This study investigates the effects that an encounter with a foreign object can have on local tra... more This study investigates the effects that an encounter with a foreign object can have on local traditions. Notions of object agency and object biographies will be utilized to address what happens when people become entangled with new things: the new context can have an impact on the newly introduced object, and those newly introduced objects can similarly impact locals and their traditions. The Late Bronze Age southern Levantine site of Tel Burna will serve as a case study, where a number of imported Cypriot pithoi were found alongside locally produced pithoi. It will be demonstrated that in their new context, the Cypriot pithoi were given new meaning and function. At the same time, the imported pithoi played active roles in the local potters of Tel Burna making pithoi. However, the local pithoi resemble local storage jars, so while the potters mimicked the concept of the Cypriot pithoi, they did so according to local normative forms.
In ancient Near Eastern iconography, panthers and lions were frequently used to express social st... more In ancient Near Eastern iconography, panthers and lions were frequently used to express social status. The zooarchaeological remains of panthers and lions found in this region, however, are most commonly interpreted only as evidence for the management of dangerous animals. Starting with the faunal material from Iron Age Tel Burna, the authors collate and analyse zooarchaeological evidence for big cats across the Near East, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (c. 9500–50 BC). The results show a shift in assemblage composition and find contexts starting in the Chalcolithic period, indicating the display of these animals by political leaders. The results also urge caution in the use of archaeological remains for reconstructing the natural ranges of big cats.
In this article, we examine the growing importance of Jewish archeology for the Jewish population... more In this article, we examine the growing importance of Jewish archeology for the Jewish population of Palestine/EI under the British Mandate by considering the impact of three formative archaeological excavations. The Tiberias hot springs excavation (1920–1921) was the first in the country to be carried out by a Jewish research institution, a Jewish researcher, and Jewish laborers, proving the Yishuv’s ability to conduct independent archeological research. It yielded unique symbolic findings and unearthed important relics but did little to inspire ongoing appreciation among the country’s Jewish population. The excavation at Beit Alfa (1928–1929) created a connection between the pioneers of the Jezreel Valley and Jewish archaeology and expanded its circles of influence. It also presented the world of the Jews of the past in a new light, drew socialist values from it, and was perceived by the Yishuv as part of the pioneering Zionist enterprise. The excavation at Beit Sheʻarim (1936–1940), coinciding with the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine, was woven inseparably into the struggle to establish a Jewish national homeland. The persona and death of Alexander Zaïd were linked to it from the outset, and it was perceived by the Yishuv as a historic event that tethered the past to the present in a concrete manner. The development of the Yishuv’s relationship with Jewish archaeology evolved through a process that may be likened to the building of a ʻbody,ʼ the casting of ʻspirit,ʼ and the addition of a ʻsoul.ʼ This insight gives us a better understanding of the growth of the role of archaeology in the popular realm of yediʻat haʼaretz (ʻknowing the Landʼ), its use as a national tool during the British Mandate era, and the solidification of its status after the establishment of the State of Israel.
This article examines the trends in archaeological research and the state of conservation of arch... more This article examines the trends in archaeological research and the state of conservation of archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria between 1993 and 2022. The absence of Palestinian-Israeli cooperation resulted in the establishment of two parallel bodies that have been responsible for the issue, with no connection between them. In the Israeli-controlled territory, academic involvement declined with only a handful of new excavations. In the Palestinian controlled territory, many new studies were conducted with foreign assistance, primarily to strengthen Palestinian national identity. An assessment of the state of conservation indicates significant damage as a result of development and antiquities theft. In this region, where the future remains uncertain, relics of the past and the research of these relics appear to have sustained irreversible damage.
“And in Length of Days Understanding” (Job 12:12): Essays on Archaeology in the Eastern Mediterranean and Beyond in Honor of Thomas E. Levy, 2023
Major geopolitical and social changes took place in the Southern Levant
during the Iron II includ... more Major geopolitical and social changes took place in the Southern Levant during the Iron II including the establishment of territorial states, and subsequently, the intervention of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires in local economies. These geopolitical shifts affected local economic and agricultural practices, along with other aspects of daily life and subsistence. This paper presents and analyzes changes in the economic practices of the people living in the Iron II site of Tel Burna in light of the geopolitical changes that occurred throughout the period
Techno-stylistic studies in ceramic analysis have largely focused on characterising production gr... more Techno-stylistic studies in ceramic analysis have largely focused on characterising production groups, based on the similarity of various objects and how they were made. The demographics of potters and the division of labour often remain enigmatic in current chaîne opératoire research. A growing number of biometric studies have demonstrated the potential of fingerprints preserved on ceramic surfaces for classifying the age and sex of potters. In this paper, we use a recently introduced identification matrix to model labour divisions based on 52 fingerprints preserved on a diverse range of objects from the Late Bronze Age II stratum at Tel Burna. The sample includes objects from the recently exposed cultic enclosure. Based on broad ethnographic considerations, women were the principal potters in Canaanite society. Our study tests this hypothesis with regards to who made pottery for cultic use. We identify patterns in age categories and a sexual division of labour for the manufacture of select objects and vessel types. The results lead us to discuss possible effects of imperialism on labour organisation. We provide the first compelling insights into the social relations of pottery production at a time when Egypt exercised hegemony over the city-states of the Southern Levant.
Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attent... more Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attention since at least the nineteenth century CE. An analysis of the archaeological data collected during ongoing excavations at the tell indicates that these fortifications were built in the late tenth or early ninth century BCE. The fortification of this Judahite stronghold, located on the border with Philistia, remained in use for the next 200 years. Recently, evidence has come to light of a massive undertaking to reinforce and strengthen the western side of the casemate wall in the late eighth century BCE. The authors identify these activities as part of the preparations made to defend the city from Sennacherib's campaign in the region. The site was subsequently re-inhabited, but the fortifications seem to have gone out of use during the last stage of the occupation at the end of the Iron Age.
The Heritage Center for the Study of The Kingdom of Israel at Ariel University is happy to announ... more The Heritage Center for the Study of The Kingdom of Israel at Ariel University is happy to announce the call for the 2022 Koschitzky Prize for papers by young scholars. Up to three prizes will be awarded: • a first prize of $1000, • a second prize of $750 • a third prize of $500 The prizes will be awarded for the best published articles, MA theses or PhD dissertations dealing with the Northern Kingdom of Israel or with related topics within its area. The committee will consider only papers/theses/dissertations that were published during the years 2021-2022, or that were accepted for publication in a coming volume of a peer-reviewed journal.
