re: Update for families/friends of the volunteers and students

Many of you must be following the news regarding the unfortunate events, both in the Gaza strip and along the Lebanese border. Although these events are quite frightening, it is important to stress that they do not adversely effect the excavation and its participants in any manner!! We are quite far from these events and they do not present any threat or danger to the dig participants. I do realize that the news does seem very scary (and it is!), but it is not relevant to the personal safety of our team.

Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions at:

maeira@mail.biu.ac.il

Aren

re: An inscription!

Today, during the pottery washing, a sherd with an ink inscription (an “ostracon”) was discovered!!!

The inscription is from the new squares that were opened in Area F (near the summit of the tell). Preliminary analysis of the inscription indicates that it is a Late Bronze Age Egyptian Hieratic inscription (on a sherd of a typical Late Bronze Age bowl). Similar inscriptions have been found at other Late Bronze Age sites in the region, such as at Lachish, Haror, Farah (south), etc.

Not a bad result from the first day of excavation!!

Aren