers to the area east of the Sea of Galilee as Geshur, an Aramean kingdom (2 Samuel 15:8) that fell under the military control of David (2 Samuel 8:3–8). Absalom, David’s son by a Geshurite princess, fled to Geshur and spent three years there after having his brother Amnon killed for the rape of their sister (2 Samuel 13:1–39).

A part of the Land of Geshur Regional Project, which is conducting the first excavations of the Biblical period in the Golan, Tel Hadar features an 11th-century B.C. Aramean palace and an Aramean settlement from the eighth or ninth century B.C.

In this third year of excavation, work will continue on the 11th century B.C. Aramean palace.

Tel Nizzana (Nessana)

Tel Nizzana near the junction of two ancient routes: “the way to Shur,” leading to Egypt, and a branch of the Via Maris, running from the Mediterranean shore at Gaza to the Gulf of Elath. Founded by the Nabateans in the second half of the second century B.C., the settlement flourished from the first century B.C. through the first century A.D. During the second to fourth centuries A.D., the city suffered a decline when trade with Elath was diverted from the Gaza route to a new route to Damascus. A Byzantine settlement including two churches, built in the first quarter of the fifth century, thrived until the Arab conquest and continued to exist until the beginning of the eighth century. Papyri discovered by the Colt Expedition (1935–1937) included a Greek dictionary of Virgil’s Aeneid, a fragment of the Aeneid, the life of Saint George and some letters concerning church affairs.

During the next season, workers will further reveal the large private house from the Late Byzantine and Early Arab periods. A search for Nabatean houses and for the Eastern Church will begin.

(See Avraham Negev, “Understanding the Nabateans,” BAR 14:06.)

Tel Yarmuth

Founded at the end of the fourth millennium B.C., the city at this site was one of the earliest and largest in Israel during the Early Bronze Age (c. 3200–2300 B.C.). Archaeologists have identified the site as Biblical Jarmuth. Piram, the king of Jarmuth, and four other Amorite kings banded together to attack Gibeon (Joshua 10:3–5), but Joshua came to Gibeon’s aid and defeated the Amorites.

Yarmuth features exceptionally well-preserved Early Bronze Age structures, including one of the largest fortification systems ever discovered from this period in the Levant, a monumental city-gate and residential and “industrial” areas.

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The excavators hope to clear the Early Bronze III (2650–2350 B.C.) residential and “industrial” areas and to excavate the Early Bronze II level (2850–2650 B.C.).

Tell Beth-Shean

After Saul and his sons were slain on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines displayed Saul’s body on the city-wall of Beth-Shean (1 Samuel 31:8–10). Today one of Israel’s most impressive tells, the site of Beth-Shean marks one of the longest, essentially unbroken, occupations in Palestine, stretching from the fifth millennium B.C. to the Byzantine period (324–640 A.D.). The city served as an Egyptian stronghold during Egypt’s domination of the region in the Late Bronze Age, and it resisted the Israelite attack during the Canaanite occupation. King David eventually conquered the city when he expanded his kingdom northward (1 Kings 4:12).

The site is especially noted for its Canaanite temples and for its abundance of cult objects. At the base of the high mound of Tell Beth-Shean, separate excavations have recently uncovered vast areas of the Roman city.

This new project on the tell of Beth Shean intends to continue from where others stopped. Yigael Yadin, Israel’s most famous archaeologist, conducted his last field work here shortly before his death in 1984. The 1989 season will concentrate on Late Bronze Age Canaanite levels.

Tell el-Ifshar

Sometimes identified with Biblical Hepher—one of the cities that Joshua and the Israelites conquered (Joshua 12:17) and 028one of Solomon’s domains (1 Kings 4:10)—Tell el-Ifshar was occupied from the Early Bronze Age until Byzantine times. A large fortified site on the central Sharon plain, the settlement served as a river port and stood astride the Via Maris, the Roman road that linked Egypt with Mesopotamia. Among the most important finds at the site are Middle Bronze Age pottery imported from North Syria and Egypt and Canaanite figurines dated to about 1250 B.C.

The 1989 dig will investigate the structure and purpose of a Middle Bronze Age public building.

Tell el-‘Umeiri

When Jephthah subdued the Ammonites, “he smote them … as far as Abelkeramim” (Judges 11:33), whose ruins today constitute Tell el-‘Umeiri, a site in Jordan, about 37 miles east of Jerusalem. Occupied from about 3000 B.C. to nearly 500 B.C., the site has been linked with the Ammonite king Baalis (Jeremiah 40:14) and with Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 B.C.). In past seasons, excavators have found an early sixth-century B.C. bulla with the inscription, “Belonging to Milkom-or, the servant of Baalyasha” (probably the “Baalis” mentioned in Jeremiah 40:14), and a jar handle stamped with the cartouche of Thutmose III.

Next season, the excavators will penetrate the tell more deeply and extend their search for tombs.

Tell Halif

Excavations since 1976 have uncovered remains from all stages of Tell Halif’s habitation, from its settlement sometime before 3000 B.C. to modern times. The 1977 discovery of a unique ceramic bowl with a molded pomegranate at its center supports speculation that this was the Biblical city of Rimmon (Hebrew for “pomegranate”), mentioned in Joshua 15:32 and Zechariah 14:10. Other evidence suggests the site may be Biblical Ziklag, which King Achish of Gath gave to David (1 Samuel 27:5–6). After a band of Amalekites burned Ziklag and captured its people, David pursued and defeated them, recovering all that they had taken (1 Samuel 30:1–20). Ziklag was also the place where David’s supporters assembled as an army before David became king (1 Chronicles 12:1).

In preparation for publication, the 1989 workshop at this site will review previous field results and will do a final sorting of ceramic materials.

Tell Hanaton

One of the cities that delineated the boundary of the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 19:14), Hanaton, in central Galilee, first appears in the Egyptian Amarna letters of the 14th century B.C. Mesopotamian historical records from the eighth century B.C. also mention the city, which the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III destroyed at that time. The Moslems and Crusaders occupied the site at different times until the 16th century A.D. The latter left an impressive fortified building that has been under excavation for the past two seasons.

In the season ahead, archaeologists will explore the Crusader settlements and will open new areas with earlier remains.

Tell Kabri

A huge Bronze Age city of about 80 acres, Tell Kabri is identified with Biblical Rehob, one of the cities given to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:30). The site has an Asherite village and Phoenician fort from the Iron Age (1200–586 B.C.), and a palace with a decorated, painted floor, dated to the 18th–17th centuries B.C. Excavations have also uncovered a family tomb with some 300 artifacts.

During the coming season, workers will further expose the Middle Bronze II palace to reveal its architecture and to reach storerooms where some finds may be made. The Iron Age Phoenician fort will also be excavated.

Timnah (Tel Batash)

Located on the border between Philistia and Israel, Timnah is best known in Biblical history as the center of Samson’s exploits. The Israelites captured the region during David’s reign, but it reverted to Philistine control during the early Divided Monarchy. In the eighth and seventh centuries B.C., the southern kingdom of Judah took control of the city. Excavations have exposed strata from the town’s founding, probably in about the 18th century B.C., to its demise in the early fifth century B.C., as well as eighth-century B.C. molds used to cast cultic figures.

Next season’s work intends to clarify the periods of Philistine and Israelite control of the city.

(See “Excavating in Samson Country—Philistines and Israelites at Tel Batash.” BAR 15:01.)

Ashkelon