Moshe Dayan remains a popular personality who devoted most of his life to the Israeli state and w... more Moshe Dayan remains a popular personality who devoted most of his life to the Israeli state and whose military contributions have overshadowed his illegal activities in the field of archaeology. This article offers the first examination of Dayan’s impact on archaeology in the West Bank during his tenure as Israel’s defence minister (1967–74). Dayan moulded the military government in the West Bank in its early years and was involved in appointing the staff officers charged with managing civil affairs. His approach of granting rights to the Palestinians also found expression in his administration of the military government, and most workers in archaeological contexts were Palestinians. However, in parallel to his establishment of local order, Dayan conducted illegal excavations in plain sight of local residents and illegally acquired antiquities in the region. Upon catching antiquities thieves in the Hebron Hills, he purchased their findings and encouraged them to continue excavating, undoubtedly contributing to the high number of illicit excavations. During its early years, the antiquities department he established sought to reduce these thefts; however, Dayan, who held overall responsibility for its operations, sometimes acted in direct contravention of this policy, creating local anarchy whose impact is still felt today.
Archaeological Excavations and Research Studies in Southern Israel, 2022
Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both s... more Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both sides of Naḥal Guvrin in the western Shephelah. At Tel Burna, excavations have revealed a prominent casemate fortification wall that encloses the site’s summit and is confidently dated to the Iron Age II. It was established at the early stages of the Iron Age II and was apparently used for several centuries, albeit with some changes. Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
Israel Antiquities Authority 154 | Suriano, Shai, Uziel-In Search of Libnah as "white," which sug... more Israel Antiquities Authority 154 | Suriano, Shai, Uziel-In Search of Libnah as "white," which suggests a toponymic meaning such as "white place." Another possibility is that it is from the same root as ה נָ בֵ לְּ ("sun-baked brick," see Gen 11:3), which would suggest a toponym meaning "paved foundation" (or "compaction"). The second root meaning is found in Exod 24:10, as a common noun in the construct form יר פִּ סַּ הַ ת נַ בְ לִ ("pavement of sapphire"). 6 The Greek versions generally render the place name as Lebna, although the different manuscripts display variation in their transliterations, 7 for instance Lobena and the spelling Lemna (and related forms). 8 Literarily, the biblical references to Libnah can be broken down into three categories: genealogies (mainly P material, but including other sources), town lists (including the king list of Joshua 12), and incidental references in the books of Joshua and Kings (with parallels in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Chronicles). The sources are consistent in their placement of refers to either the stone material (presumably used in construction) or the local soil. The former suggestion would relate specifically to the chalky white, Eocene limestone that are found in the lowland hills of Judah (the Shephelah); see Amotz Cohen, "Place Names Whose Origin Is in the Color of the Surroundings," Beth Mikra 54 (1973), 420. For the relationship between toponyms and their physical environment, see Yohanan Aharoni, The Land of the
It is often assumed that domestic animals in early urban Near Eastern centres either are a reflec... more It is often assumed that domestic animals in early urban Near Eastern centres either are a reflection of the local pastoral economy, or were raised at a distance by pastoral specialists. In this paper, we test these assumptions through detailed isotopic analyses (carbon, oxygen and strontium) of caprines (sheep and goat) from Tell es-Safi/Gath, an Early Bronze Age urban centre in central Israel. The isotopic analyses demonstrate that the bulk of the caprines were raised within the general vicinity of the site, suggesting that the majority of food resources were largely produced at the local level, within the territory of the city-state, and not at a distance by specialised pastoralists. It is the rare specimen that comes from a great distance and would have entered the local system through long distance trade networks.
The outcome of the 1948 war in Palestine resulted not only in the country’s partition between the... more The outcome of the 1948 war in Palestine resulted not only in the country’s partition between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, but also in the division of its archaeological research. The Jordanian Department of Antiquities, which was responsible for administering archaeological research in the West Bank until 1967, prioritized research in the East Bank over research in the West Bank as a function of broader Jordanian government policy. Most of the research in the West Bank during this period was conducted by foreign institutions and researchers, who were forced to choose between researching in either Israel or Arab countries. Those who chose to research in Israel were not allowed to simultaneously research and excavate in the Jordanian-controlled West Bank. Consequently, the foreign researchers’ choices divided them, placing them on different sides of the Green Line. The excavations in the West Bank piqued the curiosity of the Israelis, who never ceased trying to acquire information about them and their findings. These efforts included secret meetings with foreign researchers, attempts to acquire the Dead Seas scrolls, and the secret transfer to Israel of a few findings for the sake of secret research. For many years, part of their story remained classified in archives, and is shared here for the first time.
This article examines the factors that influenced the trends in archaeological excavations in Jud... more This article examines the factors that influenced the trends in archaeological excavations in Judea and Samaria during the decade attending the 1967 Six-Day War. Examination reveals a close connection between the political trends in Israel as they pertained to Judea and Samaria and the archaeological excavations undertaken in this region. When a prime minister appeared to consider Judea and Samaria an inseparable part of the state of Israel archaeologists followed (Meir). But when prime ministers regarded Judea and Samaria as territory that would be returned to the Jordanians (Eshkol and Rabin), the archaeologists stopped excavating in the region.
With the emergence of urban culture in the southern Levant in the Early Bronze Age, new types of ... more With the emergence of urban culture in the southern Levant in the Early Bronze Age, new types of pottery and ceramic techniques appeared, among them pottery (usually combed) coated with a white material. A selection of sherds from Early Bronze strata was studied in an attempt to analyze this material. Using microscopy and various other methods, the authors were able to determine that the white material was a lime-plaster applied to the vessels after firing. The paper contends that the most likely reason for applying the lime-plaster was functional—to decrease permeability and protect the contents of the vessels.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2011
Page 1. 25 The Iron Age Remains at Tel Nagila Itzhaq Shai Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan Unive... more Page 1. 25 The Iron Age Remains at Tel Nagila Itzhaq Shai Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel [email protected] Aren M. Maeir Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel [email protected] ...
This study investigates the effects that an encounter with a foreign object can have on local tra... more This study investigates the effects that an encounter with a foreign object can have on local traditions. Notions of object agency and object biographies will be utilized to address what happens when people become entangled with new things: the new context can have an impact on the newly introduced object, and those newly introduced objects can similarly impact locals and their traditions. The Late Bronze Age southern Levantine site of Tel Burna will serve as a case study, where a number of imported Cypriot pithoi were found alongside locally produced pithoi. It will be demonstrated that in their new context, the Cypriot pithoi were given new meaning and function. At the same time, the imported pithoi played active roles in the local potters of Tel Burna making pithoi. However, the local pithoi resemble local storage jars, so while the potters mimicked the concept of the Cypriot pithoi, they did so according to local normative forms.
