Bet Yerah, the Early Bronze Age Mound: v. 1: Excavation Reports 1933-1986 (Bet Yerah, the Early Bronze Age Mound: Excavation Reports 1933-1986) 965406197X, 9789654065689, 9789654061971

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IAA Reports, No. 30

BET YERAH THE EARLY BRONZE AGE MOUND VOLUME I EXCAVATION REPORTS, 1933–1986

R APHAEL GREENBERG EMANUEL EISENBERG, SARIT PAZ, YITZHAK PAZ

ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY JERUSALEM 2006

IAA Reports Publications of the Israel Antiquities Authority Editor-in-Chief: Zvi Gal Volume and Series Editor: Ann Roshwalb Hurowitz Front Cover: 1946 aerial view of the site, looking east (R.A.F. photograph, from the files of P. Bar-Adon). Back Cover: Selected Khirbet Kerak Ware vessels (courtesy, the Israel Museum).

Typesetting and Layout: Ann Abuhav, Margalit Hayosh, Hagar Maimon Cover Design and Production: Ann Abuhav Plans: Dov Porotzky, Elizabeth Belashov Printing: Keterpress Enterprises, Jerusalem Copyright © 2006, The Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem POB 586, Jerusalem 91004 ISBN 965-406-197-X eISBN 9789654065689 www.antiquities.org.il

CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS

iv

FOREWORD

v

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH Tel Bet Yerah: A Bibliography

Raphael Greenberg and Sarit Paz

1

JPES EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1946 CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Sarit Paz

17

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

Sarit Paz

53

THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: THE GUY–BAR-ADON SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

Yitzhak Paz

105

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Raphael Greenberg and Emanuel Eisenberg

117

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

Yitzhak Paz and Raphael Greenberg

235

Yitzhak Paz

277

Emanuel Eisenberg and Raphael Greenberg

339

Sarit Paz and Yitzhak Paz

469

IDAM EXCAVATIONS, 1967–1986 CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967 CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

e

MINOR EXCAVATIONS CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH REFERENCES

487

iv

ABBREVIATIONS

AASOR

Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research

‘Atiqot (ES)

‘Atiqot (English Series)

BA BAR Int. S. BASOR BJPES EAEHL

Biblical Archaeologist British Archaeological Reports, International Series Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research Bulletin of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society M. Avi-Yonah ed. Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Jerusalem 1975–1978 Excavations and Surveys in Israel Hadashot Arkheologiyot (Hebrew) Israel Antiquities Authority Reports Israel Exploration Journal Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society Near Eastern Archaeology E. Stern and A. Lewinson-Gilboa eds. New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Jerusalem 1993 Oriental Institute Publications Palestine Exploration Quarterly Revue Biblique Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilizations Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins

ESI HA IAA Reports IEJ JPOS NEA NEAEHL OIP PEQ RB SAOC ZDPV

Abbreviations Used in This Volume IDAM IAA JPES KKW NCMW OI PAM

Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums Israel Antiquities Authority Jewish Palestine Exploration Society Khirbet Kerak Ware North Canaanite Metallic Ware Oriental Institute Palestine Archaeological Museum

Note on Pottery Plates Where inclusions are described, they generally correspond to the following categories: White = limestone and, in larger vessels, shell Gray = basalt and sometimes chert (especially larger vessels) Red = basalt, shale, or grog Mention of medium or large inclusions indicates coarse fabric; small or fine indicates well-levigated fabric; otherwise, fabric is ‘average’. In some cases, drawings were used of artifacts no longer available for inspection (hence the rubric n.d.a = no data available).

v

FOREWORD

This volume is the first of two projected volumes describing the results of eleven excavation campaigns conducted at Tel Bet Yerah between 1933 and 1986. The first volume is devoted to a description of the stratigraphy and Early Bronze Age ceramic finds from each excavation; the second, to a synthetic treatment of the cardinal results of the excavations, as well as to the presentation of combined artifact assemblages from the excavations. The justification for this structure is as follows: While several summary statements on Bet Yerah have appeared, and a number of its important finds published, none has been accompanied by anything like a detailed, reasoned stratigraphy and a context-based description of find-assemblages. Thus, before any further synthetic work is to be carried out, the context of the discoveries must be presented and the stratigraphic framework made as transparent as possible. In view of the uneven resolution of the different excavations—that is, the care with which artifacts and environmental data were retrieved and recorded—a meaningful study of artifact categories other than pottery requires a broadly phased sitewide approach, hence their presentation in a separate volume. The bulk of this volume is dedicated to the presentation of the three major divisions of work on the mound: I. The Jewish Palestine Exploration Society (JPES) excavations of 1944–1946, headed by Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah. II. The early Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums (IDAM) excavations, headed by P. Bar-Adon. III. Three later large-scale IDAM excavations, headed by D. Ussishkin, E. Eisenberg, and O. Yogev, respectively. These are augmented by brief reports on the lesser excavations, combined in the concluding chapter. Each excavation report is presented as an autonomous entity, with as full as possible a description of the stratigraphy,

architecture, and ceramic assemblage. Small finds, lithics and groundstone artifacts are noted in passing, but their full description is reserved for Volume II, along with environmental studies. As Volume II will also include synthetic discussions of site formation, architecture and ceramic typology, the discussion of comparanda and chronology in this volume is intentionally limited. The main purpose of the volume is to present the results of the excavations and the finds in their excavation context. The extensive Hellenisticperiod and later remains found in several excavation areas are described only briefly, and it is my hope that the challenge of their publication will soon be taken up by scholars better qualified than I for the task. My interest in Tel Bet Yerah was first piqued in 1986 as I followed the work of pottery restorer Michal BenGal on the rich repertoire discovered in Ora Yogev’s excavations. This was followed by long discussions with Emanuel Eisenberg, who had excavated at Bet Yerah some years previously. When Eisenberg and I were invited to conduct a salvage excavation on the mound in 1993, we identified an opportunity to revive interest in the older unpublished excavations and secured the permission of the late Amir Drori, then Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA, successor to IDAM), to publish the results of all earlier IDAM excavations. The 1993 excavations did not materialize, and the project was eventually handed over to Nimrod Getzov of the IAA. However, in preparation for this excavation I had the opportunity to review the finds of the Eisenberg and Yogev excavations of the mid-1980s and prepare a short paper on one of the most fascinating finds from those excavations—a Canaanite jug bearing an Egyptian hieroglyphic graffito. When the White-Levy Program for Archaeological Publications was conceived a few years later, the long series of unpublished excavations from the mound described by Albright as “perhaps the most remarkable Bronze Age site in all Palestine” presented themselves

vi as an obvious candidate for the project’s support. In 2001 I secured a generous grant from the White-Levy fund for basic treatment of the stratigraphy and finds, matched by a similar grant from the Israel Science Foundation (Grant No. 821), devoted to archival research and the preparation of synthetic reports. The core team of the IAA and Tel Aviv University research project included Emanuel Eisenberg, whose unparalleled field experience and stratigraphic savvy were essential not only for the preparation of the report on his joint excavation with Yogev, but for the interpretation of the intractable stratigraphy of Bar-Adon’s excavation in the south of the mound; Yitzhak Paz, who took on the Ussishkin material, the Bar-Adon fortification excavations and various soundings, the Bahat excavations, and in particular, the thankless task of canvassing hundreds of pottery trays for the sake of mere handfuls of diagnostic and contextualized pieces; Sarit Paz, who carried out a massive archival excavation to retrieve material from the ‘lost’ excavations of 1944–1946 as well as from earlier excavations, the existence of which was hardly suspected; and Hanita Zion-Cinamon, who established a digitized base-plan and topography of the mound and coordinated the retrieval of the large quantities of plans and field-sketches in various states of preservation. As can be seen from the forgoing descriptions, the project has been first and foremost an archives-and-storerooms ‘excavation’. Thousands of pages of field notes, diaries, finds-registers, correspondence, field-plans, and many hundreds of photographs have been canvassed. Hundreds of pottery trays in three main storerooms of the Israel Antiquities Authority, as well as in study collections and exhibits dispersed throughout Israel, have been studied. The main sources of information have been: For the excavations of the 1930s–1950s: The Mandatory Department of Antiquities scientific and administrative archives (ATQ files), now part of the IAA archives, in the former Palestine Archaeological (Rockefeller) Museum (PAM). The IAA scientific and administrative archives. The scientific estate of P. Bar-Adon, presented to the IAA by his son, Doron Bar-Adon. The finds-registers of the Bar-Adon excavations, housed in the IAA storerooms. The photographic archives of the IAA. The pottery of the JPES excavations, preserved nearly as packed by the expedition in 1947, in the basement of the PAM.

The pottery of the early IDAM excavations, the bulk of which was preserved in the IAA stores, now at Bet Shemesh. A description of the Khirbet Kerak Ware from the JPES excavations contained in a Master’s thesis written by then junior staff member, now Professor Emeritus, Trude Dothan. Additional sources of information have been: The pottery of the 1933 inspection, kept in the Student Gallery of the PAM. Pottery of the JPES expedition housed in the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus. Pottery and finds of the JPES and IDAM excavations housed in the Israel Museum, in study collections of various institutions, and in the regional Bet Gordon Museum in Deganya. Photos, plans and correspondence found in archives in Kevuzat Kinneret, the Jordan Valley Council engineer’s files, and in the Pinhas Lavon archives of the Histadrut Labor Federation. For the 1967 excavations: Field diaries, notes, card catalogs, photos, and drawings supplied by the excavator, Prof. David Ussishkin. Preliminary and final plans supplied by the co-director, Prof. Ehud Netzer. The ceramic material, housed largely in the IAA storerooms. For the 1976 excavations: Field diaries, notes, and preliminary plans supplied by the excavator, Dr. Dan Bahat. The IAA photographic archives. The ceramic material, housed in the IAA storerooms. For the 1981–1982, 1985–1986 excavations: Field diaries, preliminary plans and sections, and annotated photograph albums compiled by the excavators. Illustrations of approximately one third of the diagnostic material, prepared by the excavators; The ceramic material, housed in the IAA storerooms. In order to provide a complete history of the excavations, important information on the circumstances surrounding the Oriental Institute excavations at Bet Yerah—which are the subject of a separate study conducted in Chicago

vii by Gabrielle Novacek—was provided by documents preserved in the Oriental Institute archives. I wish to thank the following persons and institutions for their generous assistance in various aspects of the project: The Israel Antiquities Authority—Archivists Nurit Feig, Silvia Krapiwko, Aryeh Rochman, Rachel Bar-Nathan, and Yael Barschak; Curators Michael Sebbane, Alegre Savariego, Galit Litani, and Yehudit Ben-Michael. The Bet Gordon Museum, Deganya—Curators Zalman Vinogradov, Amalya Ilan, and Tamar Chen. The Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University— Curator Daphna Tsoran. The Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University— Curators Gaby Bachi and Na‘ama Scheftelowitz. Israel Museum—Curators Osnat Misch-Brandl, Bella Gershowitz, and Fawzi Ibrahim. John Larson (archivist, Oriental Institute); Yitzhaki Gal (Kinneret Authority); Reuven Kofler (Central Zionist Archives). Several persons associated with the different excavations helped me untangle issues connected with the history of excavation on the mound; among them I wish to mention Miriam Tadmor, Trude Dothan, Joseph Aviram, and Ze’ev Yeivin. Prof. Dothan also graciously provided me with the lone extant copy of her Master’s thesis. In addition to the core staff, the following researchers contributed to the project: Ronny Shimmelmitz and Steve Rosen (lithics); Danny Rosenberg (groundstone); Mark Iserlis and Yuval Goren (technical analysis of ceramics); Liora K. Horwitz and Henk Mienis (fauna); Nili Liphschitz (paleobotany). The technical staff included artifact illustrators Yulia Rudman, Noga Ze’evi, Alina Speshilov, Rodika Pinhas, Pnina Arad, and Josephine Yaroshevitz; pottery restorers Michal Ben-Gal, Rivi Uni, and Rachel Pelta;

draughtspersons Elizabeth Belashov and Yehudit Dekel; and photographers Tsila Sagiv, Clara Amit, Mariana Salzberger, and Pavel Shrago. Dov Porotzky masterfully digitized and adapted the numerous plans prepared by early excavators. Valuable comments and corrections to the finished manuscript were provided by Prof. Amnon Ben-Tor of the Hebrew University and Dr. Ann RoshwalbHurowitz of the IAA. Hannah Bernick Greenberg contributed her expertise to the ceramic analysis, as well as untold quantities of moral and professional support for the project as a whole. The present monograph represents the culmination of a four-year research program devoted to the elimination of one of the great ‘black holes’ of Israeli archaeology. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity given me to reinstate the site of Tel Bet Yerah/Khirbet el-Kerak to its rightful position in the forefront of the archaeology of Israel. Raphael Greenberg Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, December 2005 Addendum As this volume was going to press, the publication of the Getzov salvage excavation appeared (Getzov 2006). In order to allow comparison between the publications, the following should be noted: (a) The area location map in Getzov 2006: Fig. 1.1 is based on a draft prepared for this report; the map in the present publication (Chapter 1: Plan 1.1) is to be considered more accurate. (b) Elevations in the Getzov excavations appear to be based on an incorrect benchmark used for all excavations in the south of the mound since the 1950s; in order to match elevations with this report, -7 m should be added to the Getzov elevations. (c) Getzov’s excavations are contiguous with Makhouly’s excavation of 1933 (Area MK); the drainage tunnel may be used as an anchor in order to compare stratigraphy and architecture.

CHAPTER 1

HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH R APHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

More than any other major mound in Israel, the history of the archaeological study of Tel Bet Yerah (Khirbet el-Kerak) in the Kinrot Valley is closely bound up—for better or worse—with the history of modern Jewish settlement. Unoccupied for centuries, the mound was the focus of an early twentieth century unrealized Zionist initiative for real-estate development. The earliest archaeological investigations of the mound were carried out in conjunction with the first road-building effort of the Jewish Labor Corps in 1920–1921. The first excavations (in 1944–1946) were funded by the Jewish Labor Union (Histadrut). Virtually all subsequent study of the mound took place either as a result of damage incurred during construction and agricultural activities by the settlers of the Kinrot Valley or in anticipation of such damage. In the entire, complex history of excavation only one expedition—that fielded by the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute—operated independently of such considerations. The fact that the greater part of the mound, including a number of the most significant excavated structures, has remained intact is a tribute to the perseverance of a handful of devoted archaeologists and local enthusiasts who negotiated with government administrators, pleaded with local developers, and eventually impressed upon the surrounding communities the realization that the mound contains remains of a past significant enough to constrain further construction and development. The chronicle of excavations that follows provides a setting for the excavation reports contained in the present volume; the manifold implications of the excavation history for the interpretation and publication (or nonpublication) of the results will be discussed in greater detail in Volume II. A thematic bibliography for each stage in the study of the site appears at the end of this chapter.

Fig. 1.1. Detail of the Survey of Western Palestine map, showing ► Tel Bet Yerah (Kh. el-Kerak) at the southwest outlet of the Sea of Galilee (after Conder and Kitchener 1881: Sheet VI).

EARLY R ESEARCH While the ruins of ancient buildings preserved on the surface of the mound of el-Kerak long attracted the attention of travelers and scholars, visits to the site from medieval times through the early twentieth century resulted in little more than cursory descriptions and half-hearted attempts to provide a historical identification for the site. One of the more lively and detailed descriptions was provided by J. MacGregor (1869:412–415) who, while accepting the popular misidentification of the mound with Tarichaea, described some of the antiquities visible on the surface and the “mine of relics to be dug out”, including “the figure of a little donkey with water jars, wrought in terra

2

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

cotta”—perhaps the first of this characteristic Early Bronze Age type ever recorded! The main importance of the early observations was geographical—especially with regard to the existence of an ancient channel of the Jordan River running west of the mound, rather than south of it (see detailed discussion in Volume II). The map published as Sheet VI in the Palestine Exploration Fund’s survey of Western Palestine (Fig. 1.1, above) clearly shows this early bed, separated from the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) by the silted-up arches of an ancient bridge, later identified as an aqueduct carrying water to the late Classical period structures at the northern extremity of the mound. In 1908 the mound was acquired by Arthur Ruppin, head of the Palestine Office of the World Zionist Organization, and ceded to the nearby communal settlement at Kinneret. In 1911, however, Ruppin hatched the first scheme for settlement on the mound: he envisioned the establishment of a winter resort village for wealthy European Jews, in fulfillment of one of Theodore Herzl’s utopian concepts of Jewish settlement in Palestine (Fig. 1.2). Although as many as twelve plots were actually sold to prospective settlers (out of a total of thirty), the plan never materialized, and the land remained under cultivation. The Kerak, as it was known to the farmers of Kinneret, figures prominently in the folklore of early Jewish communal settlement in Palestine as a place of natural beauty and inspiring scenery (Fig. 1.3). Nonetheless, the die was cast, and the real-estate principle established. Economic interest in the mound in the early twentieth century was to have a significant effect on its future, as settlement emphasis gradually shifted from the agricultural to other realms.

Fig. 1.2 . Advertisement for the sale of building plots on the Kerak, 1911 (after Vinogradov 1994).

Modern archaeological research on the mound may be said to have begun in 1920–1921 when the Jewish Labor Corps (‫)גדוד העבודה‬, under its first contract from the British Mandatory government, built the road between Samak and Tiberias. The road traversed the mound of Khirbet el-Kerak along its entire length (Fig. 1.4) and when E.L. Sukenik, at that time a geography teacher in Jerusalem, was invited by the laborers to lecture on local history in late summer 1921, he examined the debris seen in the section and published his findings in the Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society (Sukenik 1922). Sukenik discussed the identification of the site as Talmudic Beth Yerah and as Philoteria and described the pottery he found, dating it to the Islamic, Roman–Byzantine, and ‘earlier’ periods. Among the finds were fragments of Arabic inscriptions, a Jewish tombstone and a marble head of Tyche, patron goddess of the Hellenistic city. Sukenik noted that only an archaeological excavation could establish whether a Canaanite city lay buried beneath the later ruins (1922:108). At about the same time W.F. Albright conducted his own investigation of the site, in the course of his survey of Bronze Age settlements in the Jordan Valley (Albright 1923; 1925; 1926). He was the first to identify and define the pottery known as Khirbet Kerak Ware, incorrectly—although plausibly—attributing it to the Middle Bronze Age. In Albright’s words, Khirbet Kerak was “perhaps the most remarkable Bronze Age site in all Palestine” (Albright 1926:27). The year 1927 saw the publication of Saarisalo’s landmark volume of historical-geographic investigations, which includes a description of his finds at Khirbet el-Kerak (Saarisalo 1927:76–81). Saarisalo describes the mound and its surroundings, noting the ruined Roman bridge spanning the old channel of the Jordan, and brings testimony to the effect that 18 years earlier (1909) the channel had been almost completely full of water. Saarisalo too examined the road-section and noted the accumulation was higher at either end of the mound. This led him to assume the existence of a city wall. Further evidence for the fortification emerged on the “especially stony” western slope (Saarisalo 1927:76–77), where the Jewish settlers had exposed ancient masonry. In a trench over 4 m deep excavated by the settlers to quarry soil for their fields, some 15 m of an ancient city wall of unhewn stones were exposed, preserved up to 1.5 m high. Under this wall there was an ash layer containing ‘MB’ potsherds

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

Fig. 1.3. The Kerak in the early twentieth century, viewed from the north (courtesy, Zalmaniyat Pri-Or).

Fig. 1.4. Two views of the Labor Corps road and wooden bridge, crossing the mouth of the Jordan just south of Tel Bet Yerah (courtesy, the Central Zionist Archives).

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RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

(presumably Khirbet Kerak Ware). Saarisalo was able to trace the course of the wall along the western edge of the mound for several hundreds of meters. He describes other architectural features as well as many typical Early Bronze Age potsherds; following Albright’s lead, however, he attributed the red-slipped and highly burnished Khirbet Kerak Ware pieces to the Middle Bronze Age.

THE 1930S –1940S The meticulously arranged British Mandate Department of Antiquities scientific and administrative (ATQ) files provide details of the circumstances surrounding the earliest excavations on the mound. These files contain dated inspectors’ reports concerning licit and illicit activities on the site itself, as well as detailed correspondence between the staff and Director of the Department of Antiquities, and between the Director and external agencies and individuals. In June 1930 the Mandatory Department of Antiquities issued the first license to excavate at Tel Bet Yerah, No. T-100/1930, to Reverend S.J. Mallon (excavator of Teleilat Ghassul) of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem. The license was issued at the request of S.T. Brogdon, engineer and emissary of the Protestant Bible Society in Fort Worth, Texas. Correspondence preserved in the Israel Antiquities Authority archives reveals Brogdon’s intent to conduct a survey of the outlet of the Jordan River in order to establish the water level of the Sea of Galilee in the days of Jesus. Following a preliminary survey, permission was sought to excavate—under the nominal supervision of Mallon—a stone cairn located in the middle of the

old river channel as well as other features found in the survey. The files indicate that no work was done under the terms of the license. Brogdon himself, however, excavated elsewhere without a permit, collecting pottery from the road-section. Brogdon’s work, reported in an unidentified Fort Worth newsletter under the title “Survey of the Jordan River Outlet—at the Sea of Galilee”, describes the ruins seen on the surface of Kh. el-Kerak. Its main contribution, however, is the curious suggestion that the present channel of the river is a result of an artificial channel or moat cut south of the Kerak, and that the ridge along the southern edge of the mound represents the spoil of this moat. This idea eventually made its way into the professional literature as an explanation of the shift that occurred in the location of the outlet of the Jordan River (Ben-Arieh 1965). In 1933, British Mandate Antiquities Inspector Na‘im Makhouly reported extensive damage inflicted on the mound by Pinhas Rutenberg’s Palestine Electric Company (Figs. 1.5, 1.6). Mechanical excavators placed near the southeastern tip of the mound quarried soil from the banks of a small cleft in the mound (visible in early photos and later dubbed ‘the wadi’). The soil was carted off in boxcars to serve as fill for the Deganya barrage, located about one hundred meters west of the cleft. The barrage, built in order to regulate the flow of the Jordan River southward to Rutenberg’s hydroelectric plant at Naharayim, served as the foundation for the new Samak–Tiberias highway. The first licensed excavations on the mound were in fact carried out by Makhouly in October 1933 (License No. W-17/1933; Area MK, see Chapter 9, below), in conjunction with the construction of the selfsame

Fig. 1.6. An excerpt from Makhouly’s report of the damage. Fig. 1.5. Earth-quarrying by the Palestine Electric Company in April 1933.

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

highway. This salvage excavation consisted mainly of ex post facto recording of remains found by the roadbuilders in the bed and sections of the road-cut. A brief unpublished report in the Mandatory Department of Antiquities ATQ file includes a schematic plan and section as well as a few photographs (Fig. 1.7). Makhouly reported the existence of six levels, from the Early Bronze Age to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including parts of buildings, a stone-paved Early Bronze Age street and a large, well-built stone drain. Complete pots and a few flint artifacts from this excavation remain in the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) storerooms in the Palestine Archaeological (Rockefeller) Museum. In 1936 a large hoard of Hellenistic silver coins surfaced in the Tiberias market and was attributed to Khirbet el-Kerak; however, no details regarding the discovery ever came to light. Following the fortuitous discovery in July 1940 of the rich Early Bronze Age tomb at Kinneret, only 1250 m west of the mound (excavated by Maisler [Mazar], Kellner [Amiran] and Haas), Clarence S. Fisher, on behalf of the American Schools of Oriental Research, applied for permission to conduct trial excavations on the mound itself (April 1941). Fisher intended to excavate Early Bronze Age remains in the northern part of the mound and to establish the existence and nature of the city wall at two points. Administrative

5

files (ATQ/93/6) reveal that a license was indeed issued by Director of Antiquities R.W. Hamilton, following consultation with the members of the Archaeological Advisory Board (Professors Sukenik and Mayer), but in early May 1941 Fisher wrote that the military authorities refused to allow photography or survey on the site (hardly surprising in view of Rommel’s advance into Egypt in April 1941 and British operations vis-àvis Vichy-ruled Syria in May), and the excavations were put off indefinitely. Fisher died a short time later. The first major excavation on Tel Bet Yerah was undertaken in the wake of an elaborate maneuver by Jewish labor and Jordan Valley settlement leaders, intended to enable the construction of educational institutions on the mound (Fig. 1.8). Anticipating the reluctance of the Department of Antiquities to approve such construction, the instigators ensured academic and political support for their cause by contacting, in advance, Prof. Benjamin Mazar and the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society and offering that they conduct a trial excavation—to be funded by the Jewish Labor federation. Since the JPES board included highly placed political figures, such as Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and David Remez, respectively president and chairman of the (Jewish) National Council, as well as the leading Jewish scholars of the day, its approval of the projected construction on the mound carried considerable weight. Following token resistance by the Director,

Fig. 1.7. Early Bronze Age remains in the road-bed, 1933.

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RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

Fig. 1.8. Laying the cornerstone for Ohalo Seminary, 1944/1945 (courtesy, Kinneret archives).

the Department of Antiquities agreed to construction, with the proviso that structures of special importance would be preserved, and that building would take place only where excavations showed that there were no significant remains. Thus it came about that in 1944 the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society initiated a major excavation in advance of the construction of an agricultural secondary school on the southern part of the mound and the Ohalo seminary on its northern part. The dig—a rare example of stratigraphic excavation by local archaeologists in Palestine prior to 1948— was sponsored by the General Federation of Jewish Labor (Histadrut) and the Jewish National Fund as a memorial to Jewish labor leader Berl Katznelson, and supported by the council of the Jordan Valley Jewish settlement bloc. The expedition conducted two seasons of excavations at the site: The first season (License No. T-329/1945; Area MS, see Chapter 2, below), from December 1944 to June 1945, was headed by Benjamin Maisler (Mazar) and Moshe Stekelis. Other members of the expedition were Pesach Bar-Adon, Immanuel Dunayevsky and photographer J. Schweig. They opened a large trench, 100 m long by about 7 m wide, perpendicular to the southern edge of the mound (Fig. 1.9); this was expanded subsequently to allow the exposure of a large Hellenistic complex. The excavation also recovered parts of the Early Bronze Age fortification systems and

several Early Bronze Age houses. Another part of the city wall was examined some 40 m to the east of the trench. The second season (License No. T-331/1945; Area SA, see Chapter 3, below), headed by Stekelis and Michael Avi-Yonah, took place between December 1945 and June 1946. Members of the expedition included Trude Krakauer (Dothan) and Ruth Hestrin as assistants, and Yigael Sukenik (Yadin) as an ‘honorary assistant’. They continued the work in the southern trench, reaching virgin soil in several soundings along the trench. In the northern part of the mound, a large and unique Early Bronze Age public building known as the ‘Circles Building’ or ‘Granary’, was found. A small sounding to virgin soil (‘the deep cut’) was made to the west of the granary. A late-period bathhouse built on the northeast corner of the granary and parts of a late-Classical fortified structure were also excavated. The excavators identified four Early Bronze Age strata (in their terminology, Beth-Yerah I–IV), a Hellenistic stratum (Beth-Yerah V), a stratum from the Roman–Byzantine period (Beth-Yerah VI) and an Early Islamic stratum (Beth-Yerah VII). Following the excavation, the Mandate authorities released threefourths of the mound for development and the southern trench was back-filled; the northeastern quadrant, however, was reserved for future excavation. Only a preliminary report of the JPES excavation was ever published (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

7

Fig. 1.9. Aerial view (1946) of the back-filled JPES excavation trench of 1944–1945 (R.A.F. photograph, from the files of P. Bar-Adon).

1952), partly due to the fact that the excavated material, in the basements of the Palestine Archaeological (Rockefeller) Museum, was unavailable to the excavators between 1947 and 1967.

POST-1948 EXCAVATIONS Work was renewed at the site shortly after Israel’s independence. Most of the excavations were necessitated by the continuous building and expansion of the agricultural school in the south and the Ohalo seminary

in the central part of the mound, as well as by the construction of several docks and approaches to the lake shore (Figs. 1.10, 1.11). Despite the preliminary agreement between the Mandatory government and the settlers, no formal release of the excavated areas had ever been made and there was no clear delineation of the extent of construction to be permitted (R. Amiran, in IAA archive file ‫בית ירח‬/‫)פ‬. Thus, while most building activities were based on plans approved by the Mandatory government during the 1940s and revised as time went by, the seminary and school also engaged in widespread

Fig. 1.10. Construction work at Ohalo, 1949 (courtesy, Kinneret archives).

8

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

Fig. 1.11. View of the Ohalo buildings from the sea, soon after construction; note extensive dumps (courtesy, Kinneret archives).

planting and landscaping. A considerable part of the archaeological work conducted at the site may therefore be labeled ‘salvage excavation’, even when carried out at some distance from permanent structures. The Bar-Adon Years Excavations in 1949 and 1950 (License Nos. 12/1949, 1/1950; Area GB, see Chapter 4, below) were carried out by Pesach Bar-Adon, under the supervision of Philip Langstaffe Ord Guy, the sole British administrator to remain in the Antiquities Department after the dissolution of the Mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel. At first, Bar-Adon inspected the foundations of the main building of Ohalo just south of the 1946 excavations (see Figs. 1.10, 1.11). Later, Guy and Bar-Adon initiated work further to the north, where a large open-air theater was planned. There they discovered a large fortified compound dated by them to the Roman period and what they thought to be a synagogue. Bar-Adon continued excavation of this complex in 1952–1953. From 1951 on, under Bar-Adon (License Nos. 2/1951, 23/1952, 23/1954, 34/1955), excavations continued mainly at the southeast tip of the mound and along the fortifications girding the mound on the south and west (Areas BS, BF; see Chapters 5 and 6, below). The latter included a stretch of some 700 m of a stone city wall

with towers and parts of an earlier Early Bronze Age mud-brick wall and city-gate. The former revealed, in addition to eleven Early Bronze Age strata in a deep 10 × 10 m sounding to virgin soil excavated in 1951, Middle Bronze Age, Persian and Hellenistic remains excavated in 1951–1953. In 1955 Bar-Adon opened many small probes all over the site. Some of these were necessitated by new construction and the erection of power lines, others appear to have been intended to stake a claim to the central part of the mound, in view of the arrival of an expedition from the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute (see below) in 1952. BarAdon’s excavations were all sponsored by the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums (IDAM) and were often only one step ahead of ‘beautification’ operations undertaken by the agricultural school, such as the planting of a stand of eucalyptus trees along the top of the Early Bronze Age fortifications on the southern side of the mound. He excavated for up to six months at a stretch with five to twenty workmen, spending an aggregate of about 20 months in the field. Although working solo for the most part, with a fulltime surveyor on hand (this task was split between Shlomo Mu‘alem and Y. Shema‘ya), as well as a local photographer and a finds registrar (Varda Sussmann and later Elisheva Belhorn), Bar-Adon was occasionally assisted by students and members of the Department of Antiquities, among them Yohanan Aharoni, Ora Negbi

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

and Ze’ev Yeivin. Benjamin Mazar was consulted often, as were the numerous visitors to the site: Shmuel Yeivin (then Head of the Department of Antiquities), Ruth and David Amiran, William Foxwell Albright, and others (Figs. 1.12, 1.13). Guy and Bar-Adon published only preliminary notices of their excavations. In the late 1950s Bar-Adon prepared a detailed report on the stratigraphic sounding excavated in 1951, but due to professional and personal disagreements with the IDAM publications staff it was never published. In addition to this manuscript, the archives of the IAA contain detailed written reports, diaries, plans and photos that shed light on this important excavation.

Fig. 1.12. Three excavators of Tel Bet Yerah: from right B. Mazar, ► P. Delougaz, and P. Bar-Adon, during visit to the site in 1952. Nelson Glueck is at left (courtesy, Central Zionist Archives).

Fig. 1.13. Israel Exploration Society members visiting the Circles Building and the late-period fortified complex excavated by Bar-Adon, 1952 (courtesy, Central Zionist Archives).

9

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RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

The Oriental Institute Excavations In 1952–1953 Pierre Pinhas Delougaz headed an expedition sponsored by the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute (OI). Not all of the details leading up to the fielding of this expedition are clear, and there are elements in the puzzle that appear to be linked more to the biography of the excavator—a Near Eastern archaeologist with a long record of excavations in Mesopotamia—than to scientific matters. Documents from the Oriental Institute archives indicate that the idea of the renewal of the OI’s activities in Israel was broached in 1951 by the head of the Israel Department of Antiquities, Shmuel Yeivin, on the occasion of a visit to Israel by the director of the OI, Carl Kraeling. Touring several possible excavation sites in Israel, Yeivin apparently suggested that monetary assets left by the Megiddo expedition in the defunct Ottoman Bank in Haifa could serve as seed money for a new excavation; the Israel Government, on its part, would be willing to contribute matching funds for labor—two dollars for every dollar paid by the OI. On his return to Chicago, Kraeling discussed the offer with Delougaz, who had a strong personal and ideological interest in returning to the Jewish state and prior acquaintance with Bet Yerah itself (R. Amiran, in IAA file ‫בית ירח‬/‫)פ‬. There appears to have been, however, a condition attached to Kraeling’s offer—that Delougaz excavate at a site with both Classical and early historic remains; thus was the site of Bet Yerah chosen (we have no direct evidence of this clause, but there is no other way of understanding the fact that the bulk of Delougaz’ first season was devoted to the excavation of a Byzantine church in the north of the mound—a task for which he had no scholarly inclination). After some negotiation, a license to excavate at Bet Yerah was issued to Delougaz in October 1952—the first excavation license issued to a foreign expedition in Israel—and excavations began almost immediately thereafter. The ten-month long season (License No. C-14/1953; Area DK) was devoted for the most part to the excavation of the Byzantine church at the northern end of the mound. In addition, a few trial trenches were opened nearby. In 1963–1964 Delougaz and Helene Kantor headed a follow-up expedition (License Nos. C-76/1963, C-76/1964). In these seasons a series of soundings and trenches were opened all over the central and northern part of the site in order to establish the Early Bronze Age sequence.

As in the case of the other excavations on the mound, the Oriental Institute excavations never achieved full publication. A final report on the church was published by Delougaz and Haines in 1960. In 1982 Douglas Esse completed his Ph.D. dissertation, in which a partial ceramic typology of the Delougaz–Kantor excavations played a central part. However, Esse’s intention of preparing a full publication of the excavation was cut short by his death in 1992. A brief version of his typological study on the ceramics of EB II and III Bet Yerah, as well as a synopsis of the finds in the trial trenches, was published in his synthetic study of Early Bronze Age urbanization in 1991. The Chicago excavations are currently being prepared for publication by Gabrielle Novacek of the Oriental Institute. Salvage Excavations, 1967–1995 During the years following Bar-Adon’s and Delougaz’ excavations, as construction and development continued in the Bet Yerah agricultural high school and the Ohalo teachers’ seminary and along the main road, a number of salvage excavations took place, none of which achieved publication beyond the preliminary notice. 1. Between January and April 1967 David Ussishkin and Ehud Netzer headed two seasons of salvage excavations at the edge of the sea-scarp near the middle of the mound (Permit No. A-127/1967; Area UN, see Chapter 7, below). The excavations were initiated after the discovery of four Early Bronze Age copper implements in a modern trench, apparently related in some way to the construction of a boathouse at the foot of the scarp. Domestic remains—a number of houses and a paved street—were uncovered in these excavations. 2. In 1976 Ruth Amiran and Carmela Cohen directed excavations on the grounds of Ohalo (Permit No. A-606/1976, issued under the name of Z. Yeivin; Area AC). The excavation revealed ten stratigraphic phases of Early Bronze Age and Hellenistic date, described in a very brief report. Although all the ceramic material from this excavation was retrieved and is extant in the IAA stores, we were not able to locate the records of this excavation and it remains unpublished. In the same year Dan Bahat conducted the first of two seasons of excavations at a nearby location (Permit No. A-632/1976; Area BH, see Chapter 9, below). Three Early Bronze Age strata with remains of domestic

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

buildings were uncovered, and above them, remains of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. 3. In 1981–1982 Emanuel Eisenberg conducted salvage excavations among the school buildings in the southern part of the mound (Permit No. A-1069/1981; Area EY, see Chapter 8, below). The excavations revealed ten main strata: eight of the Early Bronze Age and two of the Hellenistic period. The earlier finds comprised part of a well-preserved domestic area, and include houses, a street, and many complete pottery vessels. In 1985–1986 Ora Yogev (Permit Nos. A-1399/1985, A-1448/1986) enlarged the 1982 excavation area to a total of 250 sq m. As it happens, the area excavated by Eisenberg and Yogev straddled the middle of the backfilled 1944–1945 trench, the location of which had been long forgotten. In fact, one of the deep soundings of the earlier season was identified in the later excavations as the remains of a deep pit, cutting all the ancient strata. The three excavation seasons thus form a unique case of concentric excavation, with the Eisenberg excavations partly enveloping the JPES excavations, and the Yogev excavations enveloping both earlier soundings. The result is a robust stratigraphic sequence, reinforced by finds of three independent excavators. 4. Between December 1994 and March 1995 Nimrod Getzov of the IAA undertook a salvage excavation along the Zemah–Tiberias highway (Permit No. A-2211/1994; Area GE). In a long and narrow trench (95 × 4 m), he revealed different phases of the Early Bronze Age mudbrick and stone fortifications. He also excavated domestic remains lying north of the wall (Getzov 2006). Several elements identified by Getzov can be matched with features observed by Makhouly in his 1933 excavation. Inspectors’ Excavations Many reports on archaeological finds recovered by the IAA inspectors over the past 50 years reside in the archives. In some cases it is clear that the inspection included excavation. Some of the more obvious cases of non-licensed inspectors’ excavations are the following: Between 1950 and 1958 Bezalel Ravani, the Tiberiasbased IDAM inspector, visited the site often, recording various incursions made into the site during construction and development of infrastructure. In at least two cases he conducted limited excavations—both necessitated by the cutting of cesspits (see Chapter 9, below). His

11

discovery of an infant jar-burial down-slope from the Ohalo dining room in October 1950 eventually led to an excavation by Bar-Adon at the same location (it is not entirely clear whether the 1950 burial is the same burial mentioned by Bar-Adon in conjunction with the excavation of ‘Section 10’, in 1955; see Chapter 4, below). In May 1971 Vassilios Tzaferis oversaw mechanical excavation of trenches, apparently in the south-central part of the mound. Three trenches (1.5 m wide, total length of over 30 m) were excavated to a depth of 3 to 3.5 m below the surface. A thin Early Bronze Age layer was found under about 3 m of what was described as erosive fill. Unfortunately, there is no clear record of the location of these trenches, which could point to a significant feature in the formation process of the mound. Among the many brief inspection reports from the 1970s–1980s found in the IAA files, some of which include reports of substantial remains (architecture, complete vessels, etc.), we may point out a cache of complete EB III vessels retrieved by Claire Epstein in 1971. These included an unusual Khirbet Kerak Ware pot, described in Volume II. Lastly, mention may be made of two Intermediate Bronze Age tombs excavated in 1971 by Moshe Kochavi and in 1984 by O. Yogev at Deganya A, just across the river from Bet Yerah. While they lie outside the mound proper, they were apparently constructed of materials obtained in antiquity from the abandoned site.

SUMMARY All told, 20 excavation licenses have been issued for Tel Bet Yerah, and approximately 15,000 sq m have been excavated, most of them in Early Bronze Age strata (Plan 1.1; Table 1.1). The exposures have tended to emphasize the vertical rather than horizontal aspect. Thus, there are several detailed sequences from the surface to virgin soil—in Areas MS, SA, DK, EY, BS, and GE—containing between five and eleven Early Bronze Age strata and several post-Early Bronze Age strata that reflect different occupational histories for various parts of the mound (Table 1.2). Contiguous horizontal exposures of Early Bronze Age occupation strata (as opposed to fortifications) rarely exceed a few hundred square meters, leaving the broad architecturally-oriented excavation as the main desideratum for future work.

12

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

Plan 1.1. Map of the principal excavation areas.

The salvage status of many of the excavations has also had a great impact on the methodology and resolution of the excavations. Long excavation seasons and the endless succession of different excavators have led almost inescapably to the adoption of rather basic excavation standards and, perhaps more significantly, to the absence of a consistent interpretative focus. Excavators were usually unaware of the detailed results of previous excavations and had little opportunity to establish their own research strategy. While the implications of this situation for the place Tel Bet

Yerah occupies in Early Bronze Age research will be taken up in a separate study, the history of excavation described above serves as justification for the structure of the present volume: each excavation is presented independently of the others, with few cross-references, reflecting the state of understanding reached in the field. A synthetic view of all the excavation results— site formation, architecture, material culture, and environmental remains—is reserved for the second volume of reports.

CHAPTER 1: HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BET YERAH

13

Table 1.1. Conspectus of Major Archaeological Campaigns at Tel Bet Yerah, 1933–1995 Excavator(s)

Year

Area Code

Location

Principal Finds

1*

Makhouly

1933

MK

Samak (Zemah)–Tiberias roadbed

Stone drain; paved EBA street

2*

Mazar and Stekelis

1944–1945

MS

7 × 100 m section at south of mound

Fortifications, EBA and Hellenistic houses

3*

Stekelis and Avi-Yonah

1945–1946

SA

Northern acropolis

Circles Building; late-antique bath and fort

4*

Bar-Adon

1949

GB

Ohalo seminary

Badly disturbed EBA remains

5

Guy and Bar-Adon

1950

GB

North of Circles Building

Late-antique fortified complex

6*

Bar-Adon

1951

BS

Southeastern tip of mound

10 × 10 m sounding to virgin soil; EB I to Late Islamic remains

7*

Bar-Adon

1952–1953

BS

Southeastern tip of mound

Extensive remains abutting late EBA fortification

8*

Bar-Adon

1953–1955

BF

Southern and western edges of mound

Extensive clearance of late EBA fortifications; early EBA wall and gate

9

Delougaz and Haines

1953

DK

Northern tip of mound

Byzantine church

10

Delougaz and Kantor

1963–1964

DK

Various soundings in northern half of mound

‘Olive oil factory’ Alley, houses

11*

Ussishkin and Netzer

1967

UN

Middle of eastern scarp

12

Amiran and Cohen

1976

AC

Ohalo

13*

Bahat

1976

BH

Ohalo

EB I round structures

14*

Eisenberg

1981–1982

EY

Bet Yerah school

EBA domestic structures rich in finds

15*

Yogev

1985–1986

EY

Bet Yerah school (expansion of Eisenberg)

EBA domestic structures rich in finds

16

Getzov

1994–1995

GE

Zemah–Tiberias highway

EB I–III fortifications

* Final report included in this volume

Table 1.2. Summary Table of Local Strata and Archaeological Periods in Principal Excavation Areas Bet Yerah Period*

Chronological Period

Area SA (Deep Cut)

A

EB IA

10–9

B

EB IB

8–6

11–9

15–14

6–5

11–10

C

EB II

5–early 3

8–5

13–12

4

9–7

D

EB III

Late 3–2

4–3

11–7

3–2

E

Final EB

6

F

MB I

5

G

Persian

4

H

Hellenistic

J

Roman/Byzantine

K

Islamic

1

Area MS (Sounding I)

Area BS

Area UN

Area EY/MS (Sounding II)

Early 6?

2

3

1

2

* The periodization introduced here supersedes earlier schemes

1

6–3 Late 3?

1

2 1

14

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND SARIT PAZ

TEL BET YERAH: A BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Historical and Topographic Studies (in chronological order) Robinson E. 1841. Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petreas during the Year 1838. London. Pp. 262–263. Lynch W.F. 1850. Narrative of the United States’ Expedition to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. Philadelphia. Pp. 99–106. Guérin V. 1880 [1868]. Description géographique, historique et archéologique de la Palestine, Vol. I, Part III. Pp. 275– 280. Repr. Amsterdam, 1969. MacGregor J. 1869. The Rob Roy on the Jordan, Nile, Red Sea and Gennesareth, Etc.: A Canoe Cruise in Palestine and Egypt, and the Waters of Damascus. London. Pp. 412–415. Conder C.R. and Kitchener H.H. 1881. The Survey of Western Palestine, Vol. I. London. Thomson W.M. 1881. The Land and the Book, or, Biblical Illustrations Drawn from the Manners and Customs, the Scenes and Scenery of the Holy Land, Vol. II. London. Pp. 332–333. Smith G.A. 1966 [1894]. The Historical Geography of the Holy Land. Jerusalem. Pp. 192–194. Sukenik L. 1922. The Ancient City of Philoteria (Beth Yerah). JPOS 2:101–109. Albright W.F. 1923. The Location of Tarichea. AASOR 2–3:29–46. Albright W.F. 1925. Bronze Age Mounds of Northern Palestine and the Hauran. BASOR 19:5–19. Albright W.F. 1926. The Jordan Valley in the Bronze Age. AASOR 6:13–74. Saarisalo A. 1927. The Boundary between Issachar and Naphtali—an Archaeological and Literary Study of Israel’s Settlement in Canaan. Helsinki. Pp. 76–81. Mayer L.A. 1951. As-Sinnabra. Eretz-Israel 1:169–170 (Hebrew). Mayer L.A. 1952. As-Sinnabra. IEJ 2:183–187. Bar-Adon P. 1956. Sinnabra and Beth Yerah in the Light of the Sources and Archaeological Finds. Eretz-Israel 4:50–55 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. V–VI). Butrimovitz Y. 1975. The Rise of Hazor and Decline of Bet Yerah. Beit Mikra 60:153–155 (Hebrew). Vinogradov Z. 1987. Bet Yerah. In Z. Vinogradov. Sites of the Kinnerot Valley. Deganya. Pp. 45–69 (Hebrew). Vinogradov Z. 1992. Bet Yerah. In M. Gefen and Y. Gal eds. Sefer Hakinneret [The Kinneret Book]. Zemah Pp. 230– 239 (Hebrew). Vinogradov Z. 1994. The Plan for Building Town of Villas on the Kerak (Tel Bet Yerah). Ariel 15 (102–103):92–96 (Hebrew). Vinogradov Z. 1998. Kinnerot Valley—Man, Sites, and Landscape. Jerusalem (Hebrew).

B. Excavation Reports (in chronological order) Brogdon S.T. 1930(?). Survey of the Jordan River Outlet—at the Sea of Galilee. Texas. Maisler B. 1942. A Grave from the Early Bronze Period Discovered at Kinneret (Preliminary Report). BJPES 10:1–9 (Hebrew). Maisler B. and Stekelis M. 1945. The Excavations at Bet Yerah (Preliminary Report). BJPES 11:77–84 (Hebrew). Stekelis M. and Avi-Yonah M. 1947. Excavations at Beth Yerah (Berl Kaznelson Memorial Excavations)—Second Preliminary Report. BJPES 13:53–64 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. V–VII). IEJ 1950–51. Notes and News. IEJ 1:250. Guy P.L.O. 1951. Bet Yerah. Bulletin of the Department of Antiquities of the State of Israel 3:32–33 (Hebrew). Maisler B., Stekelis M., and Avi-Yonah M. 1952. The Excavations at Beth-Yerah (Khirbet el-Kerak) 1944–1946. IEJ 2:165–173, 218–229. Bar-Adon P. 1953. Notes and News. IEJ 3:132. Bar-Adon P. 1954. Notes and News: Beth Yerah. IEJ 4:128– 129. Bar-Adon P. 1955. Notes and News: Beth Yerah. IEJ 5:273. Bar-Adon P. 1957. Bet Yerah. Bulletin of the Department of Antiquities of the State of Israel 5–6:29–30 (Hebrew). Delougaz P. and Haines R.C. 1960. A Byzantine Church of Khirbet al-Karak (OIP 85). Chicago. HA 1963. Bet Yerah. HA 8:26. HA 1964. An Archaeological Expedition from University of Chicago Excavates at Bet Yerah and Nahal Tabor. HA 11:12. HA 1964. Bet Yerah. HA 12:14–15. Delougaz P. 1963–1964. Soundings of Khirbet al-Karak in Israel. Oriental Institute Annual Report 1963–1964: 17–18. Delougaz P. 1964–1965. Further Excavations at Khirbet alKarak and Nahal Tavor in Israel. Oriental Institute Annual Report 1964–1965:24–26. HA 1967. Ancient Tools Found at Bet Yerah. HA 21:23. HA 1967. Bet Yerah. HA 22:8–9. Ussishkin D. 1967. Beth Yerah. RB 75:266–268. Mazar B., Amiran R., and Haas N. 1973. An Early Bronze Age II Tomb at Beth-Yerah (Kinneret). Eretz-Israel 11:176–193 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 28*). Amiran R. and Cohen, C. 1976. Excavations at Tell BethYerah. Israel Museum News 12:61–62. HA 1977. Bet Yerah. HA 61:10–11. HA 1981. Tel Bet Yerah. HA 76:11–13. Esse D.L. 1982. Beyond Subsistence: Beth Yerah and Northern Palestine in the Early Bronze Age. Ph.D. diss. University of Chicago. Chicago. Yogev O. and Eisenberg E. 1985. Bet Yerah—1985. HA 87:13–14. Yogev O. and Eisenberg E. 1986. Bet Yerah—1985. ESI 4:14–16.

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Esse D.L. 1991. Subsistence, Trade and Social Change in Early Bronze Age Palestine. (SAOC 50). Chicago. Getzov N. 1996. Tel Bet Yerah. HA 106:29–31. Getzov N. 1998. Tel Bet Yerah. ESI 18:20–21. Getzov N. 2006. The Tel Bet Yerah Excavations, 1994–1995 (IAA Reports 28). Jerusalem.

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Krakauer (Dothan) T. 1947. Khirbet Kerak Ware. M.A. thesis. The Hebrew University. Jerusalem (Hebrew). Morenz L. D. 2004. Hieroglyphen im frühbronzezeitlichen Südpalästina. ZDPV 120:1–12. Sussman V. 1980. A Relief of a Bull from the Early Bronze Age. BASOR 238:75–77. Vinogradov Z. 1995. Evidence for Ancient Shipping from Tel Bet Yerah. Nofim 21:51–60 (Hebrew).

C. Encyclopedia Entries Edwards D.R. 1992. Beth-Yerah. In D.N. Freedman ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. 1. New York. Pp. 699–700. Hestrin R. 1975. Beth Yerah. EAEHL 1:253–262. Hestrin R. 1993. Beth Yerah. NEAEHL 1:255–259. Joffe A.H. 1997. Beth-Yerah. In E.M. Meyers ed. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East, Vol. I. Oxford. Pp. 312–314.

D. Finds and Specific Discoveries Amiran R. 1989. A Cult Object of the ‘Khirbet Kerak Ware’ Culture. Eretz-Israel 20:72–74 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 196*). Amiran R. 1989. Re-Examination of a Cult Object from Beth-Yerah. In A. Leonard Jr. and B. Beyer Williams eds. Essays in Ancient Civilization Presented to Helene J. Kantor (SAOC 47). Chicago. Pp. 31–33. Ariel D.T. 1989. Two Rhodian Amphoras. IEJ 38:31–35. Bar-Adon P. 1962. Another Ivory Bull’s Head from Palestine. BASOR 165:46–47. Bar-Adon P. 1970. Seal Impression of the Persian Period in Tel Khirbet Kerak (Bet Yerah). In S. Abramsky, Y. Aharoni, H.M.Y. Gevaryahu, and B.-Z. Luria eds. Sefer Shemuel Yeivin. Jerusalem. Pp. 338–341 (Hebrew). Bar-Adon P. 1973. Rare Cylinder-Seal Impressions from Beth-Yerah. Eretz-Israel 11:99–100 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 25*). Ben-Tor A. 1978. Cylinder Seals of Third Millennium Palestine (BASOR Supplement 22). Cambridge, Mass. Cleveland R.L. 1962. Acknowledgement of the Bull’s Head from Khirbet Kerak. BASOR 165:47. Esse D.L. 1989. Village Potters in Early Bronze Age Palestine: A Study Case. In A. Leonard Jr. and B. Beyer Williams eds. Essays in Ancient Civilization Presented to Helene J. Kantor (SAOC 47). Chicago. Pp. 77–92. Esse D.L. 1990. Early Bronze Age Cylinder Seal Impressions from Beth Yerah. Eretz-Israel 21:27*–34*. Esse D.L. and Hopke P. 1986. Levantine Trade in the Early Bronze Age: From Pots to Peoples. In J. Olin. and M.J. Blackman eds. Proceedings of the 24th Archaeometry Symposium. Washington D.C. Pp. 327–339. Kaplony P. 2002. The Bet Yerah Jar Inscription and the Annals of King Dewen—Dewen as ‘King Narmer Redivivus’. In E.C.M. van den Brink and T. Levy eds. Egypt and the Levant: Interrelations from the 4th through the Early 3rd Millennium BCE. London–New York. Pp. 464–486.

E. Interpretation of Architectural Remains Apelbaum S. 1988. The Bet Yerah Synagogue, Its Character and Date. In A. Openheimer, A. Kasher, and U. Rappaport eds. Ancient Synagogues—Collected Studies. Jerusalem. Pp. 181–184 (Hebrew). Avi-Yonah M. and Yeivin S. 1957. Kadmoniot Artzeinu. Tel Aviv. Pp. 104–107—the Circles Building; pp. 250–251, 262–264—fortifications (Hebrew). Currid J.D. 1986. The Beehive Buildings of Ancient Palestine. BA 49:20–24. Mazar A. 1986–1989. On the Significance of the “Circles Building” from the Early Bronze III Period at Bet Yerah. Shnaton—An Annual for Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies 10:123–135 (Hebrew). Mazar A. 2001. On the Significance of the Early Bronze III Granary Building at Beit Yerah. In S.R. Wolff ed. Studies in the Archaeology of Israel and Neighboring Lands in Memory of Douglas L. Esse (SAOC 59/ASOR Books 5). Chicago–Atlanta. Pp. 447–463. Reich R. 1993. The Bet Yerah ‘Synagogue’ Reconsidered. ‘Atiqot 22:137–144. Tepper Y. 1999. A Basilica at Beth Yerah? Beth Yerah Revisited. Tel Aviv 26:271–282. Whitcomb D. 2002. Khirbet al-Karak Identified with Sinnabra. Al-‘Usur Al-Wusta. The Bulletin of Middle East Medievalists 14:1–6.

F. Publications of the Tel Bet Yerah Research and Publication Project Greenberg R. Forthcoming. Life In the City: Tel Bet Yerah in the Early Bronze Age. In M. Chesson ed. Rast/Schaub Festschrift. Greenberg R. Forthcoming. Transcaucasian Colors: Khirbet Kerak Ware at Khirbet Kerak (Tel Bet Yerah). In B. Lyonnet ed. Les cultures anciennes des pays du Caucase (6ème–3ème millénaire). Paris. Greenberg R. and Eisenberg E. 2002. Egypt, Bet Yerah and Early Canaanite Urbanization. In E.C.M. van den Brink and T.E. Levy eds. Egypt and the Levant: Interrelations from the 4th through the Early 3rd Millennium B.C.E. London–New York. Pp. 213–222. Greenberg R. and Paz S. 2004. An EB IA–EB III Stratigraphic Sequence from the 1946 Excavations at Tel Beth Yerah. IEJ 54:1–23. Greenberg R. and Paz Y. 2005. The Early Bronze Age Fortifications of Tel Bet Yerah. Levant 37:81–103.

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G. Varia Ben-Arieh Y. 1965. Fluctuation in the Level of Lake Tiberias. IEJ 15:160–168. Ben-Arieh Y. 1965. The Shift of the Outlet of the Jordan at the Southern Shore of Lake Tiberias. PEQ 97:54–65. Gal Y. 2001. Exposure of Islands and Ancient Structures in the Sea of Galilee. Agamit—Bulletin of the Kinneret Administration 148:4, 8 (Hebrew).

HA 1971. A Tomb at Deganya A. HA 38:7–8. Kochavi M. 1973. A Built Shaft Grave of the MB I Period at Deganiyah A. Qadmoniot 6:50–53 (Hebrew). Nadel D. 1993. Submerged Archaeological Sites on the Shores of Lake Kinneret. ‘Atiqot 22:1–12. Nun M. 1987. Ancient Anchorages and Ports in the Kinneret. Jerusalem. P. 19 (Hebrew). Seligman J. and Yogev O. 1993. An Early Bronze Age IV Built Tomb at Deganya A. ‘Atiqot 22:71–75.

CHAPTER 2

AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945 SARIT PAZ

INTRODUCTION The first season of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society excavations, headed by B. Maisler (Mazar) and M. Stekelis, took place between December 15, 1944 and May 29, 1945. Staff members included P. BarAdon and I. Dunayevsky (surveyor). This was a salvage excavation, conducted in advance of the construction of the agricultural school in the southern part of the mound. In accordance with the requirements of the Department of Antiquities (Dept. of Antiquities file ATQ/445), a stratigraphic trench, 7 m wide by 100 m long, was to be excavated perpendicularly to the edge of the mound, and virgin soil was to be reached at several locations within the trench. These objectives were largely achieved. The season, designated by the excavators as KI, yielded the remains of several Early Bronze Age strata and fortification systems, as well as buildings of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Additional soundings to virgin soil requested by the Department of Antiquities were carried out in late 1945 (ATQ/100/6). These were designated as season KIIa. Location and Nature of the Area, and Method of Excavation The area chosen for excavation began at the ridge extending along the southern flank of the mound and ran north-northeast toward the lakeshore, within the grounds of the projected school. After establishing a general grid of 20 × 20 m squares (numbered Z45–48, AA45–48; see Plan 2.2), two rows of twenty 5 × 5 m squares were plotted, somewhat obliquely to the general grid, and numbered consecutively, the western row from 1 to 20 and the eastern row from 21 to 40 (Plans 2.1, 2.2). As the breadth required was only 7 m, few squares were excavated to their full width; in most cases excavation was confined to the middle part of adjoining pairs. With the discovery of substantial architectural remains of the Hellenistic period, parts of

Plan 2.1. Location map; note grid orientation.

the trench were expanded, resulting in a total excavated area of 1600 sq m. Towards the end of the season the expedition excavated some deep soundings, with the intention of examining the entire Early Bronze Age sequence down to virgin soil. These deep soundings were placed at intervals, as follows: I.

II.

III. IV. V. VI. VII.

Squares 2/22, 3/23, and part of 4/24, between the stone city wall and the Hellenistic building to the north. Squares 29, 10/30, 11/31, north of the Hellenistic building and up to W4479 of the EB III complex. Squares 12/32. Squares 14/34. Squares 15/35. Squares 16/36. Squares 18/38.

