Prof. Trude Dothan has passed away

Sad news is out today that Prof. Trude Dothan has passed away, following a long illness. Prof. Dothan (or Trude to all) was a leading figure in the archaeology of Israel for many years, and was to a large extent the founding figure of the modern study of the Philistines. Her book, “The Philistines and their Material Culture” was a landmark volume, and her excavations (particularly at Tel Miqne-Ekron) were of substantial importance for the study of the Philistines and many related issues.

I had the honor of studying with her at the Hebrew University, and hearing from Trude, in her lively and unforgettable manner, her views on the Philistines. I recall how about 15 years ago, when we found at Tell es-Safi/Gath the base of a decorated “head cup,” and I brought it to Trude’s house to show it to her, she was so excited that she kissed me!

To a large extent, the current flourit in the study of the Philistines is due to her visionary and seminal work on this fascinating topic.

May her memory be blessed. יהי זכרה ברוך