In ancient Near Eastern iconography, panthers and lions were frequently used to express social st... more In ancient Near Eastern iconography, panthers and lions were frequently used to express social status. The zooarchaeological remains of panthers and lions found in this region, however, are most commonly interpreted only as evidence for the management of dangerous animals. Starting with the faunal material from Iron Age Tel Burna, the authors collate and analyse zooarchaeological evidence for big cats across the Near East, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (c. 9500–50 BC). The results show a shift in assemblage composition and find contexts starting in the Chalcolithic period, indicating the display of these animals by political leaders. The results also urge caution in the use of archaeological remains for reconstructing the natural ranges of big cats.
In this article, we examine the growing importance of Jewish archeology for the Jewish population... more In this article, we examine the growing importance of Jewish archeology for the Jewish population of Palestine/EI under the British Mandate by considering the impact of three formative archaeological excavations. The Tiberias hot springs excavation (1920–1921) was the first in the country to be carried out by a Jewish research institution, a Jewish researcher, and Jewish laborers, proving the Yishuv’s ability to conduct independent archeological research. It yielded unique symbolic findings and unearthed important relics but did little to inspire ongoing appreciation among the country’s Jewish population. The excavation at Beit Alfa (1928–1929) created a connection between the pioneers of the Jezreel Valley and Jewish archaeology and expanded its circles of influence. It also presented the world of the Jews of the past in a new light, drew socialist values from it, and was perceived by the Yishuv as part of the pioneering Zionist enterprise. The excavation at Beit Sheʻarim (1936–1940), coinciding with the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine, was woven inseparably into the struggle to establish a Jewish national homeland. The persona and death of Alexander Zaïd were linked to it from the outset, and it was perceived by the Yishuv as a historic event that tethered the past to the present in a concrete manner. The development of the Yishuv’s relationship with Jewish archaeology evolved through a process that may be likened to the building of a ʻbody,ʼ the casting of ʻspirit,ʼ and the addition of a ʻsoul.ʼ This insight gives us a better understanding of the growth of the role of archaeology in the popular realm of yediʻat haʼaretz (ʻknowing the Landʼ), its use as a national tool during the British Mandate era, and the solidification of its status after the establishment of the State of Israel.
This article examines the trends in archaeological research and the state of conservation of arch... more This article examines the trends in archaeological research and the state of conservation of archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria between 1993 and 2022. The absence of Palestinian-Israeli cooperation resulted in the establishment of two parallel bodies that have been responsible for the issue, with no connection between them. In the Israeli-controlled territory, academic involvement declined with only a handful of new excavations. In the Palestinian controlled territory, many new studies were conducted with foreign assistance, primarily to strengthen Palestinian national identity. An assessment of the state of conservation indicates significant damage as a result of development and antiquities theft. In this region, where the future remains uncertain, relics of the past and the research of these relics appear to have sustained irreversible damage.
“And in Length of Days Understanding” (Job 12:12): Essays on Archaeology in the Eastern Mediterranean and Beyond in Honor of Thomas E. Levy, 2023
Major geopolitical and social changes took place in the Southern Levant
during the Iron II includ... more Major geopolitical and social changes took place in the Southern Levant during the Iron II including the establishment of territorial states, and subsequently, the intervention of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires in local economies. These geopolitical shifts affected local economic and agricultural practices, along with other aspects of daily life and subsistence. This paper presents and analyzes changes in the economic practices of the people living in the Iron II site of Tel Burna in light of the geopolitical changes that occurred throughout the period
Techno-stylistic studies in ceramic analysis have largely focused on characterising production gr... more Techno-stylistic studies in ceramic analysis have largely focused on characterising production groups, based on the similarity of various objects and how they were made. The demographics of potters and the division of labour often remain enigmatic in current chaîne opératoire research. A growing number of biometric studies have demonstrated the potential of fingerprints preserved on ceramic surfaces for classifying the age and sex of potters. In this paper, we use a recently introduced identification matrix to model labour divisions based on 52 fingerprints preserved on a diverse range of objects from the Late Bronze Age II stratum at Tel Burna. The sample includes objects from the recently exposed cultic enclosure. Based on broad ethnographic considerations, women were the principal potters in Canaanite society. Our study tests this hypothesis with regards to who made pottery for cultic use. We identify patterns in age categories and a sexual division of labour for the manufacture of select objects and vessel types. The results lead us to discuss possible effects of imperialism on labour organisation. We provide the first compelling insights into the social relations of pottery production at a time when Egypt exercised hegemony over the city-states of the Southern Levant.
Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attent... more Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attention since at least the nineteenth century CE. An analysis of the archaeological data collected during ongoing excavations at the tell indicates that these fortifications were built in the late tenth or early ninth century BCE. The fortification of this Judahite stronghold, located on the border with Philistia, remained in use for the next 200 years. Recently, evidence has come to light of a massive undertaking to reinforce and strengthen the western side of the casemate wall in the late eighth century BCE. The authors identify these activities as part of the preparations made to defend the city from Sennacherib's campaign in the region. The site was subsequently re-inhabited, but the fortifications seem to have gone out of use during the last stage of the occupation at the end of the Iron Age.
The Heritage Center for the Study of The Kingdom of Israel at Ariel University is happy to announ... more The Heritage Center for the Study of The Kingdom of Israel at Ariel University is happy to announce the call for the 2022 Koschitzky Prize for papers by young scholars. Up to three prizes will be awarded: • a first prize of $1000, • a second prize of $750 • a third prize of $500 The prizes will be awarded for the best published articles, MA theses or PhD dissertations dealing with the Northern Kingdom of Israel or with related topics within its area. The committee will consider only papers/theses/dissertations that were published during the years 2021-2022, or that were accepted for publication in a coming volume of a peer-reviewed journal.