Deep Soundings III–VII are small east–west trenches documented only in schematic section drawings. The only useful information from these section drawings

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SARIT PAZ

2. Fieldwork was not rigorously methodic; for example, balks were not straightened or recorded as the work progressed, nor was the provenance of many finds noted. 3. Either lack of experience or lack of method made the discovery of mudbrick architecture a hit-or-miss affair. Often, walls were recognized only after the fact, in section. Therefore, some strata that were recorded as accumulations with no architectural remains actually contain architecture. In many cases, the mudbrick structures were damaged. Documentation The following documentation for Area MS has been found: a. Schematic section drawings of the deep soundings and sketches of some of the architectural remains. b. A large album of photographs. c. Preliminary reports, published in Hebrew and English. d. A color-coded version of the published plan of the excavation. e. A division list, noting the finds from the JPES excavations delivered to the Department of Antiquities after the second season in 1946. f. Pottery sherds carrying details regarding their provenance written in pencil. Unfortunately, a register of finds, the existence of which was noted in the ATQ files, has not surfaced, neither was any field diary of the season recovered. As a result, only a handful of finds with KI registration numbers can be attributed to specific excavation loci. Relation to Later Excavations Plan 2.2. Published plan, with Hellenistic levels, EB III structures, and city wall (after Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: Fig. 1).

concerns the relative elevations of the surface and the virgin soil at different points along the excavated area. Soundings I and II were excavated at a larger scale, and the finds were better recorded. The following description is therefore limited to these two soundings alone. A number of objective and methodological deficiencies characterize the JPES excavation in Area MS: 1. A small archaeological staff supervised the work of a large crew.

Following the excavation, the entire trench was backfilled and released for construction. In 1981, however, the planning of an air-raid shelter in the school area called for another excavation. This excavation, conducted by Eisenberg (1981–1982) and Yogev (1985–1986), was unwittingly located astride the 1944 trench (the excavators identified the irregular backfilled pit, Sqs 9/29–11/31 of the 1944 trench, as a massive late disturbance). By establishing the precise relation between the 1944–1945 excavation and those of the 1980s, we have been able to fill some of the gaps in the stratigraphy of the JPES excavation, allowing for a better understanding of its chronology and cultural sequence.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

In addition, Bar-Adon’s excavation of the fortification systems in 1952–1953 joined the segment cleared in 1944–1945, allowing for a better understanding of the earlier finds (and providing absolute elevations, absent in the earlier excavation). The excavators provided numbers for most of the walls excavated, but did not label architectural units or loci. In the following discussion, the original wall numbers are retained in Sounding I, whereas in Sounding II, the prefix ‘44’ is added, in order to differentiate the Area MS walls from those excavated in the contiguous Area EY. All the locus numbers (prefixed by ‘MS’) have been arbitrarily assigned by us.

SOUNDING I, SQUARES 2/22–4/24 This sounding is one of the very few excavated places on the mound where the relation between the city walls and the occupation strata, as well as the relation between the different city walls themselves, can be studied. Sounding I (Plan 2.2, general grid Sq AA48) was documented by the excavators in an unpublished schematic section drawing (Plan 2.3; note vertical distortion, reworked to scale in Plan 2.4). The main architectural features were drawn, along with a number of artifacts, most of which could be identified in the pottery trays. A very partial schematic plan of the upper strata contains details that are missing from the published plan (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: Fig.1; see Plan 2.2), and a number of photographs add some important details. The data, although deficient, allow a general understanding of the stratigraphy in this part of the excavation. The Excavation: Overview The sounding was made in a small area, about 7 × 11 m in size. Initially extending from the stone city wall to the southernmost Hellenistic structure, the sounding was terraced and became narrower as it went deeper, culminating in a small pit about 3 m north of the city wall and 7 m below surface. The uppermost features identified by the excavators were the stone city wall (Fortification C, see Chapter 6) and an unconnected late feature about 10 m north of the wall. The wall was apparently set into massive mudbrick construction.1 Several floors with complete vessels and pottery for restoration were related to this

19

mudbrick construction; however, the excavators did not pinpoint the interface between the different features, leaving room for various interpretations. The excavators continued north of the mudbrick construction, revealing an accumulation of material with no architectural remains that appears to be earlier than the mudbrick block. Regarding the deepest 1–1.5 m of the excavation, after comparison to some nearby excavated points where virgin soil was reached by this and later expeditions, it would appear that it was composed for the most part of the sterile Lisan marl that comprises the natural soil underlying the mound. The section drawing (Plan 2.3) also implies that virgin soil was reached at 5.8–6.0 m below surface (-204.00– -204.20 m). In all, using the documentation detailed above and with the hindsight provided by later excavations, eleven stratigraphic phases could be reconstructed in this sounding (Table 2.1), the earliest ascribed to our Bet Yerah Period B (EB IB) and the latest to Bet Yerah Period J (Roman). They are described below, from earliest to latest, followed by a brief discussion of the pottery that could be associated with them. Stratigraphy and Architecture Local Phase 11 (Plan 2.4) At about -202.70– -203.00 m there is an occupation level, possibly containing mudbrick construction (MS 142). It can be identified in the center of the sounding, appearing as a light-colored layer in the eastern balk (its top marked with two stakes, see Fig. 2.1). The pit (MS 141), reported by the excavators in Sq 3/23 (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:167), belongs to this stratum, which corresponds to Phase 11 in Area EY and to Phase 15 in Area BS. The few pottery sherds that could be ascribed to this layer are of Period B (EB IB). A fragment of a small animal figurine made of dark gray clay and decorated with straw impressions belongs to this phase as well (see Volume II). Local Phase 10 Topping the mudbrick material, at about -202.70 m, there is an ash layer, followed by an accumulation of dark soil (MS 143) about 0.9 m thick (Plan 2.4). Visible in the southern and eastern balks (Fig. 2.1), the accumulation seems to consist of successive deposits of ash and brick material. MS 144 represents a mudbrickmaterial deposit that would indicate architectural

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SARIT PAZ

Plan 2.3. Sounding I near the city wall—north–south cross section, as drawn by the excavators (based on sketches).

Plan 2.4. Sounding I near the city wall—the north–south cross section, drawn to scale, representing elements from all parts of the sounding.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

21

Fig. 2.1. Sounding I near the city wall, looking east.

remains not recorded by the excavators. The pottery associated with this stage also belongs to Period B. Local Phase 9 A layer of light brown soil with remains of mudbrick material (elevation -201.70– -201.60 m), associated with a pit about 0.5 m deep, can be observed in the middle of the eastern balk above the northern stake (MS 145; see Plan 2.4, Fig. 2.1). The pit, containing what appears to be ash and decayed mudbrick, is clearly sealed by the mudbrick architecture of Phase 8.

Local Phase 8 This, the first EB II stratum in this area, is marked by mudbrick architecture and the presence of the mudbrick fortification system (Wall A; Plan 2.4, at left). Mudbrick walls, W157, W158, and W159, 0.2–0.5 m high, were identified with bases at an elevation of approximately -201.60 m (Plans 2.3, 2.4; Fig. 2.2). They may be related to an occupation level with pottery recorded at a similar elevation. Mudbricks visible in the eastern balk (Fig. 2.1) suggest that a number of

Table 2.1. The Stratigraphic Sequence in Sounding I Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

Archaeological Period

Main Features

1

J

Roman

Scattered pottery sherds

2

H

Hellenistic

Scattered remains, south of the buildings

EB III (late)

Construction of City Wall C; W58, W59

EB III (early)

Occupation level; no identified floors; corresponds with City Wall B

5

EB II (late)

Mudbrick architecture; floor with pottery in situ at -200.40 m

6

EB II

Architecture of mudbrick on stone foundations

3 4

7

D

C

EB II

Architecture of mudbrick on stone foundations at -201.40 m

8

EB II (early)

Construction of mudbrick City Wall A; mudbrick architecture

9

EB IB

Accumulation with mudbrick material at -201.70– -201.60 m

EB IB

Dark soil accumulation at -202.70– -201.90 m; layers of ash and mudbrick material

EB IB

Pit MS 141; mudbrick material? -202.70– -203.00 m

10 11

B

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W59

W110 W158

Fig. 2.2. Walls of Local Phases 8–7: mudbrick W157 perpendicular to the northern balk and W158. Stone W110 lies above W158. At rear—W59 (Period D). Looking north.

walls not recorded in the plans or section drawing were dug away. The excavators noted that some adjoining bricks appeared to have matched indentations and projections (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:168). Eisenberg also noted this phenomenon in Area EY (see Chapter 8). The Mudbrick City Wall (Wall A). The identification of Wall A in this area was problematic. At first, the excavators defined a narrow brick wall (W112) at the southern edge of their trench (see Plan 2.3). Later, they viewed this wall as the northern face of a large mass of mudbricks extending beneath the stone city wall (Wall C; Plan 2.2). Indeed, it is evident from the photographs (Figs. 2.1, 2.3) that the 1944 trench cut into massive mudbrick construction that must be construed as part of the city wall. Evidently, the inner face of the wall was not identified correctly. With floor levels of late EB II strata stopping short of ‘W112’(see Local Phase 5, below), and the lack of architectural finds immediately adjacent to the mudbrick block (Wall A), we suggest that Wall A was thicker and extended perhaps one meter further to the north than indicated on the published plan. The excavators dug into Wall A, and ‘created’ W112 and W112a (a small brick partition perpendicular to the former), as can be seen in Fig. 2.4.

According to the excavators’ section drawing, the bottom of the mudbrick city wall, which was preserved to a height of about 2.20 m, lies at an elevation of -201.60 m, that is, at the same level as the foundations of the mudbrick walls of Local Phase 8 (see W112 in Plan 2.3). But, while the sections in the area north of Wall A show a clear change in the color of the deposits below this level (Fig. 2.1), the case of Wall A itself (Fig. 2.5) is not so clear, and we cannot rule out the possibility that its base may have been deeper. In other parts of the fortification system the foundations of Wall A are quite deep and set directly on the natural soil (see Chapter 6). However, as various

Late addition (Wall B or C)

City Wall A

Fig. 2.3. The west balk of Sq 2. The block of mudbrick seen in the lower part of the balk belongs to City Wall A. Overlying it is a mudbrick construction attributed Wall B or C.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

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W112

Fig. 2.4. The ‘mudbrick building’ in Sounding I, looking east: Wall 112 (= Wall A), parallel to the stone city wall (Wall C) and the perpendicular ‘wall’ that divides the building into two rooms.

Fig. 2.5. Looking south toward Wall A (W112), and the ‘dividing wall’ of the building. Note dark layer beneath the bricks.

cuts through Wall A have shown that its thickness and sequence of construction can vary, it may be argued that the mudbrick block in Sounding I is a late addition built against the inner face of the wall, and that its foundations are indeed at a higher level than those of the original wall.

Remains of Wall A were recognized under the floor of Tower 4 of the stone City Wall C, about 3 m west of the 1944–1945 trench (see Plan 6.10). This suggests that Wall A might have reached a total breadth of about 12 m in this area.

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It is safe to assume that this section of Wall A was built sometime during the EB II period. However, we cannot establish the relation between the mudbrick block and the occupation layer of Local Phase 8 at the same level. The floor and walls of this stratum might have approached the presumed inner face of the wall, but could also have been cut by it. The pottery attributed to this phase included residual Period B (EB IB) pottery, as well as unmistakable Period C (EB II) forms (see discussion below). Local Phase 7 This phase, termed Beth Yerah III by the excavators, is characterized by the construction of walls with stone foundations (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: 170). Wall 110 (see Fig. 2.2), with foundations at

Fig. 2.6. Jar, Reg. No. KI 4274 (Local Phase 7), in situ.

-201.40 m, and W160 that is perpendicular to it, belong to this phase (see Plans 2.3, 2.4). There was some identifiable Period C pottery from the surroundings of W110 (see below); however jar KI 4274, marked in the original section drawing about 0.6 m north of W110 and photographed in situ (Plan 2.3; Fig. 2.6), could not be located. Local Phase 6 Between -200.70 and -200.40 m a second stratum of buildings with mudbricks on stone foundations was found. Wall 80, W81, and the stone pavement related to W81 (MS 151) belong to this phase (Plans 2.3, 2.4; Fig. 2.7). City Wall A might have still been in use. The pottery of this phase included the metallic jar, KI 4292 (see Plan 2.3), and the painted jar, KI 4291 (Plan 2.3; Figs. 2.8, 2.15:3), both attributed to EB II (see below). Local Phase 5 At -200.40 m, there was a pottery-bearing floor that the excavators indicated as abutting a ‘wall’, W112 (see Plan 2.3; KI 349). The excavators described mudbrick walls and rooms attached to W112. An eastern room (MS 154) was said to contain a large jar (Reg. No. KI 349) with a jug (Reg. No. KI 350) in it, standing on a platform of four stones (see Figs. 2.9, 2.10, 2.16:5, Plan 2.3). A western room (MS 153; Figs. 2.11, 2.12) was described as a storeroom, in which various vessels,

W59

MS 151

W80 W81

Fig. 2.7. Local Phase 6 features: Wall 80, W81 and stone pavement, MS 151. Looking north.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Fig. 2.9. Vessels KI 349–350 in situ. Looking south.

Fig. 2.8. Jar, Reg No. KI 4291 (= Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: Pl. 11:B).

including five large storage jars with handles and a jug, were found (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:170). In the photos showing some of the pottery in situ one can also identify at least three holemouth jars (Fig. 2.11). Unfortunately, the current location of most of these vessels is unknown. In view of our understanding of ‘Wall’ 112 as an arbitrary line within the mass of mudbrick construction representing Wall A, the excavators’ division between an eastern and western room is no longer tenable. The finds described by the excavators appear to belong to the same unit: the jar and the jug of the ‘eastern room’ resting on a stone platform, about 0.3 m high, directly abutting the mudbricks of Wall A, and the large quantities of pottery in the ‘western room’ resting on a floor that ends abruptly about one meter north of ‘Wall’ 112, possibly indicating the original face of Wall A at this point. If this is true, the north face of Wall A would have had, by this time, a rather ragged appearance. In any case, it is safe to assume that these elements comprise part of a mudbrick building—possibly a house—that might have abutted Wall A during its last phase of use. Unfortunately, the excavation has left us

Fig. 2.10. Mug, Reg. No. KI 350.

Fig. 2.11. ‘Western room’, MS 153 (Local Phase 5, Period C), with pottery in situ, looking southwest.

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MS 154

MS 153

Fig. 2.12. MS 153 and MS 154, with Wall C in background, looking southwest.

Fig. 2.13. Vessels from the ‘western room’, after restoration.

with a very imperfect understanding of the plan of this building. The large quantity of in situ vessels on the floors (Fig. 2.13) is consistent with the late Bet Yerah Period C finds in Areas BS and EY (see Chapters 5 and 8), and may be said to characterize the last phase of EB II throughout the southern part of the mound. Local Phase 4 This phase, starting at -200.10 m, had no clear floors or walls, and may be best described as an open occupation level with scattered pottery. By this time Wall A had gone out of use and its inner (northern) face was partly collapsed, creating what was thought by the excavators

to be an inner glacis of the later stone city wall (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:172). It seems that in several cases, the collapsed Wall A was leveled or terraced by the inhabitants of the Local Phase 4. A mass of mudbricks belonging to Wall A is seen adjacent to the eastern end of Wall C, its top level being higher than the Phase 4 occupation (see Fig. 2.1). The bottom level of this stratum lies at the same elevation as that of the bottom of the stone City Wall C. However, as there is clear evidence that Wall C was set into a 0.8 m deep foundation trench, it is not likely that Phase 4 co-existed with Wall C. Rather, it should correspond with City Wall B, an intermediate fortification first identified in the Bar-Adon excavations

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

south of Wall C, along the southern edge of Wall A (see Chapter 6). Artifacts from Phase 4 include Khirbet Kerak Ware (see Fig. 2.17), a fine painted miniature jar (KI 280; Fig. 2.17:2) and at least one clay animal figurine, as noted in the section drawing made by the expedition (Plan 2.3 and see discussion in Volume II). Local Phase 3 In this phase the massive stone city wall (Fortification C) was built, with a 0.8 m deep foundation trench (MS 155) dug into the mudbricks of Wall A (see Plan 2.4; Figs. 2.1, 2.4). It is 4 m wide, its foundations are at -200.10 m, and its top was discovered very close to the surface, at about -198.40 m. In another segment of this fortification, excavated in section about 40 m to the east of the main trench, the excavators noted a foundation trench 0.4 m deep. They attributed the wall to their Stratum IV, i.e., to EB III (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:172–173). In the western balk of the main trench a massive block of mudbrick construction can be seen, set on top of the mudbricks of Wall A (see Fig. 2.3). Apparently identified after the fact by the excavators, this construction is probably represented on the plan by the trapezoidal buttress seen in Plan 2.2 (Sq 2). While the excavators give no indication of the elevation, extent or nature of these bricks, it is evident from the photo (Fig. 2.3) that this block of bricks overlies part of Wall A, and abuts Wall C, reaching almost to its top.2 The relation of this brick construction to Wall C remains uncertain: it may have been built against Wall C, and therefore was functionally connected to it, or it may be a surviving fragment of Wall B, to which Wall C was later attached. The continuation of this mudbrick construction was later partly excavated by Bar-Adon (see Plans 6.7–6.10). At the northern edge of Sounding I lie W58 and W59, which the excavators attributed to the Hellenistic complex of Local Phase 2 (see Plan 2.2). As their foundations are deeper than those of Wall C (-200.20 m) and their orientation differs from that of the Hellenistic building, better suiting that of the EB III city wall, they may well have been originally built in Phase 3. No other EB III remains were discovered between Wall C and W59, leaving a gap of about 12 m between the wall and the closest buildings. This gap is typical of this fortification, as revealed in Bar-Adon’s excavations (see Chapter 6).

27

Local Phases 2 and 1 At 1.8 m below surface (-200.00 m) there is a layer of pebbles (MS 156), over which scattered Hellenistic remains were found. The large Hellenistic complex begins north of this sounding (Plan 2.2, see description later in this chapter). The area to its south might have been an open area at the edge of the Hellenistic occupation. Some Roman-period remains were also exposed at about -199.00 m. The main Roman features were discovered further north in the trench (see below). The Pottery from Sounding I A handful of sherds and vessels could be attributed to various phases in Sounding I by virtue of their notation in the schematic section (Plan 2.3), their appearance in field photos (e.g., Fig. 2.11), or the pencilled inscriptions found on the sherds themselves. Period B (Local Phases 11–9) Figure 2.14 presents artifacts from the lower part of the sounding. They comprise a variety of types, most of which are typical of the late EB I assemblage at Tel Bet Yerah, as displayed in other areas on the mound (see, e.g., Chapters 7, 8). The carinated bowl (Fig. 2.14:1), which may be viewed as the late EB I forerunner of the ‘normative’ platter of EB II, is characterized by its buff clay and the burnished red slip on its exterior only. Holemouth forms include a cooking pot (Fig. 2.14:2), bearing applied and incised decoration typifying Jordan Valley sites (e.g., Leonard 1992: Pl. 9:11–14), and jars with a flat profiled rim, decorated with incisions (Fig. 2.14:3, 4). A nearly complete vessel of this type, with grain-wash decoration, was discovered in the 1981 excavation in Area EY (below, Fig. 8.48:2). The pithoi (Fig. 2.14:5, 6) are variants of the rail-rim pithos with grain-wash decoration, found everywhere at Bet Yerah. Fine ware includes a rim fragment of a large jug (Fig. 2.14:7), red slipped and burnished, with a high loop handle, and several fragments of a slender jug (Fig. 2.14:8), burnished, with red striped decoration, of a type encountered in later excavations on the mound (cf Fig. 8.51:3). Figure 2.14:9 is a fragment of a chalice-shaped incense-burner; it is red slipped, and has soot marks that indicate its function. A mark on the lower part of the vessel indicates the presence of a loop handle.

28

SARIT PAZ

The small jar or teapot (Fig. 2.14:10), made of pinkish-light brown clay and well fired, is covered with a creamy wash, above which a brown-red and black slip and burnish were added. Two parallel incised lines encircle the vessel. Petrographic analysis of this unusual pot indicates that it could have originated in the Jezreel Valley (Y. Goren, pers. comm.).

The Metallic Ware jug–amphoriskos (Fig. 2.15:5) and the everted-rim jug with neck-handle (Fig. 2.15:6) are both diagnostic of EB II and would have been familiar to the excavators from the Kinneret tomb, excavated in 1941 (Mazar, Amiran, and Hass 1973: Fig. 5:1, 17). Figure 2.15:4, most likely furnished with a single small handle, is a type common at Bet Yerah in both EB II and EB III contexts. It resembles the vessels termed ‘cupbowls’ by Amiran (Amiran et al. 1978:45), found often at Arad, but rarely elsewhere. In view of the relatively tall proportions of this class of vessel at Bet Yerah, the term ‘mug’ may better suit the type.

Period C (Local Phases 8–5) Several fragments could be assigned to Local Phase 8: two jug fragments (Fig. 2.15:5, 6), a cup-bowl (Fig. 2.15:4), and a cooking-pot rim (Fig. 2.15:2).

1

2

4

3

6

5

8

7

9 0

10 10

Fig. 2.14. Period B (EB IB) pottery from Sounding I. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 4019

Buff ware, red slip and burnish

2

Cooking pot

KI 4034

Buff ware, large inclusions, brown slip, raised and incised decoration

3

Jar

KI 4046

Buff clay, many black inclusions, red slip, incised decoration

4

Jar

KI 4045

Gray clay, brown slip, incised herringbone decoration

5

Pithos

KI 4159

Brown clay, black inclusions, brown-red slip, incised decoration

6

Pithos

KI 4038

Orange clay, gray core, black inclusions, thin red slip, thumbed decoration

7

Jug

KI 4027

Buff clay, red slip and burnish

8

Jug

KI 4085

Gray clay, stripes of vertical burnish on red slip

9

Incense-burner

KI 4070

White-gray clay, black inclusions, red slip, soot marks

Small jar

KI 4049

Light brown clay, gray core, creamy wash below brown-red to black slip, burnish, incised decoration

10

29

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

The holemouth cooking pot in Fig. 2.15:2 was made of dark brown-gray clay, medium fired. On the vessel there is a most interesting incised design, surely not a mere decoration but part of a meaningful scene. Unfortunately, not enough of the vessel had been preserved to decode the pattern. Two well-preserved vessels could be attributed to Local Phase 6: a bowl and a storage jar. The deep bowl (Fig. 2.15:1) with an inverted rim and a tool-cut concavity was made of buff clay and medium fired. It is red slipped and radially burnished on the inside. The nearly complete store jar (Figs. 2.15:3; 2.8)

is one of the finest vessels ever found at Bet Yerah. It is carefully crafted, with two large loop handles and four vertically perforated lug handles on the shoulder. The latter may have served to fasten a lid to the wide aperture of the jar. The red band decoration is carefully rendered. Figures 2.13 and 2.16 present vessels that could be attributed to the pottery-rich floor of Local Phase 5 (the ‘western room’—MS 153). All the vessels bear clear characteristics of the local pottery workshop identified in subsequent excavations in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah (especially in Area EY, see Chapter 8). The

2

1

0

2

4

6

5 0

3

Fig. 2.15. Period C (EB II) pottery from Sounding I. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 365

Buff clay, red slip, radial burnish

2

Cooking pot

KI

Brown-gray clay, gray core, incised decoration

3

Jar

KI 4291

Light brown-orange clay, many black inclusions, red-painted decoration

4

Mug

KI 4002

Light brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

5

Jug-amphoriskos

KI

Dark gray clay, many white inclusions, wheelmade, burnish, NCMW

6

Jug

KI 4073

Buff ware, small black inclusions, red slip and burnish

10

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SARIT PAZ

1

2

4

3

5

6 0

10

Fig. 2.16. Period C pottery from Local Phase 5 floor in Sounding I.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

31

◄ Fig. 2.16 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Vat

KI 351

Orange-gray clay, many small black and white inclusions, red slip

2

Vat

KI 395

Orange-gray clay, many small black and white inclusions, red slip

3

Jar

KI 337

Light brown clay, many small black inclusions, red slip

4

Jar

KI 334

Light brown clay, many small black inclusions, red slip

5

Mug

KI 350

Light brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

6

Amphoriskos

KI345

Light brown clay, black and white inclusions, red slip

Period D (Local Phases 4–3) Only four vessels could be attributed to Local Phases 4–3 in the sounding near the city wall. They include the rim of a pithos (Fig. 2.17:1), a large coarse vessel, poorly fired, with a red slip; a miniature jar (Fig. 2.17:2), appearing to be a scaled-down version of the type of wide-mouthed decorated jar illustrated in Fig. 2.8; a mug (Fig. 2.17:3) of the type described above; and a Khirbet Kerak Ware stand (Fig. 2.17:4)—the only one of scores of Khirbet Kerak Ware sherds from Area MS that could be attributed a certain provenance.

entire group is made in the medium-fired, brown to orange fabric with basalt inclusions that typifies this local production in EB II and EB III. The absence of Khirbet Kerak Ware and of pattern-burnished platters allows the group to be ascribed to EB II, though a later date cannot be ruled out. The assemblage includes two large vats or basins (Fig. 2.16:1, 2), a large narrownecked jar (Fig. 2.16:3), a small wide-mouthed jar (Fig. 2.16:4) and a large amphoriskos (Fig. 2.16:6). The mug (Fig. 2.16:5) was found inside the lower part of a broken storage jar (see Figs. 2.9, 2.10). It is a somewhat taller version of the cup-bowl/mug described above, and is common in both EB II and EB III at Tel Bet Yerah (e.g., this volume, Figs. 8.74:1; 8.75:8; 8.91:11; 8.96:11).

1

3

0

2

10

4

Fig. 2.17. Period D (EB III) pottery from Sounding I. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Pithos

KI 5854

Orange clay, buff ware, many black inclusions, red slip

2

Miniature jar

KI 280

Light brown clay, many small white inclusions, red slip and red-painted decoration

3

Mug

KI 4295

Light brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

4

Stand

KI 314

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

32

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SOUNDING II (SQUARES 10/30–11/31) AND THE NORTHERN PART OF THE TRENCH The second documented location in which virgin soil was reached was Sounding II in Sqs 10/30–11/31, between the large Hellenistic building to the south and the EB III complex to the north. Further to the north there were EB III buildings that appear in the schematic plan published in the preliminary report (see Plan 2.2). Sounding II was documented in a schematic section drawing and in sketches of some of the walls and floors; a detailed plan of the northern structures was found as well. There are numerous photographs of this area. A small amount of pottery was found and identified. The Excavation: Overview Before initiating the sounding, the excavators revealed the late-period remains—a purportedly Roman enclosure and, still quite close to the surface, the extensive architecture of the Hellenistic period—in Sqs Z–AA46–47 of the general grid (see Plan 2.2). Subsequently, excavation was extended northwards, from Sq 29 onward. For the most part, this excavation consisted of continuous exposure of EB III houses (Sqs 11/31–17/37), followed by Sounding II in Sqs 10/30– 11/31. The borders of Sounding II were the Hellenistic W4432 to the south and Early Bronze Age W44106 to the north (Plan 2.5; Fig. 2.18).

The excavators claimed to have identified four different EB III building stages in the sounding (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:171), but did not specify their nature and characteristics. Beneath the EB III levels were a house and a courtyard, clearly presenting at least two distinct building stages, both dated to EB II (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:170). At the bottom of the sounding two pits and a pebble pavement were ascribed to the first Early Bronze occupation at the site. In 1981–1986, excavations conducted by Eisenberg and Yogev in Area EY re-exposed the Hellenistic building, as well as the area surrounding Sounding II. Having no knowledge of the earlier excavations at this point, Eisenberg and Yogev identified the back-fill of this sounding as a late disturbance to the Early Bronze Age strata, possibly of the Roman period. Using more advanced and deliberate excavation techniques, the later excavations identified several phases missed in the 1944 excavation. In the present report, the hindsight gained in the Area EY excavations has been used to fill the gaps in the 1944 sequence (Plan 2.5; Table 2.2).3 Stratigraphy and Architecture Local Phase 11 (Plan 2.6; Fig. 2.19) The earliest phase of settlement in this part of the mound was established on the natural Lisan marl, at about -201.80 m. The occupation consisted of two pits

W4432

W44161

W44106

Fig. 2.18. General view of Sounding II, at the end of the excavation. Looking southeast.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

33

Table 2.2. The Stratigraphic Sequence in Sounding II (after correlation with Area EY) Local Phase*

Bet Yerah Period

Archaeological Period

Main Features

1

J

Roman

Buildings (military camp?)

2A–B

H

Hellenistic

Orthogonal structures

Two phases

EB III (final)

W44130, complex of houses and streets to north.

KKW in rooms and under walls; several construction phases

EB III

W44102–W44103; two phases of construction to north

Floors at -199.90/-200.10 m

EB III (late)

W44106 and complex + floor to the north

Floors at about -200.20 m

6A–B

EB III (early)

W44119

Mudbrick architecture not identified by excavators, but seen in balk

7

EB II (late)

W44120 and pavement

Floor at -200.60– -200.70 m and pottery in situ in the collapse

EB II

W44120

EB II (early)

House and courtyard (W44122–44127, 44126, pavement)

First EB II phase. Floors at -201.20/-201.30 m

EB IB

Mudbrick architecture and drain channel

Not identified by excavators as a separate phase

EB IB

Pits and pavements

-202.50– -202.80 m

3

D/E

4A–B 5

8

D

C

9A–B 10 11

B

Remarks and Elevations

* ‘Local Phases’ in Sounding II are equivalent to ‘Local Strata’ in Area EY

(MS 138, MS 139) dug into the virgin soil, as well as pavements of small stones and pottery sherds on the surface around the pits (MS 140). The depth of the pits was 0.22–0.26 m, and their diameter, 1.1 m (MS 139) to 2 m (MS 138). Some of the pits contained thin layers of soil and ashes or organic material, mixed with potsherds, broken and burnt animal bones, and possibly mudbrick debris, implying the existence of mudbrick architecture nearby. Local Phase 10 (Plan 2.7) The excavators described this phase as an accumulation of about 1.1 m. No architecture was noted, with the exception of a well-built stone drainage channel MS 136 (Figs. 2.19, 2.20), which they related to the next stratum. The channel is 0.16 m deep and 0.5 m wide. The Eisenberg–Yogev excavations allowed us to identify this phase as part of Local Phase 10 (late Period B), characterized by mudbrick architecture, rather than a mere accumulation of soil with pottery sherds. The drain runs neatly beneath W55 of the later excavations, belonging to Building EY 473 (see Plan 8.5). A similar Period B installation was excavated by Bar-Adon in Area BS (see Plan 5.3: BS 007). Local Phase 9 (Plan 2.8; Fig. 2.21) A corner of two walls, W44122 and W44127, was uncovered. The walls were built of stone foundations with a mudbrick superstructure. The mudbricks, though

preserved in situ on top of the stone foundation of W44127, were identified by the excavators as a layer of soil. The corner of these two walls forms part of a large hall, the rest of which was discovered in the Area EY excavations (see Plans 8.6, 8.7). A flat stone found near the corner served as a column base—the easternmost in a row of column bases discovered in the later excavation. The floor elevation is at about -201.25 m. In the corner of W44122 and W44127 a stone mortar was embedded into the floor and some pottery sherds were found nearby (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:168). Unfortunately, there is no way to identify the mentioned pottery. It is also difficult to determine which of the two phases later identified in this structure by Eisenberg (Chapter 8, Local Stratum 9) was the one described by the JPES expedition. The external walls of the building were in use in both phases. North of the house, W44126 runs parallel to W44127. A stone slab (elevation -201.21 m) located between them was perhaps a displaced column base. A pavement formed by a number of rather large worked stones (MS 134) abuts W44126 on the south (-201.24 m). The excavators thought this area, bounded between W44127 and W44126, to be a courtyard. They indicated an ash layer with burnt bones and many potsherds on this pavement, of which only a handful have been identified. This space might have been related to the mudbrick ‘installation’ (EY 480B) uncovered in Area EY, Local Phase 9A.

34

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Plan 2.5. Cross section (north–south) in Sounding II—schematic interpretation, based on a sketch by the excavators.

Plan 2.6. Sounding II, Local Phase 11 (Period B).

Plan 2.7. Sounding II, Local Phase 10 (Period B).

Plan 2.8. Sounding II, Local Phases 9A–B (Period C)

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Fig. 2.19. Local Phase 11 pits (MS 138, MS 139) and pavement (MS 140) at the bottom of Sounding II; looking northeast. To left—the Phase 10 drain (MS 136).

Fig. 2.20. Phase 10 drain (MS 136), looking west.

Fig. 2.21. Local Phases 9A–B architecture: corner of W44122 and W44127. To right, W44126 and stone pavement MS 134. Looking northwest.

35

36

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Local Phases 8–7 (Plan 2.9) The builders of Phase 8 razed part of the mudbrick superstructure of the former building and built new walls on top of the old ones. Wall 44120 was built atop W44127, creating a cumulative sandwich effect (Fig.

Plan 2.9. Sounding II, Local Phases 8–7 (Period C).

2.22) misinterpreted by the excavators as a deliberate building technique (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:170). Unable to identify mudbrick architecture, the 1944 expedition noted only the stone foundation of W44120 (continued by Area EY W38), whereas the mudbrick wall atop W44122 (continued by EY W36) remained undetected. North of W44120 there is a pavement of small stones (-200.60 m), which continues the paved area of Eisenberg–Yogev’s EY 452. The pavement was probably part of a courtyard. In the eastern balk of the sounding, photographs clearly show a wall built of mudbricks on a stone foundation (see Fig. 2.18). This wall (W44161) may have collapsed with part of the balk sometime after the excavation, as it was not identified in the later excavations. However, it continues the line and orientation of EY W87, and creates a corner with W93, thus completing the plan of the building discovered in Area EY to the east (see Chapter 8). Local Phases 6A–B (Plan 2.10) No mudbrick architecture was identified by the 1944 expedition at the elevations corresponding Stratum 6A of the Area EY excavation. It can, however, be seen in the area of the deep sounding as an accumulation of soil and probably mudbrick material, with pottery sherds (see section drawing, Plan 2.5).

Fig. 2.22. Wall 44120 (Phases 8–7) atop mudbrick superstructure of W44127, creating characteristic stratigraphic sandwich. To left, W44122 (Phase 9). Note displaced Phase 9 pillar-base(?) in corner. Looking southwest.

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37

Plan 2.11. General plan of Local Phase 5 (Period D).

Plan 2.10. General plan of Local Phases 6A–B (Period D).

At the western end of the sounding, in Sq 11, there is a stone wall (W44119), oriented north–south; this wall was fully excavated in the Area EY excavations as W33 (elevation -200.36– -200.50 m). No other architectural remains can be attributed with certainty to this phase, which is one of the major strata recorded in the Eisenberg–Yogev excavations. Local Phase 5 (Plan 2.11) This seems to have been an interim phase between the two major construction phases, 6 and 4. Wall

44106 (-200.17– -200.38 m) and W44105, W44104, and W44107 apparently form part of a building (Fig. 2.23). Northeast of W44105 there is a patch of paving (MS 125) composed of pebbles and pottery sherds at -200.20 m (Fig. 2.24). This type of paving is typical of streets and courtyards at Tel Bet Yerah. These features are different in character and orientation from the former and later strata that seal it. They are at a different elevation and do not relate to the walls of the former stratum. Therefore, though only this small patch of occupation was found, it clearly forms a separate phase. Local Phase 4A (Plan 2.12) This phase represents a major rebuilding in the southern part of the mound. It is characterized by stone foundations and floors that were raised 0.2–0.3 m above those of Phase 5. The floor levels of Phase 4 are at about -199.80– -200.00 m.

Fig. 2.24. Phase 5 paving, MS 125, looking northwest. Fig. 2.23. Wall 44104 (center), W44105 (upper right), and W44107 (left) of Local Phase 5, looking southwest.

38

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Fig. 2.25. Wall 44121 of Local Phase 4. Note stone mortar near its southern end, and pavement MS 124 approaching it. Looking south.

Plan 2.12. General plan of Local Phase 4A (Period D).

The corner formed by stone walls W44102 and W44103 in Sq 30 (Plan 2.5) comprises part of a building later excavated further to the east (EY 534; Plan 2.12). Two parallel walls, W44119* (-200.00– -200.18 m) and W44121, were built on top of the pavement of Phase 5 (Figs. 2.24, 2.25). The orientation of these walls is different from that of the former stratum, and they appear to line up comfortably with W74 and W72, belonging to Stratum 4 in Area EY. Near the south end of W44121 there is a stone mortar (Fig. 2.25)—its base at -200.12 m—embedded in a second phase of the pebble and potsherd pavement (MS 124) and surrounded with stones.

Fig. 2.26. Wall 44115 of Local Phase 4A. At rear, W44101 (Local Phase 4B) sealing W44118. Looking south.

Further to the north (Sqs 14/34–15/35) a series of stone walls, W44118, W44115, and W44116, were found. These were photographed (Fig. 2.26) and documented in a section drawing, but were not entered in any plan; therefore their location and measurements can only be approximated. Their foundations are at about -200.15 m. Local Phase 4B (Plan 2.13) The dense stratigraphy continues, with evidence of new structures built 0.1–0.3 m above those of the previous

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Plan 2.13. General plan of Local Phase 4B (Period D).

stratum. These include, in Sqs 12/32–13/33, a building oriented north–south (W4494 and W4494a), of which portions of two rooms were excavated. The southern room (MS 122) is partly paved (MS 122a, elevation -199.94 m). A mudbrick dividing wall (W44155) separates it from Room MS 121 (see Fig. 2.27). The T-shaped corner of W44101 and W44108 is part of another building to the north (MS 120), its floor at about -199.64 m. A stone mortar with top level of -199.7 m is probably related to that building. The open area (MS 123) between the two buildings was possibly an alleyway. Local Phase 3 (Plans 2.2 and 2.14) This phase marks a radical shift in the overall plan of this part of the mound. The shift is marked by a slight rotation towards the east in the axis of construction, creating a north-northeast orientation. The area is well planned; the buildings are mostly large houses with inner divisions, and they have open areas and alleys between them. Notably, the plan of the area is nearly perfectly aligned with the stone city wall (Wall C) excavated in Sounding I (see Plan 2.2). Over the span of their existence, the buildings of this phase went through several changes: additional walls and units were built and floor levels were elevated in

39

some places; the plan of the houses gradually became more and more crowded; some alleyways were blocked, and new units were constructed in the open areas between the houses. There is no way to determine the precise sequence of these changes, and it seems to have been a gradual process. Therefore, though it is possible to point out some of the later additions, one cannot accurately distinguish specific stages. Within the houses themselves, there is a very clear functional division, with features and characteristics that suggest different areas of domestic activities. MS 035 is the most complete structure. Its dimensions are approximately 7 × 8 m—similar in size to other Period D houses at Tel Bet Yerah—and it had two main phases: in the first, its enclosing wall to the south was W4479a, later replaced by W4479, and the enclosing wall to the east was W8663, later replaced by W4476. Wall 4474 to the west existed in both phases. The northern wall, W4475, approaches W4474 but is not bonded to it. The bottom level of W4475’s foundation is at -199.25 m, while the foundation of W4474 is at -199.40 m. Therefore, the former might belong to the second phase of the building. The wall was built with a bench-like buttressing wall on its northern face (Fig. 2.27). Some fragments of mudbrick dividing walls (W44153, W44154) were found inside Building MS 035. These are probably the ‘rounded mudbricks wall’ and the ‘bench’ mentioned in the preliminary report (Maisler, Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1952:171). The excavators did not identify any other dividing walls. The corner of W4474 and W4473 suggests another unit or building that stood to the west (MS 116). To the north there are portions of several dwelling units. The open area between parallel walls W4473 and W4471 might have been an east–west alleyway, later blocked by a wall (W4472) that created an open space or courtyard MS 115 (Sq 14) between the already existing buildings. This presumed alley met the north– south alley, MS 112. Along the western side of the latter ran a stone wall, W4409. Installation MS 113 was built against the outer face of W4409 as a continuation of the late wall, W4472. At some point, as additional structures were built in the northern part of the trench (see description below), Alley MS 112 was blocked by W4482 (Sq 36), creating new units: MS 102 to its north and MS 103 to its south. Wall 4409 served as the outer eastern wall of a house divided into three spaces. The entrance to the house was through a well-built threshold in W4409 (Fig.

40

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Fig. 2.27. Wall 4475 (Local Phase 3) with the bench-like support along its outer face, looking east. At rear, corner with W4476. At center right, W4494 and part of mudbrick partition W44155 of Phase 4B.

2.28), with its door socket in place to the right of the entrance (Fig. 2.29), leading to Room MS 027 (Sqs 15–16), 2 × 2 m in size. Changes and additions in Room MS 027 include a semicircular stone wall that divided the room into different activity areas, creating MS 105 in the northwest corner of the room (Fig. 2.30). A stone mortar surrounded by small stones was embedded in

the floor at the center of MS 105. To the west, W4470 (in Sq 16) created the additional unit, MS 106. The very large flat stone on its floor suggests a special function. Units MS 028 and MS 114 were approached from Room MS 027, MS 114 being the innermost room of the house. The northeast corner of Room MS 028 was paved with stones (MS 107), and it might have served

W4470

W4409

MS 112

Fig. 2.28. Threshold in W4409 (Local Phase 3), looking west.

Fig. 2.29. Door socket in Room MS 027, with the flat incised stone next to it, and threshold to left. Looking south.

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Plan 2.14. General plan of Local Phase 3 (Period D [and E?]).

41

42

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Fig. 2.30. MS 105 in Room MS 027 of Local Phase 3, looking east. Note the semicircular wall and the stone mortar in the center.

Fig. 2.31. Last phase of Room MS 030 in Local Phase 3, looking south. Note stone pavement and stone mortar embedded in the floor.

as a courtyard for open-air activities within the house compound. An opening in W4415 led to the southern room, MS 114 (Sq 14). North of MS 027 are some crowded building units. Little can be said of MS 033 (west of Sq 17); its solid construction and well-built doorway in W4449 indicate

that it belongs to the original Phase 3 construction. Rooms MS 030 and MS 031 (Sq 16–17) were also solidly built. The northern half of MS 030 was paved with stones and a stone mortar surrounded with small stones was embedded in its floor (Fig. 2.31). The open area near the outer corner of Room MS 031 (Sq 17) was

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

43

Fig. 2.32. The corner of Local Phase 3 W4421 and W4422, looking south. Note the addition of slab linings to both walls.

paved with flagstones (MS 100) and might have served as an open-air activity area or courtyard. MS 030 and 031 both appear to have been truncated by W4468 (Sq 16/36); the latter, built against W4409, blocked the open area or possible alley bordered by MS 027, MS 033, and MS 030. Together with W4421 and W4422 two new units were formed: MS 029, with installation MS 104 in its eastern part, and MS 032. Wall 4421 and W4422 were built like W4475, with a superfluous lining of stones forming a ‘bench’ (Fig. 2.32). East of Alley MS 112 (in Sqs 34–35) fragmentary walls formed parts of more dwelling units: MS 108 was probably entered from an open area, MS 111, to the south, through W4403, and next to it were the adjacent units MS 109 and MS 110, only small parts of which were excavated. Local Phases 2–1 (see Plan 2.2) Above the Early Bronze Age strata, two main phases of later periods were discovered: Hellenistic and Roman. The Hellenistic phase consists of the two massive complexes that bordered the Early Bronze Age remains excavated during this season. Judging by the results in Area EY, the absence of Hellenistic construction above Sounding II contributed to the preservation of the latest

Early Bronze Age remains there. Elsewhere, Hellenistic construction severely damaged the uppermost Early Bronze Age strata. Two clear Hellenistic building stages, expressed in the doubling of walls and the raising of floor levels, were distinguished by the excavators (Maisler and Stekelis 1945:80–81).There were substantial finds in these structures, well-deserving of a separate study. Most interesting is the consistent arbitrary orientation of the Hellenistic plan in Area MS (as well as in Area BS; see Chapter 5) in relation to the stone fortification wall (Wall C). This gives a strong indication that they are not of the same period.4 The fragmentary Hellenistic remains in the northern part of the mound (see Chapter 3, Area SA, and Chapter 4, Area GB) follow the same orientation, indicating a well-organized plan for the entire Hellenistic settlement at Tel Bet Yerah, probably governed by the line of the scarp overlooking Lake Kinneret. Above the Hellenistic walls lay the remains of a large compound, interpreted by the excavators as a temporary Roman military camp and later attributed to Vespasian (Maisler and Stekelis 1945:81; Bar-Adon 1956:53). Nothing in the material we studied could cast any light on this attribution.

44

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The Pottery from Sounding II The extremely meager yield of provenanced pottery from the sounding and the northern part of the trench is illustrated in Figs. 2.33 and 2.35. Period B (Local Phases 11–10) (Fig. 2.33:1–6) is represented by a red-slipped carinated bowl with ledge handles (cf. Fig. 8.47:5) and a number of red-slipped and line-painted fragments, as well as short-necked jars with grain-wash decoration, all typical of late EB I.

Period C (Local Phases 9–7) is represented by a mug (Fig. 2.33:7) of the type discussed above (cf. Fig. 2.16:5), a non-diagnostic ledge-handled jar (Fig. 2.33:8), a Metallic Ware jar fragment (Fig. 2.33:9) and fragments of a decorated jar. These fragments were later joined to a large body-section of the same jar found in the 1986 excavations. The result—a redon-white painted Metallic Ware jar—is shown in Fig. 2.34. For further discussion see Chapter 8.

3 2

1

4

5

6

9

7

8

0

10

Fig. 2.33. (1–6) Period B (EB IB) and (7–9) Period C (EB II) pottery from Sounding II. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 4042

Gray clay, red slip

2

Jug?

KI 4288

Buff clay, orange-brown slip, burnish

3

Bowl/juglet?

KI 4098

Buff clay, red-painted and combed decoration

4

Jar

KI

Light brown clay, many brown inclusions, red slip

5

Jar

KI 4170

Pink clay, many large inclusions, brown and gray grain-wash

6

Jar

KI 4155

Buff ware, many black inclusions, medium fired, red-decoration painted, incised potter’s mark

7

Mug

KI 4283

Light brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

8

Jar

KI 4081

Pink clay, white lime slip

9

Jar

KI 4016

Red-orange clay, red-brown slip, combed, NCMW

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Period D (Local Phases 6–3) is represented in Fig. 2.35. The assemblage consists mostly of some fine pieces of Khirbet Kerak Ware. The bowls (Fig. 2.35:1–3) belong to the two types that are well known from Bet Yerah and other sites: straight-walled monochrome bowls, with red slip and burnish (Fig. 2.35:1); and sinuous bowls, slipped and burnished in red and black (Fig. 2.35:2, 3). Like the bowls, the kraters (Fig. 2.35:4, 5) fall into two types, one carinated, with a vertical wall, and the other with a sinuous wall. The carinated krater (Fig. 2.35:4) is very well slipped and burnished in orangecream-red-black hues and bears a bossed chevron

Fig. 2.34. The painted EB II jar found in fragments 40 years apart in Areas MS and EY.

1

3

2

4

6

5

7

8

0

45

10

9

Fig. 2.35. Period D (EB III) pottery from Sounding II.

46

SARIT PAZ

◄ Fig. 2.35 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 2071

Gray clay, red burnished KKW.

2

Bowl

KI 4011

Gray clay, red/black burnished KKW, raised decoration

3

Bowl

KI 284

Gray clay, black, brown and red burnished KKW, raised decoration

4

Krater

KI 2098

Gray clay, orange-cream and red-black burnished KKW, plastic decoration

5

Krater

KI 4014

Brownish-gray clay and red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

6

Stand

KI 363

Gray clay, orange and brown burnished KKW, incised decoration

7

Body sherd (jar?)

KI 4009

Pink clay, large black inclusions, red slip, potter’s mark

8

Andiron

KI 4091

Brown-gray clay, black inclusions, combed KKW

9

Andiron

KI 4090

Brown-gray clay, black and gray inclusions, burnished KKW, applied decoration

Fig. 2.36 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 47

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

2

Lamp/bowl

KI 2035

Light brown clay, black inclusions, traces of red slip exterior, soot marks inside rim

3

Jug

KI 48

Brown clay, vertical burnish, wheelmade

4

Platter

KI 4289

Buff clay, many small black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish, repair holes

decoration. The sinuous krater (Fig. 2.35:5) is decorated with small knobs. The stand (Fig. 2.35:6), with an orange-brown slip, bears incised decoration in the typical stick-figure style of Khirbet Kerak Ware. The animals represented appear to be birds. Incised stands of this type were also found during the excavations in Area EY (Fig. 8.95:12). The last two fragments of Khirbet Kerak Ware are of andirons (Fig. 2.35:8, 9). Figure 2.35:8 is a diminutive object, its surface roughly combed. Figure 2.35:9, belonging to a larger, more functional artifact, has on its surviving upright a protrusion intended to represent schematic human features. The only non-Khirbet Kerak Ware sherd with known provenance is a body sherd with an unusual arrowshaped potter’s mark (Fig. 2.35:7). It belongs to a large group of vessels with incised marks that will be discussed in Volume II. Pottery from Area MS, of Unknown Provenance Figure 2.36 presents a number of complete vessels from the 1944 season of excavations in Area MS whose precise origin in unknown. Khirbet Kerak Ware Bowl (Figs. 2.36:1; 2.37). This is a fine, nearly whole specimen of the most common type

of Khirbet Kerak Ware bowl at Tel Bet Yerah—the redslipped burnished straight-sided bowl. Hemispherical Lamp/Bowl (Fig. 2.36:2). Judging by its size, this complete lamp, made of brown clay and bearing soot marks, should be ascribed an EB III date. Jug (Figs. 2.36:3; 2.38). The elegant sinuous-walled jug, made of brownish clay, is close in concept to the common wide-mouthed mug of EB II–III Bet Yerah. However, the superior workmanship and finish of this vessel, with its spaced vertical burnish, sets it apart from the other specimens, which all carry a thin red unburnished slip. Platter (Figs. 2.36:4; 2.39). This oversized platter, with a diameter exceeding 70 cm, is one of the betterpreserved examples of the type found at Bet Yerah. Similar platters—pattern burnished and with vertical rims—are characteristic of EB III contexts at Bet Yerah and other sites in Israel, such as Yarmut (de Miroschedji 2000: Fig. 18.5:15). Noteworthy are the several mending holes that were drilled in the platter after it was damaged. Most of them are concentrated along the break in the center of the vessel. This implies the great value of platters of this size.

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1 2

3

4 0

10

Fig. 2.36. Periods C–D pottery of unknown provenance, 1944–1945 season.

Fig. 2.37. Khirbet Kerak Ware small bowl, Reg. No. KI 47.

Fig. 2.38. Jug, Reg. No. KI 48.

47

48

SARIT PAZ

Corrugated-Rim Pithos (Fig. 2.40). This most interesting and rare example from Bet Yerah was made of buff ware with large basalt inclusions; it was very poorly fired and decorated with red grain-wash. The only way to distinguish between pithoi of this type and the usual EB I ‘grain wash’ pithos is by the corrugated rim. First identified by the excavators of Kh. EzZeraqun (Genz 2000), the chronology and distribution of the corrugated-rim pithos have been discussed by Y. Paz (2002a), who suggested an EB III date for the type. At Bet Yerah, however, the chronology remains uncertain, as examples of the jar seem to appear in EB II contexts, as well as in EB III.

Fig. 2.39. Platter, Reg. No. KI 4289 (= Fig. 2.36:4).

0

10

Fig. 2.40. Pithos of unknown provenance, probably Period D. Reg. No. KI 384, buff clay, gray core, large inclusions, red-brown decoration, poorly fired.

49

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

Period E Pottery (Fig. 2.41). Among the unprovenanced sherds from Area MS are some with distinct characteristics that set them apart from the EB III assemblage of the site. Similar pottery was found by Bar-Adon in Stratum 6 in Area BS, the latest architectural phase attributed to the Early Bronze Age (see Chapter 5). Thus, the pottery presented in Fig. 2.41 should be ascribed to the latest Early Bronze Age phase (Period E, final Early Bronze Age) in Area MS.

Diagnostic forms include large bowls with prominent rope decoration beneath the rim (Fig. 2.41:1–4), holemouth vats with a distinctive collar of incised decoration (Fig. 2.41:5, 6), a coarse pithos with rope decoration at the base of the neck (Fig. 2.41:7), and a hand-molded four-spouted lamp (Fig. 2.41:8). The pottery is neither slipped nor burnished, and although it has affinities with Intermediate Bronze Age pottery, it belongs to no known industry of that period (see Chapter 5 for further discussion).

1

2

3 4

5

7

8

6

Fig. 2.41. Period E Pottery from Area MS, unknown provenance. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KI 136

Brown clay, large and small gray inclusions, rope decoration

2

Bowl

KI 386

Brown clay, gray inclusions, rope decoration

3

Bowl

KK/109/43

Gray clay, large gray inclusions, rope decoration

4

Bowl

KI 384

Brown clay, medium gray inclusions, rope decoration

5

Holemouth jar

KK/107/34

Brown clay, large gray inclusions, incised decoration

6

Holemouth jar/pot

KI 417

Brown clay, medium gray and white inclusions, incised decoration

7

Pithos

KI 3144

Brown clay, large gray and white inclusions, rope decoration

8

Lamp

S 109

Brown clay, large white and gray inclusions, pebbles, soot marks interior and exterior

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SUMMARY The 1944–1945 excavations in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah were hastily excavated, limited in area and poorly documented. The partial records and few finds with known contexts from this excavation have thus enabled us to reconstruct only a rough outline of the stratigraphy and architecture. The occupation in this area began during late EB I (Bet Yerah Period B) and is represented by at least two phases: Local Phase 11 characterized by pits, and Local Phase 10 with mudbrick architecture. During Period C (EB II), which is represented by as many as four phases in this area, the construction shifted from bricks to the use of bricks on a stone foundation. The mudbrick fortification (Wall A), exposed in section and in a short segment bordering the trench, was in use in EB II, although it could have been built earlier. Houses with relatively broad rooms required the use of pillars to support the ceiling. Open areas, sometimes paved, were used for different domestic outdoor activities. The latest floors in Period C yielded large numbers of complete vessels.

The main contribution of the Area MS excavation lies in the identification of the six different phases of Period D (EB III) in Sounding II. At first, the Period D settlement might have been unfortified, unless the Wall B fortifications identified by Bar-Adon farther to the south (see Chapter 6) were already extant. Late in EB III Wall C was built and the entire layout of the city changed, in alignment with the city wall. A crowded domestic quarter occupied most of the area, lasting long enough to undergo several changes. Notably, the substantial architecture of these late phases was represented only at those spots where Hellenistic construction did not intrude. The latest horizon of occupation probably dates to ‘final EB’ (Period E)—as witness the peculiar pottery of this phase. However, the duration and extent of this occupation must have been limited, with existing buildings re-used. After a long period of abandonment, the area was reoccupied in the Hellenistic period, forming part of a substantial, well-planned settlement. This appears to have been followed by a Roman occupation, of which very little indeed can be said.

Table 2.3. Area MS Locus List Locus No.

Sounding/ Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

Square

MS 027

II/3

D

MS 028

II/3

D

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

15–16

Room

Plan 2.14; Fig. 2.28

15 and west

Room/open courtyard

Plan 2.14

MS 029

II/3

D

16

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

MS 030

II/3

D

16–17/37

Partly paved room

Plan 2.14

MS 031

II/3

D

17/37

Room

Plan 2.14

MS 032

II/3

D

16–17 and west

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

MS 033

II/3

D

West of 17

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

MS 035

II/3

D

12/32– 13/33

Building

Plan 2.14

MS 100

II/3

D

17

Stone pavement in courtyard

Plan 2.14

MS 101

II/3

D

17/37

Stone pavement

In MS 030; Plan 2.14

MS 102

II/3

D

36

Building/room

Plan 2.14

MS 103

II/3

D

36

Building/room

Plan 2.14

MS 104

II/3

D

16

Installation

In MS 029; Plan 2.14

MS 105

II/3

D

16

Part of a room

In MS 027; Stone mortar in floor; Plan 2.14; Fig. 2.30

MS 106

II/3

D

16

Stone pavement in room/courtyard

Plan 2.14

CHAPTER 2: AREA MS: THE MAZAR–STEKELIS EXCAVATIONS, 1944–1945

51

Table 2.3 (cont.) Locus No.

Sounding/ Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

Square

MS 107

II/3

D

MS 108

II/3

MS 109

II/3

MS 110

II/3

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

15

Stone pavement in room

In MS 028; Plan 2.14

D

35–36

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

D

35–36

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

D

34–35

Dwelling unit/room

Plan 2.14

MS 111

II/3

D

15/35

~-199.00

Open area

Plan 2.14

MS 112

II/3

D

14–15/36

~-199.00

Alleyway

Plan 2.14

MS 113

II/3

D

14

~-199.00

Installation

Plan 2.14

MS 114

II/3

D

14

Room in a house

Plan 2.14

MS 115

II/3

D

14

Open area/courtyard

Plan 2.14

MS 116

II/3

D

13 and west

Part of building

Plan 2.14

MS 117

II/3

D

MS 118

II/3

D

MS 119

II/3

D

14/34

MS 120

II/4B

D

14/34

MS 121

II/4B

D

13/33

MS 122

II/4B

D

12–13

MS 122a

II/4B

D

12

MS 123

II/4B

D

13/33– 14/24

MS 124

II/4A

D

32

MS 125

II/5

D

32

MS 126

II/6A–B

D

MS 127

II/5

MS 128

II/5

MS 129 MS 130

Plan 2.14 Plan 2.14 Alleyway, below MS 115

Plan 2.14

Building/room

Plans 2.5, 2.13

Room

Plan 2.13

-199.94

Room

Plan 2.13

-199.94

Stone pavement patch in room

In MS 122; Plan 2.13

Alleyway

Plan 2.13

-200.12

Pavement (room?)

Second phase of pavement, above MS 125; related to EY 531; Plan 2.12

-200.20

Pavement

Plan 2.11; Fig. 2.24.

11/31

Open area?

= EY 416; Plan 2.10

D

11/31–32

Room?

Plan 2.11

D

12/32

Unit/room?

Plan 2.11

II/7

C

11/31

-200.60

Stone pavement

= EY 452; Plan 2.9

II/8–7

C

10/30

-200.50

Part of a room

EY 442; Plan 2.9

MS 131

II/8

C

32

-200.70

Open area/courtyard?

