re: Short summary of the 2006 season

Now that the excavation is over and my breathing and heartbeat has returned, more or less to normal, I wanted to provide a short summary of the major finds of the 2006 season at Tell es-Safi/Gath.Despite the unfortunate developments in the region just after the season started, we had a very large group of volunteers (in the 2^nd week, we even reached close to 140 people on the team!!), with organized groups of students from Wheaton College, Yeshiva University, Sheffield University (and of course, students from the department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University), a group of volunteers from Switzerland/Germany, and various individual volunteers and students from all over the world. We also had a short-term group from Herzog
College. All told, the volunteers and students were FANTASTIC. I don’t recall any season in which we had such a highly motivated, well-adjusted and positive group. Not only did the archaeological side work out well, there appeared to be a very successful rapport between the various, and very mixed, members of the team. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

The move from staying at Kibbutz Kfar Menachem in previous seasons, to Kibbutz Revadim this season, was a substantial improvement in the living conditions, food, hygiene, etc., which had a direct and clearly-felt effect on all aspects of the excavation. Clearly, the move was a success.

As usual, the staff was great. If I may say, I believe I am very fortunate to have been able to gather such a talented, motivated, positive and constructive staff, as the
Safi staff has shown itself to be. Things worked like a well-oiled machine. At times, things that in the past had to be talked about and discussed, simply were done without any issue. I am very proud to have such an able and capable staff – Thank you all!!!Archaeologically (and I guess, that is what is most important …), we had a very good season. Here are some of the major finds, arranged chronologically:1)      The Early Bronze Age levels in Area E were exposed quite substantially, and as of next season we should be able to expose a very large area of late EB III architecture (at least 5 or so structures appear to be surfacing) as well as hints to several earlier EB levels (possibly EB I and EB II). Besides have excavated several in-situ EB pithoi, one of the interesting finds of this season (unfortunately, not from a stratigraphic context) was part of a zoomorphic vessel depicting a donkey with a jar tied to each side.2)      One of the big surprises of the season was the MB II levels that were exposed in Area F. Although in previous season and in the survey we had found evidence of the MB II on site (from sherds), no stratigraphic or architectural evidence of this period was known. And thus, the large stone structure (a tower?) and the adjacent sloping glacis, covered and containing large amount of MB II pottery was a very welcome find. It is located in the new part of Area F that was opened this season, to the NW of the summit of the tell. Based on this find and on the distribution of MB II sherds throughout the tell, it would appear that the MB II settlement is limited to the upper parts of the tell. Perhaps, during the MB II, the site was a relatively small fortified site, perhaps serving as a border fortress of one of the larger MB II states in the region (
Ashkelon?).3)      Finds from the Late Bronze Age were found in several areas. In Area E, we removed most of the large LB building which had been excavated in previous seasons and found various LB finds, such as an additional “lamp and bowl” deposit, several figurines, fragments of imported pottery, etc. In the new Area P, located to the west of Area A (towards to the center of the tell), several very interesting LB finds were found in fill levels, including several figurine fragments. A very exciting LB find was discovered in Area F, on the first day of excavation. On a fragment of the upper part of a typical late LB bowl, a short Egyptian Hieratic inscription, written on ink was discovered (it was noticed during pottery washing – an important proof of the importance of this part of the excavation …). Although the 7-8 signs on the bowl are not fully deciphered, Dr. Stephen Wimmer (
Univ. of Munich), one of the area supervisors in Area F and an expert in Hieratic paleography, has managed to red some of the signs, including what appears to be a sign from “prince” and portions of a possible toponym. Although more work has to be done on this, it is a very exciting find!4)      Work on the Early Iron Age was seen primarily in Area A, where late Iron I levels were reached in several squares. Although we have been finding a lot of early Iron Age I pottery (both Myc IIIC and Philistine Bichrome), we did not excavate early Iron I levels this year. Of particular interest this year were several late Iron I round, pebble hearths that were found in Area A, fine evidence of the continuing
Aegean influences in the Philistine architecture to late stages of the Iron I.5)      One of the most exciting finds of the current season was a late Iron I/early Iron IIA tomb that was discovered in the vicinity of the tell. Although, unfortunately, the tomb had been robbed about a decade ago, nevertheless, it is the first Philistine tomb-cave EVER excavated near one of the major Philistine cities, one of the few Philistine tombs of the Iron I/II, and although quite disturbed, still provided us with much interesting information. Among the finds one can note a nice collection of seals and scarabs, several Egyptian amulets, a couple of metal weapons, many beads and several pottery vessels. 6)      The Iron IIA remains were once again quite impressive. In Area A we continued excavating the destruction level attributed to Hazael’s destruction. As usual, the finds from the level were quite remarkable, including a wide variety of finds. Among them one can note several complete vessels, a unique pisé wall, and several very interesting installations. Additional elements of this same destruction level were apparently discovered in Area A, with the same type of destruction with a wide range of wide. Of some interest was a concentration of cattle bones that appear to be part of a bone-tool production area.7)      Area F provided evidence of the 8^th century strata, with a very well-preserved destruction level with many finds. In one square we found a large grinding installation (comprised of a large grinding stone in a stone installation, with various vessels surrounding it) and next to it, a large pithos with carbonized grain. Also, evidence of other related installations were found, including an apparent oven. It can be assumed that this destruction level represents the destruction of the site during the late 8^th century, perhaps by Sargon II or Sennacherib. As previously, the ceramics indicate a clear difference from the previous strata in that they are clearly oriented towards the Judean culture (as opposed to coastal character in earlier Iron Age levels).8)      Up until this season we did not have any stratigraphic evidence of the Persian period in our excavations. Although we had found much Persian period material in the survey and in residual pottery in the excavation, and needless to say, the Persian period was well-represented in the earlier British excavations, it was only in this season that we seem to have the first well-defined level and architecture that can be related to this period. Hopefully, further evidence of this period will be revealed in future seasons. 

In addition to the work on the tell, Oren Ackermann (our Geomorphologist) and Noam Greenbaum (Haifa University) conducted several geomorphological probes in the riverbeds surrounding the site, studying the history of the climate and environment around the site in early periods. We were also fortunate to have utilized the expertise of various colleagues, including Steve Weiner and members of his team from the Weizmann Institute, Udi Weiss from BIU, and various other specialists. All told we had a very successful, find-filled season, once again demonstrating the rich potential of this site for future seasons. As in previous years, the finds from the excavations provide answers to many old questions, but open up many new questions for future research. 

Please – join us in our future seasons and experience the joy and excitement of discovering these and other remains of the rich and varied past of Tell es-Safi/Gath. Aren