Moshe Dayan remains a popular personality who devoted most of his life to the Israeli state and w... more Moshe Dayan remains a popular personality who devoted most of his life to the Israeli state and whose military contributions have overshadowed his illegal activities in the field of archaeology. This article offers the first examination of Dayan’s impact on archaeology in the West Bank during his tenure as Israel’s defence minister (1967–74). Dayan moulded the military government in the West Bank in its early years and was involved in appointing the staff officers charged with managing civil affairs. His approach of granting rights to the Palestinians also found expression in his administration of the military government, and most workers in archaeological contexts were Palestinians. However, in parallel to his establishment of local order, Dayan conducted illegal excavations in plain sight of local residents and illegally acquired antiquities in the region. Upon catching antiquities thieves in the Hebron Hills, he purchased their findings and encouraged them to continue excavating, undoubtedly contributing to the high number of illicit excavations. During its early years, the antiquities department he established sought to reduce these thefts; however, Dayan, who held overall responsibility for its operations, sometimes acted in direct contravention of this policy, creating local anarchy whose impact is still felt today.
Archaeological Excavations and Research Studies in Southern Israel, 2022
Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both s... more Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both sides of Naḥal Guvrin in the western Shephelah. At Tel Burna, excavations have revealed a prominent casemate fortification wall that encloses the site’s summit and is confidently dated to the Iron Age II. It was established at the early stages of the Iron Age II and was apparently used for several centuries, albeit with some changes. Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
Israel Antiquities Authority 154 | Suriano, Shai, Uziel-In Search of Libnah as "white," which sug... more Israel Antiquities Authority 154 | Suriano, Shai, Uziel-In Search of Libnah as "white," which suggests a toponymic meaning such as "white place." Another possibility is that it is from the same root as ה נָ בֵ לְּ ("sun-baked brick," see Gen 11:3), which would suggest a toponym meaning "paved foundation" (or "compaction"). The second root meaning is found in Exod 24:10, as a common noun in the construct form יר פִּ סַּ הַ ת נַ בְ לִ ("pavement of sapphire"). 6 The Greek versions generally render the place name as Lebna, although the different manuscripts display variation in their transliterations, 7 for instance Lobena and the spelling Lemna (and related forms). 8 Literarily, the biblical references to Libnah can be broken down into three categories: genealogies (mainly P material, but including other sources), town lists (including the king list of Joshua 12), and incidental references in the books of Joshua and Kings (with parallels in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Chronicles). The sources are consistent in their placement of refers to either the stone material (presumably used in construction) or the local soil. The former suggestion would relate specifically to the chalky white, Eocene limestone that are found in the lowland hills of Judah (the Shephelah); see Amotz Cohen, "Place Names Whose Origin Is in the Color of the Surroundings," Beth Mikra 54 (1973), 420. For the relationship between toponyms and their physical environment, see Yohanan Aharoni, The Land of the
It is often assumed that domestic animals in early urban Near Eastern centres either are a reflec... more It is often assumed that domestic animals in early urban Near Eastern centres either are a reflection of the local pastoral economy, or were raised at a distance by pastoral specialists. In this paper, we test these assumptions through detailed isotopic analyses (carbon, oxygen and strontium) of caprines (sheep and goat) from Tell es-Safi/Gath, an Early Bronze Age urban centre in central Israel. The isotopic analyses demonstrate that the bulk of the caprines were raised within the general vicinity of the site, suggesting that the majority of food resources were largely produced at the local level, within the territory of the city-state, and not at a distance by specialised pastoralists. It is the rare specimen that comes from a great distance and would have entered the local system through long distance trade networks.
The outcome of the 1948 war in Palestine resulted not only in the country’s partition between the... more The outcome of the 1948 war in Palestine resulted not only in the country’s partition between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, but also in the division of its archaeological research. The Jordanian Department of Antiquities, which was responsible for administering archaeological research in the West Bank until 1967, prioritized research in the East Bank over research in the West Bank as a function of broader Jordanian government policy. Most of the research in the West Bank during this period was conducted by foreign institutions and researchers, who were forced to choose between researching in either Israel or Arab countries. Those who chose to research in Israel were not allowed to simultaneously research and excavate in the Jordanian-controlled West Bank. Consequently, the foreign researchers’ choices divided them, placing them on different sides of the Green Line. The excavations in the West Bank piqued the curiosity of the Israelis, who never ceased trying to acquire information about them and their findings. These efforts included secret meetings with foreign researchers, attempts to acquire the Dead Seas scrolls, and the secret transfer to Israel of a few findings for the sake of secret research. For many years, part of their story remained classified in archives, and is shared here for the first time.
This article examines the factors that influenced the trends in archaeological excavations in Jud... more This article examines the factors that influenced the trends in archaeological excavations in Judea and Samaria during the decade attending the 1967 Six-Day War. Examination reveals a close connection between the political trends in Israel as they pertained to Judea and Samaria and the archaeological excavations undertaken in this region. When a prime minister appeared to consider Judea and Samaria an inseparable part of the state of Israel archaeologists followed (Meir). But when prime ministers regarded Judea and Samaria as territory that would be returned to the Jordanians (Eshkol and Rabin), the archaeologists stopped excavating in the region.
With the emergence of urban culture in the southern Levant in the Early Bronze Age, new types of ... more With the emergence of urban culture in the southern Levant in the Early Bronze Age, new types of pottery and ceramic techniques appeared, among them pottery (usually combed) coated with a white material. A selection of sherds from Early Bronze strata was studied in an attempt to analyze this material. Using microscopy and various other methods, the authors were able to determine that the white material was a lime-plaster applied to the vessels after firing. The paper contends that the most likely reason for applying the lime-plaster was functional—to decrease permeability and protect the contents of the vessels.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2011
Page 1. 25 The Iron Age Remains at Tel Nagila Itzhaq Shai Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan Unive... more Page 1. 25 The Iron Age Remains at Tel Nagila Itzhaq Shai Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel [email protected] Aren M. Maeir Institute of Archaeology Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel [email protected] ...
The definition of faience covers a range of artefacts and technological procedures, though in gen... more The definition of faience covers a range of artefacts and technological procedures, though in general it consists of a finely ground quartz or quartz sand, fused together with alkali and lime and coated with an alkali-rich glaze. It was first produced in Egypt and the Near East as early as the 4th millennium BCE1. Although beads are commonly found in Bronze and Iron Age archaeological contexts in the Levant, their study rarely goes beyond description of shape and color and has been lacking analytical characterization at the microscopic scale in order to infer on technological aspects. This is especially true for beads dating to the Early Bronze Age, as most of the technological studies have been conducted on Egyptian and Aegean artifacts mostly dating to Late Bronze Age (New Kingdom, Minoan culture respectively). A total of 38 beads securely dated to the Early Bronze Age III (2900-2500 BCE) were unearthed at Tell es-Safi/Gath. The beads were made from various materials; among semi-precious stones and shells, more than half (23) were identified as faience, and are the focus of this study. The beads were found on floors of various rooms and buildings. To the best of our knowledge this is the earliest assemblage of faience beads so far studied in depth from the Levant. In order to infer on technological aspects, such as formation methods and, the use of raw materials and pigments, the beads were subjected to chemical and microstructure analysis using SEM-EDS, Infra-red spectroscopy and pXRF analyses. The results shed light on the production of early vitreous material during this period.