Plan 2.9

MS 132

II/9

C

10/30

(-201.25?)

Part of a room

= EY 460; Plan 2.8

MS 133

II/9

C

10/30

-201.25

Part of a room

= EY 460; Plan 2.8

MS 134

II/9

C

11/31

-201.24

Stone pavement

Plan 2.8

MS 135

II/9

C

11/31

-201.21

Open area

Plan 2.8

MS 136

II/10

B

11/31

-201.34/ -201.92

Stone drain channel

In W55 of House EY 475; Plans 2.5, 2.7; Figs. 2.19, 2.20.

MS 137

II/11

B

10/30

Pit?

= EY 490; Plan 2.6

MS 138

II/11

B

10/30

Pit

Plans 2.5, 2.6; Fig. 2.19

-199.64

-202.56/ -202.76

52

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Table 2.3 (cont.) Locus No.

Sounding/ Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

Square

MS 139

II/11

B

11/31

MS 140

II/11

B

MS 141

I/11

B

MS 142

I/11

MS 143

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

-202.54/ -202.76

Pit

Plans 2.5, 2.6; Fig. 2.19

11/31

-202.50

Floor/pavement

Plans 2.5, 2.6; Fig. 2.19

3/23–4/24

-203.00

Pit

Plan 2.4

B

3/23

-202.70/ -203.00

Mudbrick material

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

I/10

B

3/23–4/24

-201.80/ -202.70

Layers of dark soil

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

MS 144

I/10

B

4/24

-201.80/ -202.70

Mudbrick material

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

MS 145

I/9

C

3/23

-201.70/ -202.20

Pit (garbage?)

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

MS 146

I/9

C

3/23–4/24

-201.60/ -201.70

Layer with mudbrick material

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

MS 147

I/8

C

2/22

-201.60

Open area

Plan 2.4

MS 148

I/8

C

4/24

-201.60

Floor

Plan 2.4

MS 149

I/7

C

3/23

~-201.30

Open area?

Plan 2.4

MS 150

I/7

C

3/23–4/24

~-201.45

Mudbrick material

Plan 2.4

MS 151

I/6

C

3/23

-200.70

Stone pavement/floor

Plans 2.3, 2.4; Fig. 2.7

MS 152

I/5

C

3/23–4/24

-200.40

Open area?

Plan 2.4

MS 153

I/5

C

2–3

-200.40

Floor

The ‘western room’—vessels in situ; Plans 2.2, 2.3

MS 154

I/5

C

22–23

-200.40

Floor

The ‘eastern room’—vessels in situ; Plans 2.2, 2.3; Figs. 2.9, 2.10

MS 155

I/3

D

2/22

-199.60/ -200.20

Foundation trench of Wall C

Plan 2.4; Fig. 2.1

MS 156

I/3–2

D/H

3/23–4/24

-200.00

Layer/accumulation of pebbles

After the EBA; Plans 2.3, 2.4

MS 157

II/4A

D

29

-199.80

Part of a room

= EY 534; Plan 2.12

NOTES 1

There is a discrepancy between the published plan and the section drawing on this point. 2 The excavators report that the size of the bricks found in Area MS is 0.10 × 0.25 × 0.30 m (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:168). This information could not apply to all of the mudbricks found, as other excavations have shown that the dimensions of mudbricks at Tel Bet Yerah change over time. In fact, the dimensions in the preliminary report correspond with the ‘shoebox bricks’ of EB III (see Area EY, Chapter 8); therefore, they probably represent the bricks of the construction adjacent to Wall C. 3 In the lower part of the sequence, only the structures excavated by the 1944 Mazar expedition are recorded on the plan. The combined plan of Areas MS and EY for these

phases may be found in Chapter 8. From Local Phase 6 and up, the combined plans are brought here (Area MS loci carry the prefix MS; Area MS walls have the format W44xx; all other wall and locus numbers belong to Area EY). 4 The date of the stone city wall (Wall C) has been a matter of debate (see Chapter 6). The 1944 expedition suggested it was of the EB III (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:57), later setting EB III as the earliest possible date. Avi-Yonah and Yeivin (1957:262–264) dated Wall C to the ‘MB I’, following Bar-Adon (1953; 1954:128). When Bar-Adon (1955) redated the stone city wall to the Hellenistic period, this date became widely accepted. The Area MS evidence supports an EB III date for Wall C, and the difference in orientation to the overall Hellenistic plan reinforces this observation.

CHAPTER 3

AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946 SARIT PAZ INTRODUCTION The second season of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society (JPES) excavations at Tel Bet Yerah (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952) was conducted between December 1945 and June 1946 (with a long winter break due to heavy rains). M. Stekelis and M. AviYonah headed the expedition. Other team members were T. Krakauer (Dothan) and R. Hestrin (assistants; Fig. 3.1), Y. Sukenik (Yadin) (volunteer assistant), P. Solomonica (geologist), J. Schweig (photographer), and E. Shfif, I. Dunayevsky, and M. Kon (field surveyors). The bulk of the season (designated as KII) was devoted to the excavation of what was aptly termed ‘the Circles Building’ (later known as the Bet Yerah Granary) and the adjacent late-period bathhouse. Toward the end of the season it was decided to sink a deep sounding at the edge of the excavation area, just west of the alley bordering the west face of the Circles Building (see Plan 3.7). This sounding, termed ‘the deep cut’, was excavated in June 1946, reaching the natural marl surface shortly before the season’s end. In June 2003 the Tel Aviv University Bet Yerah Research and Publication Project conducted a field season devoted to cleaning the Circles Building, checking the original plans and conducting a small-

Fig. 3.1. Field assistants Trude Krakauer (Dothan) and Ruth Hestrin in the Circles Building, Spring 1946.

scale excavation in order to clarify some of the problems faced while processing the material from the old excavations. The complete report of this effort will be published separately; finds pertinent to the present discussion will, however, be noted where it is crucial for the understanding of the JPES excavations. Following some introductory remarks on the excavation and its methodology, the results of the 1945–1946 season will be presented in order of precedence: (a) the Circles Building; (b) the deep cut; (c) the late periods. Location and Method of Excavation The excavation was located in the northern part of the mound, about 200 m south of the Kinneret cemetery, on the site intended for the construction of the Ohalo seminary (in memory of Berl Katznelson; see location map, Plan 3.1). The Ohalo complex was eventually relocated to a point just south of the excavation, due to the massive and important remains found in 1946.

Plan 3.1. Location map of the Circles Building.

54

SARIT PAZ

The original intention was to excavate a long trench, 50 × 10 m, perpendicular to the lake-shore. A grid of 5 × 5 m squares was laid out, and the entire area excavated contiguously. Soon after the beginning of the season, as the importance and size of the monumental Circles Building were recognized, the area of the excavation was extended. Squares were added on both sides of the original trench, and a total contiguous area of 2475 sq m was excavated (Plan 3.2). Beneath some fragmentary Islamic-period remains, three large structures were identified: part of a late fortified complex, a bathhouse and the Early Bronze Age building. The expedition excavated within all three structures simultaneously and rather hurriedly. This work method might explain the difficulty that the excavators seem to have had in identifying mudbrick construction both within the building and in the soundings excavated nearby. Recording and Documentation This report is based on the following components: a. A daily field diary put to paper by R. Hestrin, apparently representing the field-director’s daily log.

The diary records the progress of the excavation, basic architectural discoveries and some notable finds. b. Preliminary field plans indicating walls and relative elevations of significant features, as well as a 1:50 final plan of the Circles Building. Elevations for the latter were added during the field season conducted in 2003. c. A series of pottery trays, stored in the basement of the Palestine Archaeological (Rockefeller) Museum. The pottery was arbitrarily numbered after the excavation (inventory nos.), and some trays contained tags identifying the context and date of excavation. A card catalog of the registered finds is known to have existed. However, we were not able to locate it as of the completion of this report. d. Photographs taken at one- or two-week intervals by the Department of Antiquities photographer, J. Schweig. e. The Division List of 1947, enumerating those objects from the excavation allotted to the Department of Antiquities after excavation. f. The preliminary reports published by the excavators. These reports, however, are schematic, and at times inaccurate. The first report, in Hebrew, was published shortly after the excavation (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah

Plan 3.2. The published plan of Area SA with the grid assigned by the excavators.

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

1947). The English version, published six years after the excavation (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952), contains revisions based, apparently, on details recollected by the directors. Using the above documentation, we have been able to reevaluate and correct some details of the published plan and report (see Plan 3.3), reconstruct architectural cross sections of the main features excavated (Plans 3.3, 3.6), and secure attributions of finds to stratigraphic horizons. In some cases, where documentation was incomplete, finds are attributed to their context on the basis of inference. Status and Location of the Excavation Finds Soon after the end of the 1945–1946 season, the finds were inventoried in order to prepare them for processing. The artifacts allotted to the Department of Antiquities, according to the practice common at the time, were registered in the Division List. This list includes an inventory number and a brief description for finds from both the 1944–1945 and 1945–1946 seasons. Most of the registered items remained in storage in the Palestine Archaeological (Rockefeller) Museum in Jerusalem. The objects not claimed by the Department ended up, for the most part, in the storerooms of the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus. After the 1948 War of Independence the excavators were denied access to both groups of registered material. The preliminary reports published at that time were based on the first stages of the processing work, and the memory, not always accurate, of the excavators. By 1967, when the material again became available, the excavators seem to have lost interest in this excavation. The most attractive artifacts began to be dispersed: some were placed on exhibit in the Israel Museum and the Bet Gordon Museum in Deganya, others found their way into university study collections.

55

Locating the finds in order to study and publish them was, therefore, a difficult task, and some registered items were not found at all. Stratigraphic Overview (Table 3.1) The first features found in the excavation were fragmentary structures attributed to the Early Islamic period, including a long stone wall (W1) that ran along the entire trench (below, Plan 3.10). Its dismantling revealed that these late buildings had damaged earlier remains. Concurrently, the expedition started to expose the well-preserved bathhouse (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:61–64; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:218–222), which they attributed to the Roman period. The bathhouse was adjacent to a fortified complex extending to the north (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:64; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:222–223), of which the southern wall, two corner towers, a gateway, and two gate towers were revealed. Upon removal of the late walls the massive Early Bronze Age remains began to emerge, thus requiring a considerable expansion of the excavated area. These remains, eventually identified as the Circles Building, were excavated hand in hand with the continuing work in the bathhouse. At this stage part of the southern wall of the late fort along with the eastern gate tower were dismantled. Their removal revealed extensive damage caused to the Early Bronze Age building beneath. The bathhouse, although covering the northeast corner of the Circles Building, was not removed, and the pipe that supplied water to the bathhouse was left in place on top of the Early Bronze Age building.1 After several weeks devoted mainly to the excavation of the bathhouse and the Circles Building, it was decided to sink a stratigraphic sounding to virgin soil. The ‘deep cut’ was placed to the west of the Circles Building and the adjacent paved street, and was less

Table 3.1. The Occupational and Cultural Sequence in the Area of the Circles Building Main Features

Bet Yerah Period

Archaeological Period

W1 and adjacent architecture + graves

K

Early Islamic

The bathhouse and fort

J/K

Roman, Byzantine or Early Islamic

Hellenistic pottery and possible architecture

H

Hellenistic

The Circles Building + streets

D

EB III

The paved streets and adjacent houses

C

EB II

Jar burials (deep cut)

B

EB IB

Pits (deep cut)

A

EB IA

56

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Fig. 3.2. Aerial photo of the excavation after the end of the season, July 1946. View to south, with late bathhouse pipe overlying the Circles Building.

than two excavation squares in size (see Plan 3.7). Below the EB III remains, several phases of the EB II period were revealed, followed by a deep accumulation largely composed of mudbricks (the excavators were unable to discern architectural remains within this mass of mudbricks). Excavation in the lower part of this accumulation yielded several infant jar-burials. Beneath them, remains of the first stage of settlement in the site were found: a possible occupation surface and a pit cut into virgin soil containing early EB I pottery. The total depth of the sounding was 5.2 m. The aerial photo, Fig. 3.2, shows the area of excavation immediately after the end of the season, in July 1946.

THE CIRCLES BUILDING (GRANARY) The Circles Building of Bet Yerah is a unique monumental structure, the only building of its kind

in the ancient Near East. Its nature and function have therefore been the subject of several discussions, all based on the schematic description provided by the excavators (Maisler and Stekelis 1945; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952; Avi-Yonah and Yeivin 1957:250–251; Currid 1986; Esse 1982, 1991; Mazar 1986–1989; 2001; Hestrin 1993). A reevaluation of the building in light of the different sources available to us sheds new light on the history of the building, its construction technique, and the finds associated with it, and entails the revision of all previous descriptions. The Building (Plan 3.3) The following description expands on that presented in the preliminary report (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:58–60; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:223–227), which has been found to be generally

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

accurate as far as it goes. References are made also to A. Mazar’s recent analysis (2001). Dimensions The western outer wall is 31.25 m long; the southern wall, 41.00 m; the eastern wall, approximately 35 m (it was partly destroyed by the subterranean portion of the bathhouse); and the northern wall, 32.00 m. The total area of the building is about 1200 sq m (Mazar 2001:449). The walls do not form right angles, giving the building a trapezoidal aspect; moreover, the architectural cross sections reveal that the structure slopes markedly from south to north, creating a one-meter difference between the extremities of the structure. As noted in previous publications, the building consists of broad platforms surrounding a rectangular space. This space consists of a paved courtyard (6.9 × 11.0 m) and a pillared hall (4.4 × 11.2 m). The courtyard was approached via an entrance corridor from the east (3.3 × 14.0 m). The Platforms The outer stone foundations, or platforms, vary in width: the southern platform is 9.8 m wide at its eastern end and 10.4 m on the west; the western platform is 10.5 m wide at the northern end and 11.9 m wide on the south; the northern platform is 10.8 m wide; and the eastern platform is 13 m wide, measured along the corridor leading to the inner courtyard (14 m, if we add the wall attached to its east face). This lack of uniformity, and especially the narrowing of the western platform, might imply that the builders were constrained by a pre-existing street plan to which the external contours of the building had to be adjusted (see below) without compromising the complex internal layout. Thus, the angles formed by the platforms also vary, with the inner corners more nearly square than the outer ones: For instance, the southwest corner of the Circles Building has an angle of 82°, while the corresponding corner of the inner pillared hall is 89°; the northwest corner of the Circles Building is 109°, while the northwest corner of the pillared hall is only 100°. The original pencil field plans, field diary, and the photographic record—particularly of a partially excavated section across the southeasternmost circle (Fig. 3.3)—indicate that the platforms did not consist of a solid stone structure, but rather were built as casemates supporting an earth fill. The thick casing walls might be identified in several places:

57

1. The south wall of the southern platform and the earth fill of the platform itself appear in the section in Circle VI at the southeast corner of the building (Fig. 3.3); the 1.5 m thick south wall clearly reappears at the western end of the southern platform (see Plan 3.3). 2. The north wall of the southern platform can be identified between Circles IV and V; its continuation can be traced as a seam between the southern and western platforms. 3. Wall 22 of the eastern platform may be an inner frame wall. 4. The earth layer noted by the excavators beneath the stone pavement of Circle II and between Circles II and I (see below) probably represents the earthen fill within the platform. This building technique may well have allowed the original circles to be sunk into the platforms to a greater depth than that presently visible (see Circles VI, IV, and VII and notes on reconstruction, below). Excavations carried to the base of the foundations at various points reveal that the structure was constructed on a slope descending from south to north. Small soundings conducted by the excavators in the northwest corner of the inner hall (Room 2), near the staircase adjoining the external northwest corner of the building, and adjacent to the inner face of the southern platform all revealed nine stone courses beneath the level of the platforms. The platforms thus reproduced the slope upon which the structure was built. This is most evident in the north–south sections (Plan 3.3: Sections 1-1, 2-2) and in the elevations of the surface of the western platform, sloping from -196.13 m in the south to about -197.01 m in the north. Since the floors of the enclosed courtyard and pillared hall were more or less on the level, a curious situation obtained whereby the southern platform foundations protrude about six courses above the floor and the northern foundations—as few as two courses. The Circles Seven circles were excavated fully or partly by the JPES expedition. An additional circle (Circle VIII) was tentatively identified after the excavation (this identification relies on a curved row of stones found north of the entrance corridor; these stones, however, do not form a proper border, as in the other circles). As for the ninth circle—presumably located in the northeast corner of the building—its existence will be confirmed only with renewed excavations beneath the central hall of the late bathhouse.

Plan 3.3. Detailed plan of the Circles Building, with three architectural cross sections.

58 SARIT PAZ

Plan 3.3 (cont.). The three architectural cross sections.

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

59

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Fig. 3.3. A section through Circle VI, exposed after the removal of later walls. Note earthen fill beneath upper pavement of circle (right), above what appears to be an earlier pavement (bottom right); at center—the outer face and fill of the stone frame of the platform; at rear—the sounding within the southwest quadrant of Circle VI. Southern street is at left.

The circles were all furnished with a pavement of large cobblestones, sunk slightly beneath the level of the platforms. In several cases, where the pavement was damaged, it could be seen to be resting upon an earthen fill (as in Fig. 3.3). In some circles there are indications of at least two superimposed pavements (below, Circles IV and VII). Each circle contained four partition walls, oriented generally to the four points of the compass. In contrast to the excavators’ statements (Stekelis and AviYonah 1947:58; Mazar 2001:450), the orientation of the partitions is not precise and seems to have been guided by that of the nearest external wall. Although none of the partition walls’ stone foundations reach the center of the circles, only a few definitely end before reaching the center; others may have been intentionally or inadvertently dismantled by later activities in and on top of the Circles Building. The excavators were not able to discern the mudbrick superstructure of the partitions; therefore, their actual preserved height, as well as alterations and additions that could have been made during the Circles Building’s lifetime, remain unknown. The one exception is Circle VII, in which a mudbrick partition crossing the circle from east to west was revealed during the 2003 season (see below). This partition, apparently superimposed on preexisting short partitions, divided the circle in two. The

short northern and southern partitions, left unchanged, subdivided each half into smaller chambers. Circle I. This circle was severely damaged by the tower and wall of the late fortified compound. Only the northern partition wall is complete in this circle; the southern partition wall is entirely missing, as is much of the western one; the stones marked in the published plan as forming the western partition wall are disordered, and thus might be displaced stones or remains of the pavement. The eastern partition is incomplete. The orientation of the partition walls is north-northeast. A round installation in the northeast quarter of the circle (Fig. 3.4), which the excavators described in their field diary as a small stone-lined silo, about 0.7 m in diameter, intrudes upon the stone pavement. Some ribbed pottery sherds and glass fragments found in this feature indicate that it was a late pit. Circle II. This circle too suffered severe damage. The central and northern parts of this circle, including the northern partition wall, are missing. The damage may have been caused by W1 and other Islamic-period constructions (see below). The western partition, 2.30 m long, seems to be complete. The eastern partition is only 1 m long, and whether it was originally built this way or was damaged by later activity is hard to

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Fig. 3.4. The late round stone installation in Circle I.

tell. The southern partition is severely damaged. The orientation of the partitions, as in Circle I, is aligned with the external western wall of the building. The field diary reports a large quantity of Khirbet Kerak Ware pottery found on the floor of the circle. Plan 3.4. Detailed plan of Circle IV. Note the sunken partitions.

Circle III. The northeast part of this circle was disturbed by the construction of W5, the stone wall carrying the ceramic pipe that fed waters diverted from Wadi Feijas (Nahal Yavne’el) to the bathhouse (see Figs. 3.18, 3.31). The excavators left this wall in place, though today large parts of it are missing. The alignment of W5 can be seen in Plan 3.10. Circle IV. The western partition wall and edge of this circle are missing. The other three partitions, 2.20– 2.30 m long, are complete. The eastern and southern partitions are, in fact, preserved in negative. This intriguing fact, though clearly indicated in the field sketches and in the large-scale final plan (Plan 3.4), was ignored or forgotten in the text of the preliminary report and can barely be discerned in the greatly reduced plan accompanying it. Figure 3.5 shows the base of the southern partition 0.15–0.20 m beneath the level of the pavement of the circle. Clearly, the pavement exposed by the excavators approached the mudbrick superstructure of the partition wall, which they failed to identify. That would suggest that there were at least two superimposed floors in this circle, the first being that on which the partitions were built, and the second, the pavement that abutted the mudbrick partitions. In

Fig. 3.5. The sunken southern partition in Circle IV (in shadow).

the southeast quarter of the circle and just outside of it there seem to be stone installations or compartments, their date unknown. The field diary mentions three Early Bronze Age jars and a ledge handle found south of the circle (in the built compartment?). Circle V. The northern partition wall, 2.30 m long, is the only complete one in this circle. The other partition walls

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are damaged and some of the stone pavement is missing. There is no evidence for the date or function of the built compartment just outside the circle to the southwest. Circle VI. Only two partitions of this circle were found: the western one, 2.30 m long, is complete, while the southern is damaged, and some of the stones attributed to it in the published plan seem to belong to the pavement. The damage caused to the other partitions, as well as all the northeast part of the southern platform, is due to Islamic-period construction. The late structures, briefly described in the field diary, were hurriedly dismantled toward the end of the season in order to complete the exposure of the Circles Building. Some of the damage to the northern part was caused by a late, probably Islamic, burial. The destruction of the eastern part of the circle and the platform allowed the excavators to expose the earthen fill upon which the pavement of the circle had been laid. In addition, they identified a portion of the sunken eastern end of the circle, visible in Fig. 3.3 and clearly marked on Dunayevsky’s field plans, well below the level of the pavement. They also excavated a small sounding in the southwest part of the circle, where they uncovered some remains of walls, built installations, and mortars embedded in the floor. This sounding exposed the stone lining of the circle extending well beneath the level of the upper stone pavement, providing further evidence for an early phase of construction during which the stone-lined circles had a depth of a meter or more. According to the field diary the pottery sherds found in the circle belong to the Early Bronze Age. Circle VII. Only a small portion of this circle was excavated, since most of it was covered by the bathhouse. The excavators described a plastered installation in the southwest quarter of the circle. They claimed to have found traces of fire, and in one place refer to it as an ‘oven’. However, reexamination of this plastered area in 2003 showed it to be very similar to the plastered basin in the courtyard (see below), and it seems to have been part of the same installation (Fig. 3.6). Finds here included Early Bronze Age pottery sherds, among them a Khirbet Kerak Ware stand. In 2003, excavations were renewed in the northwest corner of the bathhouse, revealing some of the sealed remains of Circle VII. Two phases of the stone pavement were recovered, as well as remains of the

Fig. 3.6. The plastered basin in Circle VII (beneath scale); late bathhouse wall at left. Looking south.

mudbrick superstructure of the partition walls and the circle itself (Greenberg 2005). The upper pavement in the southwest quadrant of the circle yielded evidence for the knapping of ad-hoc flint tools. The Interior Spaces The Entrance and Corridor (Room 7). The entrance to the building from the east led to a corridor 3.3 m wide and 14 m long (Fig. 3.7). At the western end of the corridor a threshold built of a single line of large stones (Fig. 3.8) led to an inner courtyard (Room 6). The floor of the corridor was not clearly identified and its elevation was extrapolated from that of the threshold (-197.09 m). Several stone walls discovered outside the building, near the entrance, seem to have been considered by the excavators (according to some wording in the field diary) as part of a portico or gate structure leading to the complex. However, at least some of these walls belong to later periods, when extensive building activity in this location took place (see below, The Late Periods). The actual form of the entrance to the building thus remains unclear. During the final days of the excavation mudbrick walls were identified in the corridor. At first the excavators identified two parallel north–south lines blocking the corridor, but they noted in the final diary entry continuous mudbrick construction extending across the eastern part of the corridor and beyond, outside the building. In view of the stratigraphy of the area, we might assume these are EB II or EB IB remains, similar to those excavated in 2003 beneath the Circles Building and the surrounding streets. A combed sherd with a seal impression (perhaps the artifact carrying Reg. No. KII 1463 in the Division

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List, present whereabouts unknown) was discovered in the corridor near the entrance on the last day of the excavation. The Inner Courtyard (Room 6). The courtyard, 6.9 × 11.0 m, was largely covered with an exceptionally fine

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cobblestone pavement (see Fig. 3.8). Several structural elements were found on top of this pavement. They clearly represent a late stage in the use of the building and include stairs built to afford access to the relatively elevated southern platform, a plaster basin, and a number of fire-related installations:

Fig. 3.7. A general view of the entrance corridor (Room 7), looking west toward the paved courtyard.

Fig. 3.8. The southwestern part of the courtyard (Room 6): the threshold, pebble floor, stair, oven (rear, right), bench (foreground) and oven identified as kiln (see Plan 3.5).

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1. In the southern part of the courtyard two stone elements, both built on top of the pavement, served as stairs leading to the southern platform of the building: to the east, near the entrance to the courtyard, a single high step led to a small corridor entering Circle V (see Fig. 3.8); to the west a flight of four steps (with an average rise of 0.2 m for each step) led to the area between Circles IV and V on the platform (Fig. 3.9).2 In both cases, the top course of the platform wall had been dismantled in order to facilitate access from the steps. 2. The excavators mentioned three ovens uncovered in the courtyard (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:227). However, examination of the field diary, the sketches drawn during the excavation, and the photographic record suggests a different interpretation of some of these elements: a. One oven was indeed found adjacent to the southern wall of the courtyard, about 1.2 m west of the single step leading to Circle V. However, though described in the diary and visible in photographs (see Fig. 3.8, rear right), the oven was never entered on the plan of the Circles Building.

b. A second purported oven identified in the northwest corner of the courtyard, is, in fact, part of a plastered basin sketched faintly in the plan (see further discussion below). c. The third oven (Plan 3.5), located near the bench, W22 (see Fig. 3.8), immediately north of the entrance to the courtyard, is a complex installation rendered inaccurately in the final plan as two adjacent ovens (see Plans 3.2, 3.5). In the preliminary report (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:227), the installation was described as two concentric ovens. In fact, there is one oven, surrounded by mudbrick construction that was only partly understood by the excavators. The photographs and field-sketches show that the oven was built on a mudbrick podium about 0.15 m high (Figs. 3.8, 3.10). It was surrounded by walls on three sides: the stone-built bench, W22, on the east; a mudbrick wall with stone foundations preserved to a height of 0.3–0.4 m on the south; and a brick wall, also preserved to a height of 0.3 m, on the west. The remains of these walls are clearly seen in Figs. 3.11 and 3.12. The podium and surrounding walls occupied a total area of 1.7 × 1.9 m. The oven itself was extremely well preserved: its lower part was nearly

Fig. 3.9. The staircase in the southwest corner of the courtyard. Note fine cobblestone pavement and large limestone bulb.

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Plan 3.5. The oven in the Circles Building courtyard: (a) the published plan; (b) a preliminary field sketch; (c) partly processed sketch made by the expedition; (d) the reconstructed kiln plan, based on the sketches and photographs.

intact, reaching a height of up to 0.7 m (see Figs. 3.8, 3.10); impressions left by the hands of the builders of the oven are clearly visible on its inner surface (Fig. 3.11). The chamber was oval in shape, with inner dimensions of about 0.75 × 1.10 m (Plan 3.5). A 0.6 m wide opening in its northern side was divided in half by a rather thick clay column from which arches were drawn to both sides (see Figs. 3.8, 3.10). The roof of the lower chamber was supported by a central column comprised of a ribbed Khirbet Kerak Ware stand (Reg. No. KII 2000),3 seen in situ in Figs. 3.8, 3.10, and 3.11.

Four clay arches were drawn from the stand, creating a roof with at least four, and probably more, openings. Fragments of the roof were recovered from the oven, along with the Khirbet Kerak Ware stand (Figs. 3.13, 3.14). The stand showed evidence of repeated firing, having entirely lost its luster and taken on green to violet hues. Clay remnants of the chamber roof were still embedded in the broad top of the stand. The arch and roof fragments, made of baked clay, were all molded around cane tubes, the impressions of which are clearly visible (Fig. 3.15). These may have served

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Fig. 3.10. The kiln, looking south. Note pillar of arched opening, foreground, and central pillar comprised of a re-used Khirbet Kerak Ware stand.

Fig. 3.12. The construction around the kiln, looking northeast. Note stone foundations of rear brick wall, adjoined by mudbrick podium.

Fig. 3.11. The kiln, looking west. Note finger-marks on kiln wall.

Fig. 3.13. Khirbet Kerak Ware stand from kiln (KII 2000).

as more than structural elements, possibly allowing the control of supply of oxygen into the oven. In addition to the Khirbet Kerak Ware stand, a small red-burnished Khirbet Kerak Ware bowl (Reg. No. KII 2001; Figs. 3.16, 3.26:1) was found in the oven. The data in hand allow us to suggest a reconstruction of the oven as a small pottery kiln, as seen in Plan 3.5. The element identified by Mazar (2001:449) as the third oven of the courtyard in the southwest corner between the staircase and W8 is actually a large limestone bulb (see Fig. 3.9). On one side of the stone there are two shallow depressions connected by a shallow channel, as well as a number of incised marks. The obverse is smoothed and worked and has a deep cup mark in its center. Geologists have informed

Fig. 3.14. Fragments of the clay roof of the firing chamber.

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us that this type of Meshash Formation bulb is not common in the area. In fact, although sometimes found on the eastern slopes of the Samaria Mountains and on the Irbid plateau of Transjordan, objects of this type would be most at home and most easily obtained in the Negev desert of southern Israel. The stone in the Circles Building therefore seems to have been brought especially from afar. However, the function of this large heavy stone is enigmatic.

a

b Fig. 3.15. Detail of reed impressions in the clay roof of the firing chamber.

Fig. 3.16. Khirbet Kerak Ware bowl KII 2001, found in the kiln.

3. The final installation built on the courtyard floor is a plastered basin located in the northwest corner of the courtyard, between the wall of the pillared hall, W8 and the western wall of the bathhouse (Fig. 3.17). The basin—termed an oven by the excavators due to what they considered to be soot marks on the plaster floor—was re-excavated in 2003, revealing it to be but the lower part of a large terraced installation, possibly related to the plaster floor exposed in Circle VII (the plaster in the two features appears to be identical). Its proximity to the kiln suggests it was used during clay preparation for a small-scale pottery workshop evidently established in the courtyard of the Circles Building in the last phase of its existence. Many Early Bronze Age pottery sherds were found in the basin, most of them Khirbet Kerak Ware. The Inner Hall (Room 2) (Fig. 3.18). A wide entrance (2.1 m) in W8 led west from the courtyard into a pillared broadroom, 4.4 × 11.2 m in size. Two roughly worked stone slabs located along the long axis of the hall (Fig.

Fig. 3.17. The plastered terraced basin in the northwest corner of the courtyard, looking north.

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Fig. 3.18. A general view of the inner hall (Room 2), looking southwest. Note pillar bases and late bathhouse pipe crossing southern part of room, at rear.

Fig. 3.19. Corridor between Room 2 and Circle I, looking southeast from the circle to the hall.

3.18) are identified as bases for wooden pillars that supported the roof. On the floor, near the middle of the western wall of the hall, two complete Khirbet Kerak Ware vessels were discovered: a deep S-shaped redbrown and black burnished krater (Reg. No. KII 254, see Fig. 3.26:9 and back cover), and a unique large redburnished cylindrical jar (Reg. No. KII 373; Fig. 3.28; back cover), both now exhibited in the Israel Museum. Another large jar was recovered beneath the bathhouse ceramic pipe near W8. Unfortunately, and in spite of the pains taken by the excavators to extract the vessel, no separate registration was made for the jar and we were not able to identify it. From the northwest corner of the hall a diagonal corridor, 0.8 m wide, led to Circle I (Fig. 3.19). Another possible approach to the platform was from the middle of the western wall into Circle II (see Fig. 3.18), where the upper course seems to have been dismantled, in order to create a step. However, since this part is somewhat damaged, the identification of a short corridor here is not certain. As for the southwest circle (III), the apparent corridor emerging from the southwest corner of the hall mentioned by Mazar (2001:449) is in fact a gap in the plan caused by the

wall supporting the pipe of the bathhouse. Therefore, the existence of such a corridor cannot be confirmed. Towards the end of the season a small deep sounding was sunk in the northwest corner of Room 2 (Plan 3.6). The excavation revealed the nine courses of the northern wall of the Circles Building and its foundations at an elevation of -198.67 m. Several archaeological layers were revealed and cursorily described in the field diary and sketches: at -197.34 m, a layer of small pebbles; at -197.64 m, a layer containing carbonized olive and the possible architectural remains at the south end of the sounding; at -197.99 m, a burnt layer. There is no description of the pottery found in the trench; however, we may assume this sounding was the source of some of the EB I and II pottery ascribed to the Circles Building (see below). The Paved Streets The Circles Building is surrounded by stone-paved streets. The western street is virtually intact, while the southern and northern streets are damaged. As for the area east of the building, limited excavation and late disturbance have left us with no information regarding

Plan 3.6. A schematic section of Room 2 and surrounding elements.

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a possible eastern street and access from it to the Circles Building. The streets are 2.5 m wide and were paved with large well-fitted flat stones. The true relation between the Circles Building and the western street is compromised to some extent by W19, which appears to border the paved street (Fig. 3.20), and is exactly parallel to the Circles Building’s western wall. However, closer scrutiny of the street plan, as well as the plan of the deep cut, shows that W19 was founded upon an earlier wall (W196)—the eastern wall of a structure found to the west (see The Deep Cut, below)—partly dismantling and partly reusing it. Both the plan and the photographs indicate slight differences in orientation between the Circles Building’s western wall and W19 on the one hand, and W196 and the street pavement on the other. There is an obvious gap between the street pavement and the building, wider at the southern end and gradually narrowing toward the north. On the far side of the street, the pavement abuts W196, but runs under W19. These facts imply that the paved street antedates the Circles Building, although it remained in use after the building was constructed. Assuming an EB II origin for the paved streets (an assumption corroborated in the 2003 excavations [Greenberg 2005]), it emerges that the Circles Building was ‘planted’ into a pre-existing urban layout and plan, either completely superseding or otherwise incorporating an earlier building or complex of buildings in the insula bordered by the three streets. That the EB II paved streets continued to be in use during the lifetime of the Circles Building can be explained by their very high quality of construction: the pavement was made of large, carefully fitted slabs placed atop a thick compact layer of mixed sand, small

pebbles, sea shells, and pottery sherds. The decision to use the existing street system required the construction of a building with fairly deep foundations: these appear to have been set directly on the late EB I strata, completely obliterating the EB II remains. The absence of EB II finds and strata under the Circles Building is conspicuous, in view of the rather substantial remains of the period found just west of the western alley, in the deep cut (below). The staircase near the northwest corner of the building (Fig. 3.21) served to connect the low-lying northern street with the much higher western one. It seems to have been built as a later addition abutting the building, probably on top of the original street pavement at its western end. At some point in time, access from the northern street to Circles I and VII was created by the removal of a number of stones from the upper course of the northern wall of the Circles Building, creating two thresholds with one step each (see Plan 3.3; Fig. 3.22). The technique is familiar from the alterations made inside the building and may be ascribed to the same phase of occupation. In close proximity to the northwest staircase many Khirbet Kerak Ware pottery sherds, broken animal bones, charcoal fragments, and small pebbles were found. A remarkable find from the northern street, east of the staircase, was a pottery ring with attached bulls’ heads (see discussion below, Fig. 3.30). Finally, three possible gaming stones set in the southern street may be noted: one near the southwest corner of the building and two about 10 m from its eastern end. The large slabs bear small, deep cupmarks, ordered in rows (see Fig. 3.23a) and might be compared to boards found at Arad (Sebbane 2001).

Fig. 3.20. The western street, looking south. To left of the street—the Circles Building; to right, W19 (rear) and W196 (center). Note the ‘deep cut’ at center-right.

Fig. 3.21. The staircase at the western end of the northern street, looking southwest.

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Fig. 3.22. The northern street, looking east. At several points the upper courses of the platform wall have been removed, allowing access from the street.

Another Monumental Structure?

Pottery in and near the Circles Building

Diagonally across the small square formed by the junction of paved streets at the southwest corner of the Circles Building, the JPES excavation revealed the corner of a well-preserved structure with masonry closely resembling that of the Circles Building itself (Fig. 3.23). This structure would have been located near the summit of the acropolis of the mound, and it seems likely that it was a public building of some importance.

The pottery types presented below can for the most part be ascribed only in a general way to the Circles Building and its immediate environs. The exceptions—several Khirbet Kerak Ware objects that can be attributed specifically to the courtyard and pillared hall—have been noted above. As there is no way to estimate the quantitative composition of the assemblage, the current discussion focuses on its typological qualities.

b

a

Fig. 3.23. (a) The southwest corner of the Circles Building (note cupmarked stone in street); (b) the northeast corner of an unexcavated monumental structure, looking southeast. Note similarity of construction between the two corners and the paved street continuing west (at right).

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Early Bronze III Common Ware Dated according to the criteria set out by Greenberg (2000) and by comparison with stratified assemblages from other areas of excavation, the standard or common ware types from the Circles Building belong for the most part to the familiar Period D repertoire of Bet Yerah. Bowls include a red-slipped wheelmade bowl (Fig. 3.24:1), a hemispherical dish with dense pattern-burnish (Fig. 3.24:2), and a similarly burnished shallow bowl with a flattened rim (Fig. 3.24:3). Platters (Fig. 3.24:4–6) are all pattern-burnished. The first of the three, a platter of standard proportions, shows evidence of repair. The remaining two are oversized platters, 75–80 cm in diameter. Their prominence in the Circles Building may be significant, as this fits a pattern observed in other fields of excavation whereby the northern part of the mound tends to produce platters of larger size than the south. Holemouth cooking pots (Fig. 3.24:7, 8) are of the ‘gray’ variety introduced in Period C and most common in Period D. Figure 3.24:8 bears an elaborate incision (cf. Lapp 2003: Fig. 18.22:11). Among the jars, the three illustrated artifacts are not particularly diagnostic. The everted-rim store jar (Fig. 3.24:9) and the decorated jar or amphoriskos (Fig. 3.24:11) both belong to a local potting tradition that spans the Period C–D transition in the south of the mound (see, e.g., Figs. 8.77:5; 8.80:4; 8.89:8, 11; 8.101:7). The widemouthed jar with lug handles (Fig. 3.24:10) might be

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compared to a vessel from EB III Hazor (Yadin et al. 1961: Pl. 154: 21). There are four pithos fragments—two narrownecked (Fig. 3.24:12, 13) and two wide-mouthed (Fig. 3.24:14, 15). The former—by virtue of the lime slip of the one, the crude rope decoration of the other, and the mediocre firing of both—belong typologically to the ceramic tradition characterizing southern Israel (Getzov, Paz, and Gophna 2001; cf. Fig. 5.88:13, below). The latter belong to a type that in its pristine form has a channel-rim and lug-handles that indicate closure with an inverted bowl. Here, Fig. 3.24:14 has the channel rim and 3.24:15 a non-functional rendition of the lug-handles (cf. Fig. 5.89:1 for the full form). Ledge handles (Fig. 3.25:1–4) have been illustrated in order to underline the return of the ledge handle to the Bet Yerah Period D repertoire after their virtual disappearance during Period C. The elongated stumpbase of a wheelmade red-slipped burnished jug (Fig. 3.25:5) completes the common-ware assemblage. Khirbet Kerak Ware Of all the locations abundant in Khirbet Kerak Ware at the type-site, the Circles Building stands out for the variety and quality of the vessels found within it. It is most unfortunate that we are not able to locate most of the vessels with precision, or to assign more than a handful to a specific phase. Nonetheless, it does seem significant that at least three complete vessels—

Fig. 3.24 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KII 42

Brown clay, well fired, red slip, wheelmade

2

Bowl

KII 205

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish, wheelmade

3

Bowl

KII 1333

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

KII 858

Pinkish clay, red slip, pattern burnish, repair holes

5

Platter

KII 721

Brownish-buff clay, reddish slip, pattern burnish

6

Platter

KII 1131

Buff clay, gray core, poorly fired, traces of pattern burnish

7

Cooking pot

KII 1917

Brownish-gray clay, gray core, potter’s mark

8

Cooking pot

KII 977

Gray clay, potter’s mark

9

Jar

KII 402

Brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

10

Jar

KII 425

Brown clay, black inclusions, red slip

11

Jar

KII 998

Buff clay, small black inclusions, red-painted decoration

12

Pithos

KII 196

Orange clay, white inclusions, white lime slip, applied decoration

13

Pithos

KII 325

Orange clay, gray core, poorly fired, raised rope decoration

14

Pithos

KII 652

Gray clay, gray core, red slip, incised decoration

15

Pithos

KII 907

Buff clay, gray core, incised decoration

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1

3 2

4

5

6

7 8 9

10 11

13 12

14 15 0

10

Fig. 3.24. EB III pottery from the Circles Building.

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2

3

1 4

0

10

5

Fig. 3.25. EB III pottery from the Circles Building No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Jar

KII 2171

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Handle

KII 674

Brownish clay, black inclusions

3

Handle

KII 729

Buff clay, black core

4

Handle

KII 1449

Orange clay, gray core

5

Jug

KII 228

Buff clay, wheel marks, red slip, burnish

the deep krater and cylindrical jar discovered in the pillared hall and the small red-black bowl recovered within the kiln—can be attributed to the final phase of the building, and that the proposed potter’s kiln belonging to the final phase seems to have an affinity with Khirbet Kerak Ware and may even have been used to manufacture this ware. Bowls include straight-walled bowls (Fig. 3.26:1, 2), a common Khirbet Kerak Ware type with a vertical wall and omphhalos base, represented by one small vessel and one unusually large one. The latter is somewhat crudely formed of coarse fabric and its burnish is not nearly as dense or as polished as that of the smaller vessel. The classic fine-ware sinuous bowls (Fig. 3.26: 3–6) are represented by the red-black vessels with omphalos base such as that found inside the courtyard kiln (Fig. 3.26:3). An unusual variant, represented by two examples (Fig. 3.26:5, 6), is a somewhat larger delicate cup with a strap-handle. Curiously, the two vessels were left unslipped and only lightly burnished, suggesting that they may never have been completed

(the presence of unfinished vessels could jibe with the interpretation of the courtyard kiln as a Khirbet Kerak Ware installation). The large shallow bowl (Fig. 3.26:7), reminiscent of the local Early Bronze Age platter, is furnished with a perforated bar-handle. Among the kraters are fine examples of the two main types in Khirbet Kerak Ware: the wide-mouthed carinated krater, red-black with bossed decoration, represented by one fragment (Fig. 3.26:8), and the deep sinuous-sided krater, red-black with applied decoration, represented by one complete vessel and one fragment (Fig. 3.26:9, 10). The complete vessel, found alongside a cylindrical jar (see below) on the floor of the pillared hall, near the middle of the back wall, bears a close resemblance to Kura-Arax/Early Transcaucasian jars (e.g., Sagona 1984: Fig. 73:1; Kushnareva 1997: Fig. 19:19, 23). In contrast to most of the red-black vessels, the execution of the two-colored scheme on this vessel is somewhat imprecise in outline and mottled in color. Two jars in Khirbet Kerak Ware technique bear a strong resemblance to standard Early Bronze Age

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3 5

1

4 6

2

7

8

10 9

11 12 0

10

Fig. 3.26. EB III pottery from the Circles Building—Khirbet Kerak Ware.

types and may be considered hybrid Levanto-Khirbet Kerak Ware creations: (a) holemouth jar, with rather crude but unmistakable red-black decoration (Fig. 3.26:11); (b) a wide-mouthed pithos (Fig. 3.26:12), red

slipped and highly burnished, with a profiled rim that is entirely foreign to the Khirbet Kerak Ware tradition and which may be compared with local pithoi (e.g., Fig. 5.89:1).

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75

◄ Fig. 3.26 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Bowl

KII 2001

Dark red clay, red burnished KKW

2

Bowl

KII 314

Brownish clay, gray core, red-brown burnished KKW

3

Bowl

KII 538

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

4

Bowl

KII 427

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

5

Bowl

KII 1276

Brown clay, lightly burnished KKW

6

Bowl

KII 1003

Grayish clay, gray-black core, lightly burnished KKW

7

Bowl

KII 1330

Brownish clay, black core, red burnished KKW

8

Krater

KII 275

Gray-black clay, red shading to orange and black, burnished KKW, raised decoration

9

Krater

KII 451

Dark gray clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

10

Krater

KII 254

Gray clay, orange-red shading to brown-black, burnished KKW, knob decoration

11

Holemouth jar

KII 768

Brown to black clay, gray core, red-black burnished KKW

12

Pithos

KII 488

Brown clay, black core, red burnished KKW

Fig. 3.27 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Lid

KII 33

Brownish clay, KKW

2

Lid

KII 420

Gray clay, KKW

3

Lid

KII 39

Light brown clay, gray core, burnished KKW

4

Lid

KII 285

5

Stand

6

Stand

7

Stand

8

Stand

KII 1023

Gray clay, red and black burnished KKW, incised decoration

9

Stand

KII 2000

From kiln; original red burnished surface discolored by firing to green, violet; KKW

10

Andiron

KII 36

Gray clay, KKW

11

Andiron

KII 252

Brownish-gray clay, KKW

12

Andiron

KII 540

Brownish-gray clay, KKW

Gray clay, gray core, burnished KKW Brown clay, gray core, red burnished KKW

KII 353

Brown clay, gray core, red burnished KKW Brown clay, gray core, red burnished KKW

Lids are represented by several large knobs, round (Fig. 3.27:2, 3) or elongated (Fig. 3.27:4), unpierced (3.27:2) and fully pierced (3.27:3, 4). Figure 3.27:1 is a complete lid of votive dimensions (about 5 cm across). The stands discovered in and near the Circles Building are all of non-standard type. Three fragments (Fig. 3.27:5–7) belong to stands with triangular fenestrations. A fourth fragment, black slipped with incised decoration in a ladder pattern (Fig. 3.27:8), probably belongs to a funnel-shaped object, the likes of which was discovered in the Area EY excavations in 1985 (see below, Fig. 8.95:12; cf. Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 8:6). Its decoration shows a close affinity to the KuraArax tradition (Sagona 1984: Figs. 117, 118). The fifth stand (Fig. 3.27:9), with horizontal ribbing, is the one

used to form the central pillar of the kiln exposed on the floor of the cobbled courtyard. Among the andirons, or portable hearths, one is diminutive (Fig. 3.27:10), and two are fully functional (Fig. 3.27:11, 12). The small andiron has an applied ridge on its façade, probably intended as a schematic rendition of facial features (cf. below, Fig. 5.91:23). The large andirons illustrate the variety found in this class of vessels: one is angular, with a perforated handle at the rear, and the other rounded, lacking a handle. The large cylindrical jar (Fig. 3.28), the first and only vessel of its type found at Bet Yerah, stood next to the deep krater (Fig. 3.26:9) on the floor of the pillared hall. While the red-slipped, carefully burnished vessel may be considered a Khirbet Kerak Ware innovation, several of its features have affinities in the Kura-Arax

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4 1

3

2

7 5

6

8

9

10

11

12 0

10

Fig. 3.27. EB III pottery from the Circles Building—Khirbet Kerak Ware.

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

0

10

Fig. 3.28. The Khirbet Kerak Ware cylindrical jar (Reg. No. KII 373, gray clay, burnished red slip inside and out) from Room 2 in the Circles Building.

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EB II Pottery (Fig. 3.29) A handful of sherds from the Circles Building, mostly of North Canaanite Metallic Ware (NCMW), should probably be assigned an EB II date. Open forms (Fig. 3.29:1, 2) include a lattice-burnished platter (see below, Fig. 7.31:4, for a comparable EB II vessel) and a large

tradition: the splayed strap-handles are typical of the ancestral tradition, and the cylindrical concept itself is not unusual there (Sagona 1984: Fig. 58:2; Kushnareva 1997: Figs. 19:51, 29:16), though the placement of the handles is quite different and the surface treatment not nearly as refined.

1

2

4

3

5 6

0

8

7

10

9

Fig. 3.29. EB II pottery in and near the Circles Building. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Platter

KII 267

Reddish clay, red slip, lattice burnish, NCMW

2

Bowl

KII 1431

Orange clay, gray core, NCMW

3

Cooking pot

KII 1153

Brown clay, potter’s mark

4

Vat

KII 1984

Orange clay, brown slip, NCMW

5

Pithos

KII 607

Orange-brown clay, pattern burnish, NCMW

6

Jar

7

Jar

8

Juglet

KII 716

Orange clay, brown slip, NCMW

9

Body sherd

KII 687

Orange clay, potter’s mark, NCMW

Orange clay, red slip, white-painted decoration, NCMW Orange clay, red slip, white-painted decoration, NCMW

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inverted-rim bowl. Figure 3.29:4 belongs to the class of vessels usually termed ‘vats’: it is pattern-combed and has a perforated tongue-shaped handle (cf. Fig. 5.83:9). Figure 3.29:3 is a ‘brown’ holemouth cooking pot with a potter’s mark. Of the three NCMW jars, one (Fig. 3.29:5) is carefully pattern-burnished and two (Fig. 3.29:6, 7) bear white-on-red decoration. Two more NCMW fragments complete the group: a juglet base (Fig. 3.29:8) and a jar shoulder fragment bearing an elaborate potter’s mark (Fig. 3.29:9). Small Finds Small finds from Area SA will be discussed in detail in Volume II. Finds from the area of the Circles Building include the pottery ring with two bulls’ heads (KII 508; Fig. 3.30) found just outside the Circles Building in the northern paved street (previously discussed in Amiran 1989:31–33; Mazar 2001:452, Fig. 23.5, Pl. 23. 1b), a clay figurine fragment of a donkey carrying baskets (Reg. No. KII 974), and a broken bull figurine (Reg. No. KII 37). In addition, several weights of different materials and types were found (Reg. Nos. KII 300, KII 1042, KII 1043, KII 1104), as well as a well-polished limestone mace-head (Reg. No. KII 961). Discussion The Construction of the Circles Building The building technique emerging from the detailed description of the JPES excavation results is rather

Fig. 3.30. The clay ring with the bulls’ heads (Reg. No. KII 508) from the northern street.

more complicated than originally presented by the excavators. If we assume the streets surrounding the Circles Building were originally laid during EB II, the builders of this massive construction had to deal with a given urban layout, that is, a grid of paved streets that formed a trapezoidal, sloped building plot (Fig. 3.31). Their solution was quite creative: the external shell of the structure simply followed the external contours and elevations of the plot; the huge platforms, asymmetrical and sloped, served only as a structural binding for what must have been a series of independent chambers—the sunken stone-lined circles. The interior of the structure, however, was both leveled and more nearly rectilinear. This caused a curious discrepancy between the internal space and the platforms, suggesting that they were not in intimate communication.

Fig. 3.31. General view of Circles Building, looking northeast (after Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: Pl. 17A).

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Furthermore, the stone foundations of the structure were sunk well below street level—as much as 1 m in some places. Thus, the construction of the Circles Building must have involved the complete obliteration of existing EB II structures, cutting into the EB I strata. With the stone foundations reaching a height of nine courses, about 1.7 m, in at least three different spots, it is clear that care was being taken to maintain the relative elevation of the sunken circles with regard to the external street level, rather than to the internal court. Thus, as the western street dips over 1 m towards the north (from an elevation of -196.93 m in the south, to -197.24 m in its central part and -197.51 m near the late tower), so too does the elevation of the corresponding platforms (from -196.11 to -197.44 m). As noted earlier, the stone foundations of the Circles Building appear to have been built as ‘casemate’ frames consisting of external stone walls, with possible inner divisions, supporting an earthen fill upon which the platform pavement was laid and into which the original circles were sunk. Evidence for at least two phases of building and use comes from Circle IV with the so-called sunken partitions and from Circle VI with its deep foundations. None of the installations (ovens, pits, basins, stairs) found in the building can be assigned with certainty to its original phase. Although the excavators failed to identify it, there can be little doubt that there was a mudbrick superstructure over the entire building. Excavations in 2003 revealed the mudbricks on top of the partitions of Circle VII, as well as some courses of the mudbrick wall surrounding that circle on the east. The Function of the Circles Building Interpreted as a fortress or palace (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:228), temple (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:228; Mellaart 1966:74–76; Wright 1985:218; Amiran 1989:32; Mazar 2001:454– 455), and granary (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:228, n. 12; Mellaart 1966:75, Fig. 28; Kempinski 1978: Fig. 9; 1992:77, Fig. 10; Currid 1985:105–106, Figs. 2–5; 1986; Mazar 2001:450–452), the Circles Building provides precious little hard evidence of its function. As far as the granary interpretation is concerned, circumstantial support comes from the evidence for a possible original phase with deep-set stone-lined circles. However, the evidence for other types of activities that took place in the building in its final phase, such as pottery production, implies that at

least at its final stages the building was no longer used in this capacity. The interpretation of the inner hall of the building as a temple, as suggested by A. Mazar, is possible regarding both stages of the building. However, this suggestion was partly based on the inaccurate attribution of two cult objects to the Circles Building. The first, a fragment of a clay ring with two bull heads (see Fig 3.30, above) was found outside of the building, in the northern street near the staircase. It could have originated in the Circles Building or from the area north of it, where several cult objects were recovered during Bar-Adon’s excavations in Area GB (See Chapter 4). The second object (Mazar 2001:452–454, Fig. 23.6, Pl. 23.1) is a fragment of a zoomorphic libation vessel, which was actually found during the 1944–1945 season in Area MS (see Chapter 2) and misleadingly published in the preliminary report on the second season. Favoring the temple interpretation is the presence of two remarkable Khirbet Kerak Ware vessels at the middle of the back wall of the hall, implying a special function for this part of the building. Based on these insights on the construction and function of the building, published reconstructions of the Circles Building/Granary may be reconsidered. Mellaart (1966:75, Fig. 28), followed by Kempinski (1978: Fig. 9; 1992:77, Fig. 10), presented each circle as a foundation for an individual freestanding conical or cylindrical silo—a reconstruction inspired by the Egyptian freestanding conical silos and ‘beehive’ granaries (Currid 1985:105–106, Figs. 2–5; Mazar 2001:450). Mazar (2001:450–452, Figs. 23.2–23.4) suggested that the massive stone platforms on which the circles were built were the foundations for a solid mudbrick superstructure, which totally covered the space between the circles. The individual silos were inside this outer solid frame and had a cylindrical shape with straight sides and a flat or domed roof. According to Mazar, the four partitions in each circle were foundations for piers that supported the roof. The tops of the silos, 6–8 m high(!), protruded above the main structure. The silos were filled from the top and grain was recovered from openings at the base of the structure that communicated through passages and stairways with the inner courts. Herzog’s reconstruction (1997: Fig. 3.25) appears to stand midway between those of Kempinski and Mazar, in regard to the massiveness of the brick superstructure. The excavations provide little support for the reconstruction of substantial mudbrick construction on

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

top of the platforms. While the 2003 excavations showed that the JPES excavators might have missed one or two courses of mudbrick, the existence of massive 6–8 m high cylindrical or conical silos would be inconsistent with the state of the structure, and especially with the alterations made during its second phase. Clearly, the changes made in the floors and partitions, the installations built directly on the circles and platforms, and the stairs and entrances added to the building imply that the platform was, by and large, relatively accessible and free of large accumulations of mudbrick. A more likely scenario for the first phase would be to posit sunken silos with a minimal mudbrick superstructure on top of the stone foundations, with each freestanding circle communicating directly with the adjacent alley. In the second phase, the building ceased to serve as a granary, and the circles’ function shifted, perhaps gradually, to different crafts. In this phase many alternations were made, including raising the floors of the circles, changing some of the partition walls, adding new installations and creating new passages and points of access to different parts of the building. It seems likely that at this time the superstructure of the circles consisted of ‘light’ construction. Conclusion: A History of the Circles Building The Circles Building was built at the start of EB III, into an existing grid of paved streets dating to EB II. Built as a granary complex that included several silos, its platforms were apparently approached from the paved streets on the south, west, and north. In the center of the building a courtyard and a covered hall were approached by a long corridor and a possible vestibule on the east. These constituted an independent unit, communicating only indirectly with the silos. During EB III the building ceased to be used as a granary. Repairs and alterations were made, new passages opened, floors elevated, and new installations added. The building was subdivided into several units, some of them used for small-scale industries such as flint knapping and pottery production. The many Khirbet Kerak Ware vessels found in the building, their quality and some unusual details in their finish suggest that at least in its latest phase, the Circles Building could have been a focus for Khirbet Kerak Ware producers and consumers at Bet Yerah. Its location near the acropolis of the mound may hint at the prominent role played by these populations in the town during EB III.

81

The building was abandoned before the end of EB III. Its protruding foundations, however, attracted later construction. That these late remains caused only superficial damage to the structure may be taken as testimony to its massiveness and to the quality of its construction.

‘THE DEEP CUT’ The location chosen for the sounding referred to by the excavators as ‘the deep cut’ lay west of the Circles Building and the adjacent street (Plan 3.7; Fig. 3.32). The excavation of the sounding to a depth of over five meters revealed several strata, comprising one of the longest Early Bronze Age sequences on the mound. The results were only briefly described in the preliminary reports (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:60– 61; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:229), but in contrast to other parts of the excavation, the surviving documentation for the sounding was such that allowed us to reconstruct a detailed, if not complete, sequence of the stratigraphy and finds from this part of the Area SA excavation. In addition to the field diary and the field plans— some with elevations—mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, the most important documentation for the deep cut came from a series of pottery trays preserved nearly in the state in which they were packed in 1947. The trays contained hundreds of sherds accompanied by tags upon which a date and relative elevation were recorded. Using this information, most trays could be assigned to a specific horizon in the sounding (these

Plan 3.7. Schematic plan indicating the location of the deep cut in relation to the Circles Building.

