Call for applications for field school in archaeological science

The following call for applications for the 2009 field school in archaeological science (see reports on last year’s field school, here and here, and general information here), to be held as part of the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project’s upcoming season has been published.

Here is a nice picture of the archaeological science field school as it looks in the excavation area and how it is integrated into the regular field work of the project

And here’s a picture of some of the field office lab facilities in which results are analyzed in the afternoon/evening, after the day’s work in the field

See below for the full text of the call:

Tell es-Safi/Gath in the list of this year’s most important finds in Biblical Archaeology

Todd Bollen, who runs an excellent blog and website on biblical studies and biblical archaeology related issues, has compiled a list of the 8 most important finds in biblical archaeology for this year.

Number 2 on the list is Tell es-Safi/Gath. What is particularly nice is that Todd places the Tell es-Safi/Gath excavations in the list, not on the basis of this or that particular find, but based on the overall finds and general contibution that the Tell es-Safi/Gath excavations has provided on a wide variety of issues.

Thanks Todd!!

Tell es-Safi/Gath in the new B.A.R. issue

The January/February 2009 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review has appeared, and although I have not yet received my printed copy, much of it has appeared online. This is, apparently, the “Dig Issue” – which in addition to the regular articles, has a list of the digs that will take place this summer. Clearly, this is an important issue for all those interested in joining a dig in the summer, and needless to say, for those of us who want the volunteers to join a specific dig … (YES! do join our team at Tell es-Safi/Gath!!!).

In any case, from what I have seen online, Tell es-Safi/Gath has made it into this BAR issue in at least two places.

The first is in the article about high-tech archaeology, which includes not only several pictures of the people digging at Tell es-Safi/Gath, but also has a very nice small section about the archaeological science work going on at the dig, and in particular, the field labs that we have on site (discussing some of the importance of this unique feature) and the similarly unique field school in archaeological science (which is conducted on site, along with our “regular” field school in field archaeology).

In addition, there is a very nice piece about one of our volunteers from last year, Yvonne Oleson, who received a grant from the BAS to join the dig. In a very nice piece, “Vonnie”, who joined the dig along with her husband Ole, describes her experiences at the dig, which seem to have been very positive…

100,000 visitors!

Today, the 100,000 websurfer visited the blog. Although I would like to offer the lucky person a life-time free entry to the Tel Zafit national park (which is free anyway …), I don’t know who it is, so anyone who surfed to the site today can think it was him/her…

And by the way, do you realize what this says about what SO MANY people have to do with their free time on a regular basis?
:-)

Here’s the staff (end of 2002 season) looking towards to future…

Dr. Uziel!!!

Just got the great news that Joe Uziel, long time member of the Safi staff and currently, the Area Supervisor of Area D (the lower city), has just had his PhD cofirmed, and so, as of now, he may be officially be called Dr. Uziel!!

Joe’s thesis, which is entitled: The Southern Coastal Plain of Canaan During the Middle Bronze Age (Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 2008), is a regional study of the Southern Coastal Plain of Canaan during the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1550 BCE), based on previous studies (excavations and surveys) of the regions and the publication of the MB finds from two previously unpublished excavations – Tel Nagila and Tel Yavneh Yam. Joe carried out an in-depth analysis of the material culture, settlement pattern and political structure, and I believe produced a study that will be of much importance for anyone studying the coastal plain in general, and the Land of Israel during the MB.

Vandalism on Tell es-Safi/Gath!!!

Yesterday I found out that some @#$%^&* unknown delinquents seriously vandalized the new signs and outlooks that were set up at Tell es-Safi/Gath by the Nature and Parks Authority!!! Here is an article (in Hebrew) on the results of this horrible event with some pictures.

I do hope that these @#$%^& villains will be caught and punished.

The Genetics of the Druze population – very interesting

One of the most fascinating, and probably promising avenues for the study of human antiquity is the study of ancient human genetics. These studies have opened up fanstastic windows to the past, relating to diverse aspects such as unique populations groups, origin of modern humans, development of language, etc (see an example of these studies here and here). As usual, along with the interesting and important studies, there has been a lot of “bunk”, which some of you may have already come across..

In recent years there has been quite an intense ongoing discussion, and debate, regarding studies on the genetic origins of the jews and other related populations. In fact, even Nadia Abu el-Haj (know from other aspects) has been involved in this … (see some of these discussions, here and here). Also in this case, a lot of good science, and lot of very bad science, has been intertwined …

Just now, a fascinating study on the genetics of the Druze has just appeared (and summarized briefly here), which demonstrates that they are a unique, and very old “genetic refuge” – which offers a fascinating glimpse of the genetic makeup of the near east thousand of years ago.

New volume of the NEAEHL with article on Safi

Today, I recieved my copy of the new, 5th, supplementary volume of the New Encylclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, which is chock full of many interesting articles on all kinds of sites in Israel, Palestine and Jordan which have been excavated since the original 4 volume encyclopedia was put out in the early 90’s. Much thanks and congrads to Prof. Ephraim Stern and the editorial staff of the IES for putting out this important volume!

Opening of the Tel Zafit National Park

As promised, I finally got down to writing something about the very nice ceremony that I participated in on Wednesday afternoon (April 2, 2008).

Here is a nice view of the tell from the north

The story goes like this: Several years ago, when the Israeli National Electric Company requested to expand the “Zafit” electric station, which is just to the north of Tell es-Safi/Gath, they were granted their request on the condition that they give substantial funds for environmental conservation in the region. Due to this, ca. 1000000 NIS were allocated for works on the Tel Zafit National Park and the Elah Valley Nature Reserve. Following a very impressive collaboration between the Yoav Regional Council, the Nature and Parks Authority, the Antiquities Authority, the Keren Kayemet (the Jewish National Fund), and several other public institutions, over the last year or so, work has been carried out at Tell es-Safi/Gath, as part of the planned opening of the “Tel Zafit National Park“.

In addition, quite a large crowd of people came, including members of the el-Azi family (including the Sheikh, Yunis el-Azi), some of the Safi staff (Uri Reiss and Amit Dagan), members of Kibbutz Kfar Menachem (where up till recent seasons, we used as our field base during the summer), local school children, and many others. There was even a local choir that sang some songs during the ceremony.

Summary on the Philistines in German

For those of you who are interested, I just came across a very nice summary on the Philistines in German, written by Carl Ehrlich, in the online Bibellexikon.