Past human settlement activities have caused changes in soil chemical properties that may persist... more Past human settlement activities have caused changes in soil chemical properties that may persist in the cultural soil archive for a very long time and some of them are practically irreversible. We are studying the question if the large-scale mapping of elemental composition based on the surface layer of contemporary soil can reveal spatial patterns corresponding to areas of settlements, which were abandoned even millennia ago. Our case-study is focused on the archaeological site of Tel Burna, located in the Shephelah region, Israel, and its immediate surroundings, making a survey area of 68 ha. The site is known as the town flourishing mainly in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age (13th-7th centuries BCE). The heyday of the town was during the 10th – 8th centuries BCE, when its summit was enclosed by a massive limestone wall. Later on the significance of the settlement declined, and the architecture vanished. The place has gradually turned to an uninhabited area, used in the recent period as a pasture. We have measured the chemical composition of 350 samples from the surface soil at and around the site by a portable XRF device as part of an on-going interdisciplinary research project studying this site. The results were analysed by standard statistical methods and also in geographical information systems, which were used for calculating models of elemental distribution patterns across the surveyed area. In this presentation we discuss the observation that the anthropogenic impact on the chemical composition of soils became quite significant already in times of ancient societies. This human-induced signature was of such magnitude that it can still be detected today, not only in the sub-surface archaeological deposits, but also on the very surface of the present-day landscape. We are able to demonstrate that the nutrients accumulated within the precincts of ancient settlements through the intensive deposition of organic and inorganic waste have been slowly released into local ecosystems and this process of nutrients dispersion will continue in the future. Human activities certainly have (and always have had) a long-term effect on soils, but not all these impacts are negative in the sense of environmental pollution. Especially in the semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems, where some key nutrients like P, K, S, Zn, Cu may be deficient in contemporary soils, the immediate surroundings of archaeological sites are clearly enriched from local reservoirs of such elements represented by archaeological sites. This demonstrates that archaeological sites are not only important cultural heritage, but also an essential part of local ecosystems, playing significant yet under-studied role in their long-term sustainability.
Since the beginning of archaeological research in the Levant, Late Bronze Age cultic practice has... more Since the beginning of archaeological research in the Levant, Late Bronze Age cultic practice has been the focus of many investigations stemming from various avenues of research. With a few exceptions, the core archaeological data has come from cultic complexes that were excavated in the early 20th century (e.g. Lachish). This study will present finds that were discovered recently at Tel Burna, a site that is clearly one of the key Late Bronze sites in the Shephelah, as it commands the surrounding landscape and trade routes. In Area B, a massive 13th century BCE complex was exposed with unique finds related to religious practices at the site. The finds include a row of pithoi (some imported) set into pockets in the bedrock; two mask fragments; burnt bones; and unique Cypriot imported pottery, such as a vessel with three cups joined together, which is likely of cultic orientation. Moreover, the building technique of the complex also suggests that this area should be interpreted as a cultic structure. In turn, we will discuss the building plan and the distribution of artifacts in order to gain a better understanding of the people who used it and the deity or deities that were worshiped inside of it. Through these finds we will reflect on our understanding of Late Bronze Age cult, by comparing our excavation data to both the existing archaeological record and recent scientific studies on Late Bronze Age cultic activity.
The past two seasons of excavation at Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) have provided us w... more The past two seasons of excavation at Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) have provided us with new data on the site during the Late Bronze Age II and the Iron Age II, contributing to the further study of the Judean Shephelah, particularly in the region of Wadi Guvrin. In the 2012 and 2013 we continued to expose remains of the Late Bronze Age structure west of the summit and the Iron Age II remains, particularly the fortification system and the Eighth Century BCE structure in the center of the summit. In this the paper we will present the results of the excavations of these remains as well as the silos and the organic remains discovered in them. In addition, the cultic aspects and finds of the Late Bronze Age building will be discussed.
"Tel Burna is located along the northern bank of Wadi Guvrin and situated in the heart of the Jud... more "Tel Burna is located along the northern bank of Wadi Guvrin and situated in the heart of the Judean Shephelah, one of Israel’s most intensively researched regions. Excavations at the site have, thus far, revealed remains of both the Late Bronze and the Iron Ages. A primary target of The Tel Burna Archaeological Project is our focus on social outreach by integrating community and educational projects. In addition to volunteers from all over the world, the dig is open to anyone who wishes to experience archaeology first-hand, to date exposing people from 8 to 90 years old to archaeology.
Recent studies have shown that the application of methods which involve the use of our senses enhances the learning process. Archeology can be used as an incredible education tool, as it integrates the use of various senses in the physical work involved, the touching of the ground and finds, the use of vision to see the changes in sediments, etc. By providing the opportunity to participate in archaeological fieldwork, excavation can be seen as an informal classroom for the study of archaeology, history and anthropology, enabling hands-on experience and actual demonstration of how ancient societies are recreated. Rather than just reading about past events, the discovery of artifacts forms a personal connection with those events, whetting one’s appetite and leading to further study. Furthermore, the excavation of an archaeological site can create a special bond between place and person, inviting further interest in the subject. Our experience has been that each individual who contributes to developing the site, assisting in conservation of different features, such as the Iron Age fortifications or the Late Bronze Age cultic building at Tel Burna, gains a connection which continues through subsequent visits to the site and a personal pride taken in the contribution of discovering finds strengthening roots in the history of the land.