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Fig. 3.32. The excavation team in the final stages of work in the deep cut; Hestrin and Krakauer (Dothan) are on balk at right, Sukenik (Yadin) is in trench at left.

arbitrary horizons might not always correspond directly to the stratigraphic features described in the diary and plans). Using this information, we attributed arbitrary ‘locus’ numbers (SA 01–58) to the different groups of registered sherds from each horizon. Eventually, a schematic stratigraphic sequence was built up based on these horizons, forming the phases described below. The walls found during the excavation of the sounding were assigned new three-digit numbers (W191, W192, etc.), as only W19 was numbered by the excavators. Progress of the Excavation During the work in and around the Circles Building, W19, running parallel to the western wall of the Circles Building, was discovered in Sqs 9 and 19, along with a portion of two rooms abutting the wall on the west (see Plan 3.3). As the sounding was not initiated at this stage, few finds can be attributed with certainty to the uppermost phases of EB III in these rooms, contemporary with the uppermost phase of the Circles Building itself. The excavation of the deep cut, properly speaking, began on June 3, 1946 and continued until June 25, 1946. It was initiated in Sqs 10 and 20, on the western edge of the excavated area, but was soon extended to W19 to include the portions of the two rooms excavated earlier. The excavators’ notebook and field photos describe the following sequence of stratigraphic phases, from top to bottom (Plan 3.8):

Phase 1. An installation described as an ‘oven’, at a level of -195.89– -196.19 m in Sq 10. The excavators attributed this installation to the Hellenistic period, though few remains of this period have actually been identified (an Islamic date is perhaps more likely, in view of the late-period finds presently in the collections). When the oven was dismantled, a large elongated red-polished jug was discovered (see Fig. 3.46:6). This may well represent the uppermost Early Bronze Age floor in this sector. Phase 2. At approximately 1 m below datum, elev. -196.40 m, the top of W19 was revealed along the eastern face of the sounding. Wall 19 borders the paved street running along the western face of the Circles Building and is clearly contemporary with it (above, Fig. 3.20). Although some trays of pottery can be associated with this phase, their precise context is not clear. Nor is it clear whether any other walls can be attributed to this phase. Phase 3A–B. Between -196.59 and -196.79 m the tops of a series of stone wall-foundations appeared (W194, W193, W198, W192, W191), forming a rectangular structure with two main rooms, numbered 3 (south) and 9 (north; Plan 3.9, Fig. 3.33). The walls were built of medium-sized basalt fieldstones, some of them roughly hewn. The eastern wall of this structure was not W19, as assumed by the excavators, but an earlier wall

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

Plan 3.8. Reconstructed schematic section of the deep cut.

Plan 3.9. Plan of the deep cut, Phases 4–3.

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(W196), upon which W19 was founded. The courses of this original wall appear on the field plans and can be identified in photographs (Fig. 3.33). Room 3 was paved with a thick layer of pebbles (top elevation -196.79 m; the wording of the field diary is not entirely clear on this point, but seems to indicate a 0.30 m thick layer), and in Room 9 two superimposed beaten-earth floors with traces of ash were identified, at elevations of -196.79 and -196.89 m, respectively.

Phase 4. With the removal of the Room 9 and 3 floors, meager traces of earlier construction were revealed (between -196.95 and -197.34 m). These include a corner (W199, W200) and a possible wall fragment (W197, just west of W191), aligned quite differently from the later structures (Fig. 3.34). No certain floors can be attributed to this phase.

Fig. 3.33. Rooms 3 and 9 in the deep cut, looking northeast.

Fig. 3.34. Wall 199–W200 of Phase 4 (in the center) and adjacent elements, looking south.

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

Phase 5. Following the removal of the wall foundations, a 0.6 m thick deposit with no architectural remains appeared. The deposit topped a clear ash level in the southern sector, beneath Room 3, at -197.94 m. This layer was apparently less visible beneath Room 9. Just below this apparent floor, at -198.09 m, another ash level, 5–10 cm thick and extending across both squares, was reached. The Phase 5 ash layers produced a quantity of pottery, including a seal-impressed pithos neck (see below). Phase 6. From the base of the ash layer, at -198.19 to approximately -198.59 m, excavation continued through an accumulation of decayed mudbrick, in which no clear architectural features were identified. A pit cutting through this material (bottom elevation -199.09 m) was identified in Sq 20, though no details on its form or size are provided. Phase 7. Below the mudbrick material was a 0.5 m thick soil accumulation above an ash layer, encountered at -199.09 m. Phase 8. Another deposit of mudbrick material, in which the excavators discerned no walls, extended to a depth of about 0.30 m, ending at an apparent floor at 4 m below datum (-199.39 m). Beneath this floor, between -199.42 and -199.57 m, three infant-burial jars were discovered, each covered by an overturned bowl. Only one of these jars has been identified in the PAM collections, along with the three bowls. The location of mushroom-shaped ivory beads (Reg. No. 2085), reported to have been found in one of the burials, is also unknown. Phase 9. A fourth burial jar, its bottom at -200.24 m, seems to indicate that there was another surface below that of Phase 8. No architecture was observed in the intervening deposit, but an excavation horizon marked at -199.74 m could indicate a floor associated with the burial.

85

Phase 10. A layer of small stones was observed at -200.39 m (there is no information as to the extent of the sounding at this level). Nearby, a round oven, 0.45 m in diameter and 0.20 m deep, was cut into the natural marl to a level of -200.59 m. The Occupational and Cultural Sequence in the Deep Cut The local phases described above comprise a long stratigraphic sequence, beginning with the earliest occupation known to date at Tel Bet Yerah and ending with a stratum apparently contemporary with the Circles Building. Based on the pottery recovered in each phase (as preserved in the PAM trays, ‘Loci’ SA 01–58), they may be grouped in a series of chronological horizons, as shown in Table 3.2. Period A (Local Phases 10–9) The earliest remains of settlement (Phase 10) appear to be represented in occupation patches on the natural marl surface. The finds from the oven and stone surface were recorded as three separate groups (our ‘loci’). However, as the details on the attached notes were not clear, we cannot determine whether or not they belong to the same occupation episode. The finds from the stone-paved surface at -200.39 m belong to Loci SA 56–57. Artifacts from this horizon (Figs. 3.35, 3.36) include fragments of knobbed and carinated Gray Burnished Ware bowls (Fig. 3.35:1–5), holemouth jars and kraters with thickened square rim and impressed decoration (Figs. 3.35:8, 10; 3.36:1), a pithos (Fig. 3.35:7), and a ledge handle (Fig. 3.36:7), all of which closely resemble, both in form and technique, early EB I material recently published from Yiftah’el (Braun 1997: Figs. 9.2, 9.3, 9.7, 9.10, 9.17), Tel Te’o (Eisenberg 2001: Figs. 7.1, 7.2, 7.5, 7.6), and Tell eshShuna North (Baird and Philip 1994: Figs. 10:3; 12). The similarity to Tel Te’o is particularly noticeable in the dark gray to black shades of the Gray Burnished

Table 3.2. Stratigraphy of the Deep Cut Local Phases, Deep Cut

Bet Yerah Period

Archaeological Period

1

H/K

Hellenistic or Early Islamic

2–Late 3

D

EB III

Early 3–5

C

EB II

6–8

B

EB IB

9–10

A

EB IA (+ Late Neolithic?)

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bowls, as well as in the variety of rounded and carinated shapes of that ware. In addition to the above, several fragments of plain or slightly pinched holemouth rims bearing punctate or impressed decoration were found (Fig. 3.36:2–5); these could be ascribed an earlier date, though they have parallels at EB IA Yiftah’el (Braun

1997: Fig. 9.12:1–7) and Tell esh-Shuna North (e.g., Gustavson-Gaube 1985: Fig. 10:29, 30; Baird and Philip 1994: Fig. 10:1). Two fragments of a small knobbed jar with a white surface and fine painted zigzag decoration (Fig. 3.36:6), and a further (chalice?) fragment with cruder zigzag decoration (Fig. 3.35:9) are reminiscent

1

2

4

3

5

6

7

8

10 0

9

10

Fig. 3.35. Deep cut, Phase 10 (Period A) pottery. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

2093

SA 57

10

Gray clay, white inclusions, dark gray slip, burnish, GBW

2

Bowl

1843a

SA 56

10

Brown clay, white and chaff inclusions, dark brown slip, burnish, GBW

3

Bowl

1850

SA 56

10

Brownish clay, brown-orange slip, burnish, GBW

4

Bowl

1853

SA 56

10

Dark gray clay, burnish, GBW

5

Bowl

1843b

SA 56

10

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, orange slip with traces of burnish, GBW

6

Bowl

1840

SA 56

10

Brown clay, gray-black core, red slip, spaced burnish

7

Pithos

1844

SA 56

10

Brown clay, red slip

8

Holemouth jar

1848a

SA 56

10

Brown clay, brown inclusions, reddish-brown slip, impressed decoration

9

Body sherd

1851

SA 56

10

Brown clay, brown inclusions, brown decoration

Holemouth jar

1848b

SA 56

10

Gray clay, white inclusions, impressed decoration

10

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

of northern Chalcolithic (Smithline 2001: Figs. 5, 6 and references therein) or even Late Neolithic wares (Gopher and Tsuk 1996: Fig. 3.9:2; Garfinkel 1999: Color Pl. I:2–4 [Yarmukian and Jericho IX]). Phase 9 is represented by the unusual burial jar (Figs. 3.37:5; 3.38), which has its closest (though not identical) parallel in a burial jar from Tel Te’o (Eisenberg 2001: Fig. 7.6:1). Its form and friable buff fabric and dark red slip seem more at home in early EB I rather than in the later phase represented by the ceramic material found in subsequent units. As the burial (SA 31) must

have been beneath a contemporary floor—perhaps that indicated at -199.74 m (SA 33), which produced Gray Burnished Ware (Fig. 3.37:1, 2), a one-handled jar (Fig. 3.37:3), and a red-slipped pithos neck with rope decoration (Fig. 3.37:4)—an accumulation of some 0.65 m above natural soil may thus be attributed to this second phase of Period A. The unusual coarse, red-slipped straight-sided bowl found about 0.15 m beneath the jar (Fig. 3.35:6) may be associated with the Phase 9 jar, as it resembles the bowls used as caps for burial jars elsewhere on the mound.

1

4

3

5

2

6

0

10

7

Fig. 3.36. Deep cut, Phase 10 (Period A) pottery from ‘oven’ (-200.39– -200.59 m). Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

Holemouth jar

1860

SA 58

10

Gray-brown clay, gray core, red wash, incised decoration

2

Holemouth jar

1862

SA 58

10

Gray clay, many large gray and white inclusions, nail-impressed decoration

3

Holemouth jar

1863

SA 58

10

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, nail-impressed decoration

4

Holemouth jar

1856a

SA 58

10

Brown clay, gray, white and crushed calcite inclusions, impressed decoration

5

Holemouth jar

1856b

SA 58

10

Brown clay, gray, white and crushed calcite inclusions, impressed decoration

6

Body sherd

1861

SA 58

10

Buff clay, brown, gray and white inclusions, red decoration

7

Handle

1859

SA 58

10

Brown clay, large gray and white inclusions

No.

Type

1

87

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2

1

3

4

5 0

10

Fig. 3.37. Deep cut, Phase 9 (Period A) pottery from occupation level and from burial underneath it. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

1511

SA 33

9

Gray clay, white inclusions, mottled gray to reddish-brown slip, burnish, GBW

2

Bowl

1512

SA 33

9

Gray clay, white and gray inclusions, dark gray slip, burnish, GBW

3

Jar

1496

SA 17

(9)

Reddish-brown clay, gray core; white, gray and crushed calcite inclusions, dark red slip

4

Pithos

1516

SA 33

9

Red clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip, rope decoration

5

Jar

2108+ 2132

SA 31

9

Buff clay, gray core, dark red slip

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

89

Fig. 3.38. Deep cut, Phase 9 burial jar (= Fig. 3.37:5).

Period B (Local Phases 8–6) Phases 8–6 constitute a thick accumulation of alternating mudbrick material and ash lenses. These appear to represent a series of floors that must have been associated with mudbrick walls not identified by the excavators (similar difficulties in identifying mudbrick walls lacking stone footing have been noted in Area MS). The pottery recovered from the three units is largely EB IB in date, with an admixture of earlier material. Local Phase 8 includes possible architecture (at approximately -199.40 m) and jar burials associated with it (SA 25–28). The soil accumulation of Phase 7 probably represents the overburden of the collapsed Phase 8 structures. Above it, local Phase 6 includes traces of architecture and a possible floor at -198.59 m (SA 18). The nearby pit could belong to a third sub-phase, otherwise not identified. The remains of Phase 6 are capped by an ash layer (between -198.19 and -198.09 m), which marks the interface with the next horizon. Both the pit and the mudbrick contained EB I pottery only.

No chronological variation is evident in the artifact assemblage from the various Period B phases. Here, as elsewhere on the mound, three groups are dominant: crackled ware, which has been described in detail by Esse (1989); pithoi and jars with grain-wash decoration (Fig. 3.39:5–7); and red-slipped holemouth pots (Fig. 3.39:3, 4). Other vessels of this period are the plain red-slipped bowl (Fig. 3.39:1) and the unusual krater with the rope decoration (Fig. 3.39:2). The lone identified burial jar (Fig. 3.40:4) is most interesting, combining as it does the profile of the earlier Period A jar with a decoration akin to the grainwash technique prevalent in the later part of EB I. The bowls associated with the burial jars (Fig. 3.40:1–3) resemble standard crackled ware forms, but are of the plainest, coarsest variety. The interment of infants in jars capped by straight-sided bowls is a recurrent phenomenon in late EB I Tel Bet Yerah, reported by at least three subsequent excavators at the site.

90

SARIT PAZ

1

2

4

3

5

6

7

0

10

Fig. 3.39. Deep cut, Period B pottery from uncertain provenance. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

1825

SA 49

(5)

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Krater

-

Uncertain provenance

(8–6)

Buff clay, small black inclusions, red-orange slip, applied decoration

3

Cooking pot

2068f

SA 10

(5)

Buff clay, gray core, large black inclusions, thin red slip

4

Cooking pot

1822

SA 49

(5)

Buff clay, gray core, large black inclusions, thin red slip, soot on rim interior and exterior

5

Pithos

-

Uncertain provenance

(8–6)

Red-brown clay, large brown and white inclusions, dark red grain-wash, potter’s mark

6

Pithos

Uncertain provenance

(8–6)

Pink clay, large gray, brown and white inclusions, red slip

7

Pithos

Uncertain provenance

(8–6)

Dark brown clay, large gray and red inclusions, brown slip, impressed decoration

-

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

1

3

2

4

0

10

Fig. 3.40. Deep cut, Period B pottery from Phase 8 burials. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

1403

SA 26

8

Light brown clay, white inclusions, streaky slip

2

Bowl

1378

SA 25

8

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, reddish-brown slip

3

Bowl

1422

SA 28

8

Gray clay, reddish-brown slip

4

Jar

1420

SA 28

8

Orange clay, gray and white inclusions, thin red streaky slip

91

92

SARIT PAZ

Period C (Local Phases 5–Early 3) Local Phase 5, obviously an occupation deposit, though lacking in architecture in the area excavated, marks the first phase of Bet Yerah Period C. The stark discontinuity in ceramic forms between this phase and the one preceding it is particularly striking. Within a physical span of about 0.15 m, the entire EB IB

assemblage is superseded, to be replaced by a new pottery assemblage in which North Canaanite Metallic Ware (Greenberg and Porat 1996) is dominant. Thus, at a level of -197.94 m, the assemblage of what appears to be a floor (SA 10, SA 49, SA 52) includes a typical EB II carinated bowl (Fig. 3.41:1), a Metallic Ware platter (Fig. 3.41:2), holemouth cooking pots in a typical

1 2

3

4 5

6 7

9 8 0

10

Fig. 3.41. Deep cut, Phase 5 (Period C) pottery. Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

No.

Type

Description

1

Bowl

2080

SA 52

5

Brick-red clay, white inclusions, random burnish interior and bottom (not NCMW)

2

Platter

2069

SA 52?

(5)

Red clay, NCMW

3

Cooking pot

2068a

SA 10

5

Dark brown clay, soot on exterior

4

Cooking pot

2068c

SA 10

5

Brown clay, gray core

5

Cooking pot

2068b

SA 10

5

Red-brown clay, soot near rim

6

Cooking pot

2068d

SA 10

5

Brown clay, gray core

7

Cooking pot

2068e

SA 10

5

Brown clay, gray core, soot near rim

8

Cooking pot

2079

SA 52

5

Brown clay, crushed calcite inclusions, soot on exterior and interior

9

Jar

2074

SA 52

5

NCMW

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

dark brown fabric common in the early EB II of Tel Bet Yerah (Figs. 3.41:3–7), a necked cooking pot with crushed calcite temper (Fig. 3.41:8), and a Metallic Ware jar (Fig. 3.41:9). The upper portion of a Metallic Ware pithos bearing the impression of a shallow-carved cylinder seal (Fig. 3.42) completes the selection. The design is a plain lattice pattern (Ben-Tor 1978: Type IF), formed by a cylinder seal approximately 3.4 cm high and 2.8 cm in diameter, rolled along the juncture between neck and shoulder. The cylinder-seal impressed pithos neck is the first and only example of this class of seal-impressions (i.e.,

93

flat-carved seals on Metallic Ware jars) in which the rim of the vessel survives. Moreover, the rim is clearly of the sharply everted type usually associated with the later part of the Metallic Ware sequence, in EB III (Greenberg and Porat 1996). Here it appears directly atop EB I remains, in a typical EB II assemblage, at the beginning of a sequence of EB II phases capped by clear EB III remains. This means (a) that cylinder seal production formed part of the Metallic Ware industry from its very inception in early EB II (cf. Greenberg 2001b); (b) that what was previously considered a typological development in Metallic Ware pithos

Fig. 3.42. Deep cut, Phase 5 Metallic Ware pithos with cylinder-seal impression (Reg. No. KII 2067).

94

SARIT PAZ

production is illusory, and pithoi can no longer be used as a chronological indicator. Above the Local Phase 5 accumulation we find the first evidence for stone architecture: two fragments of masonry construction (a corner formed by W199– W200, and W197) oriented north–south (designated as Local Phase 4; see Plan 3.9). No artifacts can be definitely associated with this structure, though the

Phase 4 accumulation contained mixed EB II and EB I material (the latter obviously residual). Among the EB II types are the Metallic Ware platters (Fig. 3.43:1, 2), typical brown holemouth cooking pots (Fig. 3.43:3, 4), and a necked cooking pot (Fig. 3.43:5). A large limestone bowl (Fig. 3.44), apparently found beneath W192, might be attributed to this phase as well.

1

2

4 3

5 0

10

Fig. 3.43. Deep cut, Phase 4: EB II pottery from loci with mixed Period B–C material. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Platter

2009

SA 11

5

Red clay, NCMW

2

Platter

1661

SA 03

3

Red clay, red slip, burnish, NCMW

3

Cooking pot

2038

SA 18

4

Cooking pot

1779

SA 12

4

Dark brown clay

5

Cooking pot

2002

SA 11

5

Red-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

Brown clay, black inclusions

Fig. 3.44. Limestone bowl from EB II phases in the deep cut (Reg. No. KII 1819).

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

95

1

2

3

5 0

4

10

Fig. 3.45. Deep cut, Phases 4–Early 3 (Period C) pottery from the floor of Room 3 and beneath it. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Platter

2019

SA 05

4

Red clay, gray core, NCMW

2

Bowl

1992

SA 04

3

Pink clay, NCMW

3

Bowl

1791

SA 09

4

Reddish-brown clay, NCMW

4

Cooking pot

2012

SA 05

4

Brown clay, gray core

5

Juglet

2018

SA 05

4

Red clay, NCMW

An entirely new structure (Local Phase 3) was built over the Phase 4 remains, changing its orientation to a northeast–southwest axis (see Plan 3.9). The structure appears to be a broadroom house, though no entrance was discovered. Its long walls were W196 on the east and W193 on the west, and its short walls, W198 on the north and W194 on the south. The interior was divided in two by a one-course high wall, W192, which clearly abuts W196 and may postdate it. Wall 191 seems to have formed a further subdivision enclosing a small space in which the stones of the earlier wall, W197, served as pavement. Room 3, to the south, appears to have had a thick pebble pavement and Room 9, to the north, a sequence of two earthen floors. The material on these floors appears to represent the transition from EB II to EB III, with worn sherds of EB II being recovered from the makeup of the pebble floor of Room 3 and during the dismantling of the walls, and EB III material appearing on the upper floor in Room 9. It is not improbable that originally the structure was built as a large broadroom (approximately 5.5 × 3.5 m), and was subsequently subdivided (a situation encountered

in other parts of Tel Bet Yerah). If so, we may attribute the construction of the structure to EB II (early stage of Phase 3), and its repair to either EB II or EB III. The pottery from the makeup of the floor of Room 3 and the lower floor in Room 9 includes an assortment of platters and inverted-rim bowls in Metallic Ware (Fig. 3.45:1–3), a typical holemouth cooking pot (Fig. 3.45:4), and the neck and rim of a small Metallic Ware juglet (Fig. 3.45:5). Period D (Local Phases Late 3–2) The late stage of Phase 3 is represented by at least one floor in Room 9, within the Period C structure. Later, perhaps in concert with the construction of the Circles Building, W19 was built (Local Phase 2), partly dismantling and partly reusing W196. It seems likely that the other walls of the structure remained in use at this time, but the evidence provided by the excavators is inconclusive. Two fragmentary large jugs (Fig. 3.46:6, 7) found just beneath the late-period oven (in Locus SA 02), at approximately the level of the top of W193, point to a floor related to the superstructure of W19.

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SARIT PAZ

Their size and workmanship proclaim an EB III date. Further material attributed to Local Phase 2 includes a small hemispherical red-slipped bowl (Fig. 3.46:1), thick-walled bowls and platters (Fig. 3.47:1–7) that are often pattern-burnished, gray holemouth cooking pots with scored interiors (Fig. 3.47:8–10), a Metallic Ware

pithos (Fig. 3.46:2), a red-slipped jar (Fig. 3.46:3), and Khirbet Kerak ware in a variety of forms (Figs. 3.46:4, 5; 3.47:11, 12). Other parts of the mound have provided evidence for a lengthy stratigraphic sequence within EB III; it therefore seems likely that the uppermost phases of EB III in the

1

3

2

4

5

7

0

6

10

Fig. 3.46. Deep cut, Phase 2 (Period D) pottery from uppermost floor/fill. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

947

SA 01

2

Buff clay, thin red slip

2

Pithos

941

SA 01

2

Pithos, red slip, burnish, NCMW

3

Jar

854

SA 02

2

Buff clay; large gray, white and red inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

944

SA 01

2

Red burnished KKW

5

Stand

942

SA 01

2

Red burnished KKW

6

Jug

899

SA 02

2

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

7

Jug

853

SA 02

2

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

1 2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11

12 0

10

Fig. 3.47. Deep cut, Phase 2 (Period D) pottery from uncertain provenance.

97

98

SARIT PAZ

◄ Fig. 3.47 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Phase

Description

1

Bowl

917

SA 35

2

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Bowl

1706a

SA 38

2

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

3

Platter

914

SA 35

2

Light brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

1706b

SA 38

2

Buff clay, gray core, red slip

5

Platter

915

SA 35

2

Light brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

6

Platter

916

SA 35

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

7

Platter

924

SA 35

2

Sandy brown clay, wheelmade, red slip, burnish

8

Cooking pot

909b

SA 35

2

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, potter’s mark

9

Cooking pot

909a

SA 35

2

Gray-brown clay, gray inclusions, scored interior

10

Cooking pot

1705

SA 38

2

Gray clay, gray inclusions, soot on exterior

11

Bowl

1711

SA 38

2

Red burnished KKW

12

Bowl

972

Uncertain provenance

2

Gray clay, red-brown to black burnished KKW

deep cut were either not recorded, or were removed during the intensive late-antique construction activity (Local Phase 1?) evident in this part of the mound. Discussion Despite its obvious limitations, the sounding in Area SA contributes important evidence to the stratigraphy of Tel Bet Yerah. The possible fifth-millennium pottery could join scattered lithic objects of similar date found elsewhere on the mound (R. Shimelmitz, pers. comm.), testifying to a limited presence in Late Neolithic times. This is hardly remarkable in view of the proximity of the important Pottery Neolithic sites of the Yarmuk triangle, but it does underline the absence of Ghassulian Chalcolithic at the mound, as at other major sites of the Jordan Valley such as Tel Dan and Jericho. The EB IA material retrieved from the deep cut actually comprises most of the pottery of that period recovered from the site to date. The statement in the 1952 report to the effect that similar pottery was found in Area MS (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:167) is not borne out by our review of the finds. In fact, the only other evidence for early EB I settlement comes from soundings conducted by Guy and Bar-Adon in Area GB, beneath the Byzantine ‘synagogue’ and the structures of Ohalo, a short distance to the north and to the southeast (see Chapter 4). By contrast, the thick accumulation of later EB I material (Bet Yerah Period B) typifies the site as a whole. The points of contact between EB I Tel Te’o and Tel Bet Yerah are intriguing: There is a clear affinity between Bet Yerah

Period A and the Strata V–IV material from Te’o. Clear, too, is the affinity between the burial jars from the two sites. However, those of Tel Bet Yerah indicate a more extended stratigraphic and typological sequence than that attested at Tel Te’o, linking earlier and later EB I. The ‘sudden’ ceramic transition to EB II (Bet Yerah Period C) and the more gradual transition to EB III are similar to those observed elsewhere on the mound. The stratigraphic situation in the upper part of the sounding also bears out the excavators’ initial observation that the Circles Building, at least in its present state, dates to Early Bronze III. However, the apparent contemporaneity of the western paved street and W196 of the Phase 3 structure provides support for a late Period C (EB II) date for the street flanking the Circles Building. The Phase 2 (Period D) wall, W19, which runs parallel to the Circles Building, was partly laid on the pavement of the western street. Finally, evidence for late-period activity comes from the Phase 1 oven mentioned by the excavators (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:229) and some pottery associated with it. Though the excavators ascribed a Hellenistic date to this material, the only late pottery identified in the Area SA trays was of Early Islamic date.

THE LATE PERIODS As described at the beginning of this chapter, several elements dating to late periods were found above and around the Early Bronze Age Circles Building (Plan 3.10; see Table 3.1). These remains, dating from the

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

Hellenistic to the Islamic periods and containing meager ceramic remains, are described here briefly. Hellenistic Remains The excavators note the remains of a building consisting of several rooms in Sqs 30/31–50/51 (see Plan 3.2), east of the Circles Building, its dry-built walls made of worked stones and fieldstones (Plan 3.10). The excavators assumed an Islamic date for this construction, although the few potsherds found nearby were not diagnostic (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:58). A closer examination of the building raises some arguments in favor of a Hellenistic date: 1. According to the field sketches, the level of these walls is substantially lower than the architecture related to the Islamic W1 (see below). In fact, the top level of the walls is at times the same or lower than the nearby Circles Building, and they seem to have been built in relation to it. 2. The construction technique, plan, and orientation of the building bear resemblance to Hellenistic architecture in Areas MS, EY, and BS, in the southern part of the mound, as well as to Hellenistic remains found just north of Area SA, in Area GB (see Plan 4.1). Hellenistic pottery was found in Area SA, including Rhodian amphora handles (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:64; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:222– 223). Some of it came from Sq 6, under late walls and

Plan 3.10. Outline plan of late remains in Area SA.

99

above the Circles Building, indicating possible reuse of parts of the Early Bronze Age building during Hellenistic times. The excavators attributed these finds to a temporary Hellenistic presence in this part of the mound (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:64). According to the field diary, fragments of a Terra-Sigillata vessel were found in Sq 036, northwest of the Circles Building. The Fort and Bathhouse By far the most massive of the late-period structures uncovered in Area SA are the remains of a fortified complex and of the bathhouse abutting it on the south. In 1945–1946 only the southern wall of the complex, later described as a Roman–Byzantine fort, was excavated (Plan 3.10). It included the foundations and lower ashlar courses of the wall, two corner towers, and a gateway flanked by two more towers (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:64; Maisler, Stekelis, and AviYonah 1952:222–223). The gateway was apparently dismantled without being fully recorded (shown in dotted lines in Plan 3.3, above). The excavation of the fort continued in 1950 and 1953 (see Chapter 4, Area GB), exposing the internal basilical structure identified by Bar-Adon as a synagogue of Late Roman or Byzantine date. This identification was challenged by Reich (1993), and most recently by Whitcomb (2002), who proposed that the fortified complex and adjoining bath be equated with the Umayyad palace of Sinn en-Nabra. Abutting the southeast corner of the fort and apparently resting on its foundations was the wellpreserved bathhouse, described in detail by the excavators (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:61–64; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:218–222). The bath was built on the northeast corner of the Circles Building, and while some parts of the early building were sealed by the central hall of the bath, suffering hardly any damage, other parts—to the east and south of the hall—were completely demolished by the cellar and hypocaust of the bath. The excavators dated the bathhouse to the Late Roman period (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:218). However, the two Umayyad coins found on the floor of the main hall (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:222), as well as the fragments of a bilingual inscription discovered on the floor of the hypocaust cellar (Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952: Fig. 2), certainly support a later date.

100

SARIT PAZ

Wall 1 and Adjacent Architectural Remains The excavators dated several architectural features to the Islamic period, apparently on the strength of scattered pottery and coins found in relation to them (Stekelis and Avi-Yonah 1947:57; Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah 1952:218). The main feature was a long east–west stone wall (W1; Plan 3.10) that crossed the entire excavation area. The wall, 1.2 m wide and about 35 m long, was built of basalt blocks with an occasional secondary use of ashlars, including a lintel. Only one course was preserved, in which there were several large gaps. Rooms built of small stones and mortar, sometimes with plastered floors, abutted the south face of W1. Wall 1 in Area SA might be associated with a rather ephemeral fortified compound identified in the Guy– Bar-Adon excavations of 1950–1953 (see Plans 3.10 and 4.1). This compound apparently overlay the main fortified complex (represented by the late bathhouse

in Area SA and the ‘synagogue’ in Area GB) and was oriented quite differently from it. Wall 1 seems to line up with the southern wall of the late compound. However, since its remains were completely removed in order to continue the exposure of the Circles Building, it could not be physically connected with the remains excavated by Bar-Adon. Other remains from the same phase or possibly later include several burials for which we have only rudimentary details. Apparently, five graves were exposed in two groups. Their location is not mentioned. All the graves were comprised of a rectangular compartment built of hewn stones, some with traces of plaster. All were capped with stones. The skeletal remains were in varying states of preservation. Where articulated skeletons could be identified, they were laid in a supine position, with the head to the west, facing south. The only finds noted were two rings found on one of the skeletons.

Table 3.3. Area SA Locus List JPES Loci No.

Squares

I

025/026–015/016–05/06

II

06/07–6/7–16/17

III

17/18–27/28

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Stone-paved circle

Damaged by late tower; installation in northeast; Plans 3.2, 3.3; Figs. 3.4, 3.20

-196.88

Stone-paved circle

Damaged by late activity; Plans 3.2, 3.3

-196.48

Stone-paved circle

Damaged and partly covered by bathhouse water pipe; Plans 3.2, 3.3

Stone-paved circle

Sunken partitions; Plans 3.2, 3.3, 3.4; Fig. 3.5

Stone-paved circle

Center-south damaged by late activity; Plans 3.2, 3.3

Stone-paved circle

Damaged by late activity; installations; Plans 3.2, 3.3

IV

25/26/27–35/36/37

V

24/25–34/35–44/45

VI

32/33–42/43

VII

013/014/015–03/04/05

-197.27

Stone-paved circle

Mostly covered by bathhouse; plastered installation; partly excavated in 2003; Plans 3.2, 3.3; Fig. 3.6

2

05–5/6–15/16

-197.14

Pillared hall

Column bases; Plans 3.2, 3.3, 3.6; Figs. 3.18, 3.20

-196.36

3

20

-196.79

Room

Deep cut: Plans 3.8, 3.9; Fig. 3.33.

6

4/5–13/14/15–24/25

-197.20

Paved courtyard

Fine cobble pavement; plaster installation; oven/ kiln; Plans 3.2, 3.3, 3.5; Figs. 3.8–3.17

7

21/22/23–31/32

-197.09?

Corridor/entrance

Plans 3.2, 3.3; Fig. 3.7.

9

10

-196.89

Room

Deep cut: Plans 3.8, 3.9; Fig. 3.33

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

101

Table 3.3 (cont.) Deep Cut Loci (Excavation Horizons) No.

Inventory Nos.

Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

SA 01

KII 940–949

2

D

10/20

-195.89

Accumulation

Much KKW; Plan 3.8

SA 02

KII 851–899

2

D

10

Floor?

Beneath oven; mixed EB II–III pottery, including KKW

SA 03

KII 1654–1661

3A

C

10

-196.99

Accumulation on lower floor (or under upper floor)

In Room 9

SA 04

KII 1988–1990

3A

C

20

-196.85/ -196.99

Pebble floor

In Room 3; worn sherds

SA 05

KII 2011–2019

4

C

20?

-197.19

SA 06

KII 1695–1704

C–D

10

-197.19?

Pebble layer

Mixed EB II–III pottery

SA 07

KII 1332

Accumulation

Room 9; mixed EB IB–III pottery

10 20?

Remarks

SA 08

KII 1366–1377

B

SA 09a

KII 1600–1607

C–D?

-197.49?

Elevation unclear

-197.04

Mostly EB II pottery, with some (intrusive?) EB III

SA 09

KII 1783–1799

4?

C

20

-197.63

SA 10

KII 2067–2068

5

C

20

-197.94

Floor with burnt layer

SA 11

KII 2002–2010

5

C

10

-197.94

Floor?

SA 12

KII 1771–1780

4

B (+C)

10

-197.77

Balk under W192; mostly EB IB pottery

SA 13

KII 1800–1815

C

-197.90?

Lower level of EB II

SA 14

KII 1586–1598

B

10

-198.09

Partially burnt layer

SA 15

KII 2020–2034

5

B–C

10

-198.14

Burnt layer

Transition EB I–II

SA 16

KII 1718–1736

5

B–C

20

-198.14

Burnt layer + mudbrick construction

Equal amount of EB I, EB II pottery

SA 17

KII 1483–1502

5–6?

A+B

20

-198.14

Pit (?)

Top level of ‘pit’; mixed EB IA + IB.

SA 18

KII 2034–2048

6

B

20

-198.59

Mudbrick material

SA 19

KII 1637–1646

6

B

10

-198.59?

Accumulation of soil + mudbrick material

SA 20

KII 1751–1761

6

B

10

-198.59?

Accumulation of soil + mudbrick material

SA 21

KII 1530–1543

7

B

10

-198.84

Accumulation

SA 22

KII 1358–1365

8

B

20

-199.29

Accumulation of soil + mudbrick material

SA 23

KII 1554–1563

8

B

20

-198.89/ -199.39

Accumulation of soil + mudbrick material

SA 24

KII 1662–1670

7

B

10

-199.09

Burnt layer on top of mudbrick architecture

SA 25

KII 1387

8

B

10

-199.39

Burial

Bowl on Jar Burial KII 1412

SA 26

KII 1403–1408

8

B

10

-199.47

Burials

Jars with infant burials + bowls; Plan 3.8

Under Room 3

Under Room 9

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SARIT PAZ

Table 3.3 (cont.) Deep Cut Loci (Excavation Horizons) (cont.) No.

Inventory Nos.

Local Phase

Bet Yerah Period

SA 27

KII 1412

8

B

SA 28

KII 1419–1422

8

B

10/20

SA 29

KII 2139–2149

9

A(–B)

SA 30

KII 2133–2138

SA 31

KII 2108, 2131–2132

9

SA 32

KII 1389–1401

SA 33

KII 1504–1518

SA 34

KII 1892–1904

SA 35

KII 909–927

3B/2?

D

Floor?

SA 36

KII 931–939

3B/2?

D

Floor?

SA 37

KII 1348–1356

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

-199.42

Burial

Jar with infant burial; Plan 3.8

-199.57

Burials

Jars with infant burials + bowl; Plan 3.8

10?

-200.24

Accumulation?

A

20

-199.74/ -200.24

Burial

8

B

10

-199.74

Probable relation to burials SA 025–028

9

A

20

-199.74

Probable relation to burial SA 031

B

10

Square

B Jar with infant burial + bowl and additional pottery; Plan 3.8; Fig. 3.38

EB III pottery Much KKW

20

In Room 3; mixed EB I–III

10/20

Mixed EB III + Islamic pottery

SA 38

KII 1705–1717

3B/2?

SA 39

KII 231–279

2–Late

D

SA 40

KII 826–829

D

EB III pottery, provenance unknown

SA 41

KII 840–849

D

EB III pottery, provenance unknown

SA 42

KII 950–960

C

EB II pottery, mostly body sherds

SA 43

KII 1423–1428

B–C

Mostly EB II pottery

SA 44

KII 1613–1619

C

EB II pottery

SA 45

KII 1627–1636

C

EB II pottery

SA 46

KII 1671–1672

C

EB II pottery

SA 47

KII 1684–1694

C

EB II pottery

SA 48

KII 1738–1750

SA 49

KII 1820–1829

SA 50

KII 1930–1939

C

EB II pottery

SA 51

KII 1922–1929

B–C

Mixed EB I–II pottery;

C 5

5

C

C

EB II pottery 10

10

-197.94

-197.94

Floor

Floor

NCMW seal impression. Completes pithos from SA 10; Fig. 3.44

SA 52

KII 2070–2083

SA 54

KII 1464–1482

SA 55

KII 1940–1943

SA 56

KII 1841–1855

10

A

10/20

-200.39

Occupation level with pebbles

EB IA (+ Neolithic?); Plan 3.8

SA 57

KII 2084–2104

10

A

10/20

-200.39

Occupation level with pebbles

EB IA; Plan 3.8

SA 58

KII 1856–1864

10

A

10/20

-200.39/ -200.59

Oven/pit

Dug in virgin soil; EB IA (+ Neolithic?); Plan 3.8

B

= SA 010 EB IB pottery

B

EB IB pottery

CHAPTER 3: AREA SA: THE STEKELIS–AVI-YONAH EXCAVATIONS (CIRCLES BUILDING), 1945–1946

103

NOTES 1

The 2003 excavation revealed that the central wall of the bathhouse in fact sealed the Early Bronze Age remains, leaving them virtually intact. 2 Pace Mazar (2001:449); Mazar confused the eastern and western elements and provided an inaccurate description of the larger stairway.

3

We found the stand in storage in the Rockefeller museum, along with other finds from the oven. The stand that A. Mazar (2001:449) refers to, exhibited in the Israel Museum, is not the one recovered from the oven, but an artifact discovered in 1950, north of the Circles Building.

CHAPTER 4

AREA GB: THE GUY–BAR-ADON SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955 YITZHAK PAZ

Beginning in 1949, P.L.O. Guy and P. Bar-Adon carried out several probes of Early Bronze Age remains in the vicinity of the Ohalo seminary in the northern part of Tel Bet Yerah. In contrast to the excavations in the southern sector, these probes were often rushed and poorly documented. Bar-Adon himself, in the manuscript of Area BS prepared in 1958, lamented over the sorry state of his field records for the northern sector, using the biblical term buka umevulaka (‘desolation and destruction!’). Our renewed investigation of these records can only confirm this diagnosis. This chapter therefore presents a bare outline of the results of these excavations, collectively termed ‘Area GB’.

EXCAVATIONS OF 1949: THE OHALO FOUNDATIONS The excavations of 1949 were carried out in and near the pit excavated for the basement of the main building of the Ohalo seminary, a short distance to the south of the Circles Building excavated in 1946 (Area SA; Plan 4.1). Massive earth-removal had already been carried out, with little or no archaeological oversight, prior to Bar-Adon’s archaeological intervention (Fig. 4.1), and little was left for the excavators but to record the remains in section and at the edges and bottom of the pit (Fig. 4.2). The only substantial architectural features identified in the excavation were parts of two large superimposed structures, encountered at a depth of 1.3 to 2.9 m below the surface (elev. -196.53– -198.13 m; Plan 4.2). The uppermost structure ran for a length of about 8 m parallel to the eastern edge of the mound, appearing to form an enclosure, possibly connected in some way to the Circles Building. Wall 4901, W4902, and W4903 appear to form a room or corridor (0.3–0.7 × 7.0 m), to which W4904 and W4905 were added on the north and south to form a continuous line running north– south, before veering to the southwest. The pottery inventory (including Khirbet Kerak Ware) related to these walls appears to indicate an EB III date for the

Plan 4.1. Location map of Area GB excavations.

Fig. 4.1. Bar-Adon in the Ohalo basement.

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YITZHAK PAZ

pot containing an infant burial (see Fig. 4.3:10). Virgin soil was not reached in this excavation. Few of the finds recorded in the field register of 1949 could be assigned a secure provenance, and of these, virtually none could be tracked down in the material retained in the Israel Antiquities Authority stores. As for the objects found in the stores, few indeed could be assigned stratigraphic provenance. A small collection of the most interesting pieces from the 1949 excavations is shown in Fig. 4.3 (see discussion below).

EXCAVATIONS OF 1950 AND 1953 (THE ‘SYNAGOGUE’ EXCAVATIONS) Fig. 4.2. Architecture in the 1949 basement excavations.

Plan 4.2. Superimposed structures excavated in 1949.

structure. Stumps of earlier walls, running east–west, that appear to be incorporated in the later structure were found to join a north–south wall located east of the basement. This earlier phase may be associated with EB II material (Metallic Ware) recorded by the excavator at -197.83 to -198.33 m. All of these remains were reported to overlie a one-meter-thick deposit, replete with ash, potsherds, and bones, which was assigned to EB I (finds included a fine carinated bowl, slipped and burnished on the outside; cf. Fig. 8.47:7–9, below). Among the finds in this stratum was a globular

In February–June 1950, P.L.O. Guy and P. Bar-Adon conducted salvage excavations on behalf the Israel Department of Antiquities in an area north of Ohalo designated for the construction of an amphitheater. The principal discovery in this area was a large fortified Late Roman complex. Following the discovery of a pillar base decorated with Jewish symbols in the same complex in 1953, the structure became known as ‘the Synagogue’ (for recent discussions, see Reich 1993 and Whitcomb 2002). This structure and the later remains overlying are not discussed here (however, see Chapter 3 for remarks on contemporary remains in Area SA). Early Bronze Age remains were encountered at several points beneath the floors of the late structure, as well as in a sounding excavated southwest of the complex, alongside the main road (Bar-Adon’s Area aleph, later designated beta [sic!]). Only a brief report was published (Guy 1951), with few details. The detailed finds-register and field notes provide more information on the excavation. Unfortunately, no detailed final plans were ever prepared for the early layers, nor were early contexts assigned discrete locus numbers. Thus, the information on the location of specific finds is very imprecise. For the most part, at those points where the excavators reported rich, uniformly dated assemblages, data on the location and depth of the deposits is imprecise or absent and the finds from these contexts could not be traced in the IAA collections, while most of the finds extant in the IAA stores could not be assigned a meaningful context. The following is therefore a mere sketch of the results of the excavation and may be taken as an appendix to the slightly more secure information obtained in the nearby excavations of 1946 (the Circles Building and ‘deep cut’).

CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

The western sounding, Area beta, provided a sequence extending to virgin soil closely comparable to that found in the deep cut in Area SA (See Chapter 3). Beneath the topsoil, a thick ashy layer averaging one meter in depth (maximum extent: -196.00– -197.65 m) overlay an occupation layer with sherds and bones, associated with W20. This fill is probably the source of Hellenistic and other late material found at low elevations in the sounding. A floor identified at -197.00 m, associated with wall fragments, contained a large Khirbet Kerak Ware krater. Beneath it, at -197.55 to -197.65 m, there was a burnt layer, with which an EB II context consisting of 70% North Canaanite Metallic Ware (NCMW) was associated. Other contexts reporting mixed Hellenistic and Early Bronze Age finds at -197.32 to -197.65 m also contained large amounts of NCMW, suggesting a Hellenistic intrusion into EB II levels. From -198.00 to -198.30 m brick debris and possible brick construction were encountered (cf. Phase 6 in the Area SA deep cut), and a two-handled everted-rim burial jar (Fig. 4.3:9) was found at -199.40 to -199.85 m (cf. Phase 8 in Area SA). The excavators reported that the material at these elevations was still mixed—mainly Hellenistic and Early Bronze, with uncontaminated EB I material only beneath -198.60 m. Gray Burnished Ware of the early type (Wright 1958: Type 1) appears to be related to the deepest part of the sounding, at -200.00 to -200.20 m, and virgin soil appeared at -200.30 m—precisely the same elevation as that found in the deep cut in Area SA. Within the ‘synagogue’ complex, excavations were carried to Early Bronze Age levels beneath the floors of Rooms 105–107 (shaded on Plan 4.1) just north of the Circles Building, and beneath the western annex. Most of these soundings yielded mixed ceramic assemblages and possible early wall fragments. At one point, beneath Room 107 (the identity of this room is not clear), a deposit consisting solely of KKW was identified and, apparently nearby, two complete KKW stands (Fig. 4.4:3, 5), a nearly complete KKW andiron (Fig. 4.4:4), and a mother-and-child figurine (to be published in Volume II). These sporadic finds suggest that an important locus of cultic activity lay to the north of the Circles Building. The well-known ceramic ring with bulls’ heads, found in the street north of the Circles Building, should also be associated with this cultic area. As is the case for the 1949 season, few provenanced artifacts identified in the field-register for 1950 and

107

1953 could be located in the IAA collections, and few of the sherds found in the collections could be assigned a specific location.

THE EARLY BRONZE AGE POTTERY OF 1949–1953 (Figs. 4.3, 4.4) The objects recovered in 1949 include two bowls of apparent EB IB date—a lamp-bowl (Fig. 4.3:1) and a complete crackled ware bowl (Fig. 4.3:5)—and a fine deep bowl, light gray in color, with a broad flat base and slightly flared wall (Fig. 4.3:7), possibly of EB II. The burial vessel, Fig. 4.3:10, is a globular pot with a short everted neck that resembles nothing found in contemporary levels at Tel Bet Yerah. The loophandled juglet (Fig. 4.3:12) might be ascribed an early EB I date, as it lacks the canonical burnished red slip of the developed EB I type. Figure 4.3:13 appears to be a fragment of a kernos composed of conjoined juglets (cf. Greenberg 2001a: Figs. 11, 12). Judging by the shape of the juglet, the vessel might be assigned an EB II date, although the only similar kernoi are assigned to early EB I. The more interesting items from the ‘Synagogue’ excavations include a small wheelmade bowl (Fig. 4.3:2) with a pronounced base, typical of late EB I at Bet Yerah, an early Gray Burnished Ware sherd (Fig. 4.3:3), illustrating the presence of Early EB I (Period A) ceramics in this area, a large crackled ware bowl or basin (Fig. 4.3:4) with four tongue-shaped projections—one of the characteristic products of this village industry at Tel Bet Yerah (Esse 1989:80),1 and a crude chalice mid-piece (Fig. 4.3:6). Figure 4.3:9 depicts a brown-slipped burial jar, belonging to the same cultural horizon—and possibly to the same burial field—as the Period A jars excavated by Stekelis in 1946 (above, Figs. 3.38; 3.40:4). Figure 4.3:11 is the upper part of a wide-mouthed Period A pithos discovered at an elevation of -200.20 m (i.e., in the earliest deposits above virgin soil), with a close parallel at Yiftah’el (Braun 1997: Figs. 9.15; 9.16:2, early EB I parallels on p. 106). Figure 4.3:8 is a complete NCMW platter. The high proportion of NCMW sherds reported by the excavators in the 1950/1953 soundings matches the dominance of this ware in EB II assemblages in other excavations in the northern part of Bet Yerah. As noted earlier, some fine KKW specimens come from Area GB: these include one small and one large lid (Fig. 4.4:1, 2), one

108

YITZHAK PAZ

1 2 3

4 5

7

6

9

8

10

12

11

13

Fig. 4.3. Pottery from the 1949 and 1950 seasons.

CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

1

2 3

4

5

Fig. 4.4. Pottery from the 1950 and 1953 seasons, Khirbet Kerak Ware.

109

110

YITZHAK PAZ

◄◄ Fig. 4.3 No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Description

1

Bowl

73/4 IAA 49-2178

Gray clay, dark red slip, string-cut base

2

Bowl

50-2313

Brown clay, burnished self-slip, wheel-marks, string-cut base

3

Bowl

50-2519

Dark gray clay, burnish, GBW

4

Bowl

50-4082

Gray-brown clay, crackled reddish-brown slip, burnish

5

Bowl

1949 Tr. 1 IAA 492165AT1

Brown clay, gray inclusions, wheel-finished, thin red slip

6

Chalice

50-9922

Brown clay, dark inclusions, diagonal incisions exterior

7

Bowl

IAA 49-2184

Reddish-brown clay, light gray surface (NCMW?)

8

Platter

50-3574

Red clay, NCMW

9

Jar

50-2158

Brown clay, poorly fired, brown slip

10

Jar

N.d.a.

Brown clay, poorly fired

11

Pithos

50-2166/1

Buff clay, red slip

12

Juglet

IAA 49-2179/1

Gray clay, brown slip exterior and upper interior, potter’s mark

13

Kernos fragment

IAA 49-21891

Brown-gray to red clay

◄ Fig. 4.4 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Lid

50-4345

Gray, lightly burnished KKW

2

Lid

50-4083

Gray KKW

3

Stand

50-4263

Red burnished KKW

4

Andiron

IAA 53-1019

Gray KKW

5

Stand

116/1

Red burnished KKW

small and one large plain biconical stand (Fig. 4.4:3, 5), and a nearly complete functional andiron (Fig. 4.4:4).

EXCAVATIONS OF 1955: SECTION 10 In a flurry of activity as the IDAM excavations headed by P. Bar-Adon were drawing to a close, a large number of trial probes and trenches, numbered 1–23, were sunk in various parts of the mound. Most of these were poorly documented and do not justify publication; Section 10 differs from most in that it was, in fact, a salvage operation linked to construction in Ohalo and hence more accurately documented. The following account is based on a short report incorporated in BarAdon’s 1958 manuscript (see below, Chapter 5). Excavation began following the discovery of an infant burial and associated vessels on the steep slope just east of the Ohalo dining room. A section 5.5 m

wide and about 4 m deep was excavated to virgin soil. At -197.70 m, remnants of a stone wall (Plan 4.3:1) with a square stone platform nearby (Plan 4.3:2) were found. These were attributed by the excavator to EB II. Beneath these remains, down to an elevation of -199.00 m, remains of brick debris and three successive floors were identified. The uppermost floor appears to have been associated with a slab-based stone-lined silo (Plan 4.3:3); the lowermost, with a diagonal wall fragment (Plan 4.3:4). The material associated with these levels belongs to Period B at Bet Yerah (EB IB). From this point and down to virgin soil came a thick deposit identified by the excavator as a large pit. Bar-Adon related this pit (perhaps more accurately described as a midden) to early Gray Burnished Ware (Period A) ceramics found within it. Our analysis suggests that such pottery indeed appears in the lower part of the deposit.

CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

111

Fig. 4.5. The standing stone in Section 10.

The natural surface of the mound was modified in ancient times: At the northern edge of the excavation, a step was cut into the soil. Atop this step, at approximately -201.00 m, stood a carefully worked standing basalt stone (Plan 4.3:5), 0.40 × 0.17 × 0.18 m in size, with another worked basalt stone nearby (Fig. 4.5). Just south of these stones, within the pit/midden and well above its bottom (which dips to -201.40 m), lay a jar burial composed of a strap-handled holemouth jar and a bowl/lid, carefully chipped to fit snugly over the jar-mouth. Bar-Adon believed the standing stone and the jar to be related, though it seems more likely that the jar postdates the stones. The natural surface of the mound dips south and east to -202.66 m. The Pottery from Section 10

Plan 4.3. Section 10: Plan and sections.

The extant pottery from Section 10 (Figs. 4.6, 4.7) includes mainly EB I types. Period A finds include the Gray Burnished bowls in Fig. 4.6:5, 7 and the everted jar rims in Fig. 4.7:6, 7. It was suggested in Chapter 3 that the typical ware of the Period A jars is soft and buff colored, with a continuous red slip, whereas a late A or early B variant is better fired and tends to have a smeared wash. Infant burials in the Area A deep cut, in the Area GB 1949 sounding, and in the Chicago excavations all appear to belong to one of these categories, and they are all furnished with plain straight-sided broad-based lid/bowls, apparently

112

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3 4

6

5

7

9

8

11 10

12 13

14

15

17 16

Fig. 4.6. Pottery from Section 10.

CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

2

1

3

4

6 5

9 7

8

12 10 11

13 14 15

16

Fig. 4.7. Pottery from Section 10.

113

114

YITZHAK PAZ

◄◄ Fig. 4.6 No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Description

1

Lamp-bowl

42138

Buff clay, red slip, soot-marks on rim

2

Lamp-bowl

55-134

Buff clay, dark inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

IAA 55-284

Orange clay, wheel-marks interior, red slip

4

Bowl

189/3 IAA 53-1047

Buff clay, chaff inclusions, red slip, knob

5

Bowl

55-119

Gray clay, burnish, GBW

6

Bowl

186

Gray clay, white inclusions, traces of brown slip interior and exterior

7

Bowl

120

Gray clay, dark gray slip, burnish, GBW

8

Bowl

55-181

Brown clay, red slip

9

Bowl

IAA 51-985

Red clay, crackled red slip

10

Bowl

147

Gray-brown clay, red slip

11

Bowl

189/13

Brown clay, red slip, knob

12

Bowl

208/9

Red to brown clay, crushed calcite inclusions, very poorly fired

13

Bowl

183 IAA 49-2168

Gray-brown clay, peeling dark gray slip, light burnish

14

Krater

189/2

Buff clay, dark inclusions, red grain-wash

15

Krater

166

Orange clay, many dark inclusions, red grain-wash

16

Holemouth jar

189/4

Light brown clay, red slip, potter’s mark

17

Holemouth jar

63

Brown clay, dark inclusions, red slip exterior and rim

◄ Fig. 4.7 No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Description

1

Jar

83

Buff clay, dark red slip

2

Jar

179?

Buff clay, gray inclusions, dark gray surface

3

Jar

79

Orange clay, dark inclusions, red grain-wash

4

Jar

60

Brown clay, large gray inclusions, impressed decoration

5

Jar

58

Brown clay, large gray inclusions, red slip, impressed decoration

6

Jar

75

Orange clay, white and gray inclusions, thin red to brown slip

7

Jar

81

Buff clay, crushed calcite inclusions, thin red slip

8

Jar

89

Buff clay, spaced burnish over red slip

9

Pithos

35

Orange clay, many dark inclusions, dark red slip, impressed decoration

10

Pithos

51

Brown clay, dark inclusions, mottled dark red slip

11

Juglet/bottle

133

Buff clay, no inclusions, wheelmade, red slip

12

Juglet/bottle

85

Orange clay, red slip, potter’s mark

13

Chalice(?)

152 IAA 53-1046

Buff-pink clay, brown inclusions, red line-painted decoration

14

Juglet

214-4 IAA 55-293

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, raised slashed decoration

15

Jar(?)

189/304

Possibly a ‘pillar handle’

16

Burial jar with lid

184

Jar—brown clay; bowl—brown clay, small white inclusions, smeared brown slip interior and exterior including base; bowl intentionally broken to fit over loop-handle; plaster seal between jar and lid

CHAPTER 4: AREA GB: SOUNDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUND, 1949–1955

115

cultural sequence that may be considered typical of the northern part of Tel Bet Yerah. The following aspects may be pointed out: a. Areas on and near the northern summit of the mound (located just west of Ohalo) consistently yield evidence for a Period A occupation, including early Gray Burnished Ware. b. In EB II contexts, North Canaanite Metallic Ware is noticeably more dominant than in contemporary contexts at the south of the mound. According to the finds register, Metallic Ware comprised 30–50% in some EB II deposits, with platters accounting for some 80% of the diagnostic sherds. c. In EB III contexts Khirbet Kerak Ware was very prominent (in one case it accounted for 100% of the recorded diagnostics); some of the finest vessels in this ware come from Areas SA and GB, in the north of the mound. d. No evidence is forthcoming from any contexts in Area GB for the existence of the terminal Early Bronze Age or Middle Bronze Age occupations attested to in the southeast part of the mound. There is therefore some support for the contention that the northern part of the mound was the focal point of settlement through most of the Early Bronze Age. Period A settlement began there, public structures were concentrated there, and the economic center of the mound was there, at least until late in EB III, as suggested by the quantity of the finds. However, it is certainly possible that towards the end of its existence, the focus of settlement in the Early Bronze Age town at Tel Bet Yerah shifted to the south, away from the center and towards the periphery of the mound.

crafted especially for the purpose. The holemouth from Section 10 (Fig. 4.7:16) is also furnished with a madeto-measure lid/bowl (Fig. 4.6:12 seems to be another exemplar), though the incurved rim itself seems more at home in later EB I (Period B). Most of the pottery is, however, indubitably Period B. That includes the hemispherical lamp-bowls (Fig. 4.6:1, 2), the wheelmade bowls with a pronounced base (Fig. 4.6:3), and the red-slipped bowl with knobbed decoration (Fig. 4.6:4). Crackled ware bowls (Fig. 4.6:8–11) are common, and there is another example of the large crackled ware bowl with tongue-shaped projections (Fig. 4.6:13)—in this case slipped dark gray. Holemouths include jars/kraters with grain-wash (Fig. 4.6:14, 15), as well as standard cooking pots (Fig. 4.6:16, 17). Grain-wash decorated jars and pithoi predominate (Fig. 4.7:1–5, 9). Figure 4.7:8 is a tall necked jar with spaced vertical burnish on the neck that creates a striped pattern (a complete Period B example comes from Area EY; see Fig. 8.48:3), and Fig. 4.7:10 is a profiled rim of a large pithos. The juglets (Fig. 4.7:11, 12, 14) include a rope-decorated fragment that probably dates to late EB II or EB III (see Chapter 5, Fig. 5.81:4). Two unusual fragments complete the illustrated assemblage: a finely decorated rim (Fig. 4.7:13)—perhaps a chalice—and what appears to be the ‘pillar’ of a pillar-handled jar (Fig. 4.7:15), otherwise unknown at Bet Yerah.

SUMMARY The various excavations assembled under the heading of Area GB yielded a broadly similar stratigraphic and

NOTE 1

Esse (1989) describes the type in his discussion of material from the Chicago excavations at Bet Yerah; however, the only

illustration of the type is reproduced from Amiran (1969: Pl. 10:10), and shows the same vessel as our Fig. 4.3:4.

CHAPTER 5

AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953 RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

INTRODUCTION The seven years during which Pesach Bar-Adon labored at Tel Bet Yerah1 mark the high point of sheer archaeological activity on the mound. Excavating an aggregate of 20 months, with an exposure of several thousand square meters, the Bar-Adon excavations offer an opportunity to go beyond the probe and sample, and put some flesh on the stratigraphic skeleton offered by the more limited excavations conducted both before and after them. Following rescue work beneath the Ohalo seminary in 1949, and the salvage excavation in the area of the ‘Roman fortress/synagogue’ in 1950 in advance of the planned (but unrealized) construction of an open-air theater north of the Circles Building (see Chapter 4), the excavations of 1951–1955 concentrated on the probing and subsequent broad exposure of a residential area in the south of the mound (1951–1953), and extensive clearance of the town fortifications (1952–1955). It is the two latter efforts that are of most significance for the Early Bronze Age, and they are the focus of this and the following chapter. Our interpretations of the results of Bar-Adon’s excavations are based on the following materials: a. A manuscript report prepared for publication by Bar-Adon, covering the 1951 sounding and sporadic soundings in the north of the mound. b. Detailed field diaries, as well as detailed artifact inventories compiled during the excavation. c. Hundreds of photographs, taken mostly by the excavator. d. Draft plans and final, inked plans (the latter often in several copies, with corrections). e. Professional correspondence and lecture notes, illustrating the opinions of the excavator at various stages in his research. f. Card catalogues of selected finds. g. Artifact drawings (of widely varying quality) and artifact photos.

Only a part of the artifacts retrieved in the excavation were available for study. The bulk of the surviving material is kept in the Israel Antiquities Authority stores; however, there is a considerable diaspora of Tel Bet Yerah finds: in national and local museums, university study collections and, apparently, in private collections as well. This dispersal appears to have begun during the excavation itself, and continued throughout the long years of Bet Yerah’s dormancy. Area BS: The Southeast Quarter (Plan 5.1; Table 5.1) In 1951, a 10 × 10 m sounding was initiated at the southeast tip of the site, at a point where erosion had created a vertical scarp facing Lake Kinneret. The eight-meter deep accumulation visible in the scarp was no doubt an important factor in the selection of the site for this probe. Indeed, the 1951 sounding provides the richest stratigraphic sequence on the mound, with evidence for periods represented nowhere else at the site. Within a period of six months, excavations were successfully carried from the surface to virgin soil (Fig.

Plan 5.1. Location map.

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RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Table 5.1. Summary of Strata Revised Bar-Adon Strata

Tel Bet Yerah Periods

Dates

Main Features

1/2

K/J?

Late Islamic/Roman?

Graves/scattered walls

3

H

Hellenistic

Town-house and adjoining structures

4

G

Persian

Installations and pits

5

F

MB I

Kilns, burials

6

E

7 8 9

D

Final EB

Agglutinated village

EB III (late–post-KKW?)

Wall C, poor remains, post KKW?

EB III (late

Houses, construction of Wall C, KKW

EB III (middle)

Houses, Wall B, KKW

EB III

Public structure, houses, Wall B, KKW

11

EB III (early)

Midden

12A–B

EB II (late)

Paved street, houses, gate in Wall A (Phase II)

EB II (early)

Street, houses, gate in Wall A (Phase I), NCMW

EB IB

Rectilinear mudbrick house

EB IB

Pits

10A–B

13A–B 14 15

C B

5.1), revealing approximately 15 occupation phases (12 of them of pre-Classical date). In 1952 and 1953 excavation was extended north, west and south of the 1951 probe, eventually covering the entire ‘tongue’ bordered on the east by the seascarp, on the west by the ‘wadi’—a 20 m wide inclined sunken ramp originating in an apparently natural gully and widened to its present state in the early twentieth century—and on the south by the steep slope formed by the fortification systems at the edge of the mound, approximately 1500 sq m in all. Excavation in these seasons revealed extensive remains in several strata

correlated to various parts of the sequence found in the 1951 probe and covering between six and nine phases. The following stratigraphic discussion presents the entire sequence, from virgin soil upwards. The lower phases are represented in the 1951 probe only, whereas the upper phases include the extensive exposure of 1952–1953 as well. Reference will be made to relevant portions of the fortification excavated in 1952, especially as regards stratigraphic relations; however, a full description of the architecture of Tel Bet Yerah’s fortifications is reserved for Chapter 6.

Fig. 5.1. The southern face of the 1951 sounding; virgin soil reached at bottom right.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Bar-Adon’s Excavation and Recording Methods Bar-Adon’s approach was basically architectural. Walls were carefully sought and recorded, and much attention was devoted to the determination of stratigraphic relations between built features. Floors were identified by virtue of stone paving, restorable pottery, or fixed installations (the latter often preserved in situ after excavation had proceeded beneath them, resulting in characteristic ‘buttes’ visible in many photographs). Far less attention was paid, however, to non-architectural deposits: fills, debris layers, beatenearth floors, and—most important of all—unlined pits and robber-trenches. As a result, it is easier to describe the architectural sequence than to provide each phase with a discrete cultural assemblage. Additional barriers to accurate association of finds with features include excavation in alternate parts of the area (due to lack of manpower) and insufficient cleaning-out of occupation layers, as well as a tendency to carry on excavation well below wall bases and subsequently level off after the removal of the late features. This meant that the excavation was chronically out of phase, and stratigraphic relations were often reconstructed ex post facto on the basis of recorded data. These shortcomings are especially glaring in the 1952–1953 excavations, which covered a broad and densely stratified area. It is to the credit of the excavator, however, that all architectural features were carefully recorded and measured, and nearly every significant feature was photographed, usually from more than one angle. The surveyors’ work (Y. Shema‘ya and Shlomo Mu‘alem) is characterized by considerable care, and it is usually a fairly simple task to distinguish between features directly observed by the surveyor, and those drawn at the behest of the excavator (this is particularly important in the case of mudbrick walls; when actual brick contours are neither marked on the plan nor visible in photos, we may have grounds to doubt whether there were indeed walls or rather brick detritus and the like). As for non-architectural finds, most potsherds appear to have been retrieved from the field and entered in a register, with each item receiving a basket number (and, in the first season, an inventory number with the prefix ‘51-’). However, a great many of the sherds were later discarded or dispersed in study collections all over Israel, leaving us with what must be a biased sample. Indeed, some of the missing pieces were drawn and described, others only drawn, but most were neither

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drawn nor accurately typed. Special finds—whole vessels and metal objects in particular—seem to have been, as a matter of course, taken directly from the field to display, either locally or in various museum or Department of Antiquities venues. As a result, many have gone missing and others were only vaguely identified in the register, weeks after their original discovery. The pottery and finds presented in this report are either those that remained in the storerooms and could be ascribed a clear context, or pieces, now missing, that were registered and drawn by Bar-Adon. The findings of the 1951 probe were described in a typed report prepared by Bar-Adon in the years immediately following the excavations (disagreements on editorial policy prevented the publication of the report). While we have used the typescript as a guide, we have not deemed it practicable to reproduce the text of that report for the following reasons: 1. Bar-Adon intended to write, but never completed, a second report describing the 1952–1953 extension of the 1951 probe; as the areas excavated are contiguous, we have found it expedient to describe the results in a single report. 2. Bar-Adon’s typed report includes material from several fields in the northern part of the site; we have preferred to present those separately. 3. Bar-Adon’s report includes extensive comparative architectural and artifactual analyses; these are by now outdated, and would do their author little credit. 4. Using Bar-Adon’s field records, and with the aid of hindsight afforded by the study of subsequent excavations at the site, we offer several revised interpretations of the stratigraphy proposed in the typed report. Note Regarding Plans and Elevations. The plans in this chapter are reworked versions of Bar-Adon’s stratum plans. All loci and walls have been renumbered (loci take the prefix BS, walls begin with 51, 52, or 53, according to the year in which they were excavated), as Bar-Adon’s system was inconsistent and unwieldy. The original numbers, which appear at times in the photographs, can be found in the locus list, Table 5.3. All elevations measured in excavations in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah were affected by a significant error in the original benchmark used. While the error at the source has been calculated at approximately -7.37 m (Gal 2002 and pers. comm.), a conventional change of -7.00 m has been adopted here in order to minimize calculation errors.

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THE EARLY BRONZE AGE: STRATIGRAPHY AND FINDS Local Stratum 15 (Plan 5.2) The earliest evidence for settlement in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah consists of a series of pits cut into natural soil, similar to those excavated in nearby Area MS (Fig. 5.2). Two large pits were found sealed beneath the earliest architectural remains in the 1951 probe (Sqs B–C8–9) and others could be observed for a considerable stretch along the eastern sea-scarp. BS 001 was an oval feature, about 0.4 m deep, cut into natural soil, the top of which lay at an elevation of approximately -204.00 m. Evidently a refuse pit, it contained much ash, as well as potsherds, bones, and flint artifacts. BS 002 was a round pit, about 4 m in diameter and 0.5 m deep. Its eastern edge remains unexcavated, sealed beneath Stratum 14 remains, while its western edge extends beyond the excavated area. This pit too was filled to the brim with ash, bones, pottery, and flint blades, and also produced fragments of clay ovens bearing reed impressions. Similar finds were made on the soil surface: BS 004—an ashy patch with remains of a clay oven—and BS 003—an accumulation of ash and stones that may have served as an ad-hoc hearth.

Plan 5.2. Plan of Local Stratum 15.

Fig. 5.2. Local Stratum 15 remains beneath the Stratum 14 structure; looking southeast.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Local Stratum 14 (Plan 5.3) The earliest architecture in Bar-Adon’s probe appears directly above the ash-filled pits. Part of a large rectangular building, occupying the eastern part of the excavated area, was revealed (Fig. 5.3). Bar-Adon originally described the structure as apsidal, with a curved wall at its southern end. This presumed wall, however, seems to have been reconstructed on the basis of mudbrick detritus found in the structure, in line with Bar-Adon’s expectations based on comparison with coeval sites. The mudbrick walls of the structure were built directly on the natural soil or filled-in Stratum 14 pits, with no stone foundations. The external western wall, W5101, was well preserved in its northern part; it was 0.52–0.55 m wide, built with one row of full-sized bricks (0.25–0.35 × 0.50–0.65 × 0.10–0.12 m) and a row of half-sized bricks alongside it, the two joined with mud-mortar. The southern part of this wall was defined one course higher than the northern part, and ascribed to a later phase by Bar-Adon. The internal walls, W5103 and W5104, were one row wide. Wall 5102, on the eastern side, is reconstructed on the basis of mudbricks observed in photographs. Earthen floors

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in BS 005 and BS 006 were identified at an elevation of -203.57 m, and a stone-paved threshold in W5103

Plan 5.3. Plan of Local Stratum 14.

Fig. 5.3. Local Stratum 14 Building BS 005 (top), with silo(?), BS 010, to its west; looking southeast.

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at a similar elevation. The only installation attributed with certainty to the structure is a small stone-lined channel (BS 007), 0.15–0.30 m deep, running beneath W5101 (Figs. 5.4, 5.5). The stones marking the eastern end of the channel protruded above the BS 006 floor, suggesting that the channel served to drain a household installation toward the open courtyard on the west. An oven in BS 009, in the southeast corner

of the excavation, might be attributed to this stratum as well. It will be recalled that the JPES excavations unearthed a stone channel similar to the one just described in the latest Period B phase in Area MS (see Chapter 2). The area to the west of the structure served as an open courtyard, with several patches of ash (BS 011, BS 012) indicating its use for fire-related activities. Feature BS 010 is a round structure lined with half-bricks placed radially, on their narrow side. The possibility that it is the bottom of an installation cut in a later phase cannot be ruled out. Possible Period B remains were revealed in the small probe (BS 102) excavated in the gate passage (Sq E4; see Plan 5.5). Although not described in the field diaries, the probe seems to have revealed a row of flat, dressed pillar bases and a patch of stone pavement (see Plan 6.3; Figs. 6.6, 6.11). Whether this belongs to an early gate complex or to a structure preceding the fortifications remains open to question.

Fig. 5.4. Room BS 006, with channel (BS 007) in its western wall; looking northwest.

Pottery of Local Strata 15–14 (see Figs. 5.74–5.77)

Fig. 5.5. Detail of BS 007, looking east.

As is true of all parts of the site, the EB I strata in Area BS yielded great quantities of pottery, both in the considerable deposits associated with the period and as residues in later phases. In terms of quality, however, the local Stratum 15–14 assemblage is not very impressive. There are no complete forms and little that can be described as remarkable. The most important observation regarding this pottery is that which bears out the tentative observations from Area MS: the earliest pottery in the southern excavation fields does not predate EB IB. Figures 5.74–5.77 present a typological selection from the two phases together, as their pottery was virtually indistinguishable (with one notable exception, described below). The description will be brief. A more detailed consideration of the pottery of this period may be found in Chapters 7 and 8 (Areas UN and EY). Bowls include small decorated bowls and red/brown slipped bowls. Among the decorated bowls there are line-painted examples (Fig. 5.74:1, 4), as well as bowls decorated with dabs of color (Fig. 5.74:2). The smallest bowls are typically wheelmade and string cut (Fig. 5.74:3, 4). The use of line painting at Tel Bet Yerah is rather limited; Fig. 5.76:19 shows the only other example (a teapot) from Area BS.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

The red-slipped bowls, most of which may be described as inverted-rim ‘crackled ware’ (Esse 1989), show a characteristically varied typology.2 Figure 5.74:5 is an uncharacteristically heavy-set bowl with traces of applied decoration, possibly representing the horn or tail of a zoomorph. The remaining bowls (Fig. 5.74:6–16) are all well-made thin-walled bowls with a wide range of inverted rim types. Slip color varies from dark brown to rich red, and tends to have a matte luster. All but one of these bowls hails from Stratum 15 and, although an unintended bias in the selection of illustrations may be partly responsible, the possibility that ‘crackled ware’ might have been in decline near the end of EB I should not be ruled out (see Chapter 8). The holemouth forms illustrated in Fig. 5.75 have been divided into two main groups. The first group (Fig. 5.75:1–8) includes coarse-ware vessels, occasionally slipped, here identified as cooking pots. The second group (Fig. 5.75:9–13) comprises finer vessels, with red slip or grain-wash decoration, which may have served as kraters or vats (one spouted rim is drawn), though cooking functions cannot be ruled out. The grain-wash decorative technique is extremely common on jars and pithoi, of which only small fragments were recovered (their forms may best be seen in Chapter 8). Jars are typically holemouthed, with thickened, out-folded rims (Fig. 5.76:1–9); occasionally they sport a short neck (Fig. 5.76:10–14). Pithoi (Fig. 5.77) vary in form: broad holemouth (Fig. 5.77:1, 2); narrow holemouth (Fig. 5.77:3, 4); and tallnecked (Fig. 5.77:5–8). Thumbnail indentations on the rim are common. A smattering of fine ware—funnel-rimmed amphoriskoi (Fig. 5.76:15, 16), high loop-handled jugs (Fig. 5.76:17, 18), and a line-painted teapot (Fig. 5.77:19)—completes the Area BS assemblage.

extending east and south beyond the excavated area. Most of the excavated area, to the west of the structure, served in this stage as an open refuse area (BS 016), described as thick with ash, bones, burnt soil, and other refuse. In contrast to earlier remains, Building BS 013 had partial stone foundations (i.e., one row of stones along part of the wall) beneath a well-preserved mudbrick superstructure. Wall 5105 was about 0.6 m wide, with three preserved mudbrick courses, and formed a corner with W5106, 0.9 m wide and built of three rows of halfbricks, preserved to a height of ten(!) courses (Fig. 5.6). A threshold is marked in this wall, and the excavator noted an entrance with remains of carbonized wood in it (Fig. 5.7). This purported entrance is untenable, in view of the preservation of the brickwork on the northern face of W5106, as well as the presence of the stone-lined installation (BS 014) in Room BS 013 (Fig. 5.8). The ‘threshold’ should therefore be understood as a partial stone foundation. In Stratum 13B (Plans 5.5, 5.5a, b), the open area to the west was transformed. A large rectangular structure was built (BS 017–20), with thick external mudbrick

Local Stratum 13 (Plans 5.4, 5.5) Sounding (Sqs B–C8–9) The remains of Stratum 13 were found above a 0.30– 0.40 m thick layer of collapsed mudbrick and other Stratum 14 remains. The major change effected in this stratum was accomplished in two stages and culminated in a radical urban transformation: the establishment of a major house-lined north–south street, leading to a broad city-gate at the southeast corner of the mound. The earlier phase, 13A (Plan 5.4), includes limited architectural remains—a portion of a well-built structure

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Plan 5.4. Plan of Local Stratum 13A.

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Plan 5.5. Plan of Local Stratum 13B.

Plan 5.5b. Schematic section, Stratum 13B.

Plan. 5.5a. Detail of Plan 5.5.

walls on partial stone foundations and internal walls of varying thickness and construction (Figs. 5.9, 5.10). Floors were identified in BS 018, at -202.73 m, and BS 020, at -202.75 m. Between this structure and Building BS 013, which remained unchanged (except for a probable raising of floors to -202.60 m), a paved street (BS 021) was established. At first, this street consisted of a walkway paved with large irregularly placed stones. To these eventually were added small cobbles, covering the entire width of the street (-202.85–70 m). A cross-street branched off to the west, south of Building BS 017–20 (Figs. 5.11, 5.12).

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Fig. 5.6. Stone foundations of W5105, forming corner with W5106; looking south.

Fig. 5.9. Local Stratum 13B, early phase: Wall 5105 at right, Building BS 017–020 at left, and the ‘walkway’, or early phase of the BS 021 street, between them. Looking north.

Fig. 5.7. The partial stone foundation of W5106, looking east.

Fig. 5.10. Local Stratum 13B: Rooms BS 017, BS 018, W5107, and the ‘walkway’, at right. Looking northeast.

Fig. 5.8. Stone-lined Silo BS 014, at the foot of W5106 (W5105, at right, is partly dismantled). Looking south.

Fig. 5.11. Street BS 021, southern end.

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Fig. 5.12. Street BS 021, branching west, with W5108 at left. Note the later cobbles of Street BS 025–026 in the southern balk.

Southern Extension In 1952–1953, excavations about 20 m south of the 1951 probe, in Sqs F–E4–5, revealed a city-gate built into the mudbrick town wall (henceforth Wall A; see Chapter 6) girding the site. Several phases were discerned in the gate, the earliest of which (BS 103) was paved with small cobblestones similar to those found in Street BS 021, hence the plausible reconstruction of a major north–south artery leading through the southeast quarter of the town toward the gate. The elevation of the small portion of the gate passage excavated, -202.73– -202.80 m, is virtually identical to that of BS 021. The gate was furnished with a threshold of large stones and an apparent cultic installation or shrine—a large pierced ‘anchor’ stele with associated offering tables, BS 101—located at the right (east) doorjamb. The space between the gate and the east–west street excavated in Sqs B–C8–9 could have accommodated a well-appointed block of structures abutting the city wall. A more detailed description of the gate can be found in Chapter 6. Pottery of Local Stratum 13 (see Figs. 5.78–5.79) As is the case in all areas excavated to date at Tel Bet Yerah, the stratigraphic changes following the end of Period B are accompanied by a remarkable shift in the ceramic repertoire: exit the dominant fabrics of EB IB—crackled ware and grain-wash ware—enter North Canaanite Metallic Ware (NCMW), accompanied by the characteristic dark-brown holemouth cooking pot. The ceramic assemblage from Area BS, though not very large, is decisive on this point: eleven of the 21 non-cooking vessels and 4 of 5 cooking pots belong

to these two groups, including all six of the vessels ascribed to the earlier phase, 13A. Bowls include a wheelmade hemispherical bowl (probably a lamp; Fig. 5.78:1), a red-slipped mug or cup-bowl (Fig. 5.78:2; cf. Amiran 1978: Pl. 24:16–18) and some inverted-rim bowls (Fig. 5.78:3, 4)—all in common (that is, non-metallic) ware. Platters (Fig. 5.78:5–12) are nearly all in Metallic Ware. As usual in EB II assemblages, the platters exhibit a variety of surface treatment and rim form, with the channeled (Fig. 5.78:5, 7, 9, 12) and non-channeled varieties coexisting peacefully. Figure 5.78:12 represents one of the finest examples of the classic large NCMW platter: it is 45 cm in diameter with a 1:6 depth/diameter ratio, has a consistently thin wall both above and below the carination, a flattened base, and a thin red slip, interrupted on the outside by the faint tool-cut channel beneath the rim. Figure 5.78:13 is a well-made holemouth vat, probably spouted (cf. Fig. 8.63:1). Its fabric, though highly fired, appears to be different from that of NCMW and may represent a local(?) sub-variety that merits further study. The dominant type of cooking pot (Fig. 5.79:1, 2, 4, 5) is of the dense, dark brown or reddish-brown variety recently described by Golani (2003:134) and typical of NCMW-rich assemblages (see also Chapters 7, 8). Pot 3 is of the ‘gray’ type, which first appears in early Period C but becomes more common toward the end of Period C and especially in Period D. The jars in Fig. 5.79:6 and 7 were attributed to Stratum 13 on the basis of their recorded elevations. However, it is possible that they were recovered in the Stratum 12 silo, BS 024, which was cut into Stratum 13 levels. In any case the two jars are of the local manufacture that typifies the southern excavation fields at Bet Yerah in phases that follow those in which NCMW is dominant. Of the remaining jars, three are of Metallic Ware (Fig. 5.79:9–11). Figure 5.79:8 and 9 are channeled-rim jars—a type that is introduced in Bet Yerah C and continues to be popular in Bet Yerah D. The smaller containers (Fig. 5.79:12–14) include a jugamphoriskos, a miniature amphoriskos, and the flat base of a NCMW jug with a characteristic potter’s mark. Local Stratum 12 (Plans 5.6, 5.7) This stratum reflects a major rebuilding program that affected all structures in the excavated sector (Stratum

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Plan. 5.6. Plan of Local Stratum 12A.

12A; Plans 5.6, 5.6a). Nonetheless, all elements of the earlier plan were retained; it is thus a rebuild within the same urban paradigm as the previous stratum. The stratum as a whole is characterized by a program of pavement-laying and reconstruction of wall foundations with large fieldstones. That the effort was part of a planned program is indicated by the organic construction of contiguous walls and by the close fit between the street pavement and wall foundations. Also, the city gate, just to the south, revealed very similar construction activity, with a new pavement of large cobbles installed above the earlier roadway. A phase of alterations, designated 12B, followed the initial reconstruction in the probe. All the stone foundations of Stratum 12 were topped by one to two courses of mudbrick. In the eastern structure, the stone foundations of W5113 were laid directly atop the bricks of W5105 (Fig. 5.13), and alterations were made in W5106, with an

Plan 5.6a. Detail of Plan 5.6.

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Fig. 5.13. Wall 5113, early phase (after removal of BS 025 pavement), with partly preserved Silo BS 024 behind it. Looking southeast.

Fig. 5.15. Mortar and grindstones in Courtyard BS 031, looking south.

Fig. 5.14. Wall 5116, center, forming corners with W5114 (mostly removed) and W5119. Below W5116, the bricks of Stratum 13 W5108 are visible. Looking south.

apparent mudbrick shelf (5112) doubling it on the north. The corner of the northern room was now occupied by a new, slab-lined, 0.7 m deep silo, BS 024. The floor in BS 023 was raised to approximately -202.50 m. In the western structure, new wall foundations were laid: Wall 5114, forming an integrated corner with W5116, which in turn forms an integrated corner with W5119 (Fig. 5.14). The northward continuation of W5119 was, however, poorly preserved, and appears to have been partly dismantled in the following phase (12B). In the northern part of the structure W5115 reveals similar foundations to other walls of this phase. Two internal walls, W5117 and W5118, entirely of brick, were not too clearly identified. Room BS 028 contained a stone

platform or pavement at -202.33 m, and a large slab in the middle of the room—possibly a column base (top elev. -202.42 m, presumably representing the level of the adjacent earthen floor). In BS 029, a floor identified at -202.40 m was topped by a thick layer of ash and yielded a grinding stone, cooking ware, and other finds. The floor in the northernmost room, BS 030, lay at a similar elevation. In both rooms, remains of vessels found at -202.20 m could plausibly be related to this phase or the next. Room BS 031 appears to have been a large open courtyard; it contained remains related to food preparation: a mortar, two upper grinding stones and a large lower grinding stone nearby, all set in a thick matrix of ash, bones, etc. (Fig. 5.15). A small Egyptian jar (Fig. 5.81:8) was recovered in this room. As noted above, the main road was repaved in this phase with large flat fieldstones, laid directly above the earlier pavement (BS 025–026; -202.51 m; Figs. 5.16, 5.17). The pavement of this phase carefully abuts the stone wall foundations. The pavement exhibits several examples of repair, probably undertaken at different points of its existence during Strata 12A and B (see below).

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Fig. 5.16. Street BS 025, Local Stratum 12; looking east.

Fig. 5.17. Street BS 026, Local Stratum 12; looking east.

Stratum 12B (Plans 5.7, 5.7a) should be seen as a series of repairs on the roadway and in the adjacent buildings carried out over a long period of time. In the east, W5113 was apparently rebuilt or repaired and W5106 remained in use, and the rooms adjoining them were remodelled: a stone-based wall, W5120, was attached to W5106 and Silo BS 024 was covered over with a patch of stone pavement (BS 033). A stone door-socket indicates an 0.5 m wide entrance from the street in W5113. The end of the stratum is marked by the collapse of W5113 face-down on the cobblestones of BS 025 (Fig. 5.18). The western structure too was remodelled (Fig. 5.19): Wall 5114 and W5116 remained in use as exterior walls; within the structure, however, a brick wall, W5121, and W5123 with partial stone foundations were built above the Stratum 12A deposits, creating two new spaces, BS 034 and BS 035 (Fig. 5.20), with floors approximately 0.15 m above those of the earlier phase (the shattered platter and jar seen in Figs. 5.19 and 5.20 [= 5.80:7 and 5.82:4] belong to this phase). To the north, W5117 underwent repair (its precise nature is not clear), whereas W5118 went out of use, as witness floor deposits (ash and sherds) found above it, on the floor of BS 036–038. A curved installation appears to have been built in the southern part of this room (BS 037). A raised threshold in W5114, abutted by a ramp

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Plan 5.7. Plan of Local Stratum 12B.

built on the paved street outside (Fig. 5.21), shows that Room BS 036–038 had an independent entrance and may well have belonged to a separate dwelling unit. A similar ramp was built opposite BS 034, indicating an entrance there as well (no threshold found). Further repair in the paved street can be observed at the corner with the east–west street, BS 026. Here, Feature BS 027 appears to represent the ‘negative’ of a brick buttress or bench attached to W5114 and W5116. The raised pavement of the street would have abutted this component, creating the trough now visible where the raised repair did not reach the walls themselves, revealing the original pavement beneath (Fig. 5.22). The stones marked as -202.10 m seem to be yet a later addition.

Plan 5.7a. Detail of Plan 5.7.

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Fig. 5.18. Local Stratum 12B: Collapsed brick wall, W5113, lies on Street BS 025; its stone foundation is visible at left. Between the stone foundation and the narrow brick wall (W5120) is the doorway into BS 033. Note socket to left of entrance (behind scale), stone pavement, and sherds on floor. Looking east.

Fig. 5.19. Panoramic view of structures in Local Stratum 12B: to left, Building BS 034–038. Note stone platform and stone base in BS 034 (left foreground), which belong to BS 028 of Local Stratum 12A. To right is the collapsed superstructure of W5113. Mortars at bottom belong to later strata.

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Fig. 5.20. Room BS 035, with shattered platter and jar; looking northwest.

Fig. 5.21. Raised ramps in paved street, leading to BS 034 (center) and BS 036 (rear, with stone threshold). Looking north.

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Pottery of Local Stratum 12 (see Figs. 5.80–5.82)

Fig. 5.22. BS 027 (marked 130 in photo). Looking west.

Southern Extension To this phase is attributed the second phase of the southeast city gate, BS 104. A carefully paved entryway, similar in many respects to the Stratum 12 street, BS 025, was built over a thick layer of fill. The raising of the roadbed by a full meter to an average elevation of -201.70 m required those entering to descend from the gateway at a mild 5% gradient toward the Stratum 12 ‘piazza’ where streets BS 025 and BS 026 meet, at about -202.50 m. It also resulted in the burial of the Stratum 13 gate shrine, with only the top half of the pierced stele protruding above the paved surface. The thick accumulation of mudbrick material in the gateway is a good indication of the difficulties involved in the maintenance of mudbrick City Wall A. According to Bar-Adon, a stone guardroom or tower (BS 163) built into the fortification west of the gate belongs to this phase as well, as does a stone wall-base abutting the interior of Wall A east of the gate. From this phase onward, then, the structures abutting the town wall lay at an elevation significantly higher than that of buildings of the same stratum located farther north. Further details on the city gate may be found in Chapter 6.

The pottery of Local Stratum 12 is represented by a fairly rich repertoire of complete and nearly-complete forms. As in comparable late Period C assemblages at Bet Yerah, the relative quantity of NCMW rapidly diminishes, to be replaced by vessels made in a local fabric characterized by light brown clay with basalt inclusions, and usually bearing a thin red slip. However, diagnostic features of the EB III repertoire, such as large pattern-burnished platters, stump bases, and Khirbet Kerak Ware, are notably absent from the repertoire. Regarding the specific locations of the vessels, Room (courtyard?) BS 031 in Stratum 12A provided the richest assemblage, with a variety of lamps, bowls, cooking pots, jugs, and jars. Two jugs (Fig. 5.81:3, 4) form an ‘odd couple’, found together in what appears to be roof-collapse, some way above the floor of Room BS 036–38, Stratum 12B. The standard Bet Yerah C lamp has a broad flat base, a thick wall, red slip, and evidence of having been finished on a wheel (Fig. 5.80:1, 2). There are numerous variant lamp forms: Figure 5.80:3 illustrates one of these, with small indentations on the rim for the wick. Bowls include a wheelmade hemispherical bowl with diagonal burnishing (Fig. 5.80:4)—a type that will continue into Period D—and two NCMW bowls that represent the residue of the early EB II tradition, one plain and shallow (Fig. 5.80:6), the other deep, with an inverted rim (Fig. 5.80:5). Figure 5.80:7 is a rather unusual platter (or perhaps an oversized shallow bowl), with a diagonal burnish that heralds the pattern burnish introduced in the next phase. An inverted-rim bowl and a platter in standard local ware are represented in Fig. 5.80:8, 9. The cooking pots, all of them holemouths, include the more dominant gray variety (Fig. 5.80:10, 13, 14), as well as the brown variety (Fig. 5.80:11, 12) that characterizes earlier phases. The small containers illustrated in Fig. 5.81 form as varied a group as one could desire. Figure 5.81:1 is the characteristic common-ware mug that is ubiquitous at Tel Bet Yerah. Figure 5.81:2 could be an NCMW jug, judging by its proportions: unfortunately, it has not been located and only a drawing is available. Figure 5.81:3, found together with No. 4, is an elongated spindleshaped jug-amphoriskos with the typical degenerate loop handles. With its wheel marks and poor firing, it is virtually identical to a jug found in Area EY bearing

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a hieroglyphic grafitto (see Fig. 8.79:8), also in a late Period C (EB II) context. Figure 5.81:4, with its barrelshaped body, smeared red slip, and rope-decoration, clearly belongs to a different school of thought. There are a number of vessels in the Kinneret tomb with a similar profile, though lacking the rope-decoration (e.g., Mazar, Amiran, and Haas 1973: Fig. 5:15, 18); they are neck-handled jugs and so, it seems, was our example. Figure 5.81:6 is a miniature NCMW amphoriskos (cf. Greenberg 2001a: Fig. 14:16, 17), whereas Fig. 5.81:7 is a full-sized amphoriskos with a relatively narrow base, in comparison with amphoriskoi from later contexts at Tel Bet Yerah (e.g., Fig. 5.91:12, below). Figure 5.81:8 is a small Egyptian jar (first published in Greenberg and Eisenberg 2002). Made in dark red clay of Egyptian origin, it bears a vertical burnish. The type appears in Egypt in Early Dynastic contexts (Petrie 1921: Pl. 50:530). The importance of this late EB II import—in the same general stratum as the Egyptian grafitto from Area EY—cannot be overstated, coming as it does at the cusp of EB III and the dramatic change in orientation of Early Bronze Age culture. Figure 5.82 includes jars and pithoi. Among the jars, two are noteworthy: a well-made painted jar, found in discontinuous fragments and reconstructed on paper (Fig. 5.82:3), and a large combed jar (Fig. 5.82:4), rather clumsily made in what seems to be pseudoMetallic ware—that is, the stylistic details, surface treatment and firing resemble those of NCMW, but the warping and spalling betray the use of a type of clay inferior to that used in ‘true’ Metallic Ware. Among the pithoi (Fig. 5.82:5–7), one (Fig. 5.82:5) is in NCMW. Figure 5.82:7 is noteworthy for its pale gray drippainted decoration. Local Stratum 11 A major break occurred in the architectural sequence following the abandonment of Stratum 12. At first, the Stratum 12 houses were allowed to fall into decay, a process attested by the collapse of the W5113 brick superstructure onto the paved street (see Figs. 5.18, 5.19) and by evidence for pitting in the Stratum 12 remains. Subsequently, the entire area was sealed by a homogeneous accumulation of ash, organic remains, and various types of refuse (BS 039; see section drawing, Plan 5.8b). This layer varied in thickness from 1.1 m in the northwest to 0.3 m in the southeast, creating a slope descending from the west toward the

sea (top levels: -200.30 m in the west, -200.70 m in the center, -201.03 m in the south). This may be taken to indicate that the area served as a midden for a span of several years. Taking into account that the gate passage seems to have been blocked up at this stage with several courses of mudbrick (BS 107), and the gate shrine—represented only by the tip of the pierced anchor stele—converted perhaps into an open-air shrine (BS 108), it may be assumed that this part of the town was temporarily abandoned in the wake of major changes in the urban layout. The effect of these changes can be seen in Stratum 10. Local Stratum 10 (Plans 5.8, 5.9) Sounding This stratum marks a major shift in architectural orientation, following the temporary abandonment of this quarter in Stratum 11. The Stratum 11 midden had created a fairly distinct slope, descending from west to east, and the new structures were therefore somewhat stepped (Plan 5.8b). Two phases, marked by a localized destruction layer, limited architectural changes, and raised floors, were noted in this stratum. The main architectural feature is a square structure (BS 040–050; Plans 5.8, 5.9), oriented to the four cardinal points, with fairly thick walls and possible evidence for internal roof supports. The walls of the structure, brick on low stone foundations, were rather poorly preserved, and its plan is to some extent conjectural. A pit, probably excavated from Stratum 9, is responsible for the damage in the southeast corner, whereas the other walls appear to have been dismantled during later construction (Fig. 5.23). Bar-Adon identified a floor at -200.60 m, with a number of broken vessels and other finds scattered upon it (Fig. 5.24). The Stratum 10B floor was identified at -200.45 m. The entrance to the structure may be reconstructed in the north, and in the middle of the floor, the excavator identified two round contours marked by organic remains and small stones as pillar bases (see reconstruction, Plan 5.8b). While their placement is suitable for such a function, it is doubtful whether the soft marl-based matrix of Tel Bet Yerah could support pillars unless they were set on flat stone bases. South of the structure lay an irregular open area (BS 041), which appears to have served as a courtyard. Bounded on the south and east by the serrated wall of a building located to the south, the courtyard contained, in the earlier phase, a millstone, a large mortar, stone-

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Fig. 5.23. Local Stratum 10A, looking southeast: Stone W5124 and W5125 in foreground, their corner cut by a pit whose contour is visible in the mudbrick W5130 (center). The stone foundations of W5132 are visible at left, above the Stratum 10B pit, BS 051.

Fig. 5.24. Khirbet Kerak Ware stand near W5125, in Building BS 040.

lined hearths, and numerous fragments of smashed pots, including a complete Metallic Ware pithos (Fig. 5.25). Wall 5130 seems to have functioned as a bench serving the courtyard. Bar-Adon conjectured that BS 040–050 might have been a small temple—an idea later taken up by Kempinski (1992). Little can be said about the southern building. In its initial phase (Plan 5.8a), the floors (BS 043, BS 044) are about 0.2 m lower than those of Building BS 040,

and a pit (BS 053) appears to have been dug in the floor of BS 044 (it is sealed by W5137 of Stratum 10B). A corridor or room, BS 045, in the southeast corner of the excavated area had a floor at approximately -200.90– -201.00 m, with in situ vessel fragments, including a complete channeled-rim pithos (Fig. 5.26). In the later phase (Plan 5.9a), the southern structure was rebuilt with thinner stone walls placed atop the bricks of the earlier structure (Fig. 5.27). Wall 5136 is clearly cut by the pit that

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Plan 5.8. Plan of Local Stratum 10A.

Plan 5.8b. Schematic section, Strata 11–10A.

◄ Plan 5.8a. Detail of Plan 5.8.

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Plan 5.9. Plan of Local Stratum 10B.

Plan 5.9a. Detail of Plan 5.9. ►

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Fig. 5.25. Smashed pottery in BS 041, looking east.

Fig. 5.26. Local Stratum 10A: At top left, W5124; bottom left, W5131 and W5130, cut by pit; at center, Corridor BS 045, with Local Stratum 10B Pit BS 051 and shattered pithos fragments to its right. Pit BS 053 is visible at the bottom of the frame.

damaged the southeast corner of Building BS 040–050. In this phase, a small room, BS 048, was formed by newly built walls, W5138, W5139, and W5140. Its floor (-200.45 m) contained a hearth (BS 052) with ash and

vessel fragments. The area between W5138 and the corner of Building BS 040–050 appears to have been disturbed by a large pit (BS 051), cut from Stratum 10B.

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Fig. 5.27. General view of Local Stratum 10B, looking north. At center, W5124 and W5125 of the central structure, their corner cut by a pit that extends to W5136 at center-right. Room BS 048 is visible at top right, and the Stratum 11 midden beneath the walls, in background.

Southern Extension With the top of the gradually deteriorating mudbrick fortifications (Wall A) at approximately -199.00 m, the internal buildup of EB III remains must have made the construction of a new city wall a priority. Stratum 10 floors were about a meter beneath the present top of Wall A, and by Stratum 8 floors stood even with the preserved top level of the brick wall. The new fortification line, termed Wall B in this publication (see Chapter 6), was apparently a relatively unimpressive stone-based wall built along the edge of Wall A, but only to half its width (Plans 5.8, 5.9; Sqs D–E2–4). This allowed the eventual construction of houses directly atop the earlier fortification wall. Since only two or three such phases have been identified overlying Wall A, we assume, as a working hypothesis, that Wall B was built during Stratum 10, whereas the construction of houses abutting it came at a later date, when the internal accumulation made it easier. A corner of a structure beneath Building BS 105 of Stratum 9 (see Plan 5.10) probably belongs to a Stratum 10B structure that could have abutted Wall B (W5235–W5236, in Sq E7), as does the flimsy W5201, in Sq F6 (Plan 5.9). A deep sounding excavated just east of the gate, along the inner face of Wall A, revealed two parallel well-built walls abutting the upper part of Wall A (Fig. 5.28). These can be attributed to Stratum 10, on the basis of both elevation and stratigraphic situation.

Fig. 5.28. Wall 5267 (bottom) and W5266 (top), abutting the north face of City Wall A. Note base of Stratum 10 walls, approximately two meters above the bottom of the town wall.

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In the gate area, the paved passage was blocked with mudbrick construction about 0.7 m high (BS 107). The pierced stele, by now almost entirely buried, was incorporated in a curved stone construction, BS 108, which may be interpreted as an extramural shrine. An alternative explanation would allow BS 107 to continue to serve as a gate passage in Wall B, with BS 108 serving as an approach ramp (see Chapter 6 for details). Pottery of Local Strata 11–10 (see Figs. 5.83–5.90) Local Stratum 11 marks the full-fledged establishment of the Period D/EB III ceramic traditions at Tel Bet Yerah, characterized by massive amounts of Khirbet Kerak Ware and the accompanying changes in local production (outlined by Esse 1991; further elaborated in Greenberg 2000). The pottery assemblages of Strata 11 and 10 are typologically and chronologically indistinguishable to us. However, the different contexts of discovery in these two strata created a different composition for each assemblage. Stratum 11 is characterized by smaller fragments and a greater variety of types, as would be expected in a midden assemblage; Stratum 10 shows some functional differentiation, particularly in the three or four primary contexts. These include the floor of the main structure (BS 040–050), which yielded a motley collection with little Khirbet Kerak Ware; the courtyard (BS 041) behind the main structure, with a concentration of cooking and storage vessels; and the corridor or alleyway (BS 045) in which a complete channeled-rim pithos was found. A similar pithos was discovered in a Period D alleyway in Area UN (see Fig. 7.38:12), raising a suspicion that the use of this broad-mouthed vessel might be related to this particular kind of location. A typological discussion of the pottery follows. Small bowls include rather heavy-set flat-based wheelmade saucers often used as lamps (Figs. 5.83:1; 5.87:1)—somewhat more elegant than their Period C predecessors—and thin-walled wheelmade bowls that also doubled as lamps (Figs. 5.83:2; 5.87:2). Figure 5.87:3 is another type of lamp. Inverted-rim bowls in local ware can be small, wheelmade, with slip and continuous burnish (Figs. 5.83:3; 5.87:4), or large, with pattern-burnish (Fig. 5.83:4). Platters (Figs. 5.83:5–8; 5.87:6, 9) are invariably shallow, with a short triangular rim, and pattern-burnished (where the slip has survived). Diameters are for the most part in the 40–50 cm range—

larger than the Period C platters, but smaller than the over-sized platters seen in other parts of the mound. Deep inverted-rim bowls/vats tend to have a more splayed stance than their earlier counterparts. When large and spouted (Fig. 5.83:11, 12; 5.87:10), these vessels are usually defined as vats. The smaller varieties (Figs. 5.83:9, 10; 5.87:5, 7, 8), some of which could have had spouts, are termed bowls or basins. All seem to have served for food preparation, rather than for serving. Cooking pots include holemouthed and short-necked types, the former with a round base and the latter, for the most part, with a flat base (judging by fully preserved examples in other areas at Tel Bet Yerah; for further discussion of this issue, see Greenberg 2006). The ovoid holemouth pots (Figs. 5.84:1–5; 5.87:11– 15) are generally of the ‘gray’ variety, introduced in Period C but becoming dominant in Period D. Potmarks (Figs. 5.84:1; 5.87:15) and internal striation (e.g., Fig. 5.84:2; this feature is not consistently recorded in older drawings) are common on such pots. Figure 5.87:16, made in a lighter fabric than the other pots (and hence possibly a store jar), has an odd concave knob placed beneath the rim. Necked cooking pots include a rare handled pot (Fig. 5.83:13), as well as a number of rims in Fig. 5.87:17– 20 that illustrate the normal variety in this class. Figure 5.87:21 is a borderline case between cooking pot and storage jar. Figure 5.83:14 appears to be made in cooking-pot fabric, with crushed calcite inclusions, although its form is closer to that of a mug. Among the small containers there is a locally made amphoriskos (Fig. 5.88:1), changing little from EB II, and a number of stump- and button-bases belonging to jugs (Figs. 5.84:7, 8, 10; 5.88:3). Among the few jug rims, Fig. 5.88:2 is of interest for being made in the ‘pseudo-metallic’ fabric mentioned above. Figure 5.84:6, 9 belong to small slope-shouldered jugs. Figure 5.88:4 is a fragmentary twin-vessel with a fine netpainted decoration. Jars and pithoi form a varied group that may be subdivided as follows: 1. Jars with a plain splayed rim, made in local ware, usually bearing a red slip (Figs. 5.84:13–18; 5.88:6–9). The typical form of these jars would be like that of Fig. 5.88:9: uncombed, with indented handles inherited from the NCMW tradition. Figure 5.88:7—a small band-painted vessel—is a variant of this local-ware jar. 2. Jars and pithoi with a channeled rim, mostly made of local red-slipped ware (Figs. 5.84:11, 12, 21, 22;

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5.88:5, 10; 5.89:1), except for Fig. 5.88:10, which is combed pseudo-metallic ware. The complete jar form would resemble a vessel recovered by inspectors in the 1970s (see Volume II); the complete pithos form is represented in Fig. 5.89:1, with four lugs or knobs beneath the rim (originally intended, one assumes, to anchor the string used to keep the lid in place; the latter would have been, presumably, a hemispherical bowl with a diameter matching that of the rim-channel). 3. Pithoi with folded triangular rim, red slipped, made in a poorly fired pale fabric (Figs. 5.84:19, 20; 5.88:11, 12). 4. Metallic Ware and pseudo-metallic ware pithoi, the former illustrated in Fig. 5.89:2, the latter, combed and white-washed, in Fig. 5.88:13. Ledge handles (Fig. 5.84:23) make their first appearance since EB I, becoming more common in later levels. Khirbet Kerak Ware Figures 5.85, 5.86, and 5.90 illustrate the variety found in the Khirbet Kerak Ware of Strata 11 and 10. In these strata, this ware was found in massive quantities, accounting for over 50% of the kept sherds (unfortunately, the inventory entries are often ambiguous with regard to the identification of sherds as KKW). We assume a significant bias in the saved assemblage, and it therefore seems safe to say that Khirbet Kerak Ware accounted for 25 to 50% of the assemblage of both strata, rating them among the most KKW-rich assemblages at the site. The typological range exhibited from the very inception of the Khirbet Kerak Ware phenomenon at Bet Yerah is remarkable: Small delicate bowls include sinuous red-black bowls (Figs. 5.85:1–4; 5.90:3–6), some decorated with knobs and some supplied with handles, and simple red-slipped bowls with curved or vertical-carinated walls (Figs. 5.85:5–9; 5.90:1, 2), some bearing fluted decoration. The former type had a concave base, rarely preserved, and the latter—by far the more common type—a pronounced omphalos base. Both types exhibit a very high degree of skill in the formation, decoration, and finish (with the exception of the crudely-made miniature bowl, Fig. 5.85:4, which seems to be an apprentice’s exercise). Figure 5.86:16 (note scale) is a straight-walled bowl with a miniature loop-handle. Small and medium-sized open bowls comprise a group of their own (Figs. 5.85:10–13; 5.90:8–11). These

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are invariably red-slipped and burnished, and have an inverted—or occasionally a triangular—rim. The type is clearly influenced by the local type of inverted-rim bowl and platter, though it is made exclusively by hand, lacking the wheel finish of the standard local vessels. The spout illustrated in Fig. 5.86:17 was attached to a bowl of this type. Figure 5.85:14 is an aberrant deep carinated bowl in KKW. Kraters are invariably red-black burnished and often bear fluted and bossed decoration. They include deep sinuous kraters (Figs. 5.85:17–19; 5.90:12[?]) and the broad carinated kraters illustrated in Figs. 5.85:15 and 5.90:13. The latter, a particularly fine and fully preserved vessel (see back cover), was found just outside the main structure of Local Stratum 10A. It bears bossed chevron decorations with a central knob on opposite sides, their placement and execution (four ridges on one side, five on the other) not quite symmetrical (this vessel was published in Amiran 1969: Pl. 19:9). Biconical stands are common and include plain (Fig. 5.86:1, 4), fluted (Figs. 5.86:5, 6; 5.90:14), fenestrated (Fig. 5.86:3), and incised (Fig. 5.86:2) varieties. All but the latter are invariably red slipped inside and out. Stands of all these types were found in quantity in most parts of Tel Bet Yerah, especially in the northern areas (see Chapter 3). Lids (Fig. 5.86:7–10) are generally brown to gray in color and are only occasionally burnished. The characteristic knob may be pierced through or only partly perforated. The zoomorphic knob in Fig. 5.86:10, which has a parallel in Area GB (to be published in Volume II; see Amiran 1969: Photo 66), might have functioned as a ‘singing kettle,’ certain to produce a most gratifying effect. Andirons vary from the full-sized functional portable hearth (Fig. 5.86:11–13) to the diminutive artifact (Figs. 5.86:14, 15; 5.90:15), perhaps used only as a trivet. The incised geometric decoration on Fig. 5.86:11 binds the Khirbet Kerak Ware andiron to its northern origins, where such decorations are common (for a full discussion, see Volume II). Two handle fragments, shown in Fig. 5.86:18, 19, are made in the gray-brown fabric that characterizes Khirbet Kerak Ware associated with food-preparation (lids, andirons) rather than consumption. While the strap-handle could belong to a krater or bowl, the knob is to be associated with globular vessels that may have served as cooking pots (cf. Fig. 7.48:7, 8). A possible complete cooking pot was found by IAA inspectors in 1974 (see Volume II).

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Local Stratum 9 (Plan 5.10) Sounding (Sqs B–C8–9) Still within EB III, Stratum 9 represents a completely new architectural configuration. To the west, the remains of Building BS 040–050 were superseded by a broad stone foundation, W5150 (below, Fig. 5.35). East of this foundation and of a probable alleyway, BS 089, what appear to be the remains of a cellular building extending south and east were recovered. These remains include BS 055, a possible courtyard with a beaten-earth floor and pottery fragments in an ashy deposit (floor level -200.20 m); BS 057, a small room, its floor cut by a pit (BS 082) of a later stratum; and BS 056, also with a beaten-earth floor (elev. -200.20 m). Four additional rooms were only partly excavated. BS 054 had a very clear entrance threshold in W5142 (elev. -200.05 m), from which one most likely stepped down into the room (Fig. 5.29). Rooms BS 059 and BS 058, as well as BS 060, were poorly preserved. Southern Extension As interpreted here, the bulk of the EB III architectural remains excavated in the southern extension belong to Strata 9–8. The architecture is fragmentary and disturbed, and very few finds can be confidently ascribed to the architecture. However, the following

strands of evidence enable us to place the remains with a fair degree of confidence. 1. A stratigraphic count reveals at least three phases of construction predating Wall C. As Wall C can be attributed to Stratum 7 at the latest (or late Stratum 8, on the basis of material found in its towers), the three phases must be placed in Strata 10, 9, and 8 (early phase). 2. The Stratum 9 remains in the sounding comprised a fairly rich collection of de facto refuse, falling short of the destruction associated with Stratum 10. The finds associated with Stratum 9 in the southern extension reveal a similar situation. 3. The combined plan of Stratum 9 presents a fairly coherent continuum, especially as regards the broad foundation W5150 in the sounding and W5204 to its south. The structures described below, assigned to Stratum 9 on the basis of a stratigraphic count, are covered in some places both by Wall C and by a series of walls oriented northwest–southeast; in other places they are cut by Wall C, the latter being ascribed to Stratum 8 (see below). The stratigraphic relations are complicated by pronounced topographic anomalies: structures located from approximately grid-line 9/10 and westwards slope down toward a dip or gully lying to the west of the excavated area, whereas the fill associated with

Fig. 5.29. Corner of W5142 and W5143, with threshold into Room BS 054. Looking northeast.

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Plan 5.10. Plan of Local Stratum 9.

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the Stratum 12 gate and the detritus of the disused mudbrick fortification caused a sharp topographic rise toward the south of the excavated area (the effect of the talus of mudbrick detritus can be seen in the section through the fortifications, Fig. 6.3, below). To the west, in Sqs E11–10, W5217 forms a fine, meter-wide façade sloping toward the west and furnished with two paved entrances. The corner of W5238 and W5239 represents a further dip in the topography. The stratigraphic position of this wall is ambiguous. In Stratum 9, W5217 could have formed a corner with the somewhat lower W5220; both seem to be founded on a similar ashy deposit (Figs. 5.30, 5.31). Alternatively, W5217 could be later than W5220. The latter wall, as well as W5221 just east of it, are covered on the south by the Wall C fortification, and cut by the Stratum 8 façade of W5218. Wall 5222, to the east, is similarly superposed by Wall C. A rather crudely made nipple juglet and several Khirbet Kerak Ware sherds were found in an ashy deposit near the corner of W5117 and W5220, in BS 109, at an elevation of approximately -200.25 m (see Fig. 5.92 below). Additional sherds were found in an oven recorded at this level, and the whole could represent an intrusion from Stratum 8. The southern portion of this complex is represented by a number of structures that most likely abutted Wall B, which was not preserved at this point. Wall 5204 (Sq E7; Fig. 5.32) is a very broad foundation, interpreted

by Bar-Adon as a ramp or walkway, comparable to W5150 in the sounding (Sq B–C9). There are some unclear wall fragments to the south and west (W5202, W5203), overlying a stretch of stone-lined mudbrick construction (W5201) that should probably be assigned to Stratum 10. Abutting W5204 is BS 105, a well-built structure with a floor at -199.20–30 m (Figs. 5.32–5.34). Two magnificent finds come from this structure: an ivory bull’s head (Fig. 5.33, inset) and an ivory comb (see Volume II). Bar-Adon noted the similarity of Building BS 105 to Building BS 040–050 of Stratum 10 in the sounding. Tempting as the comparison may be in terms of plan and proportions, the 1.25 m discrepancy between the floor levels of the two structures and the fact that the Stratum 10 remains in the sounding seem to have suffered a more dramatic destruction than those described here make this association problematic, though not impossible. As things stand, Building BS 105 is oriented similarly to the Stratum 9 remains in the sounding, though intervening Stratum 6 structures, not removed by Bar-Adon, do not allow the establishment of a physical connection. Three wall stubs, W5235 and W5236 below the floor of BS 105, and a wall emerging beneath W5209, are to be attributed to Stratum 10 (Plan 5.9, Sqs D–E7; Fig. 5.34). Building BS 106, at the eastern edge of the excavation area (Sqs C2–3), is attributed to Stratum 9 mainly on the strength of its similarity (in size and elevation) to

Fig. 5.30. Wall 5217 at right, approaching W5220 and W5221 and cut by City Wall C. Looking east.

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Fig. 5.31. Wall 5220 and W5221 at center, covered by City Wall C and cut by W5218 (left), of Stratum 8. Looking east.

Fig. 5.32. The stepped foundation of W5204. Scale lies in BS 105. Looking west.

Fig. 5.33. Structure BS 105, east of W5204. Wall at top right, abutting City Wall C, is attributed to the Persian period. Inset: the ivory bull’s head found in BS 105.

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Fig. 5.34. Structure BS 105, looking east. Note Wall C overlying W5209, and W5236 of Local Stratum 10 protruding beneath W5209.

Building BS 105. BS 114, bounded by W5216 beneath the easternmost tower in Wall C to the northeast, seems to join up with BS 106. North of Wall C, in Sqs B– C4–6, is a warren of wall fragments that do not add up to a coherent plan. This area was badly disturbed, presumably by the construction of Wall C and by later Middle Bronze Age and Persian-period activity. Pottery of Local Stratum 9 (see Figs. 5.91, 5.92) The Stratum 9 assemblage is disappointingly small. Figure 5.91 presents a selection from contexts in the deep sounding, whereas Fig. 5.92 contains a selection of identified pieces from Building BS 105—where the ivory bull’s-head and comb were discovered— and from BS 109–111, near W5220 and W5221. A typological discussion of Stratum 9 follows. The vessels in Fig. 5.92:12–20 come from possible Stratum 8 intrusions and are discussed separately.

The Stratum 9 pottery is largely the same as that of the earlier phases of Period D. Among the common-ware forms (Figs. 5.91:1–14; 5.92:1, 3–10), the only new type is the wheelmade platter (Fig. 5.91:6, 5.92:6)—a type that is generally considered late EB III (Greenberg 1996:104; de Miroschedji 2000: Fig. 18.8:14). Also worth noting are the barrel-shaped amphoriskos with a simple band decoration and an elaborate potter’s mark (Fig. 5.91:12), the Metallic Ware jug, obviously residual (Fig. 5.91:10), and the ledge handle (Fig. 5.91:13), representing a phenomenon on the increase in late Period D. Khirbet Kerak Ware is abundant in Stratum 9 (Figs. 5.91:15–23; 5.92:2, 11), accounting for nearly half of the saved pieces (and perhaps 25% of the inventoried sherds). Noteworthy in the KKW assemblage are a bowl bearing reserved slip decoration (Fig. 5.91:17), two andiron uprights with applied anthropomorphic features (Fig. 5.91:20, 23), and what could be a holemouth vessel (Fig. 5.91:21). The group from BS 109–111 includes some problematic pieces that would fit comfortably into the Strata 8 and 7 assemblages described below. These include the ropedecorated bowl (Fig. 5.92:16), the beaded-rim jar with a vestigial ledge-handle (Fig. 5.92:18), and possibly the crude nipple-jug as well (Fig. 5.92:17). While they could represent the introduction of late Period D characteristics in Stratum 9, the absence of rope decorations, beaded rims, and handmade vessels in the more secure contexts of this ‘classic’ EB III stratum argue in favor of seeing them as intrusive. Local Stratum 8 (Plan 5.11) Following the stratigraphic scheme presented above, Stratum 8 is to be divided into two phases: an initial phase of construction predating Wall C, and a second phase in which the construction of the new city wall abolishes some of the domestic structures, leaving others intact. In contrast to previous strata, the finds associated with the domestic structures of Stratum 8 were very meager indeed, indicating that the latter phases of EB III at Tel Bet Yerah were not marked by violent destructions. Furthermore, the reconstructed plan presented here does not add up to a harmonious whole in terms of orientation and elevation; this is a shortcoming that, in view of the state of the documentation, we are not able to resolve.

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Plan 5.11. Plan of Local Stratum 8.

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Sounding (Sqs B–C8–9) The stone foundation W5150 remained in use in this stratum, but the structure to its east was rebuilt along more spacious lines (Fig. 5.35). The walls, some of them reused from Stratum 9, had stone foundations and a brick superstructure (preserved in W5151, W5152, and W5155). Five rooms were identified, BS 061– 065. Floors were not clearly identified, but seem to have

originally abutted the top of the first stone course at about -200.00 m, with a build-up of approximately 0.2 m (to -199.80–75 m). Room BS 061 contained a millstone and a mortar, marking the last floor level at approximately -199.80 m. Near a large flat stone at elev. -200.05 m (Fig. 5.36) the excavators found a fine Egyptian palette of Predynastic type (Fig. 5.37), a small juglet (Fig. 5.94:7), and a shell bead. Room BS 062 was

Fig. 5.35. Wall 5150 at left, and Local Stratum 8 structure at right, looking north. Note rock-filled pits in Room BS 062, top right.

Fig. 5.37. The palette from Room BS 061.

◄ Fig. 5.36. Egyptian palette and local juglet at findspot in Room BS 061.

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severely disturbed by a Stratum 5 installation (BS 073) and by a large stone-filled pit (BS 082; Stratum 7). The alleyway to the west of the building, BS 087, contains a number of fragmentary stone and brick constructions (W5157, W5158), of unknown function.

with structures branching off to the north, faced the perimeter. This formed the basis for further changes effected in Stratum 7.