"
Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) is located in the Judean Shephela, along the northern ba... more Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) is located in the Judean Shephela, along the northern banks of Wadi Guvrin, midway between two of the most important Iron entities in the region - Lachish and Tell es-Safi/Gath, on the border with the southern coastal plain. The site, settled from the Early Bronze through to the end of the Iron Age, has been under archaeological investigation since 2009, including a high-resolution survey and three seasons of excavation. Thus far, a sequence of Iron Age levels, including surfaces, portions of domestic structures, several silos and the summit’s fortifications have been revealed, along with a Late Bronze Age IIB building, where several cultic finds have been found. This lecture will focus on the finds from the excavations, and what they teach us about the site’s history. Further considerations on the importance of the site on a regional level and as a border town – on the area of contact between Philistines and Judeans in the Iron Age – will be reflected on, in association with the excavation results. Several questions on this topic will be addressed: the movement of the border in different periods; how sites along the border were affected by this movement; how did the material culture at sites on the border differ from those inland, due to the proximity to the other entity; and what can we learn from the border sites about Philistine-Judean relations in different periods.
Tel Burna is located in the Judean Shephelah, along the northern banks of Wadi Guvrin, slightly n... more Tel Burna is located in the Judean Shephelah, along the northern banks of Wadi Guvrin, slightly north of Lachish. The clear prominence of the site in the Iron Age is most notable when viewing the fortifications on the summit, which based on the excavations can be dated to the Iron Age II. It has been proposed that the site should be identified with Biblical Libnah, one of the Levitical cities (Josh. 21:13) and a Judean border site.
Two seasons of excavation at the site have painted a picture of the importance of the city as a border town in Judah in the Iron Ages. In this lecture, we will present the findings of the first seasons of excavation, and reflect on the location of the city along the border with Philistia and how this affected the material culture. Comparisons will be made with both Philistine and inland Judean sites.
Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) is located in the Judean Shephela, along the northern ba... more Tel Burna (map reference 188050, 615320) is located in the Judean Shephela, along the northern banks of Wadi Guvrin, slightly north of Lachish. According to surveys conducted in the region, it seems that the site was established in the Early Bronze Age I, and settled intensively in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age. This presentation will focus on the role of Tel Bruna in its adjunct region in order to understand the settlement pattern and hierarchy through the Bronze and Iron Ages. This will be based mostly on the results of the survey of the site and comparing it to regional surveys as well as excavations (e.g. Lachish, Zayit, Maresha, Tel Goded) and biblical references.
The poster presents briefly the historical background of the site and the history of research. It... more The poster presents briefly the historical background of the site and the history of research. It will also show the comparison between different survey methods that were utilized in order to develop a survey methodology for a multi-periodical site. An in depth section will deal with the results of the 3 seasons of excavations including the Late Bronze Age remains and the Iron Age II fortification and strata that were exposed. Last but not least, we will emphasize our view of community archaeology.
This paper discusses a krater recently discovered in a cultic building at Tel Burna in the Shephe... more This paper discusses a krater recently discovered in a cultic building at Tel Burna in the Shephelah. Of special interest is the krater’s relatively well-preserved deco- ration containing multiple nature scenes related to the so-called tree of life or sacred tree motif. The krater’s physical description and archaeological context and the decoration’s relationship to relevant comparanda are explored in order to elucidate the significance of its iconography. In light of this discussion, we conclude that the decoration includes an abstract representation of a Canaanite goddess as a “pubis of life” variation of the “tree of life” motif on the krater as a votive vessel in the Late Bronze Age cult.
Four figurines were discovered in Late Bronze Age IIB Tel Burna in the Judean Shephelah. The figu... more Four figurines were discovered in Late Bronze Age IIB Tel Burna in the Judean Shephelah. The figurines come from a large public building that probably had a cultic function. These include a rare Revadim-type plaque figurine, a nude female plaque figurine, a Mycenaean- style bull figurine, and the head of an equine figurine. Their iconography represents a cross section of Egyptian, Mycenaean, Mesopotamian, and local traditions, illustrating the syncretism of Canaanite religion at the site.
This paper will introduce and discuss the utility of a LiDAR ground-based approach to data collec... more This paper will introduce and discuss the utility of a LiDAR ground-based approach to data collection and
analysis within archaeological sites that are complex topographically and stratigraphically. LiDAR
technology can capture millions of data points in a brief span of time allowing for more subtle imagery
and multivariate analysis far beyond simple photogrammetric data capture approaches. In recent years,
LiDAR technology has been utilised within archaeology in two ways. The more common approach is its
use for aerial survey in order to capture three-dimensional imagery of topography and other landscape
features. The second, which is far less common, is ground survey to capture a more detailed 3D image of
architectural units upon the conclusion of an excavation or excavation season. It allows for disparate
parts of large sites to be integrated into a single analytical unit. While LiDAR survey is often proposed as
a solution to the problems of archaeological digital data capture, there are many pitfalls that must be
considered. In this paper, we will discuss various methodological issues and present the first run of data
analysis whereby all of the areas of a large multi-period and topographically complex early urban
settlement are integrated into a single analytical unit. Data from the archaeological site of Tell es-
Safi/Gath, Israel will be used to demonstrate the utility of this kind of approach to data collection and
Dr. Itzick Shai, an archaeologist and lecturer in Israeli heritage at Ariel University, talks to ... more Dr. Itzick Shai, an archaeologist and lecturer in Israeli heritage at Ariel University, talks to host Gilad Halpern about the excavation of Tel Burna, in the coastal lowlands in southwestern Israel. There, he and his colleagues apply their inclusive “community” approach to archaeology.
Archaeology and Text: A Journal for the Integration of Material Culture with Written Documents in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East
Announcing the publication of a new online, open access journal:
Archaeology and Text: A Journa... more Announcing the publication of a new online, open access journal:
Archaeology and Text: A Journal for the Integration of Material Culture with Written Documents in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East
Aims and Scope
The study of the human past has conventionally been divided between two distinct academic disciplines depending upon the kind of evidence under investigation: "history", with its focus on written records, and "archaeology", which analyzes the remains of material culture. Archaeology and Text: A Journal for the Integration of Material Culture with Written Documents in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East aims to bridge this disciplinary divide by providing an international forum for scholarly discussions which integrate the studies of material culture with written documents. Interdisciplinary by nature, the journal offers a platform for professional historians and archaeologists alike to critically investigate points of confluence and divergence between the textual and the artifactual. We seek contributions from scholars working in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Contributions with a theoretical or methodological focus on the interface between archaeology and text are especially encouraged. By publishing all of its articles online, Archaeology and Text seeks to disseminate its published papers immediately after the peer-review and editorial processes have been completed, providing timely publication and convenient access.