Southern Extension According to our current understanding, a significant change occurred in the course of the construction attributed to Stratum 8, leading to a major shift in the orientation of the structures. This shift is probably to be related to the construction of the great stone fortification along the southern side of the mound (Wall C), the last in a series of Early Bronze Age fortifications. By the end of the process, the domestic structures of Stratum 8 and its successor Stratum 7 are aligned parallel to the new wall, leaving an open area, some 6 m wide in Stratum 7, between the structures and the wall. In all previous strata, domestic structures were built right up to the inner face of the earlier fortifications, and the east–west perimeter road ran parallel to the wall, but at some distance from it. The earlier structures of this stratum include BS 115 (Sqs C–D10–11), a large structure built on a slope in the western part of the excavated area. A notable find probably to be attributed to this structure is a carnelian lion-shaped pendant, which will be described in Volume II. Additional remains from this phase include a series of walls overlying remains attributed to Stratum 9 and cut by Wall C: BS 112 to the south (Sqs E–F8), and fragmentary structures to the east, oriented in line with City Wall B. These include W5227, W5230, W5231, W5229 (Sqs C6–7), and other fragments lying to the east. Wall 5210 and W5253 appear to abut Wall B in Sq D3 (although the material retrieved by Bar-Adon was badly mixed, the relation to the pre-C fortifications makes the stratigraphic attribution nearly certain). As noted above, the remains adjacent to Wall B lie at a significantly higher elevation than those farther to the north and west. This is due to the internal ramp formed by the intentional fill effected as early as Stratum 12 and by the decay of Wall A after it went out of use in late EB II. This internal ramp has been described by Maisler, Stekelis, and Avi-Yonah (1952), who interpreted it as an internal glacis, and by Getzov (2006), who excavated a small section of it in 1994–1995. Once the city wall was constructed, however, the entire insula abutting the earlier wall was scrapped, and a new, long façade formed by W5218 and W5151,

Remains of this stratum, the last in the Early Bronze Age town of Bet Yerah, were identified only in the 1951 sounding. In this phase, a well-built stone foundation, W5160, was constructed over Building BS 061 of Stratum 8. It abutted W5159 of the previous stratum, which remained in use. Wall 5160, surviving to a length of some 14 m (including a section visible outside the excavation area, in the sea-scarp just southeast of the excavated sounding), was 0.7–0.9 m wide and about 0.5 m high (Fig. 5.38). South of the wall, a pebble layer (BS 070) at -199.49 m extended toward the fortification, apparently forming a large open area, strewn with the protruding remains of the Stratum 8 structures demolished to build the fortification wall. Remains of a round installation (BS 071) were found here as well. To the north, remains of several rooms were revealed in an area badly damaged by later installations (e.g., BS 073 of Stratum 5; see Plan 5.14). The rooms include BS 069, bounded by W5161 and W5162 (Fig. 5.39), as well as BS 068, bounded by W5159, W5160, and the damaged remnants of W5164. A rock-filled pit, BS 082, sealed by Stratum 6 construction, is to be attributed to this phase, as is a small stone-lined installation, BS 072. Due to the many intrusions in the excavated area, very few finds can be attributed to this stratum.

Local Stratum 7 (Plan 5.12)

Pottery of Local Strata 8 and 7 (see Figs. 5.93–5.95) The pottery assemblages of these two strata are described together in view of the meager quantities retrieved from the later stratum and their similarity to those of the earlier stratum. Strata 8–7 pottery constitutes an interesting blend of well established EB III types and an emerging local tradition characterized by technically simple forms, low firing, and a coarse fabric. This late Period D industry was identified neither in nearby excavation areas—Areas EY and MS—nor in more northerly excavation fields. Common EB III types include simple bowl/lamps (Figs. 5.93:4; 5.95:10, 11), as well as pattern-burnished and wheelmade platters (Fig. 5.93:6, 7). Among the cooking pots note may be taken of the increasing

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Plan 5.12. Plan of Local Stratum 7.

Fig. 5.38. The well-built stone foundation of W5160, looking east. To right, Installation BS 071.

Fig. 5.39. Corner of BS 069, beneath the corner of BS 076 (Local Stratum 6). Looking north.

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prominence of the necked variety (Fig. 5.94:1–5; 5.95:18); among the holemouth pots (Fig. 5.93:10–14; 5.95:15–17), the combed fragment stands out (Fig. 5.93:10), with parallels in Period D deposits elsewhere in Bet Yerah (Area EY). The red-slipped and burnished jug (Fig. 5.94:6) and the splayed or folded jar rims in standard ware (Fig. 5.94:9, 10, 12), as well as the ledge-handle (Fig. 5.94:13), are also EB III standards. Khirbet Kerak Ware appears in small quantities and includes the expected variety of fine ware (Fig. 5.95:1–3), open bowls (Fig. 5.95:5), stands (Fig. 5.95:9), and cooking ware (Fig. 5.95:7, 8). Whether these represent the residue of earlier strata in a post-KKW environment or only a gradual decline in KKW production remains uncertain. The pottery unique to Local Strata 8 and 7 includes the following types: bowls with a thin applied band of rope decoration below the rim (Fig. 5.93:1, 2; 5.95:12); bowls (Fig. 5.93:3) and basins (Fig. 5.93:8, 9; 5.95:14) with a beaded rim; and pithoi with shallow,

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broad pattern-combing, thick red slip, and coarse ropedecoration (Fig. 5.94:8+11). The handmade juglet (Fig. 5.94:7) and the rope-decorated krater (Fig. 5.94:14) seem to fit into this ceramic style, as do the pieces described earlier from a possible Stratum 8 intrusion in Stratum 9 (Fig. 5.92:12–20, above). As we shall see, the incipient local style of Strata 8–7 becomes more fully pronounced in Local Stratum 6. The spouted holemouth vessel in Fig. 5.95:19, of uncertain provenience, might be an EB I residue. Local Stratum 6 (Plan 5.13 [foldout]) In Stratum 6, an entirely new domestic quarter was built in the shadow of the fortifications at the southeast tip of Tel Bet Yerah. This warren of structures eventually formed a dense cluster, terraced toward the western gully, with a continuous façade facing south (Figs. 5.40, 5.41). South of this cluster, in the Stratum 7 piazza,

Fig. 5.40. Panoramic view of Local Stratum 6, looking south towards Wall C from a plastered structure belonging to Stratum 3.

Fig. 5.41. Panoramic view of the northern part of Local Stratum 6. Note central north–south terrace wall composed of W5261, W5308, and W5330.

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Fig. 5.42. Schematic plan, showing core structures of Stratum 6.

an additional house (BS 080) was built, forming a narrow (1.6 m), cobbled east–west alley (BS 079; elev. -199.20 m). Wall foundations in this phase were well built to a height of three to four courses and topped by a brick superstructure, preserved at several points. BarAdon noted a plethora of doorways, forming, at first sight, an interconnected maze of buildings. However, a number of these doorways were found blocked. Taking this final disposition as a starting point, six distinct structures and a small fragment of a seventh may be described. Close scrutiny of the plan reveals, however, that the structures were not all built at once: some walls clearly abut already-existing structures. Based on the identification of bonded corners, an original core may have consisted of Room BS 080, Building BS 077 to its north, the western rooms of BS 122, Room BS 126, and perhaps Building BS 136. These would have been simple one- to two-roomed houses. Then, gradually, the spaces between the structures were filled in, with subsequent opening and closing of doorways as house-blocks were realigned (Figs. 5.42, 5.43). This resulted in a rather irregular collection of houses that nonetheless seem to maintain several characteristic traits (see discussion below). Few details were recorded regarding the deposits within the houses. Judging, however, by the very few portable finds on the floors, we may assume that the houses were abandoned rather than destroyed. The Houses Within the sounding in Sqs B–C8–9, a large structure to the north consisted of four rooms, only partly preserved (BS 075, BS 076, BS 077, BS 078). Judging

Fig. 5.43. Schematic plan, showing final disposition of houses in Stratum 6.

by the two clear entrances into this structure, it is likely that it consisted of two adjoined house-units, BS 075–076, and BS 077–078. In BS 075, a clear entrance threshold (elev. -199.00 m) was found in W5169 (Fig. 5.44), from which a step led down to the interior (floor elev. -199.25 m). A door socket was uncovered, out of place, to the left of the doorway. Remains of stone slabs revealed nearby were either paving stones or part of a stone bench along W5171. The eastern part of the room was disturbed by a stone-filled pit (BS 073, attributed to Stratum 5) that cut W5169 and probably damaged W5172 as well. Building BS 077 was also approached via a threshold (elev. -199.05 m) and a well-preserved stone-built step, with a door socket preserved in situ. The earthen floor of this room, also disturbed by Stratum 5 pits, lay at -199.25 m, as did the floor of BS 078. A notable discovery in the alleyway, BS 079 (Fig. 5.45), was a complete Stratum 6 jar embedded in soil (BS 085; elev. -198.88 m) at about the toplevel of the stone foundations of BS 080 (Fig. 5.46; see below, Fig. 5.99:4). It may have lain on the roof of the adjacent structure, to be preserved in the collapsed roof and mudbrick debris; alternately, it may have been unearthed by Middle Bronze Age (Stratum 5) gravediggers and left on the Middle Bronze Age surface. Building BS 080 consisted of a large room (BS 080) and an appended chamber (BS 081), partly excavated in the 1951 sounding and subsequently cleared in the 1952–1953 season (Fig. 5.47). Patches of stone paving were found in BS 080 (elev. -199.36 m), as well as a three-stone high buttress (W5166) that could mark a subdivision within this large space. The excavator noted a burnt layer and pot fragments in both rooms (Fig. 5.48),

Plan 5.13. Plan of Local Stratum 6.

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Fig. 5.44. Wall 5169 and the entrance to BS 075 (excavated beneath foundation level). Looking north.

Fig. 5.46. Jar found in roof-collapse(?), BS 085, above Local Stratum 6 alleyway, BS 079.

Fig. 5.45. Alleyway BS 079, looking west.

Fig. 5.47. Eastern end of BS 080, ► excavated in 1952, looking north.

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Fig. 5.48. Cooking-pot fragments in BS 080.

and a four-spouted lamp was found in the eastern doorway. While BS 080 had two entrances at its eastern end, there was no passage from the main room to the appended chamber, BS 081, which could be approached only from the western end. The absence of a doorway connecting the two rooms should be explained by the fact that the western end of BS 080 was the innermost, and hence most private, space in the original structure. Opening a doorway through its western wall would have required a complete reorganization of the household. The area south of the structure, BS 117, appears to have been littered with wall-stubs belonging to Stratum 8 structures. If, however, we assume a leveling of the passageway between Building BS 080 and City Wall C at approximately -199.00 m, about 0.35 m above the floors of the house, most of the Stratum 8 construction would be either buried or only slightly protruding above ground, allowing the passage to function. BarAdon has provided little information on the deposits in this area, and in any case it was significantly cut up by Stratum 5 tombs and adjacent construction. Nonetheless, registered sherd material from Baskets 356, at -198.80– -199.00 m, and 550, at -199.40–50 m, consisting entirely of Early Bronze Age fragments (with one intrusive Middle Bronze sherd), offer a top and bottom range to the Early Bronze Age deposits in BS 117 that abut both Stratum 6 architecture and City Wall C (base elevation -199.57– -200.35 m). Building BS 122 (Sqs B–C10–11) started out as a two-roomed long-house, approached from the open

space to its east. This space was eventually closed off, forming a small entrance courtyard (BS 074) furnished with a mortar (elev. -199.38 m) and an inner courtyard (BS 120), equipped with another mortar, a small bin, and a small storage cell (BS 121). From the inner courtyard there was access to a small northern chamber (BS 128) and to the inner, original, living quarters (BS 122 and BS 118). Building BS 126 (Sqs C–D11–12) was built around the originally isolated room, BS 126, in which two blocked entrances were found, one in W5304, and the other in W5303. It appears likely that BS 126 was originally a long-room, and that the entrance in its long wall was created when Room BS 125, itself entered through its southern long wall, was added on the south. BS 125, however, is an addition to the series of rooms BS 119, BS 123, and BS 124 that occupy the space between BS 126 and Building BS 122. While these three rooms might, at one point, have constituted an independent structure, the blockage of the entrance in W5307 severed BS 124 from the rest. In this manner, an integrated four-roomed structure was created, entered through a courtyard, BS 125, from which one could either enter BS 126 or the inner living quarters in BS 119 and BS 123. This was a split-level structure, with floors in the eastern part (elev. -199.55–62 m) lying approximately 0.50 m higher than those in the west (elev. -200.01–24 m). The southern wall of this structure, W5301, was aligned with the still-extant W5217, rather than with the town wall (Fig. 5.49). A row of flat stones placed alongside the wall seems to have served as an external bench. To the north lay Building BS 130 (Sqs B–C11–13). Here, an enclosed passage (BS 133) led to a large, lowlying room or courtyard (BS 131; Fig. 5.50), from which two smaller rooms could be reached: BS 124, with a stone bin in its northwest corner (elev. -199.44 m), and BS 130 (elev. -199.57 m). A blocked doorway originally allowed access to BS 131 from the corridor to its south, BS 127. Two adjacent rooms in the northeast, BS 129 and BS 132, seem to belong to separate units, now lost to the sea-scarp. North of Passage BS 133, in Sqs A–B13–15, lay a large structure that also appears to be composed of an original core, BS 136, and a later courtyard (BS 134) furnished with a small storage cell (BS 135). Room BS 136 was partly paved and entered through a corner entrance, like BS 080 and BS 122, and may well have been subdivided, with an inner room in the unpreserved eastern end.

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Fig. 5.49. Room BS 125, aligned with Local Strata 9–8 wall, W5217, to right. Looking east.

Fig. 5.50. Passage BS 127 with Room BS 131 to its north (left). Note terrace wall and evidence for earlier construction, not documented by the excavator.

The area between the westernmost houses and the city wall appears to have been left open, allowing free access to the fortifications and to a possible gate, as suggested by the topography at this point. According to the 1953 excavation register, finds in this area consisted largely of pottery identified as ‘MB’—apparently a mixture of Bet Yerah E and Bet Yerah F ceramics.

Table 5.2 summarizes the most pertinent points concerning the architecture of Stratum 6. Despite the considerable variation in spatial syntax (probably the result of the gradual addition and redivision of rooms), a pattern emerges: Houses were usually entered via a courtyard with evidence for food preparation and storage capacities. From the courtyard, access was gained to the

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Table 5.2. The Stratum 6 Domestic Complex House No.

No. of Rooms

BS 080

2

70

BS 075–077

4

BS 122

Area (m2)

Installations

Spatial Syntax*

Remarks

Paved area

A|A

Cooking pots, four-spouted lamp

~ 90

Paved court

A–B|A–B

Two entrances (double house?); house partly preserved

6

72

Paved court, storage cell

A–B–CC–D

Entered through small forecourt

BS 126

4

70

A–B–C–D

Split-level; ceded room to BS 130

BS 130

3

69

Storage bin

A–BB

Entered through large court? Shares entrance corridor with BS 136

BS 136

3

~100

Paved areas, storage cell

A–BB

Entered through large court; shares entrance corridor with BS 130

*Distance of rooms from the entrance, expressed in degrees of removal (after Hillier and Hanson 1984)

living quarters, typically placed in the most remote part of the house. House sizes appear to cluster around 70 sq m, of which less than half was roofed, suggesting that each compound served a single nuclear family. Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (see Figs. 5.96–5.99) The pottery of Stratum 6 has a number of characteristic traits that set it apart from the pottery of any other stratum at Tel Bet Yerah. These traits indicate the extraordinary possibility that the transition effected at the end of Stratum 7 marks the very ‘moment’ of urban collapse at Bet Yerah. In contrast to the meager Strata 8–7 assemblage, Stratum 6 pottery was retrieved in clear architectural contexts and forms a welldefined collection. With the exception of a single jar miraculously preserved in the roof-fall(?) of Building BS 080, Stratum 6 provided only fragmentary vessels (it seems that several restorable vessels recorded by the excavators in situ, e.g., in BS 081, did not survive the retrieval, registration, and mending processes). The assemblage that we associate with Stratum 6 contains a limited range of vessels with recurring technotypological features that are described below. Mixed with this pottery were fragments of ordinary EB III vessels— ‘gray’ holemouth cooking pots, wheelmade bowls and Khirbet Kerak Ware. In view of the homogeneity and repetitiveness of the Stratum 6 repertoire, we consider these standard EB III types as intrusive. As an alternative, they might be considered relics of the construction phase of the Stratum 6 complex. Generally speaking, the Stratum 6 assemblage represents a clean break with Period D technical elements such as wheel-formation and wheel-finish, red slip and

burnish, pattern combing, and typological elements such as platters, jugs, and KKW. There is a limited degree of continuity with late Period D (Strata 8–7) elements such as rope decoration on bowls and pithoi and the prevalence of necked cooking pots, but the technique of the Stratum 6 pottery is extremely simple, the fabric coarse, and surface-treatment minimal. The principal types are: a. Medium/large curved bowls, usually with a prominent band of applied rope-decoration below the rim (Fig. 5.96:1–3). b. A globular beaker, with finger-indentations evident on the interior (Fig. 5.96:4). c. Straight-sided bowls, deep (Fig. 5.96:5) or shallow (Fig. 5.96:6). d. Four-spouted lamps (Fig. 5.96:8–12), entirely handmade, with either round (Fig. 5.96:8) or square (Fig. 5.96:9, 12) bases. e. Holemouth pots with incised decoration beneath the rim (Fig. 5.97:1–4), in which the decoration consists of zigzag lines or diagonal hatching with incised parallel borders (in Area MS there are also chevron patterns, similarly bordered; see Fig. 2.41). f. Necked cooking pots (Fig. 5.98), often showing the crude finger-work on the inside. This is by far the most frequent type in Stratum 6. g. Store jars with a splayed rim, separately made and inserted into the body (Fig. 5.99:1–4). h. Pithoi with either short or tall neck and a crude applied rope-decoration (Fig. 5.99:5–10). Additional pieces whose relation to the Stratum 6 assemblage is uncertain include a spouted vat (Fig.

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5.96:7), undecorated holemouth pots (Fig. 5.97:5, 6), and a possible teapot or spouted krater (Fig. 5.97:7).

THE MIDDLE BRONZE AGE

The Stratum 6 assemblage has all the hallmarks of a household industry—simple technology, a limited repertoire, no imported vessels—and, while its affinities with Early Bronze Age tradition are unmistakeable, it clearly postdates the dissolution of the highly specialized EB III techno-typological complex characterized by the pattern-burnished platter, the combed pithos, or KKW. It also stands clearly apart from Intermediate Bronze Age industries, whether in the northern (Syrian) tradition or in that of the Jordan Valley: there are no Black Wheelmade vessels or slipped and painted pots. In many ways this is a truly transitional assemblage—Early Bronze Age in its choice of forms and decoration, but anticipating the Intermediate Bronze Age in its composition. There are no convincing parallels to the assemblage as a whole, but viewed in conjunction with the architectural remains, a case may be made for considerable affinity with sites like Sha‘ar HaGolan (Eisenberg 1993) and Jericho ‘EB IVA’ (Nigro 2003:133–134).3 Thus, Stratum 6 may be said to represent the cusp of the transition from an urban to a post-urban culture; a transient ‘Final EB’ phase during which people still clung to life in the old urban sites, without the economic infrastructure provided by these sites. This was soon to change, as Intermediate Bronze Age culture dictated the abandonment of the historic mounds and a recolonization of the countryside.

The demise of the late Stratum 6 settlement was followed by several centuries of desolation. No activity attributable to ‘classic’ Intermediate Bronze Age was identified in Bar-Adon’s excavations, with the possible exception of an isolated burial in Sq E7, just outside City Wall C (BS 139; Plan 5.14). This burial contained skeletal remains, accompanied by a cache of 1250 beads, a jug, and a bronze toggle-pin (Fig. 5.51). Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate these objects; the photographs and verbal description suggest that the jug had a flat base and a red slip, and could well be attributed to the Intermediate Bronze Age (cf. Feig 1991: Fig. 5:1) . At some point in MB I (traditional MB IIA), the southeast tip of the mound was briefly reoccupied. Remains consist of activity areas and industrial installations overlying Stratum 6 remains north of City Wall C, apparent architectural remains south of the Early Bronze Age city wall, and burials within and around the Middle Bronze Age installations (Plan 5.14). The Middle Bronze (or Period F) occupation was thus nestled within the salients and towers of the Early Bronze city wall. Rather than an impassable obstacle, the Early Bronze fortifications would have formed, by Middle Bronze times, a convenient windbarrier, with its stone foundations standing to a height of 0.5 to 1 m, and its brick superstructure presumably largely eroded.

Local Stratum 5 (Plan 5.14)

Fig. 5.51. The finds in Burial BS 139 as found (left), and after restoration (right). The present whereabouts of these objects are unknown.

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Activity Areas North of City Wall C The following elements of the Middle Bronze Age occupation north of the city wall were identified: 1. A deposit containing many sherds, occasional restorable vessels, and patches of pavement extending from the city wall to the scarp. This deposit was thickest (approximately 0.5 m) in the southeast, whereas to the west and north it was either eroded or removed by subsequent Hellenistic construction. Patches of pavement and/or restorable vessels were identified in Sqs D9 (BS 140, -198.50–70 m), B8–9 (BS 083, -198.80 m), and B–C10–11 (-198.75–85 m). In the area surrounding the kilns (see below) and adjacent to the city wall, the deposit topped out at approximately -198.30 m. 2. At least three potter’s kilns—BS 073, BS 143, and BS 144—and simpler ovens (BS 142), dug into earlier remains. The preserved tops of the kilns mark the Middle Bronze Age surface, at about -198.50 m.

Fig. 5.52. MB I pithos near bottom of BS 073.

Kiln BS 073 (Sq B9) was the most poorly preserved. In fact, Bar-Adon first identified it as a pit and rockcollapse in Stratum 6, assigning the lower part, with apparently in situ remains of the clay lining and flue, to Stratum 8! All these elements seem to be part of a single element, excavated down from the Middle Bronze surface to a depth of about 1.2 m. The condition in which it was found—full of collapsed stones and large vessel fragments—suggests that this kiln went out of use during Stratum 5 and was converted into a refuse pit (Figs. 5.52, 5.53). Kiln BS 143 (Sq B6) was preserved with its stone-lined firebox nearly intact (Fig. 5.54). A brick pillar and

Fig. 5.53. Baked clay (kiln?) fragments from BS 073.

Fig. 5.54. Kiln BS 143, before excavation; looking east.

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Plan 5.14. Plan of Local Stratum 5.

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sinuous projections in the walls supported the firing chamber, and a round clay-lined element to the east probably represents the feeding chamber. Three adult burials were found in the kiln (see below), inserted after it had half-filled with soil. Kiln BS 144 (Sqs B4–5) was of a different type. Here excavation revealed a well-preserved oval stonelined firebox (Fig. 5.55), reportedly furnished with a sophisticated intake conduit at one narrow end. This kiln was found full of earth and large pot fragments. Unfortunately, few remains related to the functioning of the kilns (wasters, vitrified clay, etc.) were retrieved for analysis.

A Structure South of City Wall C Wall 5248, W5249, and W5251 belong to a domestic structure (BS 138) built just outside the city wall (Sqs C–D3–4), at elevations similar to those of the activity areas inside the wall (Fig. 5.56). Its walls are truncated on three sides by erosion and by later construction. The narrow space between W5248 and the city wall, BS 137, could have been used for storage; its closing wall, W5250, is clearly a late addition, approaching the city wall rather than cut by it, as one might have thought looking at the plan (Fig. 5.57). Pottery found here was mixed, with some possible Persian-period sherds mixed with MB I material. The attribution of the structure to Stratum 5 is therefore circumstantial, based on (a) elevations, (b) the existence of a superimposed Stratum 4 Persian-period structure, which would have provided the intrusive sherds in the lower building, and (c) the relative paucity of Persian ceramic remains in the excavation as a whole, seemingly inconsistent with the attribution of both superimposed structures to this period. At -199.14 m, about 0.5 m beneath the presumed house floor, two intact vessels—a jug and a bowl— were discovered, indicating the location of a burial (BS 150). Sub-floor burials are not uncommon in MB I contexts.

◄ Fig. 5.55. Kiln BS 144, looking north.

Fig. 5.56. Local Stratum 5 Building BS 138, looking east.

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Burials Eleven or twelve adult interments, as well as intact vessels indicating the presence of at least three more, were found north of City Wall C and beneath Building BS 138. Unfortunately, complete vessels were often accorded ‘special treatment’ during excavation, making several detours before arriving at the registrar’s lab. In this way, the association of pottery with burials has often become tenuous. Burial 1 (BS 084; Sq B8; elev. -198.32– -199.17 m) consists of a stone construction and a pit that cut W5168 of Stratum 6 (Figs. 5.58, 5.59). A complete flared carinated bowl (Fig. 5.107:5) and meager skeletal remains were recovered here. A complete jar uncovered nearby, purportedly above a pit (BS 083), might have been an infant burial (Fig. 5.60; see also Fig. 5.107:10).

Fig. 5.57. Wall 5248 of Stratum 5, and W5250 built between it and City Wall C.

Burial 2 (BS 145; Sq C7; elev. -198.50–95 m) is a double flexed burial (heads to northeast, facing east), carefully inserted between W5226 and City Wall C and demarcated by a short stretch of masonry on the west (Figs. 5.61–5.63). Offerings included at least two pottery vessels, a large spouted jug, and a dipper jug (Fig. 5.108:6, 7). A photograph of the burial before excavation seems to show a trough-shaped pit dug between the Early Bronze city wall and W5226, into

Fig. 5.58. Local Stratum 5 burial-marker BS 084, cutting W5168 of Stratum 6. At left is W5178 (marked ‘10’), ascribed to Stratum 2 (Roman or Byzantine period).

Fig. 5.59. Bone fragments and bowl belonging to Burial 1 (BS 084).

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Fig. 5.60. Jar (infant burial?) in BS 083, beneath W5178.

Fig. 5.61. Burial 2, BS 145, before excavation, looking east. The stone wall marking the burial is set in the burial pit just west of the skeletons; Wall C is at right.

Fig. 5.63. Burial 2, viewed from Wall C.

Fig. 5.62 Burial 2, following the removal of the stones. Note battered face of W5226.

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which the stones marking the burial were inserted. Wall 5226 itself seems to have been constructed in Stratum 5. It is slightly battered on its southern side, whereas the northern face appears to be quite irregular. This could indicate that the wall actually served as a sort of terrace intended to demarcate BS 145 as a burial chamber. Burial 3 (BS 146; Sq C7; elev. -198.75– -199.18 m) is a single flexed burial (head to north, facing west) inserted alongside Stratum 8 wall W5230 (Fig. 5.64). It was marked by a small stone cairn and apparently accompanied by a Tell el-Yahudiya type juglet (Fig. 5.107:12).

163

Burial 4 (BS 147; Sq B7; elev. -199.15 m) is a poorly preserved burial (head to east) inserted into the eastern end of BS 080 of Stratum 6 (Fig. 5.65), with no recorded finds. Burial 5 (BS 148; Sq C6; elev. -198.38–89 m) is another flexed burial (head to northeast), set in an oval pit marked by stones (Fig. 5.66) and accompanied by a red-slipped stepped-rim juglet and a large jug (Figs. 5.107:6; 5.108:1). Burial 6 (BS 149; Sq B4; elev. -199.80 m) includes two skulls and the remains of a third(?) flexed burial inserted into the angle between Wall C and the round

Fig. 5.64. Burial 3 (BS 146), viewed from Wall C. Wall 5230 (Local Stratum 8) is at left.

Fig. 5.65. Burial 4 (BS 147), inserted just west of W5254 of Local Stratum 6.

Fig. 5.66. Burial 5 (BS 148), looking west.

Fig. 5.67. Burial 6 (BS 149)—long bones and vessels placed near the corner between Wall C (right) and Tower 1 (top).

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tower at its southeast end (Fig. 5.67). These burials were seemingly accompanied by a bowl and one or two jugs (Figs. 5.107:3, 9(?); 5.108:4). Burial 7 (BS 143; Sq B6; elev. -198.56–90 m) is a triple interment within Kiln BS 143. There were two skeletons in the lower part of the kiln: one flexed, lying on its back, accompanied by a Tell el-Yahudiya juglet and a shoulder-handled jug (Figs. 5.68, 5.69; 5.107:11; 5.108:3), the other poorly preserved and apparently accompanied by a carinated bowl and a red-slipped juglet (Fig. 5:107:4, 7). The third interment, above the other two, was flexed and accompanied by a large ridged-rim jug (Figs. 5.70, 5.71; 5.108:2). BS 161 (Sq B7) marks the location of a bowl and jug found ‘in’ the Stratum 6 alleyway (Figs. 5.107:1; 5.108:5); these definitely are to be associated with another burial. BS 150 (Sq D3) marks the location of a bowl with a decorated base and a fine red-burnished jug, both intact, beneath the floor of Building BS 138 (Figs. 5.107:2; 5.108:8). It seems likely that this too marks a burial, the greater part of which could easily have been washed away with the southern half of the house.

Fig. 5.68. Flexed burial in lower part of Kiln BS 143.

The MB I occupation discovered by Bar-Adon is the only evidence for this period anywhere on Tel Bet

Fig. 5.69. Jugs accompanying lower burial in Kiln BS 143.

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165

Yerah. Although truncated on the east by the sea-scarp, the Middle Bronze Age settlement could not have been a large one. Our pottery study (see below) also indicates that it was not a long-lived settlement, and that the latest elements (the burials in the kilns) do not significantly postdate the earliest elements. The stratigraphic relations between Stratum 5, Stratum 6, and City Wall C are of great importance for fixing the relative dates of these elements. Stratum 5 clearly seals Stratum 6 and is clearly cognizant of the city wall (as witness the flexed burials nestled against the base of the fortification). This categorically rules out the Hellenistic date proposed in the past for these fortifications. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (see Figs. 100–108)

Fig. 5.70. Burial in upper part of Kiln BS 143, looking southeast.

Fig. 5.71. Detail of upper burial in Kiln BS 143, with large jug at shoulder.

Pottery from the Occupation Deposits Many hundreds of diagnostic Middle Bronze Age sherds were recovered in the three seasons of excavation at the southeast tip of Tel Bet Yerah. A large and apparently representative sample remained available for study. While their general appearance is deceptively uniform—most are made of pale gray-brown clay, without any slip or burnish—the assemblage as a whole presents quite a broad variety of forms and vessel types. A preponderance of kraters and jars, which comprise about 70% of the assemblage, points to the possible specialization of the local potter. In view of the fact that Area BS is the only part of Tel Bet Yerah to yield Middle Bronze Age ceramics, we present in Figs. 5.100–5.108 a comprehensive representation of the types encountered. a. Open Bowls. This loosely defined category includes many different types that fall into the following groups: (1) Platter-type bowls with inverted rims (Fig. 5.100: 1–6, 8, 10); (2) hemispherical bowls (Fig. 5.100:7, 9); (3) carinated bowls of various size and shape (Fig. 5.100:11, 12, 14, 16), among which a coarse ridged-rim bowl (Fig. 5.100:12) and a thick-walled two-handled bowl (Fig. 5.100:16) stand out; and (4) deep invertedrim bowls (Fig. 5.100:13, 15). Only one bowl (Fig. 5.100:4) bears painted decoration; none are burnished. b. Closed Bowls, Simple Rim. The vast majority have a sinuous profile (Fig. 5.101:1–12) and one is plain (Fig. 5.101:13). Bases appear to have been flat; no decoration is evident. Oversized examples of the sinuous type are seen in Fig. 5.101:21, 22.

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c. Globular or Bell-Shaped Bowls (Fig. 5.101:14–20). Rims are often profiled and occasionally ridged. These vessels probably had disc or ring bases, as in the larger, similarly-shaped kraters. d. Globular Kraters (Figs. 5.102, 5.103). Though showing a wide range of sizes, kraters are defined by their horizontal, often profiled or ridged rims and their ring bases (many of these were found in the excavation). Medium and large kraters were sometimes furnished with two handles and a spout and were often decorated with an incised wavy (‘scrabbled’) line, a band of stippled rope-like decoration, or a horizontal combed band. Kraters were among the most common vessels in the Bet Yerah assemblage, and may be said to define the distinct signature of the local potter. e. Cooking Pots (Fig. 5.104:1–7). These are generally globular, with round base and vertical or everted rim. Like the kraters, cooking pots are occasionally decorated with incised wavy line or rope decoration. Only one fragment of a handmade, straight-walled cooking pot was recovered (Fig. 5.104:7). f. Juglets (Fig. 5.104:8–10) stand out as imports in the generally drab Tel Bet Yerah Middle Bronze Age assemblage: Numbers 8 and 9 (the latter red slipped and burnished) with stepped rims and button base; No. 10, a badly worn Tell el-Yahudiya juglet, decorated with parallel bands of chevron decoration. g. Jugs include (1) large vessels with a triangular or ridged rim, sometimes pinched (Fig. 5.104:11, 13), and (2) a dipper, with a plain trefoil rim (Fig. 5.104:12). One red-slipped ridged double-handle, obviously belonging to a large non-local fine-ware jug, was recovered by Bar-Adon (not illustrated). h. Jars (Fig. 5.105) are the most common element in the assemblage. Sharing a narrow neck, an unlimited variety of folded, profiled rims, and occasional combed or incised decoration, the fragments illustrated may be divided between (1) plain or slightly thickened rims (Fig. 5.105:1–4), (2) concave triangular rims (Fig. 5.105:5–12), some of which show the characteristic ‘hammer-head’ seen among the kraters (e.g., Fig. 5.105:9, 10), and (3) everted folded rims (Fig. 5.105:13–31), which may be thick and detached, or thin and streamlined. Horizontal combed decoration is present on one example (Fig. 5.105:22). The large jars at the bottom of the plate are on the border between this and the following category. i. Pithoi (Fig. 5.106) show a similar variety of rims to that of the jars. Noteworthy are No. 5, with the

hammerhead rim and incised decoration betraying the same hand as that of the creator of the decorated kraters, No. 8, with folded rim and ‘scrabbled’ decoration, and No. 11, badly warped, which may have been a potter’s reject thrown in with the waste of Kiln BS 073. j. Lamps (Fig. 5.101:23). One example, round with a pinched rim, was found in the occupation debris of Stratum 5. There are many affinities between the different types, suggesting that most of the vessels were produced within the same ceramic tradition, if not by the resident potters of the site itself. These affinities include the drab ware and medium to high firing, the incised decoration found on jars, jugs, and kraters, and the peculiar hammerhead rim that may be found on bowls, kraters, and pithoi. Against this background, several intrusive types stand out: e.g., the ridged-rim bowl in Fig. 5.100:12 and the red-slipped and Tell el-Yahudiya juglets in Fig. 5.104:8–10. Comparanda and Dating. The assemblage may be placed, with a fair degree of confidence, in the latter part of MB I (traditional MB IIA). It has broad affinities with the palace and post-palace phases at Aphek (Beck 2000), and a fair number of parallels with the few similarly dated assemblages in the nearer vicinity, such as Tell elHayyat (Falconer and Magness-Gardiner 1984) or Kefar Ruppin (Gophna 1979). That having been said, several idiosyncrasies of the Bet Yerah assemblage should be pointed out: the nearly complete lack of slipped and burnished items, the absence of handmade cooking pots and the preponderance of kraters and jars, many of them decorated. These idiosyncrasies place the assemblage firmly in the sphere of Syrian ceramic tradition. Thus, for example, an assemblage such as that of Tell Hadidi in Northern Syria provides parallels for the following types: a (Dornemann 1979: Figs. 20:43, 22:13, 16, 22), b (Dornemann 1979: Fig. 20:45–47), c (Dornemann 1979: Fig. 21:1), d (Dornemann 1979: Fig. 21:30–34), e (Dornemann 1979: Fig. 21:28), and h (Dornemann 1979: Fig. 22:7–14). An assemblage such as that of Tell Amarna (Pons 2001) provides excellent parallels for the ridged-rim bowl (Pons 2001: Pl. 4) and the decorated kraters (Pons 2001: Pl. 7). In Southern Syria, similar types can be found in the recent Braemer et al. (2002) review, e.g., Pl. 8, for Types c and d, Pl. 9 for Types d and i, and Pl. 17 for Type f (including forms found in the Bet Yerah burials, described below). All the above parallels, it should be stressed, come from rather broadly dated

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

contexts, and they are adduced in order to highlight the cultural, rather than the chronological, context of the Bet Yerah potter. Pottery from Burials The pottery interred in the pit and kiln burials at Bet Yerah, though obviously representing a selection governed by ritual or ceremonial requirements, has enough similarities with the occupation assemblage to establish contemporaneity. Figures 5.107 and 5.108 present the complete forms from the burials, arranged typologically. Due to shortcomings in the recording process, not all vessels can be ascribed with certainty to specific burials. Also, several of the objects are missing, and the quality of the drawings could not be checked (these are marked with an asterisk in the plate descriptions). That having been said, the latest material—found with the interments within Kiln BS 143 and probably representing the final days of the Middle Bronze Age occupation at the site—may be singled out. This group includes two large jugs, Fig. 5.108:2 with a ridged rim and 5.108:3 with a shoulder handle, two juglets, one red slipped with a stepped rim (Fig. 5.107:7) and the other a Tell el-Yahudiya juglet, Fig. 5.107:11, and a wide-mouthed sinuous-sided bowl, Fig. 5.107:4. Most of the forms in this group are reproduced in the other tombs. The Tell el-Yahudiya juglet, which could be judged late, is discussed below. Bowls include three open (Type a) and two closed carinated (Type b) items, all in the drab ware and rough finish characterizing the Bet Yerah pottery. The three open bowls are different from each other: Figure 5.107:2, which resembles Fig. 5.100:2 in the occupation assemblage, carries a pair of lugs, both broken, and has an incised pattern along the edge of its disc base; Fig. 5.107:3 is a straight-walled platter with an inverted profiled rim and coarse wheel-marks, quite similar to Fig. 5.100:1, 5; Fig. 5.107:1 is rounded, with a plain rim and external ridge, comparable to Fig. 5.100:7 of the domestic assemblage. All three bowls have parallels in MB I (e.g., Aphek, Beck 2000: Fig. 10.31, lower rows; Dan T1025, Ilan 1996: Fig. 4.104:1–3; Tel Yosef, CovelloParan 2001: Figs. 5:2; 12:1). The closed carinated bowls, one broad (Fig. 5.107:4) and the other tall (Fig. 5.107:5), are somewhat finer than the sinuous-sided bowls of the domestic assemblage. They may be compared with late MB I tomb finds,

167

such as Aphek T428, T427, T436 (Beck 2000: Fig. 10.21), Dan T1025 (Ilan 1996: Fig. 4.104:7–17), and Hazor T1181 (Maeir 1997: Fig. IV.2). A single jar (Fig. 5.107:10), which may well have contained an infant burial (this, according to BarAdon’s annotation to a field photo), is of a common late MB I type exemplified, inter alia, at Tel Na‘ama (Greenberg et al. 1998: Fig. 10). The Type h3 jar fragments found in the occupation assemblage (above, Fig. 5.105:13–31) represent similar vessels. Jugs include a variety of plain, wide-mouthed large ovoid (Fig. 5.108:1, 2, 5, 6) or piriform (Fig. 5.108:4) examples, a narrow-necked jug with shoulder handle (Fig. 5.108:3), a smaller bag-shaped jug (Fig. 5.108:8), red slipped and burnished, and a dipper (Fig. 5.108:7). As in the case of the bowls, each of the large jugs differs slightly from the other, though as a whole they comprise a rather monotonous group. The two jugs from Burial 7, within Kiln 143 (Fig. 5.108:2, 3), are marked by their disc bases, possibly due to their being the latest forms. Most of the forms are paralleled in the domestic assemblage (above, Types g1, g2). As for the red-slipped jug, its concave rim is comparable to many jar fragments of Type h2. Jugs of the types described above are commonplace in MB I tombs. Especially noteworthy is the reproduction of nearly all of the Bet Yerah types in the cemetery recently excavated at Tel Yosef (Covello-Paran 2001: Figs. 5, 6, 14). Juglets comprise the most interesting group. With three Tell el-Yahudiya and three red-slipped items, it is clear that juglets comprised a type of prestige ware not produced on-site. The red-slipped juglets, all with a stepped rim (Fig. 5.107:6–8), belong to a type discussed at length in recent publications (e.g., Ilan 1996; Maeir 1997) and generally considered a typefossil for late MB I. Identical juglets appear in the domestic assemblage (above, Type f). The three Tell el-Yahudiya juglets, with ridged, stepped, and plain rims (Fig. 5.107:9, 11, 12), share an identical decorative pattern of triangles in an upper register over three vertical bands in the lower, with an undecorated horizontal band intervening. This is a surprisingly rare pattern that may justify the attribution of the three vessels to a single workshop.4 The variance in rim form may be the result of minor chronological differences, perhaps reflecting the two or three generations during which the site of Bet Yerah was occupied (cf. Zevulun 1990:185 and

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n. 45, for a similar appreciation of the ‘Afula potter’s workshop). To sum up, the pottery from the mortuary contexts in Area BS has many affinities with that recovered in occupation contexts: there are the same two types of jugs—with a ridged and with a trefoil rim—there are non-local red-slipped juglets with a stepped rim, and Tell el-Yahudiya juglets, a similar variety of open and closed bowls, and a jar similar to many of the fragments found in the occupation area. While the burials—at least in part—may be considered technically later than the occupation deposits by virtue of stratigraphic relation (at least in Kiln 143), the two groups may be characterized as completely contemporary in ceramic terms. Discussion The Middle Bronze Age occupation at Tel Bet Yerah was limited in both physical and chronological extent. Rather than being viewed as a ‘stratum’ of the great mound of Bet Yerah, it should be understood as an industrial establishment—perhaps the workshop, home, and burial place of a family of potters— opportunistically established within easy reach of the basic materials of the craft: clay from the Lisan marl layers cropping out at the base of the mound, temper from the sand deposited along the river-bank and in nearby wadis, water from the river or the lake, and fuel from the abundant natural vegetation in the vicinity. The ruins of the Early Bronze Age town provided both building materials for the installations and houses, and the still-upstanding town wall—both a windbreak and a convenient barrier between the activity area to its north, and the probable domestic structure (or structures, assuming that a significant part of the mound has eroded into the sea on the east) to its south. The site thus joins a surprisingly large number of nonurban pottery manufactories found in MB I–II Canaan (Kletter and Gorzalczany 2001). These include an oval kiln at Tell el-Hayyat (Falconer and Magness-Gardiner 1984:54–55; Falconer 1987: Figs. 1, 2), similar to our Kiln BS 144, with possible burial remains inside it. Falconer (1987) has used archaeometric evidence from MB I sites east of the Jordan to posit a system of rural production and exchange. The Tel Bet Yerah workshop, situated about 25 km north of the region treated by Falconer, could easily fit into such a system. Still, things are not so simple. For one thing, the

character of the Bet Yerah products is starkly different from that of the Jordan Valley system. Beyond a number of individual parallels with Tell el-Hayyat, the absence of straight-walled cooking pots and painted pottery at Bet Yerah and the prevalence of the incised hammer-rim kraters and pithoi underlines the differences between the sites. In fact, one is hard put to discover the consumers of the pottery presumably produced at Bet Yerah. Furthermore, there seems to be a discrepancy between the strong ‘Syrian’ flavor of the occupation assemblage and the ‘Canaanite’ affinities of the mortuary vessels. Could this be an illustration of the merging of cultural elements at a border location? These are questions that only a systematic study of ceramic distribution and provenience will be able to answer. We hope that the publication of this unusual corpus of pottery from Tel Bet Yerah will help provide a starting point for such a study.

THE PERSIAN TO ROMAN PERIODS The strata of Periods G–I are only briefly described below, and their plans presented, in order to clarify some important stratigraphic relations. The late strata at Tel Bet Yerah are without doubt worthy of a separate, detailed report. Local Stratum 4 (Plan 5.15) Following an extended period of abandonment, the southern tip of Tel Bet Yerah, by now forming a sort of secondary acropolis, was again resettled. Erosion had badly damaged the MB I remains, and must have stripped most of the mudbrick superstructure of City Wall C. The Persian (Period G) elements—walls, floors, and characteristic pits—are therefore found betwixt and between, set into the Middle Bronze Age remains and quite difficult to disentangle from them. The pottery is spread over quite a small area, and occupation seems therefore to have been limited to the immediate area both north and south of Wall C and Tower 1. Local Stratum 3 (Plan 5.16) Plan 5.16 presents the layout of the Hellenistic-period structures in Area BS. These are large, well-planned houses, oriented obliquely to the Early Bronze Age remains and parallel to the evolving sea-scarp, which has since advanced along the entire eastern edge of the

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Plan 5.15. Plan of Local Stratum 4.

mound (see Volume II). The architecture and layout of these spacious houses closely resemble those of the Period H structures in Area MS. The two areas should be viewed together as part of a meticulously planned settlement, which seems to have occupied the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah. In Area BS, the Period H remains were only partly superimposed on the earlier remains, and it is quite evident that for the most part the Hellenistic structures were not built right up to the still-visible remains of City Wall C. This stands to reason, in view of the discrepant orientation between the two. Evidence of Hellenistic activity was, however, found in the open spaces near Wall C, and in the rubble overlying the wall. At one point the Hellenistic construction does directly abut the earlier fortification: this is where a number of adjunct structures to the main building, marked A', B' and Complex 2, are wedged into the space adjoining the corner of a reentrant angle of Wall C, requiring a shift in orientation and the creation of a number of trapezoidal rooms. Figure 5.72 shows the foundation

Fig. 5.72. Period H wall abutting upper course of Wall C foundations in Sq E14.

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Plan 5.16. Plan of Local Stratum 3.

of the western wall of ‘Complex 2’, where it abuts Wall C nearly two meters above its base. These finds, as well as the Period G deposits south of Wall C, demonstrate that Period H builders found Wall C already in place; otherwise, we would have to assume they excavated a huge foundation ditch, 4.5 m wide × 1.5 m deep, into which they sank the foundations of Wall C at an oblique angle to their own houses. While technically possible, surely the burden of proof rests upon those who would propose this unlikely sequence of events. We must therefore conclude that the fortifications of Tel Bet Yerah all predate the Hellenistic period, and accord best with a late Early Bronze Age attribution, as suggested earlier in this chapter.

Local Strata 2 and 1 Very little can be said of the late Classical and Late Islamic remains mentioned by Bar-Adon. A couple of post-Stratum 3 walls in the sounding were supposed by Bar-Adon to date to the Roman period (Fig. 5.73). Several late burials, devoid of any diagnostic finds, were discovered by Bar-Adon just below the surface (-197.15– -197.70 m), including one sunk into City Wall C (Sq C3). The burials were all oriented east– west, their faces presumably facing south.

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171

Fig. 5.73. Local Strata 2–1 W5178 (right) and W5179 (center), superimposed on Stratum 6 houses in the 1951 sounding.

Fig. 5.74 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

251/1 51-5372

BS 005

14

Pink clay, white and gray inclusions, red decoration, two indents

2

Bowl

327/12 51-7152

14

Brown clay, white inclusions, brown droplets

3

Bowl

279/5 51-6049

14

Burnished red slip interior and exterior, string-cut base

4

Bowl (?)

287/9 51-6267

BS 001

15

Buff clay, red decoration, string-cut base

5

Bowl

296/1 51-6534

BS 002

15

Light brown clay, fine inclusions, reddish-brown slip interior and exterior, applied decoration

6

Bowl

270/1 51-5833

15

Brown clay, large dark brown inclusions, red slip interior and exterior

7

Bowl

331/6 51-7211

BS 002

15

Red slip interior and exterior, incised decoration

8

Bowl

282/22 51-6128

BS 001

15

Red slip exterior, brown interior

9

Bowl

285/35 51-6230

15

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip interior and exterior

10

Bowl

289/20 51-6337

15

Gray-brown clay, red slip interior and exterior

11

Bowl

335/1 51-7248

BS 001

15

Brown clay, white inclusions, brown slip interior and exterior

12

Bowl

295/44 51-6529

BS 002

15

Brown slip interior and exterior

13

Bowl

298/10 51-6582

BS 009

14

Reddish-brown clay, large gray and brown inclusions, red slip interior and exterior

14

Bowl

283/5 51-6145

BS 002

15

Reddish-brown clay, large white, gray inclusions, light brown slip interior and exterior

15

Bowl

262/33

16

Bowl

285/8

15

Light brown clay, large gray inclusions, dark brown slip interior, reddish-brown slip exterior

Red slip interior and exterior

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3

1

4

2

6

5

7

8

10 9

12

11

14

13

15 16

Fig. 5.74. Pottery of Local Strata 15 and 14 (Period B).

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2

1

3

4

5

7 6

9 8

11 10

13 12

Fig. 5.75. Pottery of Local Strata 15 and 14 (Period B). No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Cooking pot

262/12

2

Cooking pot

295/31; 51-6516

3

Cooking pot

295/26; 51-6511

4

Cooking pot

296/6; 51-6539

5

Cooking pot

265/24; 51-5699

6

Cooking pot

266/14; 51-5733

7

Cooking pot

290/1

8

Cooking pot

269/21; 51-5819

9

Pot

281/19

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

BS 002

15

Pinkish brown clay, gray, white, and crushed calcite inclusions

15

Reddish-brown clay, gray, white, crushed calcite inclusions, incised mark

15

Light brown slip, potter’s mark

14

Large inclusions

14

n.d.a

15

Buff clay, large gray, white and red inclusions

Brown slip exterior and rim, potter’s mark

BS 002

BS 002 BS 010

14

Dark brown clay, gravelly white and brown inclusions

14

Red slip interior and rim

10

Spouted vat

326/28; 51-7137

14

Red slip exterior

11

Krater

302/2; 51-6610

15

Pink clay, brown and gray inclusions, grain-wash

12

Vat/cooking pot

264/20; 51-5661

14

Grain-wash

13

Vat

281/20; 51-6098

14

Grain-wash

BS 010

173

174

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.76 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

334/9

15

Brown slip exterior and rim

2

Jar

289/18 51-6335

15

Pinkish brown clay, white and red inclusions, grain-wash

3

Jar

294/1 51-6459

15

Pinkish brown clay, large gray-brown inclusions, grain-wash

4

Jar

287/32 51-6290

15

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, grain-wash

5

Jar

285/5 51-6200

15

Gray clay, white inclusions near surface, gray inclusions at core, grain-wash

6

Jar

270/25 51-5857

15

Gray clay, gray slip exterior and rim, incised decoration

7

Jar

297/6 51-6561

15

Brown clay, gray inclusions, dark brown wash

8

Jar

327/1 51-7141

14

Red clay, brown slip

9

Jar

278/40 51-6039

15

Pinkish-brown clay, dark brown and white inclusions, dark red slip

10

Jar

334/6 51-7243

15

Light brown clay, dark brown inclusions, red slip exterior

11

Jar

257/8 51-5466

14

Grain-wash

12

Jar

265/11 51-5686

14

Grain-wash

13

Jar

295/17 51-6502

15

Brown clay, dark brown inclusions, red slip exterior and rim

BS 001

BS 002

BS 002

14

Jar

265/37

14

Brown slip exterior and rim

15

Amphoriskos

262/29 51-5610

14

Orange brown clay, brown inclusions, red slip exterior

16

Amphoriskos

257/17 51-5475

14

Red slip exterior

17

Jug

273/10 51-5925

15

Red slip, incised mark

18

Jug

289/5 51-6229

15

Red slip, incised decoration

19

Teapot

281/25 51-6103

14

Pink clay, white and brown inclusions, red decoration

BS 010

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2

1

3

4

6 5

7

9

8

11

10

13

12

14

15

17

16

18

19

Fig. 5.76. Pottery of Local Strata 15 and 14 (Period B).

175

176

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

1

3 2

4

5

6

7

8

Fig. 5.77. Pottery of Local Strata 15 and 14 (Period B). No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Pithos?

296/4 51-6537

BS 002

15

Brown clay, gray inclusions, grain-wash, incised decoration

2

Pithos

335/12

BS 001

15

Brown clay, large dark brown inclusions, brown slip, incised decoration

3

Pithos

333/5 51-7230

BS 005

14

Red slip exterior, incised decoration

4

Pithos

265/22 51-5697

14

Reddish-brown clay, medium brown inclusions, grain-wash, incised decoration

5

Pithos

266/36 51-5755

14

Reddish-brown clay, large gray and brown inclusions, red slip

6

Pithos

262/10 51-5591

14

Pink clay, large gray and brown inclusions, red slip exterior and rim, incised decoration

7

Pithos

268/11 51-5782

14

Pink clay, large white and gray inclusions, red slip exterior and rim

8

Pithos?

286/1 51-6238

15

Red clay, white inclusions, red-brown slip exterior and rim, impressed decoration

BS 001

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

177

1 2

3

4

5

6 7

8

9

11 10

12

13

Fig. 5.78. Pottery of Local Stratum 13 (early Period C). Locus

Local Stratum

Description

320/16; 51-7020

BS 021

13B

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, wheelmade

318/4; 51-6976

BS 017(?)

13B

Light gray clay, brown and white inclusions, red slip exterior

BS 021

13B

Brown clay, white, black and red inclusions, red slip

BS 021

13B

Pink clay, matte burnish, NCMW

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Bowl

2

Mug

3

Bowl

320/7; 51-7011

BS 021

4

Bowl

188/37; 51-4026

5

Platter

242/3; 51-5271

6

Platter

246/10; 51-5341

13B

Pink clay, burnished interior, combed exterior, NCMW

7

Platter

322/7; 51-7057

13B

Pink clay, matte burnish, NCMW

8

Platter

242/12

BS 021

13B

Pink clay, red slip, burnish, NCMW

9

Platter

188/20; 51-4009

BS 021

13B

Red clay, matte burnish, NCMW

10

Platter

256/1; 51-5455

13B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip interior and exterior

Gray clay, white inclusions, brown slip, radial burnish interior

11

Platter

320/27; 51-7031

BS 021

13B

Red clay, red slip, burnish, NCMW

12

Platter

238/1; 51-5218

BS 016

13A

Red clay, thin red slip, burnish, repair holes, NCMW

13

Vat

238/2; 51-5219

BS 016

13A

Red clay, dark gray core, white inclusions, spalls, large void, metallic firing (pseudo-NCMW)

178

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.79 ► Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Cooking pot

240/10; 51-5238

BS 020

13B

Dark brown clay

2

Cooking pot

250/5; 51-5368

13A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, potter’s mark

3

Cooking pot

228/3; 51-5100

BS 021

13B

Gray-brown clay, white and gray inclusions

4

Cooking pot

244/5; 51-5324

BS 015

13A

Dark brown clay, black and white inclusions

5

Cooking pot

240/7; 51-5232

BS 020

13B

Brown clay

6

Jar

345/2; 51-7291

BS 013(?)

13A

Red decoration

7

Jar

344/1; 51-7289

BS 013(?)

13A

Red clay, white and gray inclusions, red slip

8

Jar

188/17; 51-4006

BS 021

13B

Gray clay, white, gray and red inclusions, thin brown slip

9

Jar

258/11; 51-5500

13A

Reddish-brown clay, burnished exterior, NCMW

10

Jar

242/4; 51-5272

BS 021

13B

Dark brown clay, NCMW

11

Jar

242/9; 51-5277

BS 021

13B

Red clay, NCMW

12

Jugamphoriskos

254/1; 51-5435

BS 018(?)

13B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, spaced vertical burnish

13

Amphoriskos

253/9; 51-5424

BS 020

13B

Reddish-brown clay (cooking-pot ware)

14

Jug

247/2; 51-5346

BS 019

13B

Gray clay, burnished exterior, potter’s mark, NCMW

No.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1 2

4 3

5

6

7

8

9 10

11

14

12

13

Fig. 5.79. Pottery of Local Stratum 13 (early Period C).

179

180

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

1

2

4

5

6

3

7 8

10

9

11 12

14

13

Fig. 5.80. Pottery of Local Stratum 12 (late Period C). No. 1

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

Lamp/bowl

225/3; 51-5075

BS 031

12A

Light gray clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip, string-cut base

2

Lamp

303/9; 51-6647

3

Lamp

338/1; 51-7279

BS 030

12A

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, indented rim

Light gray clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

233/12; 51-5141

BS 031

12A

Light gray clay, gray inclusions, brown slip interior and rim, diagonal burnish, wheelmade

5

Bowl

317/2; 51-6948

S section

12B

Red clay, matte burnish, NCMW

6

Bowl

313/4; 51-6918

W5119

13B–12A

Reddish-brown to brown clay, burnish, NCMW

7

Bowl

225/6; 51-5078

BS 034

12B

Light gray clay, brown and white inclusions, diagonal burnish on peeling red slip

8

Bowl

239/6; 51-5228

BS 033

12B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, thin red slip interior and rim, radial burnish interior

9

Platter

316/2; 51-6937

12

Light gray clay, dark gray inclusions, peeling red slip interior, thin red slip exterior

10

Cooking pot

259/1; 51-5452

BS032

12B

Dark gray-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

11

Cooking pot

219/3; 51-4926

BS 035

12B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

12

Cooking pot

235/10; 51-5167

BS 031

12A

Brown clay, brown and white inclusions

13

Cooking pot

224/25; 51-5069

BS 031–034

12A–B

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, potter’s mark

14

Cooking pot

223/6; 51-5039

BS 025

12B

Gray clay, white and gray inclusions

181

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

Fig. 5.81. Pottery of Local Stratum 12 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Mug

253a/8 51-5423

BS 035

12B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnish

2

Jug

254a/6 51-5440

BS 035

12B

n.d.a.

3

Jugamphoriskos

342/2 51-7286

BS 038

12B

Gray clay

4

Jug

342/1 5-7285

BS 038

12B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, smeared red slip, rope decoration

5

Jug

225/1

BS 031

12A

Reddish-brown clay, pale gray surface, white inclusions

6

Miniature amphoriskos

253-14

BS 031(?)

12A

Brown clay, continuous burnish, NCMW

7

Amphoriskos

222/5 51-5019

BS 025

12B–11

Pink clay, large gray inclusions, traces of red slip

8

Jar

337/1 51-7278

BS 031

12A

Dark red clay, vertical burnish

182

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

1

2

3

4

6 5

7

Fig. 5.82. Pottery of Local Stratum 12 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

224/14; 51-5059

BS 031–034

12A–B

Red clay, white inclusions, red slip exterior and rim

2

Jar

220/9; 51-4945

BS 030

12A

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions

3

Jar

237/16; 51-5210

BS 029

12A

Red decoration on pale gray surface

4

Jar

213/1; 51-4885

BS 034

12B

Reddish-brown clay, spalled, pattern-combed, NCMW?

5

Pithos

227/12; 51-5091

BS 025

12A–B

Red clay, NCMW

6

Pithos

214/2

12

Gray clay, white and gray inclusions, smeared red-brown slip

7

Pithos

233/1

12A

Red to gray clay, many gray and brown inclusions, pale gray decoration

BS 031

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

3

2

5

4

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 14

Fig. 5.83. Pottery of Local Stratum 11, common ware (early Period D).

183

184

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.83 Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl/lamp

185/4 51-3917

BS 039

11

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade

2

Bowl/lamp

221/53 51-5010

BS 039

11

Light brown clay, fine gray inclusions, red slip interior and rim, wheelmade

3

Bowl

202/34

BS 039

11

Buff clay, brown inclusions, red slip, wheelmade

4

Bowl

208/41 51-4749

BS 039

11

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip and pattern burnish interior

5

Platter

180/12 51-3795

BS 039

11

Gray brown clay, small gray and white inclusions

6

Platter

203/8 51-4562

BS 039

11

Brown clay, black and white inclusions, red slip interior, traces on exterior

7

Platter

117/8 51-2219

BS 039

11

Red slip interior and rim, pattern burnish

8

Platter

193/3 208/4 51-4717

BS 039

11

Buff clay, gray inclusions, brown slip interior, pattern burnish

9

Bowl/vat

130/91 51-2822

BS 039

11

Brown clay, white, brown, gray inclusions

10

Bowl

208/43 51-4751

BS 039

11

Light brown clay, fine gray inclusions, red slip interior and exterior, gently combed exterior

11

Vat

203/1 51-4555

BS 039

11

Red slip exterior

12

Vat

130/98 51-2821

BS 039

11

Reddish slip exterior and rim

13

Cooking pot

194/31 51-4197

BS 039

11

Gray-brown cooking-pot ware, white inclusions, soot exterior

14

Mug?

117/15 51-2226

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay, gray core, crushed calcite

No.

Description

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

4 5

3

6

7

8

11

9

10

12

13

15

16

14

19

17

18

21

22

20

23

24

Fig. 5.84. Pottery of Local Stratum 11, common ware (early Period D).

185

186

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.84 Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Cooking pot

209/4 51-4773

BS 039

11

Potter’s mark

2

Cooking pot

177/58 51-3513

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay, white and gray inclusions, striated interior

3

Cooking pot

189/14 51-4073

BS 039

11

Gray clay, white inclusions

4

Cooking pot

207/14 51-4695

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay

5

Cooking pot

173/16 51-3568

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay, white inclusions

6

Jug

221/7 51-4964

BS 039

11

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, incised decoration

7

Jug

184/97 51-3916

BS 039

11

Light brown clay, brown inclusions

8

Jug

254a/12 51-5496

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay, gray and red inclusions, red slip

9

Jug

180/7 51-3794

BS 039

11

Friable black clay, brown surface, thin red slip

10

Jug

206/6 51-4652

BS 039

11

Brown clay, traces of red slip

11

Jar

200/28 51-4454

BS 039

11

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip exterior and rim

12

Jar

180/33 51-3820

BS 039

11

Pink clay, gray, white, organic inclusions, peeling red slip

13

Jar

173/42 51-3594

BS 039

11

Pink clay, gray and white inclusions

No.

14

Jar

130/80

BS 039

11

Pink clay, white inclusions

15

Jar

206/4 51-4649

BS 039

11

Buff clay, gray inclusions, brown slip, incised decoration

16

Jar

191/15 51-4132

BS 039

11

Reddish-brown clay, large gray inclusions, mottled buff/red surface

17

Jar

193/9 51-4162

BS 039

11

Pink clay, black core, white inclusions

18

Jar

194/8 51-4174

BS 039

11

Gray clay, large white inclusions

19

Pithos

190/15 51-4114

BS 039

11

Red clay, gray inclusions, red slip

20

Pithos

190/5 51-4104

BS 039

11

Pinkish-brown clay with many large gray, some red inclusions, poorly fired, red slip

21

Jar

194/60 51-4226

BS 039

11

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip

22

Pithos

201/41 51-4510

BS 039

11

Red clay, gray core, red slip, burnish (NCMW?)

23

Jar handle

131/10 51-2850

BS 039

11

Gray-brown clay, white and gray inclusions, white slip

24

Jar

200/6 51-4432

BS 039

11

Horizontal combing

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

5

6

3

4

7

8

10

9

12 11

13 14

15

17

16

18

19

Fig. 5.85. Pottery of Local Stratum 11, Khirbet Kerak Ware (early Period D).

187

188

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.85 No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

206/30 51-4676

BS 039

11

Red-black burnished KKW

2

Bowl

114/38 51-2112

BS 039

11

Red interior, red to brown exterior, burnished, KKW

3

Bowl

177/15 51-3684

BS 039

11

Red interior, orange-black exterior, burnished, KKW

4

Bowl

189/29 51-4088

BS 039

11

Gray-brown, lightly burnished, KKW

5

Bowl

129130/28 51-2697

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

6

Bowl

204/3 51-4586

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

7

Bowl

173/34 51-3586 IAA 51-307

BS 039

11

Dark red burnished KKW

8

Bowl

130/35 51-2758 IAA 51-304

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

9

Bowl

191/7 51-4124

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

10

Bowl

131/52 51-2874

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

11

Bowl

307/22 51-6744

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

12

Bowl

179/57 51-3785

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

13

Bowl

119/5 51-2265

BS 040

11–10

Red burnished KKW

14

Bowl

185/1 51-3714

BS 039

11

Dark brown clay, deep red burnished KKW

15

Krater

207/33 51-4713a

BS 039

11

Reddish-brown interior, shading to orange and black exterior, highly burnished, KKW

16

Krater

179/15 51-3743

BS 039

11

Red-black burnished KKW

17

Krater

130/48 51-2771

BS 039

11

Red-black burnished KKW

18

Krater

130/1 51-2724

BS 039

11

Red-black, highly burnished, KKW

19

Krater

130/78 51-2801

BS 039

11

Red-black burnished KKW

189

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3

2

1

5

4

6

8

7

9

11

10

12

13

15

14

17 16

18

19

Fig. 5.86. Pottery of Local Stratum 11, Khirbet Kerak Ware (early Period D).

190

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.86 Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Stand

110/9 51-1982

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

2

Stand (funnel?)

203/25 51-4577

BS 039

11

Red-black burnished, incised lime-filled decoration, KKW

3

Stand

184/32 51-3911

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

4

Stand

110/1 51-1974

BS 039

11

Gray burnished KKW

5

Stand

130/17 51-2710

BS 039

11

Red highly burnished KKW; interior burnish ends about 10 cm above base

6

Stand

133/3 51-2944

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

7

Lid

254/7 51-5441

BS 039

11

Gray, KKW

8

Lid

116/8 51-2165

BS 039

11

Brown, KKW

9

Lid

184/35 51-3914

BS 039

11

KKW

10

Lid (zoomorphic)

184/36 51-3915 IAA 51-334

BS 039

11

Gray-brown burnished, KKW

11

Andiron

341/1 51-7284 IAA 50-1021

BS 039

11

KKW, incised decoration

12

Andiron

317/25 51-6971

BS 039

11

Gray brown KKW

13

Andiron

112/3 51-2036

N of BS 050

11–10A

KKW

14

Andiron

108/24 51-1929

BS 039

11

KKW

15

Andiron

204/1 51-4584

BS039

11

Brown, lightly burnished, KKW

16

Bowl

194/23 51-4189

BS 039

11

Reddish-brown burnished KKW

17

Bowl spout

122/27 51-2395

BS 039

11

Red burnished KKW

18

Strap handle

131/48 51-2870

BS 039

11

Gray burnished KKW

19

Knob

184/39 51-3918

BS 039

11

Brown KKW

No.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3

4

2

1

6

5

7 8

9 10

12

13

14 15

11

16

17

18

19 20

21

Fig. 5.87. Pottery of Local Stratum 10, common ware (early Period D).

191

192

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.87 No

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl/ lamp

172/7 51-3533

BS 044

10A

Buff clay, wheelmade, soot on rim

2

Bowl/ lamp

102/12 51-1830

BS 041

10A

Buff clay, wheelmade, soot on rim

3

Bowl/ lamp

183/10 51-3872

BS 041

10A

Light brown clay, gray, red and white inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

4

Bowl

172/18 51-3544

BS 044

10A

Buff clay, gray inclusions, light brown slip interior and rim, burnish, wheelmade

5

Bowl

183/29 51-3873

BS 041

10A

Buff clay, fine red and gray inclusions

6

Platter

97/1 51-1748

BS 047

10B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip interior and rim

7

Bowl

120/6 51-2296

BS 050

10B

Buff clay, large gray inclusions, light combing exterior

8

Bowl

183/27 51-3871

BS 041

10A

Brown clay, medium gray inclusions

9

Platter

195/13 51-4244

BS 040

10A

Brown slip, pattern burnish

10

Vat

172/2 51-3528

BS 044

10A

n.d.a.

11

Cooking pot

115/10 51-2140 IAA 96-3123

BS 041

10A

Reddish-brown clay, white inclusions, soot exterior and interior

12

Cooking pot

195/15 51-4240

BS 040

10A

Red clay, many medium gray inclusions

13

Cooking pot

183/5 51-3840

BS 044

10A

Gray-brown clay, soot exterior

14

Cooking pot

168/13 51-3376

BS 041

10A–B

Brown clay, crushed calcite inclusions

15

Cooking pot

71/33 51-1417

BS 040–50

10A–B

Brown clay, soot exterior, potter’s mark

16

Jar/pot

183/30 51-3874

BS 041

10A

Pink clay, medium gray inclusions

17

Cooking pot

98/3 51-1768

BS 040

10B

n.d.a.

18

Cooking pot

172/4 51-3530

BS 044

10A

Gray clay, large gray inclusions, soot exterior

19

Cooking pot

168/1 51-1354

BS 041

10A–B

Pink clay, large gray inclusions

20

Cooking pot

119/1 51-2261

BS 040–50

10A–B

Gray clay, large gray inclusions

21

Jar/pot

98/2 51-1767

BS 040–50

10A–B

Brown clay, large gray inclusions

193

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3

2

1

4

8 7

5

6

10

11

12

9 13

Fig. 5.88. Pottery of Local Stratum 10, common ware (early Period D).

194

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.88 Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Amphoriskos

195/3 51-4334

BS 040

10A

Red clay, white inclusions

2

Jug

119/29 51-2289

BS 040/050

10A–B

Red clay, white inclusions, pseudo-metallic ware

3

Jug

183/20 51-3864

BS 044

10A

Traces of red slip

4

Twin vessel

111/4 51-2029

BS 041

10B

Red clay, gray inclusions, brown decoration

5

Jar

169/1a 51-3403

BS 046

10B

Red clay, medium gray inclusions

6

Jar

198/3 51-4366

BS 041

10A

Brown clay

7

Jar

126/20 51-2620

BS 045

10A

Red clay, gray inclusions, faint red decoration

8

Jar

198/11 51-4374

BS 041

10A

Pink clay, gray and white inclusions

9

Jar

111/1 51-2026 IAA 51-348

BS 041

10B

Reddish-brown clay, brown inclusions, potter’s mark

10

Jar

113/1 51-2052

BS 040–42

10B

Reddish-brown clay, white, gray, and brown inclusions, wellfired, horizontal combing, pseudo-metallic ware

11

Pithos

97/12 51-1759

BS 047

10B

Gray clay, gray inclusions

12

Pithos

120/15 51-2305

BS 047

10B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

13

Pithos

195/2 51-4232

BS 040

10A

Red clay, gray and white inclusions, lime slip over pattern combing (pseudo-metallic ware)

No.

1

Fig. 5.89. Pottery of Local Stratum 10, pithoi (early Period D). (1) Reg. Nos. 134/3, 51–2577, Locus BS 045 Local Stratum 10A, orange clay, gray and white inclusions; (2) Locus BS 041, Local Stratum 10A, red clay, combed, NCMW.

2

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

195

196

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.90 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

125/57; 51-2576

BS 042

10A

Red burnished KKW

2

Bowl

198/18; 51-4381 IAA 51-306

BS 041

10A

Red burnished KKW

3

Bowl

171/20; 51-3479

BS 041

10A

Red-black burnished KKW

4

Bowl

116/38; 51-2185

BS 045

10

Red-black burnished interior and exterior, KKW

5

Bowl

177/3; 51-3655

BS 041

10A

Red-black burnished KKW

6

Bowl

195/62; 51-4293

BS 040

10A

Red-black burnished KKW

7

Krater/jar

177/14; 51-3660

BS 041

10A

Red-black burnished KKW

8

Bowl

195/49; 51-4280

BS 040

10A

Red burnished KKW

9

Bowl

171/57; 51-3511

BS 041

10A

Red burnished KKW

10

Bowl

171/1; 51-3455

BS 041

10A

Red burnished KKW

11

Bowl

171/30; 51-3484

BS 041

10A

Red burnished KKW

12

Krater (jar?)

172/17; 51-3543

BS 044

10A

Red clay, gray and white inclusions, burnished, KKW technique

13

Krater

125/2; 51-2521

BS 042

10A

Red interior, reddish-brown/black exterior, burnished, KKW, bossed decoration

14

Stand

101/1; 51-1818

BS 040

10A

Red burnished KKW

15

Andiron

134/3a; 51-2957a

BS 045

10A

Brown KKW

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3

1 2

4

6 7

5

8 9 10

11

12 13

14

15

Fig. 5.90. Pottery of Local Stratum 10, Khirbet Kerak Ware (early Period D).

197

198

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.91 ► Local Stratum

Description

9

Buff clay, red slip

BS 057–059

9

Orange clay, white inclusions, red slip interior and rim

BS 057

9

Buff clay, gray inclusions

164/6; 51-3299

BS 057

9

Traces of red slip interior

Bowl

78/11; 51-1515

BS 057

9

Buff clay, gray inclusions

Platter

104/4; 51-1861

BS 059

9

Gray-brown clay, wheelmade

7

Cooking pot

78/9; 51-1493

BS 057

9

n.d.a.

8

Cooking pot

100/8; 51-1815

BS 057–059

9

n.d.a.

9

Jug

78/8; 51-1492

BS 057

9

n.d.a.

10

Jug

77/11; 51-1470

BS 057–059

9

Burnish, NCMW

11

Jar

78/4; 51-1488

BS 057

9

Pink clay, gray core, large gray inclusions

12

Amphoriskos

72/1; 51-1427

BS 059

9

Pink clay, large gray inclusions, painted decoration, potter’s mark

13

Jar handle

78/1; 51-1485

BS 057

9

Red slip

14

Pithos

77/2; 51-1461

BS 057–059

9

Buff clay, large brown and gray inclusions, red slip exterior

15

Bowl

165/5; 51-3305

BS 087

9

Red-black burnished KKW

16

Bowl

103/1; 51-1843

W of W5150

9

Red burnished KKW

17

Bowl

148/19; 51-3116

BS 055

9

KKW, with external red over cream reserve pattern

18

Krater

77/5; 51-1464

BS 057–059

9

Red-black burnished KKW

19

Krater

70/2; 51-1379

BS 057–059

9

Red-black burnished KKW

20

Andiron

103/9; 51-1857

W of 5150

9

Brown KKW

21

Krater

73/6; 51-1433

BS 057–059

9

Red burnished KKW

22

Stand

148/15; 51-3112

BS 055

9

Red burnished KKW

23

Andiron

82/1; 51-1546

BS 057

9

Brown KKW, applied decoration

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Bowl

91/3; 51-1644

2

Bowl

77/12; 51-1471

3

Bowl

78/12; 51-1496

4

Platter

5 6

Locus

199

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

3

2

5

4

6

10

9

7

8 11 12

14 13

15

18

16

17

19

20

21

22

23

Fig. 5.91. Pottery of Local Stratum 9, from the 1951 sounding (mid-Period D).

200

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.92 ► Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1952 537/2

BS 105

9

Gray clay, gray inclusions, soot interior and exterior

2

Bowl

1952 240/30

BS 105

9

Red burnished KKW

3

Platter

1952 248/6

BS 105

9

Red slip, pattern burnish interior

4

Platter

1952 194/4

BS 105

9

Red slip

5

Bowl

1952 248/1

BS 105

9

n.d.a.

6

Platter

1952 537/7

BS 105

9

n.d.a.

7

Mug

1952 148/1

BS 105

9

n.d.a.

8

Jar

240/17

BS 105

9

n.d.a.

9

Cooking pot

1952 240/4

BS 105

9

Striated interior

10

Jar

1952 344/3

BS 105

9

Red surface, dark gray clay, NCMW

11

Andiron

1952 401/2

BS 105

9

KKW

12

Bowl/lamp

1952 384/30

BS 109

9–8

n.d.a.

13

Lamp

1952 424/2

BS 110

9

Gray clay, gray inclusions, soot

14

Platter

1952 361/1

BS 110

9

n.d.a.

15

Bowl

1952 353/14

BS 109

9–8

n.d.a.

16

Bowl

353/1

BS 109

9–8

Rope decoration

17

Jug

1952 278/3

BS 109

9–8

Red clay

18

Jar

1952 282/1 IAA52-1112

BS 110

9

Brown clay, large and medium gray inclusions

19

Bowl/lid

1952 380/2

BS 109

9–8

Cooking-pot ware

20

Jar

1952 361/12

BS 110

9

Pattern combing

No.

201

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

3

2

4 5

6

8 7

10 9

11

12

13

14 15

16

17

19

18

20

Fig. 5.92. Pottery of Local Stratum 9, from the 1952 excavations (mid-Period D).

202

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.93 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

140/15 51-3016

BS062–063

8

Buff clay, gray core, red slip exterior, rope decoration

2

Bowl

65/6 51-1319

BS 062–063

8

Buff clay, gray core, gray inclusions, red slip interior and exterior, rope decoration

3

Bowl

158/14 51-3275

BS 063

8

Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, pink slip interior and exterior

4

Bowl/lamp

140/3 51-3004

BS 062–063

8

Gray clay, soot marks on rim and interior

5

Platter

58/8 51-1260

BS 061

8

Red slip rim and interior, pattern burnish

6

Platter

139/4 51-2988

BS 061

8

Buff clay, small black inclusions, red slip interior and exterior, pattern burnish interior

7

Bowl

65/21 51-1334

BS 062–063

8

Light brown clay, gray, white, and red inclusions

8

Vat/basin

162/4 51-1258

BS 061

8

Brown clay, gray inclusions

9

Vat/basin

346/9 51-7299

BS 062

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions

10

Cooking pot

162/8 51-3262

BS 061

8

Gray clay, gray inclusions, combed exterior

11

Cooking pot

167/19 51-3360

BS 061–062

8

Dark brown clay

12

Cooking pot

87/11

BS 062–063

8

n.d.a.

13

Cooking pot

90/13 51-1636

BS 066

8

Brown clay, white inclusions

14

Cooking pot

99/2 51-1798

West of BS061

8

Gray clay, white inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2 1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

11

10

12 14 13

Fig. 5.93. Pottery of Stratum 8 (late Period D).

203

204

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.94 ► Local Stratum

Description

W5161 (dismantling)

8

Gray-brown clay

68/7 51-1360

BS 062–063

8

Black core

Cooking pot

161/29 51-3037

W5150

8

Orange clay, large gray inclusions

4

Cooking pot

65/14 51-1327

BS 062–063

8

Pink clay, medium gray inclusions

5

Cooking pot

346/1 51-7291

BS 062

8

Gray clay, white inclusions

6

Jug

351/1 51-7309

BS 062

8

Yellowish brown clay, white and gray inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

7

Juglet

142/9 51-3149

BS 061

8

Brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip exterior

8

Pithos

65/4 51-1331

BS 062–063

8

Pink clay, gray core, large gray inclusions, peeling red slip

9

Jar

162/12 51-3266

BS 061

8

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

10

Jar

87/2 51-1580

BS 062–063

8

Brown clay, small dark inclusions

11

Pithos

52/30 51-1222

BS 061

8

Pink clay, large gray inclusions, red slip over horizontal combing, rope decoration, chipped along base of neck for reuse as ‘holemouth’

12

Jar

139/1 51-2987

BS 061

8

Gray-brown clay, fine inclusions

13

Jar handle

86/1 51-1559

BS 062

8

Red clay, brown inclusions

14

Jar/krater

93/6 51-1676

8?

Gray clay, medium gray and white inclusions, rope decoration

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

1

Cooking pot

88/6 51-1598

2

Cooking pot

3

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

4

3

5

8 6

7

9 10

11

12

14 13

Fig. 5.94. Pottery of Local Stratum 8 (late Period D).

205

206

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.95 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

156/6 51-3179

BS 087

8

Brown, KKW?

2

Bowl

156/12 51-3195

BS 087

8

Red-black burnished, knobs, KKW

3

Bowl

65/1 51-1314

BS 062–063

8

Red-black burnished KKW

4

Bowl

95/13 51-1722

BS 086

8

Light gray clay, gray inclusions

5

Bowl

86/13 51-1570

BS 062

8

Red burnished KKW

6

Bowl

65/16 51-1324

BS 062–063

8

Red burnished KKW

7

Knob

157/4 51-3200

BS 066

8

Gray KKW

8

Andiron

80/7 51-1527

BS 086

8

Gray-brown KKW

9

Stand

86/14 51-1571

BS 062

8

Red burnished KKW

10

Bowl/lamp

39/3 51-968

BS 068

7

Light brown clay

11

Bowl/lamp

50/1 51-1169

BS 068

7

Buff clay, gray and white inclusions

12

Bowl

154/7 51-3170

BS 068

7

Rope decoration

13

Bowl

154/3 51-3166

BS 068

7

n.d.a.

14

Vat/basin

51/2 51-1182

BS 070

7

Buff clay, dark gray inclusions, impressed decoration

15

Cooking pot

154/5 51-3168

BS 068

7

Gray-brown clay, small black inclusions

16

Cooking pot

42/25 51-1038

BS 068

7

Brown clay, white and black inclusions

17

Cooking pot

154/2 51-3165

BS 068

7

n.d.a.

18

Cooking pot

55/3 51-1241

BS 070

7

Brown clay, white and black inclusions

19

Spouted jar

62/4 51-1290

BS 067

7

Red slip, burnish, incised decoration

207

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2

1

3

4 5

6

7 8

9

10 11

12

14

13

16

17

15

19 18

Fig. 5.95. Pottery of Local Strata 8 and 7 (late Period D).

208

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.96 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1953 70/2

BS 120

6

Brown clay, large gray inclusions

2

Bowl

30/6 51-836

BS 075

6

Brown clay, coarse gray inclusions, brown self-slip, rope decoration

6

3

Bowl

75/1

BS 130

4

Beaker

1953 76/3

BS 124

Rope decoration

5

Bowl

1953 55/1

BS 080

6

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

6

Bowl

250/12

BS 123

6

n.d.a.

7

Vat

79/1

BS 135

6

Pink clay, large gray inclusions

8

Lamp

361/3

BS 080

6

Two sooty mouths

9

Lamp

36/1 51-909

BS 080

6

Gray brown clay, gray inclusions, soot on rim at corners

10

Lamp

31/6 51-848

BS 075

6

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions, soot on rim, perforated wall (before firing)

11

Lamp

38/9 51-960

BS 070

7–6

Pink clay, gray inclusions

12

Lamp

32/8 51-884

BS 075

6

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

Gray clay, large gray inclusions

209

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1 4

2 5

3

6

7

8

9

10

11

Fig. 5.96. Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (Period E), bowls and lamps.

12

210

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

1 4

2

5

6 3

7

Fig. 5.97. Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (Period E), cooking pots/kraters. No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Pot/krater

35/1

BS 131

6

Red-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, incised decoration

2

Pot/krater

58/1

BS 130

6

Light brown clay, incised decoration

Description

3

Pot/krater

57/2

BS 134

6

Incised decoration

4

Pot/krater

28/1 51-817

BS 080

6

Gray-brown clay, many gray inclusions, incised decoration

5

Cooking pot

24/5 (27/3?)

C14–15

6

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, soot marks exterior; potter’s mark interior

6

Cooking pot

44/6 51-1066

BS 078

6

Pinkish-brown clay, brown inclusions

7

Teapot?

553/1

BS 117

6

n.d.a.

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

8

1

2 9

3

4 10

5 11

6

7

12

13

Fig. 5.98. Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (Period E), cooking pots.

211

212

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.98 No.

Local Stratum

Description

6

Gray clay, large gray and white inclusions

BS 130

6

n.d.a.

57/4

BS 134

6

Brown clay, gray inclusions

576/2

BS 117

6

n.d.a.

Cooking pot

79/5

BS 135

6

Brown clay, gray inclusions

Cooking pot

46/5 51-1100

BS 078

6

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, soot marks exterior

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Cooking pot

1953 91(?)/1

2

Cooking pot

75/3

3

Cooking pot

4

Cooking pot

5 6

Locus

7

Cooking pot

79/5a

BS 135

6

Brown clay, gray inclusions

8

Cooking pot

47/2 51-1135

BS 080

6

Brown clay, medium and large dark brown inclusions

9

Cooking pot

1953 69/1

BS 122

6

Pink clay, large gray, white, shell inclusions, soot marks exterior

10

Cooking pot

1953 32/1

BS 080

6

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, finger-impressions interior, soot marks exterior

11

Cooking pot

1953 76/2

BS 124

6

Brown clay, gray, white, crushed calcite inclusions, fingerimpressions interior, sooty exterior

12

Cooking pot

543/4

BS 080

6

Brown clay, gray inclusions, finger-impressions interior

13

Cooking pot

26/13 51-902

BS 079

6

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

213

1 5

6

2

3

7

8

9

4

10

Fig. 5.99. Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (Period E), jars and pithoi. No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

75/4

BS 130

6

Brown clay, many gray inclusions

2

Jar

26/7 51-796

BS 077

6

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, self-slip

3

Jar

37/5

BS 080

6

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, self-slip

4

Jar

343/1 51-7287

BS 085 (BS 079)

6

Brown clay, thin self-slip, white and medium dark gray inclusions, rope impression

5

Pithos

52/4

BS 136

6

n.d.a.

6

Pithos

82/1

BS 134/136

6

Brown clay, gray, brown inclusions, rope decoration

7

Pithos

23/7 51-812

BS 075

6

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip over and below rope decoration, dripping over interior

8

Pithos

289/3

BS 125

6

Rope decoration

9

Pithos

79/2

BS 135

6

Pink clay, gray inclusions, rope decoration

10

Pithos

37/3 51-734

BS 080

6

Brown clay, large dark gray inclusions, rope decoration

214

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.100 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Bowl

501/11

Locus

Local Stratum

Description Light brown clay, small and some large gray inclusions

2

Bowl

316/4

Brownish-red clay, large white and gray inclusions

3

Bowl

202/2

Brown clay

4

Bowl

17/3 51-694

BS 083

5

Reddish-brown clay, white inclusions, red-brown decoration

5

Bowl

340/2

BS 143

5

Brown clay, medium gray inclusions

D–E12–13

5

Brown clay, white inclusions

6

Bowl

473/7

7

Bowl

7/18 51-593

Brown clay, gray inclusions

8

Bowl

1952/3 296/28

Brown clay, some large flint inclusions

9

Bowl

46/23 51-1118

10

Bowl

5/8 51-555

11

Bowl

45/4 51-1073

BS 083

5

Buff clay

12

Bowl

538/6-7

BS 143

5

Brown clay, large gray and brown inclusions

13

Bowl

522/16

BS 143

5

Dark brown clay

14

Bowl

135/2

5

Brown clay, fine gray inclusions

5

Pinkish-brown clay, many small gray inclusions

15

Bowl

329/1

16

Bowl

14/2 51-665

BS 140

5

Gray-brown clay, gray inclusions Pinkish brown clay

BS 141

Brown clay, reddish surface, white inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

4 3

6

5

8

7

10 9

11

12

13 14

15

16

Fig. 5.100. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), bowls.

215

216

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.101 ► Locus

Local Stratum

317/10

BS 140

5

BS 141

5

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Bowl

115/6

2

Bowl

Description Buff clay, white inclusions Buff clay, fine gray inclusions

3

Bowl

336/11

4

Bowl

20/2 51-709

Light brown clay

Light brown clay, few gray, red inclusions

5

Bowl

421/35

Light brown clay, fine gray and red inclusions

6

Bowl

475/1

BS 143

5

Brown clay, large gray, white, flint inclusions, sooty exterior

7

Bowl

279/1 52-1137

BS 140

5

Brown clay, gray and brown inclusions

8

Bowl

294/3

BS 162

5

Pinkish brown clay, a few medim gray inclusions

9

Bowl

15/5 51-676

BS 083

5

n.d.a

10

Bowl

18/3 51-697

BS 083

5

n.d.a.

11

Bowl

305/29

BS 141

5

Reddish-brown clay, small white and black inclusions

12

Bowl

306/23

BS 141

5

Reddish-brown clay, pale surface, lime incrusted interior

13

Bowl

41/2 51-1003

BS 073

5

Light brown clay, many black inclusions

14

Bowl

137/13

15

Bowl

578/6

BS 144

5

Brown clay, fine gray inclusions

16

Bowl

563/10

BS 144

5

Reddish-brown clay, white and large gray inclusions

17

Bowl

No no.

18

Bowl

241/12

BS 143

5

Gray-brown clay, many small gray inclusions

19

Bowl

320/1

BS 141

5

Light brown clay, fine gray and white inclusions

20

Bowl

441/10

BS 162

5

Red clay, gray and white inclusions (slightly over-fired, cracks interior)

21

Bowl

563/6

BS 144

5

Greenish-white clay, gray inclusions

22

Bowl

343/4

BS 141

5

Brown clay, fine gray inclusions

23

Lamp

26/16 51-805

BS 083

5

Light gray clay, gray inclusions

Brown clay, fine gray inclusions

Brown clay, fine white and gray inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2

1

4

3

6

8

5

7

10

9

12

11

14 13

15

17 18 16

21

20 19

22

23

Fig. 5.101. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), bowls.

217

218

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.102 ► No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

1

Krater?

299/1

2

Krater

312/1

3

Krater

12/6 51-650

Locus

BS 142

Local Stratum

Description

5

Reddish-brown clay, white and gray inclusions, combed decoration

5

Grayish-brown clay, white and gray inclusions, combed decoration Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, combed decoration

4

Krater

305/17

BS 162

5

Light brown clay, fine gray inclusions

5

Krater

5/16 51-563

BS 085

5

Pale gray clay, many white and gray inclusions

6

Krater

104/1

7

Krater

441/2

BS 162

5

8

Krater

304/17

BS 141

5

9

Krater

549/2

10

Krater

65/30 51-1342

Grayish-brown clay, combed decoration on shoulder, incised rim Brown clay, gray inclusions Brown clay, fine gray inclusions Gray clay Unidentified pit

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

11

Krater

512/19

12

Krater

192/1

BS 140

5

Brown-gray clay, gray inclusions, combed decoration Buff clay, fine gray and some large white inclusions

13

Krater

304/28

BS 141

5

Reddish-brown clay, fine gray and white inclusions

14

Krater

No no.

Brown clay, fine gray inclusions, incised decoration

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3 1 2

6 5

4

9

7 8

11

12

10

13 14

Fig. 5.102. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), kraters.

219

220

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.103 ► Locus

Local Stratum

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Description

1

Krater

144/11

2

Krater

346/3 51-7293

BS 073

5

Incised decoration

3

Krater

22/3 51-742

BS 083

5

Light gray clay, gray, brown inclusions, combed and incised decoration

4

Krater

514/13

BS 143

5

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, incised decoration

5

Krater

592/1

BS 143

5

Yellowish-gray clay, white and gray inclusions, incised decoration

6

Krater

516/11

7

Krater

243/33

BS 141

5

Light brown clay, brown and gray inclusions, combed and incised decoration

Gray-brown clay, fine gray inclusions, incised decoration Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Fig. 5.103. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), kraters.

221

222

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.104 ► No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Type

Reg. Nos.

Description

1

Cooking pot

196/3

2

Cooking pot

155/1 51-3178

BS 073

5

Brown clay, black inclusions, incised decoration, soot marks exterior

3

Krater/cooking pot

242/1

BS 137

5

Pinkish brown clay, gray and red inclusions

Red clay, white inclusions, sooty exterior and interior

4

Cooking pot(?)

441/5

5

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and brown inclusions

5

Cooking pot

277/1

BS 142

5

Brown clay, many white inclusions

6

Cooking pot

430/8

BS 162

5

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, soot marks exterior

7

Cooking pot

26/10 51-799

BS 083

5

Dark brown clay, large inclusions, rope decoration

8

Juglet

267/1 52-1100 JVP569

BS 140

5

Gray clay, fine white inclusions

9

Juglet

136/4 51-2970

BS 083

5

Brown clay, red slip, burnish

Juglet (Tell el-Yahudiya)

18/5 51-699

BS 083

5

Dark brown clay, badly corroded, incised decoration

BS 073

5

10 11

Jug

298/1

12

Jug

155/6 51-3183

13

Jug

168/2

Pale gray clay n.d.a. Red clay, brown core, white inclusions

223

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

1

2

3

4 5

6

7

9

8 10 11

13

12

Fig. 5.104. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), cooking pots and jugs.

224

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Fig. 5.105 ► Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Jar

23/1

BS 083

5

Brown clay, small gray inclusions

BS 143

5

Buff clay, white inclusions

5

Gray clay, white inclusions

No.

2

Jar

592/18

3

Jar/jug

99/10 (1953)

Description

4

Jar

No no.

5

Jar/jug

26/6 51-795

BS 083

5

Red clay, white inclusions, incised decoration Reddish-brown clay, white and brown inclusions

6

Jar

563/18

BS 144

5

n.d.a.

7

Jar

575/10

BS 144

5

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions

8

Jar

46/19 51-1114

BS 083

5

Light brown clay, white inclusions

5

Reddish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

9

Jar

90/18

BS 162

10

Jar

227/13

B–C11 BS 162

5

Brown clay

Buff clay, white inclusions

11

Jar

594/1

12

Jar

32/11

13

Jar

312/31

BS 142

5

Reddish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

BS 142

5

Reddish-brown clay, large and small gray inclusions

Dark brown clay

14

Jar

312/3

15

Jar

234?/1

16

Jar

563/17

BS 144

5

Pale gray clay, white inclusions

17

Jar

215/1

BS 138

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

18

Jar

305/4

BS 142

5

Brown clay, white inclusions

19

Jar

20/2

B–C10–11

20

Jar

304/45

BS 141

5

Brown clay, fine gray and white inclusions

21

Jar

452/2

BS 141

5

Pinkish-gray clay, white and gray inclusions

22

Jar

29/4 51-826

BS 083

5

Reddish-brown clay, combed decoration

23

Jar

156/1 51-3184

BS 083

5

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

24

Jar

317/24

BS 140

5

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions

25

Jar

301/5

26

Jar

311/15

BS 144

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

27

Jar

312/23

BS 142

5

Reddish-brown clay, medium gray and white inclusions

28

Jar

332/12

BS 141

5

Pale gray clay, dark gray inclusions

29

Jar/pithos

165/5

BS 141

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

30

Jar/pithos

435/9

BS 138

5

Brown clay, many small gray, white, and large red inclusions

31

Jar/Pithos

334/8

5

Brown clay, white inclusions

Gray-brown clay

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

2

3

1

5

4

7

6

10

9

11

12

8

13

16 14 15

19

18

20

17

21 23

24

22

25

29

28

26

27

30

Fig. 5.105. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), jars.

31

225

226

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

2

1

3

6

4

5

9 7 8

10

12 11

14 13

Fig. 5.106. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (Period F [MB I]), pithoi. Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Pithos

430/15

BS 162

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

2

Pithos

439/1

BS 143

5

Dark brown clay, gray inclusions

3

Pithos

203/3

4

Pithos

15/1; 51-672

BS 083

5

Dark brown clay, white inclusions

5

Pithos

155/19; 51-3178

BS 073

5

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, incised decoration

6

Pithos

514/14

BS 143

5

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

7

Pithos

430/9

BS 162

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions

8

Pithos

302/2

No.

Light brown clay, brown inclusions

Brown clay, dark brown inclusions, incised decoration

9

Pithos

522/17

BS 143

5

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions

10

Pithos

441/13

BS 162

5

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions

11

Pithos

147/1; 51-3083

BS 073

5

Brown clay, white and brown inclusions; warped

12

Pithos

530/2

BS 162

5

Brown clay, large gray and white inclusions

13

Pithos

563/4

BS 144

5

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions

14

Pithos

151/10

Gray clay, white and gray inclusions

227

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3 1

2 4 5

7

8 6

9

10

Fig. 5.107. Pottery from Local Stratum 5 burials.

11

12

228

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

◄ Fig. 5.107 No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

411/2

BS 161 (burial)

5

Light brown clay, gray inclusions

2

Bowl

492/1 52-1108

BS 150 (burial)

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions, incised base Pinkish-brown clay

3

Bowl

411/1

BS 149 (Burial 6)

5

4

Bowl (found with 399/5)

399/4

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Pinkish-brown clay

5

Bowl

140/23 51-3024

BS 084 (Burial 1)

5

Brown clay

6

Juglet

395/1 52-1099 JVP563

BS 148 (Burial 5)

5

Reddish-brown clay, dark red to brown slip, burnish

7

Juglet*

399/5

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Red slip

8

Juglet

399/3 52-1098

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Pink clay, fine white and red inclusions, brown to red slip, continuous double burnish

9

Juglet (Tell el-Yahudiya)*

280/1

BS 149? (Burial 6)

5

Red-slip and burnish, lime-filled incised and stippled decoration

10

Jar*

350/1 51-7303

BS 083 (infant burial)

5

Intact, fine inclusions, combed decoration

11

Juglet (Tell el-Yahudiya)*

399/1

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Lime-filled incised/stippled decoration

12

Juglet (Tell el-Yahudiya)

389/1 53-1072 JVP561

BS 146 (Burial 3)

5

Gray clay, lime-filled incised and stippled decoration

* Vessel missing from IAA stores

Fig. 5.108 ► Local Stratum

Description

No.

Type

Reg. Nos.

Locus

1

Jug

411/1

BS 148 (Burial 5)

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions, incised decoration

2

Jug

396/1

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Reddish-brown clay, white and gray inclusions

3

Jug

413/1

BS 143 (Burial 7)

5

Buff clay, white and gray inclusions, light vertical burnish

4

Jug

405/2 52-1134 JVP559

BS 149 (Burial 6)

5

Light brown clay, gray inclusions

5

Jug

411/2

BS 161 (burial)

5

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, incised decoration

6

Jug

413/2

BS 145 (Burial 2)

5

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions

7

Jug

330(?)/1

BS 145 (Burial 2)

5

Brown clay, fine gray, white inclusions

8

Jug

274/1

BS 150 (burial)

5

Brown clay, fine black inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

3

2 1

4 5

7

6

8

Fig. 5.108. Pottery from Local Stratum 5 burials.

229

230

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Table 5.3. Area BS Locus List No.

Stratum

Bar-Adon Feature No.

BS 001

15

L67

B9

-203.95/-204.32

Pit

143 in Fig. 5.2

Plan 5.2; Fig. 5.2

BS 002

15

L68

C9

-204.24/-204.61

Pit

151 in Fig. 5.2

Plan 5.2; Fig. 5.2

BS 003

15

145

B9

-203.83

Ash lens

Virgin soil at 204.00/204.24

Plan 5.2

BS 004

15

151b

C9

-204.10

Ash lens

150 in Fig. 5.2

Plan 5.2; Fig. 5.2

BS 005

14

L64

B8

-203.57

Room

BS 006

14

L65, 136

B9

-203.57

Room

Plan 5.3; Fig. 5.4

BS 007

14

146

B9

-203.51/- 203.86

Drain

Plan 5.3; Figs. 5.4, 5.5

BS 008

14

Room

Plan 5.3

BS 009

14

125

B8

-203.36

Room (oven)

Plan 5.3

BS 010

14

140

C9

-203.50/-203.80

Silo?

Plan 5.3; Fig. 5.3

BS 011

14

131

C9

-203.50

Hearth

Plan 5.3

BS 012

14

135

C8

-203.45

Hearth

Plan 5.3

BS 013

13A–B

L63

B8

Room

Plans 5.4, 5.5

BS 014

13A–B

118

B8

Silo

Plans 5.4, 5.5a–b; Fig. 5.8

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Illustration

C9

-202.45/-203.25

Plan 5.3; Fig. 5.3

BS 015

13A

L62

B8

-203.05

Room

Plan 5.4

BS 016

13A

137a–c

B9–C8–9

-203.00

Refuse area

Plan 5.4

BS 017

13B

L55

C8–9

~ -202.80

Room

Plan 5.5a; Figs. 5.9, 5.10

BS 018

13B

L56

B–C9

-202.73

Room

Plan 5.5a; Figs. 5.9, 5.10

BS 019

13B

Room

Plan 5.5a; Fig. 5.9

BS 020

13B

L57

B9

-202.75

Room

Plan 5.5a; Fig. 5.9

BS 021

13B

111, 120, 132

B9–C8

-202.63/-202.70/ -202.85

Street

Plan 5.5a–b; Figs. 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12

BS 022

13B

L60

B8

-202.60

Room

Plan 5.5a

BS 023

12A

L59

B8

-202.50

Room

Plan 5.6a

BS 024

12A

90

B8

-202.30/-203.00

Silo

Plan 5.6a; Fig. 5.13

BS 025

12A–B

107

B–C8–B9

-202.42–51

N–S street

Plans 5.6a, 5.7; Figs. 5.12, 5.16, 5.18, 5.21

BS 026

12A–B

C8

-202.49

E–W street

Plans 5.6a, 5.7; Figs. 5.12, 5.17

BS 027

12B

130

C8

Trough

Plan 5.7; Fig. 5.22

BS 028

12A

L49, 92

B–C8–9

-202.33–42

Room

Plan 5.6

BS 029

12A

L51, 84, 108a

B9

-202.20–40

Room

Might merge with BS 036

Plan 5.6

BS 030

12A

L52

B9

-202.20–40

Room

Might merge with BS 038

Plan 5.6

BS 031

12A

L50, L41, 82

C9

-202.24–40

Courtyard

BS 032

12B

BS 033

12B

85b

B8

-202.20–26

Room

BS 034

12B

L42

C8–9

-202.25

Room

C9

B8

Plan 5.6; Fig. 5.15

Room

Plan 5.7 Pavement above BS 024

Plan 5.7; Fig. 5.18 Plan 5.7; Figs. 5.19, 5.21

231

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Table 5.3 (cont.) No.

Stratum

Bar-Adon Feature No.

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

BS 035

12B

L41

C9

-202.24

Room

BS 036

12B

L44

B9

-202.20

Room

BS 037

12B

L43

B9

-202.12/ ?

Installation

BS 038

12B

L45

B9

BS 039

11

BS 040

10A

BS 041

Room

Remarks

Illustration Plan 5.7; Figs. 5.19, 5.20

See BS 029

Plan 5.7; Figs. 5.19, 5.21 Plan 5.7; Fig. 5.19

= BS 036?, see BS 030

Plan 5.7; Fig. 5.19

B–C8–9

-200.30/-200.70/ -201.03/-201.45

Midden

Plan 5.8b; Fig. 5.27

L25a, 60b

B–C9

-200.60

Building

Plans 5.8a–b; Figs. 5.23, 5.24, 5.27

10A–B

L33, 60

C8

-200.65–79

Courtyard

Plans 5.8a, 5.9; Fig. 5.25

BS 042

10A

L29

B8–9

BS 043

10A

L32

C8

-200.71–80

Room

Plan 5.8a

BS 044

10A

L31

B8

-200.78

Room

Plan 5.8a

BS 045

10A

L30

B8

-200.90

Corridor

Plan 5.8a; Fig. 5.26

BS 046

10B

L27

B9

-200.45

Room

Plan 5.9

BS 047

10B

L28

B8

Room

Plan 5.9

BS 048

10B

L24

B8

Room

Plan 5.9; Fig. 5.27

BS 049

10B

L26

B8

BS 050

10B

L25b

B–C9

Building

Plan 5.9; Figs. 5.23, 5.27

BS 051

10B

72

B8

Pit

Plan 5.9; Figs. 5.23, 5.26

BS 052

10B

54

B8

-200.45

Hearth

Plan 5.9

-200.78/-201.19

BS 053

10A

73

B8

BS 054

9

L17

C8

BS 055

9

L18, L11

B–C8

BS 056

9

L22, L13

BS 057

9

L12, 19

Open area

Disturbed

Plan 5.8a

Plan 5.9 -200.45

Pit

Plan 5.8a

Room

Plan 5.10; Fig. 5.29

-200.05–20

Open area

Plan 5.10

B8

-200.20

Room

B8–9

-200.10–22

Room

Plan 5.10 Cut by BS 082

Plan 5.10

BS 058

9

L21

C8

Room

Plan 5.10

BS 059

9

L20, L15

B8

Room

Plan 5.10

BS 060

9

L23, L16

B9

-200.18

Room/open area

Plan 5.10

BS 061

8

L11, L.10

B–C8

-199.75/-200.00

Room

Plan 5.11; Fig. 5.36

BS 062

8

L12, L10

B8–9

Room

BS 063

8

L16

B8

Room

Plan 5.11

BS 064

8

L13

B8

Room

Plan 5.11

BS 065

8

L14

B8–9

Room

Plan 5.11

BS 066

8

L15

B9

Room/open area

Plan 5.11

BS 067

7

27

8

BS 068

7

L9

B8

Disturbed by BS 073, BS 082

Disturbed area, including ‘Ovens’ 26, 27 (BS 073) Room

Plan 5.11; Fig. 5.35

Plan 5.12

Plan 5.12

232

RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Table 5.3 (cont.) No.

Stratum

Bar-Adon Feature No.

Square

BS 069

7

L9a

B–C9

Room

Plan 5.12; Fig. 5.39

BS 070

7

22

C8–9

-199.49

Open area

Plan 5.12

BS 071

7

22a

C8

-199.61

Installation

Plan 5.12; Fig. 5.38

BS 072

7

27a

B9

-199.55–70

Installation/ pit

Plan 5.12

BS 073

5

28+26

B9

-198.80/-200.00

Kiln/pit

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Cuts Strata 6, 7, 8

Illustration

Plan 5.14; Figs. 5.52, 5.53

BS 074

6

L1

B9

-199.30

Courtyard

BS 075

6

L2

B9

-199.28

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 076

6

L8

B9

-199.32

Room

Plan 5.13; Fig. 5.39

BS 077

6

L3

B8

-199.25

Room

Plan 5.13, 5.13a

Disturbed by BS 073

Plan 5.13, 5.13a; Fig. 5.44

BS 078

6

L4

B8

-199.25

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 079

6

L5, III

B8–C9

-199.20

Alley

Plan 5.13, 5.13a; Fig. 5.45

BS 080

6

L6, I

B–C8

-199.38

Room

Plan 5.13, 5.13a; Figs. 5.47, 5.48

BS 081

6

L7, II

C9

-199.30

Room

BS 082

7

64

B8

BS 083

5

B9

BS 084

5

B8

BS 085

6

BS 086

8

BS 087 BS 088

Plan 5.13

Pit

Cuts Strata 8–9

Plan 5.12

-191.78

Floor?

Incl. jar above BS 073

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.60

-198.32/-199.17

Burial (Burial 1)

Cuts W5168 (Stratum 6)

Plan 5.14; Figs. 5.58, 5.59

-199.88

Collapse

Complete jar above BS 079

Fig. 5.46

C9

Alley?

W of W5150

Plan 5.11

8

B–C9

Alley

E of W5150

Plan 5.11

9

C9

Alley?

W of W5150

Plan 5.10

BS 089

9

B–C–9

-200.10–01

Alley?

E of W5150

Plan 5.10

BS 101

13

F4

-202.75

Gate shrine

BS 102

14?

F4

BS 103

13

E–F4–5

BS 104

12

E–F4–5

-201.66–72

Gate passage

BS 105

9

18

D6–E7

-199.30-20

Building

BS 106

9

27

C2

-199.55

Building

Plan 5.10

BS 107

11

E–F4–5

-201.00/-201.69

Gate blockage

Plan 5.8

BS 108

11

F3–4

-201.44

Extramural shrine

Plan 5.8

BS 109

9

D10–E11

Room?

Plan 5.8; Figs. 5.30, 5.31

BS 110

9

D10

Passage?

Plan 5.8; Figs. 5.30, 5.31

BS 111

9

BS 112

8

17

Sounding -202.43–65–80

Plan 5.5 Under gate passage

Gate passage

Plan 6.3 Plan 5.5 Plans 5.6, 5.7

Ivory bull’s head and comb

Plan 5.10; Figs. 5.32, 5.33

D9

Room

Plan 5.10

E–F8

Room

Plan 5.11

233

CHAPTER 5: AREA BS: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS, SOUTHEAST, 1951–1953

Table 5.3 (cont.) Bar-Adon Feature No.

No.

Stratum

BS 113

9

F6–7

BS 114

9

B2

BS 115

8

BS 116

6

BS 117

6

Passage

Plan 5.13

BS 118

6

8

C–D10

-199.56

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 119

6

9

D11

-199.55

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 120

6

14

B–C10

Room/ courtyard

Plan 5.13

BS 121

6

13

B–C10

Storeroom

Plan 5.13

BS 122

6

12

B–C10–11

-199.31

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 123

6

10

C–D11

-199.62

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 124

6

18

C11–12

-199.44

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 125

6

15

D–E11–12

-200.01

Courtyard

Plan 5.13; Fig. 5.49

BS 126

6

16

D–C12–13

-200.24

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 127

6

22

D13–C12

-199.98

Corridor

Plan 5.13; Fig. 5.50

BS 128

6

20

B10–11

-199.65

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 129

6

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 130

6

19

A–B11–12

-199.57

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 131

6

24

B–C12–13

-200.20

BS 132

6

BS 133

6

BS 134

6

BS 135

6

BS 136

24?

Square

C9–D10

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Illustration Plan 5.10

Room -200.25

B6

Room

Plan 5.10 Carnelian pendant

Room

C7–D9

B11

Plan 5.11 Plan 5.13

Courtyard

Plan 5.13; Fig. 5.50

A–B12

Room

Plan 5.13

25

B13–A12– 13

Passage

Plan 5.13

26

A–B13–14

-200.02

Courtyard

Plan 5.13

Storeroom

Plan 5.13

6

27

A–B14–15

-200.02

Room

Plan 5.13

BS 137

5

11

D4–C3

Room

Plan 5.14

BS 138

5

11

D3

-198.60

Room

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.56

BS 139

pre-5

25b

E7

-198.94

Burial

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.51

BS 140

5

25

D8–9

-198.50–70

Open area

Plan 5.14

BS 141

5

15e

B7

-198.33

Double oven

Plan 5.14

BS 142

5

14‫כב‬-‫כא‬

D5

-198.23/-197.94

Double oven

Plan 5.14

BS 143

5

15‫א‬

B6

-198.06/-199.50

Kiln

BS 144

5

‘Bathtub’

B4–5

-198.54/-200.23

Kiln

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.55

BS 145

5

25‫ז‬

C–D7

-198.50–95

Burial (Burial 2)

Plan 5.14; Figs. 5.61, 5.62, 5.63

BS 146

5

25‫י‬

C7

-199.18–75

Burial (Burial 3)

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.64

BS 147

5

25‫א‬

B7

-199.15

Burial (Burial 4)

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.65

BS 148

5

25‫ו‬

C6

-198.38–89

Burial (Burial 5)

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.66

BS 149

5

25‫ט‬-‫ח‬

B4

-199.80

Burial (Burial 6)

Plan 5.14; Fig. 5.67

B14

Includes Burial 7

Plan 5.14; Figs. 5.54, 5.68–71

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RAPHAEL GREENBERG AND EMANUEL EISENBERG

Table 5.3 (cont.) No.

Stratum

Bar-Adon Feature No.

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Illustration

BS 150

5

Under 10‫ו‬

D3

-199.14

Burial (?)

Under BS 138

Plan 5.14

BS 151

4

C7

-197.91/-198.71

Pit

Plan 5.15

BS 152

4

C7

-198.12/-199.12

Pit

Plan 5.15

BS 153

4

C6

-197.91/-198.71

Pit

Plan 5.15

BS 154

4

C5

-198.39–81

Pit

Plan 5.15

BS 155

4

B7

-197.57

Floor

Plan 5.15

BS 156

4

B5

-198.40–98

Room

Plan 5.15

BS 157

4

C4

Tabuns

Plan 5.15

BS 158

4

B4–5

Room

Plan 5.15

BS 159

4

D3–4

Room

Plan 5.15

BS 160

4

C–D3

Room

Plan 5.15

BS 161

5

‘MB street’

B7

Burial

Plan 5.14

BS 162

5

Between Wall C & ‘bathtub’

C4–5

BS 163

12

Guardroom

F5

-198.50

Floor Tower ?

Plan 5.7

NOTES 1

Bar-Adon never accepted the identification of the mound with the Talmudic Bet Yerah and continued to call the site Khirbet Kerak. 2 Here, as elsewhere at Bet Yerah, the ‘crackle’ in the late EB I ‘crackled ware’ is not always in evidence, as it is an artifact both of the thickness of the slip applied and of the firing of

each sherd. The term, however, is retained, in deference to Esse’s noteworthy treatment of the group as a whole. 3 Late Early Bronze Age Khirbet Hamrat Ifdan also offers some interesting parallels: see Adams 2000. 4 No. 280/1 was published by Amiran (1969: Photo 117), but mistakenly assigned a provenance in ‘Afula.

CHAPTER 6

AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955 YITZHAK PAZ AND R APHAEL GREENBERG

INTRODUCTION This chapter deals with the fortifications excavated by P. Bar-Adon along the southern and western flanks of Tel Bet Yerah (Plan 6.1). Other excavations touched upon the fortifications at various points: the JPES excavations of 1944 (Area MS, see Chapter 2), and the Getzov excavations of 1994–1995 (Getzov 1998; 2006). Here, however, we shall confine ourselves to the results of Bar-Adon’s work, providing as detailed a description as possible of the various elements cleared by him. An overview of the fortifications, covering all the excavations to date, has been published elsewhere (Greenberg and Paz 2005), and a summary will be provided in Volume II of this report. Progress of the Excavations Bar-Adon first assayed the excavation of the town walls of Bet Yerah in 1952, his fourth year of work at the site. This season had been preceded by the 1951 excavation of a 10 × 10 m sounding some 15 m north of the fortifications, and Bar-Adon made an ambitious attempt, in 1952, to clear a broad swath between the 1951 sounding and the fortifications. The main results of this attempt have been described in Chapter 5, with ample attention given to the extreme stratigraphic complexity in the areas adjacent to the town walls. In 1952, a stretch of about 30 m of the uppermost, massive stone town wall, here termed Wall C, was excavated, and considerable areas were cleared both to its north and south. Excavations on the external, southern side of Wall C exposed massive mudbrick remains running parallel to the later wall. These were immediately recognized as the remains of the massive fortification already encountered by the JPES excavations (Wall A). By a stroke of luck, a narrow trench sunk by Bar-Adon across the presumed course of Wall A revealed the stone facing and pavement of a large gate built into Wall A; this gate was completely excavated in 1953. Also in

Plan 6.1. Key-plan of the Tel Bet Yerah fortifications; Walls A and B shaded gray, Wall C in black, modern roads hatched.

1952, a stone foundation was discovered on top of Wall A, well south of Wall C. Bar-Adon tentatively identified this foundation as that of an interim fortification, here termed Wall B.

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Bar-Adon continued excavating the fortifications in 1953–1955, eventually clearing some 700 m, mainly of Wall C, along the southern and western edges of the mound. In contrast to the broad exposure attempted near the southeasternmost section of the fortifications in 1952, the 1953–1955 excavations were geared mainly toward establishing the external contours of the curtain wall and excavating the many towers encountered along the way. Throughout, Bar-Adon’s excavation method consisted mainly of trenching along the face of the city wall—an unfortunate, though economical, procedure that tended to sever stratigraphic connections with deposits and architecture lying on either side of the wall. Documentation The ambiguous results obtained by the excavation method described above may have contributed to the fact that Bar-Adon published no detailed reports on the fortifications, nor were any such reports found among his papers. The following records served in the compilation of the present chapter: a. The excavator documented each day’s excavation in a field diary; such diaries are available for January– August 1952 and December 1953–January 1954. No diaries were available for January–August 1953, or for 1955. b. Preliminary plans, sections, elevations, and schematic plans form a considerable volume of data and were of crucial importance. Various components of the defenses, the various phases of the early city gate (in Wall A) and some of the towers of Wall C were drawn in detail, in a manner that enabled us, in conjunction with the written accounts presented within the notebooks, to reconstruct the various components of the defense systems and the connection between them. On the other hand, much documentation is missing: some of the towers were not drawn in detail; segments of the curtain-wall were barely sketched. A notebook containing a detailed interim summary of the fortifications was prepared in 1954, serving as the basis for our description of Wall C. c. The 1952 and 1953 seasons had full basket and sherd inventories, including brief descriptions of each sherd kept (these number in the thousands). In 1953, scale drawings of hundreds of sherd profiles accompanied the inventory. Although many of the actual pieces have by now gone missing (the Bet Yerah sherd material

was mined for study collections over several decades), the illustrated inventory provides a reliable picture of the material retrieved from deposits abutting the wall and within the towers. d. Only about 25% of the pottery from Wall C contexts was available to us. Pottery from Wall B could not be identified at all. Pottery from the Wall A gate complex was almost completely missing—the only sherds found originated in mixed loci and were not useful. As a result, our dating relies on the pottery only to a limited extent.