Editors-in-chief:
David B. Small (Lehigh University)
Yonatan Adler (Ariel University)
Former Editor-in-chief (Vol. 1): Itzick Shai (Ariel University)
Several methods have been applied to understand the typologies, functions and provenances of ston... more Several methods have been applied to understand the typologies, functions and provenances of stone tools in Ancient Near East, but the digital network analysis between stones, artefacts and spaces is still uncommon. Network analysis which has been conducting in the archaeological field is a potential method and mainly applies to understand the distribution of ancient sites, routes network under certain geographical settings. The opened-space where the assemblage of stone tools found at Area B1, Tel Burna from 13th BC is suggested as a Canaanite cultic enclosure with sufficient finds for practicing rites. The purpose of the poster is to explore how the network analysis can also be applied within several excavating squares and to build the network relation between stone tools. The method sets the distribution of stone tools as a basic pattern, calculates the optimizing X-and Y-coordinate and generates networks basing on the typologies, functions and relative positions of stone tools. The algorithm of the calculation uses Python as the coding tool with multiply built-in packages. Results will show the relations between stone tools and other artefacts, the similarity and difference between patterns of distribution and networks, and bring an advance insight into how the space and human cultic activities related to each other within an opened cultic enclosure at Area B1, Tel Burna during 13th century BC.
The workshop Human-Machine Cooperation in Archaeology, Epigraphy and Ancient History was devoted ... more The workshop Human-Machine Cooperation in Archaeology, Epigraphy and Ancient History was devoted to the application of digital tools in projects related to ancient history, material culture, and texts. This choice assumes that the application of digital tools to the study of ancient times shares similar challenges, and the output of such projects may be of interest to all participants in the workshop. We aim to bring together international and Israeli scholars of archaeology, epigraphy, biblical studies, ancient history, computer science, digital humanities, and members of the Israeli high-tech industry in order to investigate the following issues:
• Presentation of specific projects, their challenges, paths taken to accomplish them, and possible outcomes. • The application of newly developed algorithms and technologies. • Interaction between teams and technologies – making technology a member of the ancient history and archaeology community. • Technology in the service of scholarship – what can technology teach us that we cannot learn without it? • The intended users (scholarly community, the general public, others). • Databases vs. TEI, and choosing the right conventions. • Copyrights vs. opening and sharing our sources. • Master classes and intensive small learning workshops on the implementation of digital humanities tools.
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Papers by Itzick Shai
Chalcolithic period, indicating the display of these animals by political leaders. The results also urge caution in the use of archaeological remains
for reconstructing the natural ranges of big cats.
the country’s Jewish population. The excavation at Beit Alfa (1928–1929) created a connection between the pioneers of the Jezreel Valley and Jewish archaeology and expanded its circles of influence. It also presented the world of the Jews of the past in a new light, drew socialist values from it, and was perceived by the Yishuv as part of the pioneering Zionist enterprise. The excavation at Beit Sheʻarim (1936–1940),
coinciding with the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine, was woven inseparably into the struggle to establish a Jewish national homeland. The persona and death of Alexander Zaïd were linked to it from the outset, and it was perceived by the Yishuv as a historic event that tethered the past to the present in a concrete manner. The development of the Yishuv’s relationship with Jewish archaeology evolved through a process that may be likened to the building of a ʻbody,ʼ the casting of ʻspirit,ʼ and
the addition of a ʻsoul.ʼ This insight gives us a better understanding of the growth of the role of archaeology in the popular realm of yediʻat haʼaretz (ʻknowing the Landʼ), its use as a national tool during the British Mandate era, and the solidification of its status after the establishment of the State of Israel.
during the Iron II including the establishment of territorial states, and subsequently, the intervention of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires in local economies. These geopolitical shifts affected local economic and agricultural practices, along with other aspects of daily life and subsistence. This paper presents and analyzes changes in the economic practices of the people living in the Iron II site of Tel Burna in light of the geopolitical changes that occurred throughout the period
Up to three prizes will be awarded:
• a first prize of $1000,
• a second prize of $750
• a third prize of $500
The prizes will be awarded for the best published articles, MA theses or PhD dissertations dealing with the Northern Kingdom of Israel or with related topics within its area. The committee will consider only papers/theses/dissertations that were published during the years 2021-2022, or that were accepted for publication in a coming volume of a peer-reviewed journal.
Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation
has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
Chalcolithic period, indicating the display of these animals by political leaders. The results also urge caution in the use of archaeological remains
for reconstructing the natural ranges of big cats.
the country’s Jewish population. The excavation at Beit Alfa (1928–1929) created a connection between the pioneers of the Jezreel Valley and Jewish archaeology and expanded its circles of influence. It also presented the world of the Jews of the past in a new light, drew socialist values from it, and was perceived by the Yishuv as part of the pioneering Zionist enterprise. The excavation at Beit Sheʻarim (1936–1940),
coinciding with the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine, was woven inseparably into the struggle to establish a Jewish national homeland. The persona and death of Alexander Zaïd were linked to it from the outset, and it was perceived by the Yishuv as a historic event that tethered the past to the present in a concrete manner. The development of the Yishuv’s relationship with Jewish archaeology evolved through a process that may be likened to the building of a ʻbody,ʼ the casting of ʻspirit,ʼ and
the addition of a ʻsoul.ʼ This insight gives us a better understanding of the growth of the role of archaeology in the popular realm of yediʻat haʼaretz (ʻknowing the Landʼ), its use as a national tool during the British Mandate era, and the solidification of its status after the establishment of the State of Israel.
during the Iron II including the establishment of territorial states, and subsequently, the intervention of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires in local economies. These geopolitical shifts affected local economic and agricultural practices, along with other aspects of daily life and subsistence. This paper presents and analyzes changes in the economic practices of the people living in the Iron II site of Tel Burna in light of the geopolitical changes that occurred throughout the period
Up to three prizes will be awarded:
• a first prize of $1000,
• a second prize of $750
• a third prize of $500
The prizes will be awarded for the best published articles, MA theses or PhD dissertations dealing with the Northern Kingdom of Israel or with related topics within its area. The committee will consider only papers/theses/dissertations that were published during the years 2021-2022, or that were accepted for publication in a coming volume of a peer-reviewed journal.
Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation
has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
together with alkali and lime and coated with an alkali-rich glaze. It was first produced in Egypt and the Near East as early as the 4th millennium BCE1.
Although beads are commonly found in Bronze and Iron Age archaeological contexts in the Levant, their study rarely goes beyond description of shape and color
and has been lacking analytical characterization at the microscopic scale in order to infer on technological aspects. This is especially true for beads dating to the
Early Bronze Age, as most of the technological studies have been conducted on Egyptian and Aegean artifacts mostly dating to Late Bronze Age (New Kingdom,
Minoan culture respectively).
A total of 38 beads securely dated to the Early Bronze Age III (2900-2500 BCE) were unearthed at Tell es-Safi/Gath. The beads were made from various materials;
among semi-precious stones and shells, more than half (23) were identified as faience, and are the focus of this study. The beads were found on floors of various
rooms and buildings. To the best of our knowledge this is the earliest assemblage of faience beads so far studied in depth from the Levant.
In order to infer on technological aspects, such as formation methods and, the use of raw materials and pigments, the beads were subjected to chemical and
microstructure analysis using SEM-EDS, Infra-red spectroscopy and pXRF analyses. The results shed light on the production of early vitreous material during this
period.
Our case-study is focused on the archaeological site of Tel Burna, located in the Shephelah region, Israel, and its immediate surroundings, making a survey area of 68 ha. The site is known as the town flourishing mainly in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age (13th-7th centuries BCE). The heyday of the town was during the 10th – 8th centuries BCE, when its summit was enclosed by a massive limestone wall. Later on the significance of the settlement declined, and the architecture vanished. The place has gradually turned to an uninhabited area, used in the recent period as a pasture. We have measured the chemical composition of 350 samples from the surface soil at and around the site by a portable XRF device as part of an on-going interdisciplinary research project studying this site. The results were analysed by standard statistical methods and also in geographical information systems, which were used for calculating models of elemental distribution patterns across the surveyed area.
In this presentation we discuss the observation that the anthropogenic impact on the chemical composition of soils became quite significant already in times of ancient societies. This human-induced signature was of such magnitude that it can still be detected today, not only in the sub-surface archaeological deposits, but also on the very surface of the present-day landscape. We are able to demonstrate that the nutrients accumulated within the precincts of ancient settlements through the intensive deposition of organic and inorganic waste have been slowly released into local ecosystems and this process of nutrients dispersion will continue in the future. Human activities certainly have (and always have had) a long-term effect on soils, but not all these impacts are negative in the sense of environmental pollution. Especially in the semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems, where some key nutrients like P, K, S, Zn, Cu
may be deficient in contemporary soils, the immediate surroundings of archaeological sites are clearly enriched from local reservoirs of such elements represented by archaeological sites. This demonstrates that archaeological sites are not only important cultural heritage, but also an essential part of local ecosystems, playing significant yet under-studied role in their long-term sustainability.
Recent studies have shown that the application of methods which involve the use of our senses enhances the learning process. Archeology can be used as an incredible education tool, as it integrates the use of various senses in the physical work involved, the touching of the ground and finds, the use of vision to see the changes in sediments, etc. By providing the opportunity to participate in archaeological fieldwork, excavation can be seen as an informal classroom for the study of archaeology, history and anthropology, enabling hands-on experience and actual demonstration of how ancient societies are recreated. Rather than just reading about past events, the discovery of artifacts forms a personal connection with those events, whetting one’s appetite and leading to further study. Furthermore, the excavation of an archaeological site can create a special bond between place and person, inviting further interest in the subject. Our experience has been that each individual who contributes to developing the site, assisting in conservation of different features, such as the Iron Age fortifications or the Late Bronze Age cultic building at Tel Burna, gains a connection which continues through subsequent visits to the site and a personal pride taken in the contribution of discovering finds strengthening roots in the history of the land.
"
Two seasons of excavation at the site have painted a picture of the importance of the city as a border town in Judah in the Iron Ages. In this lecture, we will present the findings of the first seasons of excavation, and reflect on the location of the city along the border with Philistia and how this affected the material culture. Comparisons will be made with both Philistine and inland Judean sites.
analysis within archaeological sites that are complex topographically and stratigraphically. LiDAR
technology can capture millions of data points in a brief span of time allowing for more subtle imagery
and multivariate analysis far beyond simple photogrammetric data capture approaches. In recent years,
LiDAR technology has been utilised within archaeology in two ways. The more common approach is its
use for aerial survey in order to capture three-dimensional imagery of topography and other landscape
features. The second, which is far less common, is ground survey to capture a more detailed 3D image of
architectural units upon the conclusion of an excavation or excavation season. It allows for disparate
parts of large sites to be integrated into a single analytical unit. While LiDAR survey is often proposed as
a solution to the problems of archaeological digital data capture, there are many pitfalls that must be
considered. In this paper, we will discuss various methodological issues and present the first run of data
analysis whereby all of the areas of a large multi-period and topographically complex early urban
settlement are integrated into a single analytical unit. Data from the archaeological site of Tell es-
Safi/Gath, Israel will be used to demonstrate the utility of this kind of approach to data collection and
analysis.
http://tlv1.fm/politics-commentary/2016/05/20/dig-this-community-archaeology-in-israel/
Archaeology and Text: A Journal for the Integration of Material Culture with Written Documents in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East
Aims and Scope
The study of the human past has conventionally been divided between two distinct academic disciplines depending upon the kind of evidence under investigation: "history", with its focus on written records, and "archaeology", which analyzes the remains of material culture. Archaeology and Text: A Journal for the Integration of Material Culture with Written Documents in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East aims to bridge this disciplinary divide by providing an international forum for scholarly discussions which integrate the studies of material culture with written documents. Interdisciplinary by nature, the journal offers a platform for professional historians and archaeologists alike to critically investigate points of confluence and divergence between the textual and the artifactual. We seek contributions from scholars working in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Contributions with a theoretical or methodological focus on the interface between archaeology and text are especially encouraged. By publishing all of its articles online, Archaeology and Text seeks to disseminate its published papers immediately after the peer-review and editorial processes have been completed, providing timely publication and convenient access.
Editors-in-chief:
David B. Small (Lehigh University)
Yonatan Adler (Ariel University)
Former Editor-in-chief (Vol. 1): Itzick Shai (Ariel University)
• Presentation of specific projects, their challenges, paths taken to accomplish them, and possible outcomes.
• The application of newly developed algorithms and technologies.
• Interaction between teams and technologies – making technology a member of the ancient history and archaeology community.
• Technology in the service of scholarship – what can technology teach us that we cannot learn without it?
• The intended users (scholarly community, the general public, others).
• Databases vs. TEI, and choosing the right conventions.
• Copyrights vs. opening and sharing our sources.
• Master classes and intensive small learning workshops on the implementation of digital humanities tools.