WALL A—THE MUDBRICK WALL AND GATE COMPLEX The existence of Wall A had been revealed by the JPES excavations, both in Area MS and in a section cleared along the western edge of the ‘wadi’—the trough-like cut intruding upon the southeast tip of the mound (Fig. 6.1). It was also visible in the road cut formed by the Zemah–Tiberias highway. Wall A was a massive affair, eight meters thick at points, composed of several conjoined blocks of mudbrick construction. The bricks were generally rectangular, 8–10 cm thick and of various sizes: 0.55 × 0.5 m, 0.5 × 0.4 m, 0.4 × 0.3 m, 0.4 × 0.25 m, etc. Bar-Adon distinguished between two different brick fabrics: pale green, said to originate from the Lisan (marl) Formation, and darker red to brown, made of river-clay (Fig. 6.2). Bar-Adon identified Wall A at the following points (Plan 6.1): A1. A continuous fifteen-meter stretch excavated from the sea-scarp at the southeast tip of the mound up to the city gate (see below, Plans 6.2, 6.4).

Fig. 6.1. Wall A, as seen on the western side of the southeastern gully (the ‘wadi’); first sectioned by the JPES excavations, renewed by Bar-Adon in 1952–1953.

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

Fig. 6.2. Mudbricks in Wall A: the bricks shown are predominantly marl, with an admixture of darker clay bricks. Note thick layer of dark mortar.

A2. A six-meter segment partly cleared to the west of the gate (Plan 6.2). A3. A cross section of the wall, created during landscaping operations along the side of the ‘wadi’ or gully near the southeast corner of the mound (Figs. 6.3, 6.4). Small segments of the fortification were noted on the surface just west of the gully (below, Plan 6.7). A4. Remains of massive brick construction beneath Tower 4 in Wall C; these are probably connected to the massive mudbrick construction a couple of meters to the north and east of Tower 4, in the JPES trench of 1944 (below, Plan 6.10, and see Chapter 2). A5. Evidence for the existence of Wall A was revealed by Bar-Adon on the surface and in a section excavated adjacent to Segment 21 in Wall C, beneath the foundations of Wall B (below, Plan 6.12). A6. A massive segment of Wall A, preserved to a height of four meters, was exposed in a trench excavated southwest of Tower 8 in Wall C. Mudbricks lying beneath Tower 8 may well belong to Wall A as well, indicating a total preserved height of 6 m (below, Plan 6.14)! Mention should also be made of the IAA excavations of 1994–1995 (Getzov 1998; 2006), where Wall A was sectioned at two points (Plan 6.1, between C25 and C26). Unlike Walls B and C, which encircled the western flank of the city, remains of Wall A were reported only along the southern edge of the mound. The explanation

237

for this could be that no defensive line was initially built on the flanks that were naturally defended by water (the Jordan River to the north and west, Lake Kinneret to the east). Wherever sectioned, Wall A reveals complex construction in several lines of parallel, adjoined mudbrick construction. These lines are usually color-coded, being built of predominantly pale or predominantly dark bricks. Presumably, each block of construction represents the work of a different team, but we have no way of knowing whether the predominant brick-type was maintained along the entire length of each line. Bar-Adon’s sketch of the A3 section reveals at least four blocks in alternating colors (a possible fifth block is marked at the southern end of the section), totaling 7.5 m in width (see Figs. 6.3, 6.4). The two middle blocks (south dark, north pale) are each 2.4–2.5 m wide and are founded on natural soil (Lisan marl or a dark layer of sterile soil formed on the marl); the two exterior blocks are eroded, 1.2–1.3 m wide, and appear also to rest on natural soil. An archive sketch of the eastern edge of the fortifications, A1, where they are cut by the sea-scarp, shows a much more complicated picture: five blocks of construction, totaling 10 m in width, in two tiers, separated by a horizontal ash layer. The sketch is problematic, however, as photographs reveal that the section here was not perpendicular to the wall and was only perfunctorily cleaned by Bar-Adon (Fig. 6.5). In Section A4, beneath Tower 4 of Wall C, the JPES excavations revealed an apparent segment of the wall resting on earlier fills, interpreted as a possible buttress built against the inner face of Wall A (see Chapter 2). This buttress was adjoined by a potterybearing floor attributed to late Period C (see Figs. 2.11, 2.12). Getzov (1998; 2006:8–11) reports the existence of two adjoining lines of construction on natural soil, similar in color to the two middle blocks from Section A3, although greater in total width (the inner line being over 3 m wide). A third line was established at a higher level as an internal buttress following the partial collapse of the earlier walls. The picture emerging from the various segments points to a core construction on the Lisan marl, consisting of two adjoined mudbrick curtain-walls with a combined width of 4.5 to 5 m. The absence of weathering on the adjoining faces within the wall— preserved at some points to a height of more than four meters—indicates that the parallel lines were

238

YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 6.3. View of the western face of the gully: the conjoined blocks composing Wall A are at left (note alternating predominant brick colors); the stone foundations of Wall C can be seen to right of wooden tower.

Fig. 6.4. Drawing of the ‘wadi’ section (A3) through Wall A.

Fig. 6.5. View of the eastern edge of Wall A, where it has been eroded by Lake Kinneret.

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

constructed within a relatively short span of time. These were later enhanced by additional lines built in a similar technique; in some cases the additions were set on the natural soil; in others, on a fill composed, apparently, of collapsed debris from the wall. The Gate in Wall A The city gate at the southeast corner of Tel Bet Yerah reveals two phases of construction that might be associated with the foundation and repair of Wall A. A third phase seems to represent the intentional blockage of the gate, perhaps in conjunction with the construction of Wall B. This is the only gate excavated at Bet Yerah, though topographical considerations, as well as the general layout of the city, point to several additional locations as possible gateways (e.g., the depression between Towers 10 and 11 on the western flank of the mound).

239

Phase 1 (Plan 6.2) The early phase of the gateway was partly revealed in an L-shaped sounding (BS 102) excavated beneath the cobblestones of the later phase (Fig. 6.6). In its early phase (BS 103), the direct-entry gate passage was about 2.5 m wide. It was paved with packed beachgravel and small cobblestones at -202.65–70 m. A meter-wide construction of large stones, 0.20–0.25 m above the level of the pavement, appears to mark the outer threshold of the gate (Plan 6.3; Fig. 6.7). A similar line of stones marked by the excavator at the northern extremity of the sounding might indicate the inner threshold (Fig. 6.8). Assuming a similar width to that of the outer threshold, the entire passage would have been 5 m deep. This is the width of the core fortification lines, as seen in Section A3 (see Fig. 6.4), and we may assume, therefore, that the Phase 1 gate was built when only the two middle lines of fortification were extant. Both faces of this phase of the gate-passage were brick-

Plan 6.2. Wall A: Segments A1, A2 and the gate passage, Phase 1.

240

YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 6.6. The sounding excavated in the gate passage, looking south. The one-meter scale rests upon the stone threshold of the Phase 1 gate passage, and a segment of the gravel pavement abuts it from within. Beyond the threshold is the basalt stele. Below the early pavement, EB I remains (pillar bases?) are visible. The Phase 2 pavement with door socket is visible in foreground.

lined; the eastern face of the passage was interrupted by a niche about one meter wide. Abutting the southeast side of the gate passage, leaning on the original right doorpost, was an ensemble interpreted as a gate shrine (BS 101; Fig. 6.9). It consisted of a large standing perforated basalt stone stele, 1.8 m high, 0.75 m wide, and 0.3 m thick, set into the ground about 0.4 m below the level of the threshold (approx. elev. -202.85 m). The face of the stele, which has the appearance of a large stone anchor (Bar-Adon reputedly coined the term shfifon—a biblical hapax— for objects of this type), was carefully smoothed (Fig. 6.10), while its rear was left in the rough. Three basalt blocks placed in front of the stele appear to have served as offering tables. In an unsuccessful attempt to reach virgin soil, BarAdon deepened the sounding beneath the gate passage, revealing elements of earlier construction (Plan 6.3): a cobblestone pavement (-203.25 m) bordered by larger stones at the southern extremity (Fig. 6.11), and, at right angles to the pavement, a line of basalt slabs

◄ Plan 6.3. Detail of sounding beneath the Phase 2 gate passage (gray outline).

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

241

beneath the stele and further north, beneath the gate passage. While this construction, certainly of EB I date, could be interpreted as a yet earlier gate passage, its interpretation as a pre-fortification structure seems at least as likely. It might not even be too speculative to suggest that the large stele could have originated in this structure, which could have been an EB I temple with a pillared hall. In any case, the location of the early cobbled pavement well outside the line of the fortification argues against the gate-passage

Fig. 6.7. Detail of the Phase 1 southern gate threshold; base of basalt stele visible at right. Looking north.

Fig. 6.9. The Phase 1 gate shrine, looking north.

Fig. 6.8. Possible inner threshold of Phase 1 gate in sounding beneath Phase 2 pavement, looking northeast.

Fig. 6.10. The gate-stele in situ.

242

YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

interpretation (see Chapter 9, Area MK, for additional extramural EB I construction). Phase 2 (Plan 6.4) A massive fill of brick material—one meter thick in some places—resting on the Phase 1 gate passage (visible in section in Fig. 6.8) testifies to the rapid deterioration of the soft unprotected face of the passage in Wall A, possibly exacerbated by the chronic tectonic instability endemic to the Jordan Valley. Evidence for such instability can be seen in similar, massive fills of mudbrick detritus found all along Wall A. In response, the Phase 2 renovators faced the entire gate complex with stones. The gate passage (BS 104), now 3–3.5 m wide, was paved with large flat cobblestones at a level well above that of the earlier passage and gate ◄ Fig. 6.11. The sounding beneath the gate passage: cobblestone pavement abutting basalt slabs below the gate stele, attributed to EB I. Looking east.

Plan 6.4. Wall A and the gate passage, Phase 2.

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

shrine, leaving only the upper third of the pierced stele visible (Figs. 6.12, 6.13). Several parallel gaps in the pavement (Fig. 6.14) seem to indicate the presence of wooden sleepers in the central portion of the passage. This part, corresponding to the cobbled part of the Phase 1 passage, might have been roofed, with the sleepers serving perhaps as supports for roof-posts and an external wooden portal. Similar sleepers were

243

identified as stairs at Tell el-Far‘ah North (de Vaux 1962: Pl. 21). A large door socket, its center located about 0.4 m from the eastern wall of the passage, was set into the pavement about 1.5 m short of the northern end of the gate passage (Fig. 6.13). The corresponding socket on the west side would have been in a part of the gate destroyed by modern construction. Just above the door-socket, a clear vertical seam can be seen in

Fig. 6.12. The Phase 2 gate passage, looking northeast.

Fig. 6.13. The Phase 2 gate passage, looking southeast.

244

YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 6.14. Gaps in the pavement of the Phase 2 gate passage.

Fig. 6.15. Stone facing of Wall A, in sounding along the northern face of the wall just east of the gate; Period D W5266 and W5267 abut Wall A about 2 m above its base.

the Phase 2 stone facing of the gate passage. This seam might mark the addition of the third mudbrick wall-line to Wall A, in the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 or sometime during Phase 2. The stone facing of Wall A rounds the corner and continues along the inner face of Wall A, as was observed in a deep sounding conducted a few meters east of the gate-passage (Fig. 6.15). A wall approaching the inner eastern jamb of the gate was interpreted by the excavator as evidence for a guard tower projecting inward from the gate (Fig. 6.16). A

continuation of the pavement southwards, beyond the defunct(?) shrine, may allude to the existence of an indirect entry, leading to the main gate, possibly protected by outworks or other defensive structures (not preserved). The gate passage was protected on the west by what the excavator thought to be a stone gate tower built directly upon Wall A (BS 163). This presumed tower was badly damaged by the recent pit that intrudes upon the entire northern part of the complex. The surviving corner measures 1.5 × 2.5 m, with walls about 0.6 m wide. Its stratigraphic position is quite clear: it is set into the bricks of Wall A at elev. -202.31 m (well above the Phase 1 pavement), and the pavement of the Phase 2 gate passage fit snugly against its foundations (Fig. 6.17). There is a seeming incompatibility between the solid construction on the eastern flank of the gate passage and the rather flimsy stone structure to its west; the stone construction might be understood as a revetment rather than an independent structure. Alternatively, a rectangular tower may be reconstructed, perhaps two stories high, of which the brick superstructure did not survive. This purported tower did not project from the fortification line, as would be expected in a defensive facility—perhaps a further hint to the existence of outworks defending the gate area.

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

245

Fig. 6.16. The northern end of the Phase 2 gate passage: note seam in Wall A above socket, low wall abutting gate passage at left and Period D walls abutting the top of Wall A above and right of the two-meter scale. Wall C is superimposed, at left. Looking east.

Fig. 6.17. The stone tower(?) west of the Phase 2 gate passage. Note Phase 2 pavement abutting the stone foundation at right, and the bricks of Wall A near stone foundations at left.

Phase 3 (Plan 6.5) In its final phase, the entire gate passage appears to have been blocked (or raised?) with intentional mudbrick construction (BS 107). The former gate shrine, by now entirely buried but for the tip of the

large stele, seems to have been replaced by a carefully laid semicircular structure (BS 108; Fig. 6.18). This phase of the gate may well be associated with the beginning of EB III and the replacement of Wall A by Wall B.

246

YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Plan 6.5. Wall A, Wall B, and the gate passage in Phase 3.

Fig. 6.18. The blocked (or raised) Phase 3 gate passage at left; semicircular construction BS 108 at right; looking east.

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

The Date of Wall A Intrinsic dating evidence for the wall and gate is meager. The only deposits relating to Wall A excavated by Bar-Adon come from the gate sequence, but few diagnostic sherds remain from these deposits. The finds register is inconclusive: many of the sherds appear to be EB I in date, but several combed jar fragments are noted, as well as an admixture of much later material. Bar-Adon argued convincingly for an EB II date for the gate complex, based on the congruence between the paved gate passages and the sequence of paved streets found in Area BS, about 20 m north of the gate (for details, see Chapter 5). The evidence provided by the JPES excavations in Area MS for a late Period C (i.e., EB II) date for at least one element of the mudbrick fortification has been described in Chapter 2. Getzov, who sectioned these fortifications, suggested an EB I foundation date, based on material found in the fill adjoining the wall and in the collapsed brick superstructure (Getzov 2006:12). These, however, can only be used as a terminus post quem (as do the Period B remains found outside the wall in Area MK— see this volume, Chapter 9), so that ascription of the wall, or a part of it, to EB I must remain in doubt. The apparently non-defensive structure found by Bar-Adon beneath the gate might also argue against an EB I date for the walls, but we can only hope that future excavations will provide more solid grounds for dating.

WALL B—A NEW FORTIFICATION WALL The chronic instability of the mudbrick fortification, possibly exacerbated by tectonic events and a possible late Period C earthquake indicated by widespread destruction and partial abandonment in various areas in the south of the mound, led to a considerable accumulation of detritus on both sides of Wall A. BarAdon correctly identified the process of deterioration when he refreshed the wadi-section cut by the JPES expedition, there noting that the ‘internal glacis’ identified by the earlier expedition was in fact the partially collapsed face of the early fortification. By early Period D (EB III) times, internal surfaces near the fortification had reached a level nearly two meters higher than the foundations (best illustrated by W5266 and W5267: Plan 6.5, Fig. 6.15), and we may assume that a similar situation developed on the outer face of the fortifications. Clearly, by the onset of EB III,

247

Wall A could no longer function as an effective fortification and a repair was needed. Bar-Adon indeed discovered evidence for such a repair and is the first to have suggested the existence of an interim fortification between the early mudbrick and late stone town walls. He did not, however, succeed in giving much substance to this wall, and vacillated in the interpretation of its fragmentary manifestations, often preferring to consider them outworks or a glacis of the later wall. We believe that there is sufficient evidence for an independent—if not very impressive—fortification, here termed Wall B, which may safely be attributed to the earlier part of EB III. Wall B consists of a stone foundation, varying in height from one to four courses and averaging about four meters in breadth. It is built on top of Wall A along the southern flank of the mound and turns north to enclose the western flank as well. At one or two locations Bar-Adon found remains of the mudbrick superstructure of this wall. Fragments of Wall B were revealed at the following locations (see Plan 6.1): B1 (see Plan 6.5). A stretch of masonry built along the outer edge of Wall-Segment A1 can be identified as a foundation course of Wall B. It is preserved to a maximum height of three courses along its inner face and is 2.5 m wide at most, the outer face having disappeared due to erosion and/or stone-robbing (Fig. 6.19). Several walls ascribed to late Period D strata abut the foundation. This foundation ends abruptly a few meters short of the gate in Wall A. However, the stone facing on the eastern wall of the gate passage shows a clear addition approximately in line with Wall B (see Figs. 6.12, 6.13). Thus, the intentional mudbrick fill in the gate passage (Phase 3) may have been intended to repair, rather than block, the gate at the time of the construction of Wall B. B2. Between Towers 6 and 7 of Wall C, in an area recorded only in a perfunctory manner by Bar-Adon, a cross section shows an abrupt shift between a threecourse high stone foundation over three meters wide, clearly cut by Wall C, and a one-course foundation set upon the bricks of Wall A (below, Plan 6.12). BarAdon viewed these remains as part of a glacis related to Fortification C. Arguing against this interpretation are (a) the height of the stone foundation in Section 2-2 and (b) the carefully recorded foundation trench of Wall C, which clearly cuts the stone construction. B3. Near Tower 8 of Wall C, a stretch of stone masonry topped with mudbricks was identified, sandwiched

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is clearly visible downslope from Segment C44. This segment, 3.5 m wide, merges into Tower 13 and might have incorporated a tower of its own at this point (below, Plan 6.18). B6. Tower 15 in Wall C reveals a number of superimposed elements. A wide stone foundation emerging from beneath the salient element of the tower may well belong to Wall B (below, Plan 6.20). Possible additional segments of the brick superstructure of Wall B seem to appear in the series of more than 20 trial sections through fortification Segments C9–C12 during the 1952–1953 seasons (see below).

Fig. 6.19. Wall B foundations (rear) set upon Wall A remains (foreground); Wall C is visible at the bottom left. Looking southeast.

between Fortifications A and C (below, Plan 6.14). The precise configuration of Wall B is not clear in the plans left by Bar-Adon, but the character of the foundation and its abrupt termination closely resemble those of Segment B1. The bricks underlying Tower 8, attributed to Wall A, are preserved at the same elevation as the Wall B bricks, suggesting that wherever possible, the builders of Wall B left portions of Wall A intact. B4. At the southwest corner of the mound, just outside Segment C30, Bar-Adon revealed an 8 m wide stone foundation curving northward toward the western flank of the mound (below, Plan 6.15). Originally interpreted as a glacis, the one-meter interval between Wall C and the foundation testifies that the two elements were not related. The foundation could mark the location of a tower or bastion at this strategic point in the town’s fortifications. B5. Near the penultimate round tower (Tower 13) at the northern end of Wall C, an earlier line of fortification

In summary, Wall B seems to have been, at least in its southern flank, an opportunistic wall, set upon the mudbrick of Wall A and probably utilizing the betterpreserved segments of the earlier fortification (as illustrated near Tower 8, where the Wall B stonework ends abruptly before a preserved portion of Wall A). As a rule, the new stone-based fortification was only 3.5–5 m thick (in contrast to the 6–8 m of Wall A). Wall B served as Bet Yerah’s only fortification during the greater part of EB III, including the main phases characterized by Khirbet Kerak Ware. While early Period D structures still abutted Wall A, we find later structures actually built on top of the mudbrick wall (Area BS, Local Stratum 8—see Plan 5.11) and cut by Wall C, leaving Wall B as the only candidate for fortification. In view of the massive defenses characterizing EB III towns throughout the southern Levant, Wall B might seem rather inadequate. This, however, could be a somewhat illusory perception— built as a low stone foundation with mudbrick superstructure, parts of Wall B seem to have been dismantled in order to serve the construction of the later Fortification C. Thus, Wall B has the character of a ‘ghost wall’, preserved only in short segments. Set upon the massive podium of Wall A, however, the 4–5 m wide fortification would certainly have been an imposing barrier in its original state.

WALL C—THE LATEST FORTIFICATION SYSTEM AT BET YERAH The latest fortification system at Bet Yerah, unprecedented in extent and complexity, presented Bar-Adon with an archaeological conundrum of major proportions. Cleared for a consecutive length of some 700 m, the excavation of the wall consumed the greater

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Fig. 6.20. The southwest angle of Wall C during excavation; the view from the ancient riverbed of the Jordan gives a sense of the imposing effect of the walls to the external observer.

part the 1952 to 1955 seasons (Fig. 6.20). As excavation progressed, Bar-Adon numbered the various elements in the wall and attempted to describe and interpret them. The description presented below follows BarAdon’s system, with slight changes: each wall segment is preceded with the prefix ‘C’ and, in addition, towers are numbered separately. The state of documentation is summarized in Table 6.1. The main sources of information, in addition to the diaries, summary notebook of 1954 and finds-registers noted earlier, are the large number of detailed plans, which nonetheless do not include every segment of the wall (that is, there are segments for which we have schematic contour plans only). Photographs were sporadically taken and are of poor quality. Wall C—General Remarks Unlike Walls A and B, Wall C was freestanding; no Early Bronze Age structures abutted it directly. For the most part Wall C consists of massive fieldstone (usually basalt, occasionally limestone) foundations, at times preserved to well over two meters in height. These are topped by mudbrick, at some points preserved to a height of eight to ten courses. The bricks were generally

square (0.4 × 0.4 m) or rectangular (0.35 × 0.50 m) and about 10 cm thick. The width of the wall varies from 3 to 7 m, but for the most part maintains a width of about 4 m. An important feature of the wall is its segmentary construction. There are numerous ‘seams’, additions, and buttresses in the foundation, as well as blocks of mudbrick construction that fill in gaps between the stone segments. The wall exhibits a curious combination of planned military engineering and ad-hoc construction (see Plan 6.1; Tables 6.2, 6.3). The use of salient and reentrant angles to form a sophisticated saw-tooth pattern is consistent on both the southern and western flanks, as is the proportionally narrower breadth of the perpendicular wall-segment at each angle. Clearly, these were planned elements intended to provide firecover for the intervening stretches of the curtain-wall while not requiring the same massive thickness. Yet, as noted above, various additions and buttresses interrupt the course of the wall, and the length of the various segments is inconsistent. The 15 surviving towers and tower fragments are not of uniform size or plan, yet all are organically bonded to the town wall and have shared characteristics such as thinner external walls and the lack of a ground-level entry. The latter feature

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Table 6.1. Summary of Documentation of Wall C Elements New Segment No. C1 (Tower 1) C2 C3 C4 C5 (Tower 2) C6 C7 C8 (Tower 3) C9 C10 (Sortie tunnel) C11 C12 C13 (Tower 4) C14 (Tower 5) C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 (Tower 6) C21 C22 C23 C24 (Tower 7) C25 C26 C27 (Tower 8) C28 C29 (Tower 9) C30 C31 C32 (Tower 10) C33 C34 C35 C36 C37 C38 C39 (Tower 11) C40 C41 C42 C43 (Tower 12) C44 C45 (Tower 13) C46 C47 C48 C49 (Tower 14) C50 C51 (Tower 15) C52 C53

Bar-Adon Segment No. I II III IV V VI VII VIII XII XIII

Schematic Plan + + + + + + + + + +

Verbal Description + + + + + + + + + +

Section/ Elevation

XIV XV XVII XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXIX XXX XXXI XXXII XLI XLII XLIII XLIV XLV XLVI XLVII XLVIII

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + + +

XLVIX L LI LII LIII LIV LV LVI LVII LVIII LIX LX LXI LXII LXIII LXIV LXV–LXVII LXVIII LXIX

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+ + +

+ + + + + + + + + +

Detailed Plan No. 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7

+ + + +

+ + + +

6.10 6.10 6.10 6.11

Photos

+ +

+ + + +

+ + +

6.21 6.21 6.21

6.23

6.24

+

6.14 6.14 6.14

6.25, 6.26

+

+

+

+

+ +

?

+

+ +

Fig. No.

+

+

+

Related Pottery

+ + + + + + +

6.27

6.17

6.18 6.18 6.18

+ + 6.20

6.28

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Table 6.2. Segments of the Curtain-Wall in Fortification C Segment No. C2 C3 C4 C9 C10

Length (m) 14.0 7.5 15.5 13.0 4.6

Width (m) 4.8 3.0 5.0 4.6 1.2

Top Elevation (m)* -198.10 -198.47 -197.62 -199.46 -199.44 -199.00 -198.80 -198.55 -198.00 -198.00 -197.15 -196.90 -196.90 -196.53 -195.57 -197.03 -199.32 -200.32

Bottom Elevation (m)* -200.05 -199.14 -199.61 -200.80 -201.01 -200.67 -200.10 -199.90

Remarks

Brick wall, see C11 Sortie tunnel, inner width 0.35–0.65 m

C11 27.0 4.6 Brick wall, continuing C9 C12 18.1 3.4 C15 22.0 4.9 C16 11.5 2.8 C17 27.0 4.9 -199.34 C18 11.0 3.0 -197.35 C19 32.0 4.9 C21 20.0 4.6 C28 27.0 4.8 C30 15.5 C31 21.35 C33 19.85 -202.41 C34 C35 15.0 C36 5.0 2.1 -203.50 Ruined rectangular tower? C37 14.0 3.75 -205.50 C38 26.0 3.8 -202.00 C40 32.4 3.8 -202.10 C41 5.9 3.2 -202.35 C42 22.5 3.9 -201.87 C44 39.7 3.85 -199.80 -202.00 C46 21.8 3.9 -199.68 C47 -199.75 C48 24.6 -199.26 -200.86 C50 34.0 4.2 -199.49 C52 13.8 -200.22 C53 -200.72 * Where elevations are absent on the plan, they have been obtained from Bar-Adon’s written summary

Table 6.3. Towers in Wall C (all dimensions in meters) External Internal No. Shape Dimensions* Dimensions* 1 Round (horseshoe) 10.0 6.0 2 Rectangular Damaged 3 Rectangular Damaged 4 Round (horseshoe) 8.0 × 12.5 5.5 5 Rectangular 15.0 × 16.45 7.25 × 8.2 6 Round (eye) 10.5 6.4 7 Rectangular 10.0 × 10.0 6.5 × 6.5 8 Round (horseshoe) 10.5 6.15 9 Rectangular 10.0 × 12.5 6.5 × 10.0 10 Round (eye) 10.6 6.2 11 Rectangular 8.4 × 11.5 6.5 × 7.25 12 Rectangular 7.0 × 9.3 4.9 × 5.3 13 Round (eye) 11.0 6.35 14 Round (eye) 10.0 5.0 15 Rectangular 9.0 × 21.6 3.6(?) × 15.0 * Expressed as diameter for round towers ** Elevations represent top and bottom of stone foundations

Top Elevation** -198.12 -197.54 -199.46 -198.74 -198.14 -195.95 -195.50 -196.32 -197.35 -200.30 -202.02 -201.65 -198.93 -200.05 -200.73

Bottom Elevation** -199.95 -200.56 -200.80 -200.20 -199.27 -197.00 -197.71 -200.53 -202.35 -203.71

-201.56; -202.37

Distance to Next Tower 30.0 20.0 50.0 32.5 80.0 55.0 50.0 30.0 35.0 115.0 50.0–55.0 40.0 43.0 33.0

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suggests that the lower part of all the towers could have been used for storage. The intervals between the towers were not uniform, and range from 27.5 m (C28) to 80 m. The western flank of the fortification seems to consist of alternating pairs of square towers and round ‘eye’ towers (e.g., Tower 13); the southern flank, of alternating single square towers and round ‘horseshoe’ towers (e.g., Tower 4). The pattern on the south is interrupted at two points: at Tower 5, a large double-roomed bastion which may have protected a gateway that unfortunately was obliterated by the modern road; and between Towers 2 and 3, where the wall makes a clear turn northward to enclose the gully that probably washed away the earlier fortifications at this point. A technical description of the elements in Wall C follows. It includes a presentation of pottery found during the excavation, mainly within towers. Tower 1 (C1) (Plan 6.6) is at the easternmost tip of the fortifications, just above the sea-scarp. Most of the tower has fallen into the sea; however, a rectilinear rear wall seems to be indicated (as in Tower 4), and an interior diameter of 6 m. Preserved to a height of 2 m, the tower clearly overlay walls attributed to Early Bronze Age strata (see Plans 5.10, 5.11). C2–C4 (Plan 6.6) are wall segments built in a sawtooth arrangement, preserved to a height of 1.7 to 2.0 m

(Fig. 6.21). The comparatively narrow reentrant wall, C3, only 3 m in width, is typical of most parts of the fortification. C5–C8. Lacking a clear entrance or city gate to replace the gate in Wall A, Bar-Adon tried to re-construct a gate about 45 m to the west, in the gully that sets apart the southeast tip of the mound. Segment C5 was designated a tower (Tower 2, preserved to a height of 3 m), as was Segment C8 across the gully (Tower 3, almost completely ruined); between them Segments C6 and C7 represent a deep inset, presumably creating an indirect entrance leading east to the open area west of the Stratum 6 structures in Area BS (Fig. 6.22). Bent-axis gates were common during EB III, e.g., at Khirbet ez-Zeraqun (Ibrahim and Mittman 1994), Leviah (Kochavi 1993; Paz 2003), and Tel Yarmut (de Miroschedji 1990). While the gates at Kh. ezZeraqun and Leviah were originally direct-entry gates to which a bent-axis approach was added in EB III, the gate at Tel Yarmut was constructed as a bent-axis gate in late EB II. An alternate gate location in Wall C would be in the gap near Tower 5 (below). The C5– C8 construction could then be understood as a result of topographic constraints—the need to head off the gully, which was quickly eroding the soft tell material (the existence of the gully in EB III is demonstrated by the dip in wall elevations at the western edge of Area BS; see Chapter 5).

Fig. 6.21. Two-meter high stone foundations and reentrant angle, Segments C2–C4, viewed from the north.

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Plan 6.6. Wall C: Segments C1–C5.

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Fig. 6.22. Bar-Adon’s reconstruction of a gate in Wall C.

Plan 6.7. Wall C: Tower 3, Segments C9, C10—plan and section.

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Plan 6.8. Wall C: plan of Sections 1–26 in Segments C9–C13.

Plan 6.9. Wall C: selected drawings of Sections 1–26.

C9–C12 (Plan 6.7). More than 20 trial sections were opened in this part of the fortification during the 1952–1953 seasons (Plans 6.8, 6.9). This effort reflects the excavator’s frustration in the presence of what appears to be a disconnected inventory of fortification elements. Indeed, the complexity of the situation was compounded by the construction, shortly before the excavation, of a large fish-tank directly on (or in) the fortification system. There follows a description of the more significant trial sections.

the ‘extension’ were detected, topped by three courses of brick and abutted by brick debris. It was clearly delineated on the west and north, whereas the southern face was poorly defined. Adjacent to it were seven courses of bricks (probably from the brick wall segment, C9). The extension was founded upon burnt layer (at a depth of 1.3 m). The brick wall segment, C9, was 4.6 m wide, 12 courses (1.25 m) high and was also founded upon a burnt layer that contained brick debris, ash, bones, and EB II sherds. The excavator states that the stonework of Tower 3 clearly intrudes upon the brick wall. Thus, the latter might be interpreted as a remnant of the brick superstructure of Wall B (although it does not appear to have a stone foundation).

Section 1 was opened around a masonry ‘extension’,

Section 17, south of Section 1, was located on top of the brick wall segment, C9, at its juncture with C8 (Tower 3). Bricks of two types were noted: ‘greenish’, probably made

1.6 m wide, jutting westward from Tower 3. In the 0.6 m wide and 0.85 m deep section four stone courses of

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of Lisan marl, and ‘clay’ bricks, probably made of brown clay found by the Jordan River. Eight courses of bricks were noted in C9, as well as four courses on C8. Section 16 skirted the southern projection of Tower 3. With seven stone courses topped by three or four courses of brick, the base of C8 was identified at a depth of 1.70 m. Twelve brick courses were noted in C9. Both segments were based upon a burnt layer, 0.8 m thick, containing EB II sherds. Sections 14 and 24. In these and subsequent (unmarked) sections, Bar-Adon exposed the mass of masonry within which the ‘sortie tunnel’, C10, was constructed (see description below), effectively severing the stratigraphic relationships of this intriguing element. Nonetheless, the southern face of Section 24 clearly shows that the entire stone-built element was inserted into the mudbrick wall (C11), and even cut deeper, into the ash layer that underlies Wall C. Bar-Adon identified a large, irregular pit in Section 24, leading up to the sortie tunnel. This pit contained Hellenistic pottery, as did the northernmost part of the tunnel itself. Bar-Adon took pains to note, however, that the innermost part of the tunnel contained Early Bronze Age pottery only. Section 6 seems to have been intended to trace the face of Segment C11. A single stone line was detected here, purportedly running along the edge of the brick wall (bricks are mentioned in the field diaries but do not appear on the plan). Section 7, perpendicular to 6, revealed a 0.75–0.80 m thick deposit of decayed mudbrick containing mixed pottery (Hellenistic, MB, EB) above a burnt layer 1.2 m thick. A burial was found at a depth of 1.8 m, furnished with a juglet near the head (no date supplied). Sections 8 and 11 illustrate the relation between the stone wall segment, C12, and the adjoined brick wall segment, C11. Segment C12 is 3.4 m wide and eight courses (1.25 m) high. It was built upon a burnt layer (ascribed to EB II). The foundation of the adjacent mudbrick wall, C11, preserved to a height of three to eight courses, is somewhat higher. The section drawing clearly shows the close relationship between the stone and brick segments, suggesting that they were contemporary. Section 10, within the mudbrick Segment C11, was 5.4 m long and 2.10 m deep. Five to six brick courses were revealed on its western side, indicating that C11 continued westward. The bricks were founded upon a burnt layer that contained an undated child’s grave. Pottery from the burnt level was described as EB II. Section 13 extends south from the concrete fishtank, where Segment C9 should have been. Traces of mudbrick construction at the southern end of the trench, at -201.55 m, are to be attributed to Wall A. Other such fragments were found about 5 m to the east, at -201.12 m.

Sections 19 and 20. In Section 19, about 7 m west of Section 10, only meager brick construction can be seen in the eastern balk, indicating that C11 ends or was cut at some point between the two trenches. In the western balk, a lower brick construction can be seen at about -201.50 m. This level is compatible with the expected top level of Wall A. In Section 20, perpendicular to Section 19, further brick remains are attributable to Wall A. Section 21, a very narrow section (3.5 × 0.5 m) located in the interval between Tower 4 and Segment C12, reveals, on its eastern and southern face, remains of C11 that do not appear on the plan. Its western face shows the mudbrick plug inserted between Tower 4 and C12, probably coevally with the construction of C11. Section 25 reveals the surprisingly haphazard construction of the eastern face of Tower 4. Section 26, excavated along the northern flank of Tower 4, shows the tower wall, Segment C12 to its east, and the mudbrick plug between them, topped with a row of stones. Sections 22 and 23, located west of Tower 4, are surprisingly meager. The stone construction of the tower is poorly preserved; it appears to be founded on earlier brick construction. The northern balk of Section 22 appears to show a stone foundation beneath the bricks, perhaps an indication that they belong to Wall B, rather than to Wall A. There is no evidence for a westward extension of Wall C at this point.

Based on these trial sections, and in view of the myriad drawbacks of the excavation method, only a tentative assessment of this part of the fortification complex could be attempted: C9 and C11 (Plans 6.7, 6.10) are probably part of a single element—a mudbrick component of Wall C, (4.6 m wide), into which the stone tunnel (see below) was inserted at a late date. The evidence from C8 on the one hand, and the western side of Tower 4 on the other, seems to suggest that the brick wall, or at least part of it, was extant before the construction of the stone elements C12 (Plan 6.10) was a buttress added to the inner face of Wall C. It is 18 m long and 3.40 m wide, made of large stones, and preserved to a height of 1.55 m. The defenses at this point thus attained an overall width of about 8 m. C9–C12 were apparently all founded on top of an ash layer, possibly representing the destruction of the older Wall A system.

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Plan 6.10. Wall C: C11, C12, Tower 4—plans and section.

Plan 6.10a. Plans and schematic section (c) of construction in Tower 4, early (a) and late (b) phases.

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‘Sortie Tunnel’ (C10). One of the most interesting features of the fortification system was a tunnel that traversed Segment C9. Set within a large trench, its walls comprised three courses of limestone ashlars, and its gabled roof and southward-sloping pavement were made of hewn limestone blocks (Fig. 6.23). The tunnel was topped by a mass of basalt stones of the same kind used in Wall C. Well-built door posts were constructed at each end. The northern entrance was 0.75 m wide and 0.85 m high, while the southern, external opening was 0.35 m wide and 1.05 m high. The purpose of the construction of the tunnel is not clear. The most likely interpretation is that it served for drainage; some, including the excavator, interpreted it as a sortie tunnel, allowing defenders to make forays into enemy lines under cover of darkness (the passage is, however, rather low and narrow for such a purpose). Noting the Hellenistic pit identified by the excavator opposite the entrance, the possibility emerges that this is a late drainage facility, introduced into the fortification when defense was not the highest priority.

Fig. 6.23. The ‘sortie-tunnel’ (drain?), C10, looking south.

Tower 4 (C13) (Plan 6.10) is of the ‘horseshoe’ variety, i.e., a round room with a rectilinear rear wall. Its southern edge was not preserved. Judging by the various sections (22, 23, 25, 26; see Plan 6.8), the preservation—and possibly the original construction— was quite uneven: the rear wall is well preserved, while the eastern and western sides were haphazardly built upon the mudbricks of an earlier fortification. It would therefore seem that the tower was inserted into an existing mudbrick podium, with its inner space functioning as a cellar. The external dimensions of the structure were 8.0 × 12.5 m; the inner room was 5.5 m in diameter. Two clear occupation levels were found inside the tower (Plan 6.10a): The lowermost floor consists of a flat stone floor (elev. -200.55– -200.65 m) founded on the bricks of an earlier fortification (probably Wall A) and apparently abutting the very bottom of the masonry of the tower. This floor yielded, among other things, a Metallic Ware platter fragment. If this floor predates the tower, it could be ascribed to Wall A itself—perhaps to a structure (tower?) built atop the broad mudbrick wall. An upper pebble floor, at -200.00 m, appears to abut a corner between two walls. These could be interpreted as architecture cut by the tower, were it not for the fact that at least one of the walls appears to abut the tower a good 0.6 m above its base! We must therefore assume that the walls built within the tower postdate its original construction (for a very similar stratigraphic situation, see Tower 8, below). The pottery (see Fig. 6.29) retrieved between the two occupation levels included fairly large fragments of types attributable to EB II and III. Early Bronze II types include the Metallic Ware platter mentioned above (not illustrated) and the thin-walled vat (Fig. 6.29:4). Early Bronze III types include the buff, wheelmade carinated bowl (Fig. 6.29:1), the thick-walled combed vat (Fig. 6.29:5), and the Khirbet Kerak Ware knob (Fig. 6.29:10). The remaining fragments can be late EB II or EB III. Tower 5 (C14) (Plan 6.11; Fig. 6.24). This large rectangular structure is located on the far side of the gap formed by a modern road west of Tower 4. It may be termed a ‘bastion’, in view of its massive construction (15 × 16.45 m, with the inner wall 5 m and outer wall 2.7 m thick) and internal divisions. Judging by the thickness of its walls, it may well have had two or more stories. No construction abutted the eastern side of the tower, and the reconstruction of a gate or

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passage at this point seems highly probable. The inner space was divided into two rooms: eastern, 4 × 7.25 m, and western, 4–4.2 × 7.25 m, their walls preserved to a maximal height of about 2.3 m! Several architectural section drawings, of which one is reproduced in Plan 6.11, show two phases of use: The earlier, original phase is represented by the stone foundation of the tower and by a few courses of bricks. Floors seem to have been identified at elevations of -198.61 and -198.88 m, and some later construction at -198.27–50 m. A thick burnt layer at about -197.80– -198.00 m represents the possible destruction and demise of the early phase.

259

The second phase appears to be represented by the uppermost six to eight courses of bricks and a layer of brick material within the tower, above the ash. Along the northern wall a stone revetment appears to have been added at this stage, and a 1–1.5 m wide breech made in the mudbrick wall. Occupation remains were identified at elevations of -197.60– -197.86 m, above the preserved level of the inner partition walls, which may well have gone out of use. The excavator clearly states that Hellenistic finds, including large amounts of arrow- or spear-heads, were found above the burnt layer. Inside the tower rooms, below the tops of the

Plan 6.11. Wall C: Tower 5—plan and section.

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Fig. 6.24. The eastern half of the bastion, Tower 5.

stone walls, the whole of the pottery assemblage was EB III. Figure 6.30 presents part of the rich assemblage found within the bastion. Small bowls in common buff ware include a flatbased saucer (Fig. 6.30:1; probably a lamp) and a crude bowl with an inturned rim (Fig. 6.30:2). Inverted rim platters (Fig. 6.30:3, 4, 6, 7) and bowls (Fig. 6.30:5, 8) are for the most part thick-set, in medium-fired common buff ware. Number 6, however, is metallic. Two red-slipped KKW bowls (Fig. 6.30:9, 10) are joined by two KKW kraters (Fig. 6.30:11, 12), one with a sinuous profile, the other of the broad, verticalwalled type. Large fragments of five wide-mouthed jugs (or mugs), represented by the two illustrated pieces in Fig. 6.30:13, 14, could hint at a favored form of nourishment in the bastion. Among the jars (Fig. 6.30:15–17), the corrugated pithos rim (No. 17) is noteworthy. This belongs to the recently identified late grain-wash pithoi, usually found in EB III contexts (Paz 2002). Segments C15–C19 form the most extensive stretch of ‘saw-tooth’ construction in Wall C. The three east–west segments (C15, C17, C19) were all 4.90 m wide, and

22, 27 and 32 m long, respectively. The two north–south reentrant walls (C16, C18) were respectively 2.8 × 11.5 m and 3 × 11 m in size. Remnants of the brick superstructure were found on C19. Two interesting sherds were recovered during the clearing of C15: (a) part of a large basin (Fig. 6.34:2), made of brown clay, very badly fired, with decorative ledge handles— a unique vessel, reminiscent of the Local Stratum 6 pottery from Area BS; (b) a ledge-handle, apparently in Metallic Ware (Fig. 6.34:1). Unknown in EB II, the Metallic Ware ledge handle might be ascribed to a late phase of this industry, when its products were only sporadically distributed beyond the near vicinity of the production centers (cf. Greenberg 2000). Tower 6 (C20) is a simple round tower (outer diam. 10.5 m, inner diam. 6.4 m) for which we found no detailed plan. Its excavation produced a scant number of EB III sherds. C21–C23 are further saw-tooth segments of the curtain wall. While a detailed plan is lacking, a section drawing reveals portions of Walls A and B found just south of these segments (Plan 6.12).

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C26 (Plan 6.14) was also cut by the road. Part of this segment, including that backing Tower 8, was reinforced by a two-meter wide stone buttress (partly re-excavated in 1994–1995 by Getzov, who noted that Wall C was 7 m wide). An elevation of this part of the fortification (not reproduced) shows many courses of mudbrick (about 1.2 m high) preserved near Tower 8.

Plan 6.12. Sections at C21, revealing Walls B (Segment B2) and A (Segment A5).

Tower 7 (C24) is a single-roomed square tower, with outer dimensions of 10 × 10 m and inner dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5 m. Only a section-drawing documents this tower (Plan 6.13). It reveals a curious phenomenon: abutting the inner tower wall are over ten brick courses, set upon stone foundations, which could be ascribed to Wall B (here located north of Wall C rather than south of it). Due to the poor state of documentation, there is no way to verify this possibility.

1-1

Plan 6.13. Wall C: schematic plan and section of Tower 7.

C25, apparently another saw-tooth segment for which no detailed record has been found, was cut by the Zemah–Tiberias road in the 1930s.

Tower 8 (C27) (Plan 6.14). This round tower of the ‘horseshoe’ type is quite similar to Tower 4 both in plan and in its complex relationship with earlier fortifications. Bar-Adon left various plans and sections of the tower and the adjacent wall segment, C28, each drawn at a different stage in the excavation. The plan and section presented here are composed of elements selected from different plans, and are the closest we can come to an understanding of the stratigraphic situation. Judging by the extant photos, part of the confusion is no doubt due to the effects of erosion (and possibly mechanical earth removal?) on the slope-side elements of Fortification C. Backed by the buttress added to C26, the tower wall itself was 2.5 m wide and its internal diameter was 6.15 m. Within the tower, photographs (Figs. 6.25, 6.26) show a lower stone-slab pavement set directly adjacent to a broad expanse of mudbrick, evidently representing the top of an earlier fortification (see C28, below). This pavement abuts what appears to be the foundation course of the tower. About 0.5 m above this pavement there were remains of later construction abutting the upper part of the tower wall. A clear horizontal seam may be observed in the tower wall, separating the foundation courses built of small stones from the upper part of the wall, constructed of larger stones. West of the pavement there is a rectangular mudbrick cist with two large slabs placed at its eastern corners; this contained, according to Bar-Adon, remains of a Hellenistic burial. Apart from this burial, the pottery found in the tower was dated to EB III (Fig. 6.31:1, 2). C28 (Plan 6.14) is a well-preserved 27 m long and 4.8 m wide segment lying between Towers 8 and 9. The western end of this segment is marked by a 1.5 m drop in the stone foundations at the juncture with Tower 9. The entire difference in elevation was, however, made up by the well-preserved brickwork of the tower, which merged with that of C28. A slight disconformity in orientation can be seen on the plan, where C28 merges with the foundation emerging from Tower 9.

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Plan 6.14. Wall C: C26, Tower 8, and C28—plan and section revealing Walls C, B (Segment B3), and A (Segment A6).

Fig. 6.25. Tower 8, viewed from the southeast.

Fig. 6.26. Tower 8, looking east.

Along the southern face of C28, extensive remains of earlier fortifications were exposed. The section in Plan 6.14 shows the superposition of Walls A, B, and C just west of Tower 8. The stone foundations of Wall B end abruptly before the tower, apparently merging with a well-preserved portion of Wall A, represented by the brickwork underlying Tower 8. The mass of stones

seen in the plan may represent a collapse of Wall B at this point, rather than the glacis proposed by the excavator. Tower 9 (C29) (Plan 6.15). This single-room rectilinear tower, with dimensions of c. 10 × 10 m (its rear wall was seemingly not excavated), marks the southwest corner

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1-1

Plan 6.15. Schematic plan of Tower 9 and C30, with Wall B (Segment B4) beneath them.

of the fortifications. It was preserved to a maximum height of some 4.5 m(!), of which 1.5 m were brick superstructure. A broad segment of Wall B emerged from beneath the tower. Figure 6.31:3–10 presents diagnostic material found within Tower 9. Most of the pieces are Khirbet Kerak Ware: a red-slipped bowl (Fig. 6.31:5), red/black kraters (Fig. 6.31:6, 7), the knob of a lid (Fig. 6.31:8), and an andiron (Fig. 6.31:9). The remaining fragments include an unusual red-slipped pithos (Fig. 6.31:4), a mug (Fig. 6.31:3), and a Metallic Ware fragment with pierced bar-handle (Fig. 6.31:10). C30–C31 are two wall segments that form a 130° angle, the former protected by Tower 9, the latter by Tower 10. Remnants of the brick superstructure survived at the northern edge of the angle. Tower 10 (C32) (Plan 6.16; Fig. 6.27) is a simple round tower preserved to a height of more than 2 m. Its outer diameter was 10.6 m and the inner diameter 6.2 m. As

Plan 6.16. Wall C: schematic plan and elevation of Tower 10.

Fig. 6.27. Tower 10, looking west.

in the horseshoe towers, the rear wall of the tower was thicker than the external wall. The excavator reported that the tower overlay an earlier stone wall at -201.88 m. The section drawing does show a stone element at this level that could have been the remnant of Wall B, although the photograph reveals no clear evidence for this. Visible in Fig. 6.27 is one of two perpendicular seams in the round wall, dividing the tower in two. We have no explanation for these seams. Also, Fig. 6.27 clearly shows the absence of a ground-level entrance to the tower—as, indeed, is the case in all the other towers. This gives the tower the aspect of a stone-lined cellar or granary. The pottery inside Tower 10 was, once again, dominated by KKW, which comprised about 50% of the pottery and had a wide variety of shapes: bowls (Fig. 6.31:14), kraters (Fig. 6.31:15), stands (Fig. 6.31:16), and andirons (Fig. 6.31:17). Common ware included a gray holemouth pot (Fig. 6.31:11), a flaredrim jar (Fig. 6.31:13), and a juglet (Fig. 6.31:12). C33–C38. The saw-tooth pattern resumes north of Tower 10, with the narrow connecting segments now built as salients. The fragmentary preservation of the segments north of C35 is due to erosive processes in this part of the mound: the topography of the mound shows a relatively deep depression at this point, perhaps originally formed by the presence of a gate and subsequently enlarged as it drained the entire western plateau of the mound and also served as a

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

convenient point of access. C36 might have been part of a rectangular tower. C37 is 14 m long and 3.75 m wide; its northern portion was damaged. C38 is 26 m long and 3.80 m wide; it is connected to Tower 11 (see below). Remnants of the brick superstructure were preserved to a depth of 1.2 m from surface level. Although no detailed plan exists of these segments, the finds register is informative, revealing that all the pottery associated with C38 is of the Early Bronze Age. Most pieces (Fig. 6.32) are characteristic of EB III, particularly the bowl with high carination (Fig. 6.32:1), the wheelmade bowl (Fig. 6.32:2), and the KKW krater (Fig. 6.32:5).The Metallic Ware platter (Fig. 6.32:4) and the brown holemouth cooking pot (Fig. 6.32:6) could have originated from disturbed EB II contexts. Tower 11 (C39) (Plan 6.17) is a single-room rectangular tower, its external dimensions 8.4 × 11.5 m, and its internal dimensions 6.50 × 7.25 m. Excavated during the 1953 and 1955 seasons, BarAdon viewed this tower as central to the dating of the entire Wall C system. The plan, elevations, and section show two clear phases of construction: (1) the original tower foundations, top elev. -201.85– -202.10 m, with a brick superstructure topping out at approximately -201.50 m; (2) secondary construction, consisting of a crude rebuilding of the walls upon the decayed mudbrick of the earlier stage (shown in

unpublished schematic elevations) and the insertion of a large, two-tiered square pier in the center of the tower (Fig. 6.28). Bar-Adon noted some ash pits near the pier

Plan 6.17. Wall C: Tower 11, plan and section.

Fig. 6.28. Tower 11: late construction within the tower.

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265

(Plan 6.17, marked by dotted line), as well as a clay oven. Associated with this rebuild was pottery of the Hellenistic period. The excavator viewed these finds as evidence for dating the original tower to the Hellenistic period. However, the pottery associated with the lower levels of the tower was entirely Early Bronze Age in date. It included a Metallic Ware saucer (Fig. 6.33:1) and a Metallic Ware jar (Fig. 6.33:3), which should probably be dated to EB II, as well as a thick-walled carinated bowl (Fig. 6.33:2), a buff-ware pithos (Fig. 6.33:4), and a globular jug or mug (Fig. 6.33:5), which would all be at home in EB III.

Tower 12 (C43). The rectangular tower is smaller than Tower 11 (inner dimensions 4.9 × 5.3 m). Pottery associated with this tower included a NCMW bowl (6.33:6), a thick-walled carinated bowl (Fig. 6.33:7), and a poorly fired red-slipped EB III pithos rim (Fig. 6.33:8).

C40–C42. These three wall segments, respectively 3.8, 3.2, and 3.9 m wide, connect Tower 11 with Tower 12. We have no other details on their construction or preservation. The pottery found during their excavation was entirely Early Bronze Age in date and included a red-slipped Metallic Ware hemispherical bowl (Fig. 6.34:3), a typical EB III platter (Fig. 6.34:5), a Metallic Ware channeled rim jar (Fig. 6.34:7), and two KKW stands (Fig. 6.34:10, 11).

Tower 13 (C45) (Plan 6.18) is, in principle, a simple round tower of the type encountered earlier (e.g., Tower 10), with a thick 4 m wide inner wall, a 2.1 m wide outer wall, and an internal diameter of 6.35 m. It was, however, built upon an earlier curved construction belonging to Wall B, of which a 16 m stretch was discovered parallel to C44. The two walls merge imperceptibly at Tower 13, forming a snail-like pattern. The pottery from the tower (Fig. 6.33:9–14)

C44 is a long straight segment joining Tower 13 (Plan 6.18). A late, undated grave was cut into the wall at the juncture with the tower. An EB III stump-base was recorded in the excavation of this segment (Fig. 6.34:8).

Plan 6.18. Plan and section of Segments B5 and C44, approaching Tower 13.

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

includes a variety of EB III forms, the most noteworthy being the KKW krater and stand (Fig. 6.33:13, 14), the large pattern-burnished platter (Fig. 6.33:9), and the decorated channeled-rim jar (Fig. 6.33:11). C46–C48. Two curtain-wall segments joined by a salient jut westward from Tower 13 towards Tower 14. The excavator reports a Hellenistic addition built on C46 and a late grave inserted into C48. Tower 14 (C49) (Plan 6.19) is a simple round tower, 5 m in diameter. Inside there was a very scant quantity of EB III pottery, including the KKW bowl in Fig. 6.33:15.

1-1

Plan 6.19. Wall C: schematic plan and elevation of Tower 14.

The excavator reports a Hellenistic addition, consisting of stone-faced entrance (marked black in the elevation), found above the decayed mudbrick of the tower. C50 is a long straight curtain-wall segment; two graves were inserted into the wall, their date unknown. A typical EB III platter was recorded here (Fig. 6.34:4). Tower 15 (C51) (Plan 6.20). Three wall segments form a projecting component that could be a tower. The wall at this point is badly disturbed, among other things by recent graves. Plan 6.20 clearly shows at least two phases of construction, perhaps representing an external buttress of Wall C at -201.56 m superimposed on an earlier element, Wall B, at -202.37 m. West of the tower is a third element, of unclear relation to the other two. C52–C53. The final segments that could be attributed to Wall C are badly disturbed, and their width is unknown. Bar-Adon made several unsuccessful attempts to find the northern continuation of the wall, eventually concluding that it was dismantled by later

Plan 6.20. Wall C: Plan of Tower 15 and earlier elements (B6).

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267

builders—not least among them the pioneer settlers of Kinneret, who used stones from the mound in the construction of their own compounds.

the interpretation of this trend, a reinvestigation of whatever towers were left unexcavated by Bar-Adon seems warranted.

Notes on the Pottery from Wall C

The Date of Fortification C

The pottery presented above originates in undisturbed Early Bronze Age contexts within a number of towers and in portions of the trenches excavated by Bar-Adon along Wall C where the sherd inventories indicate no late intrusions. Other parts of the fortification, e.g., the upper deposits in Towers 1, 5, and 11 or the deposits abutting the wall east of Tower 4, yielded mixed Early Bronze Age and Hellenistic deposits. Using the sherd material in hand from the undisturbed tower deposits, as well as the detailed descriptions and drawings provided for some additional pottery from the towers, a number of interesting quantitative trends may be noted. 1. The proportion of KKW within the assemblages, 44 of 127 sherds (35%) is very similar to that of the early and middle EB III strata in Areas BS and EY. In two adjacent towers, 9 and 10, KKW comprises well over 60% of the diagnostics. 2. In terms of the composition of the assemblage, the prevalent tendencies within occupation levels of EB III are not reproduced in the fortification system. Most striking is the paucity of cooking pots within the towers (altogether 9 sherds, 7% of the assemblage), as compared to their proportion in settlement strata (e.g., in Local Strata 3 and 2 in Area UN, where they comprise 18.6% of the assemblage). Platters comprise a mere 10% of the assemblage (13 platters, of which 3 were residual Metallic Ware), in contrast to a dominant 43% in the contemporary strata of Area UN. 3. Storage vessels were the most abundant type of common ware within the towers of Wall C (17 diagnostics, c. 14%, of which 14 were medium flaredrim jars). Kraters outnumbered bowls in the KKW assemblage. 4. A surprisingly popular vessel within Wall C was the globular jug or mug: parts of 14 such vessels (11% of the assemblage) were found within towers.

The peculiarities of Fortification C have made its dating a vexed issue ever since its discovery. Thus BarAdon: I am … in a quandary as to the date of the stone wall … I have so far viewed an MB I date [21st–20th centuries BCE] as the most plausible in view of many pieces of supporting evidence that are still not to be discounted, such as the MB street that runs parallel to the wall and ends in a plaza on the west, as appears to be the case in the excavation (which makes sense at the entrance from the presumed gate); the similar depth of the foundations of the MB structures and the wall, which breaks walls of the EB IV and is based on EB III houses; the Persian stratum, Phase a, which is higher on the north than the wall … by about 30–40 cm (the level of the top is clear, as it is built of small stones set upon the large ones, for laying the bricks); the straight line of the wall, which is impossible except as a freestanding construction, as opposed to a deep [foundation] trench (and where would the soildumps be?); the Roman camp built directly … on the stone wall, that is, that the brick superstructure was no longer extant by that time. However, excavation over the past two days [revealed] a curved deviation east of the wall, on the slope above the scarp, that must be understood, as it now appears, as a round tower and which puts things—after the nice angles—‘all in a muddle’. The round tower appears in fortifications in the Hellenistic period—as in Samaria … and I am not familiar with the shape in the Bronze Age. (Bar-Adon to S. Yeivin, May 7, 1952; original in Hebrew).

The material within the towers, though not very abundant and certainly reflecting secondary deposition as refuse, might still convey something of their function. An emphasis on storage and consumption of liquids is indicated, at the expense of cooking and food consumption. Without venturing too far in

The want of adjoining structures and the trench method adopted by the excavator have resulted in the nearabsence of directly associated deposits contemporary with the use of the wall. Its unique combination of massive dry fieldstone/mudbrick construction and integrated square and round towers defy typological categorization. However, intrinsic and circumstantial considerations support a late EB III date for the construction of this system. Keeping in mind the sophistication and imagination demonstrated by the

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

architects of fortifications such as those of EB III Tel Yarmut (de Miroschedji 1990; 1999), Tel Dan (Greenberg 2002:32–35), or Byblos (Saghieh 1983:65– 66; Margueron 1994:19–20), this ascription should not be considered overly bold or unlikely. A terminus post quem for the construction of the fortifications is provided by the stratigraphic relations evinced in the Bar-Adon excavations at the southeast tip of the mound (Area BS; see Chapter 5). Here, the wall clearly overlies or cuts walls associated with phases of the mid-EB III (Local Strata 9–8). Only the latest phases of the Early Bronze Age (Local Strata 7–6) can be seen to run parallel and at some distance from the wall. It is therefore no earlier than late EB III. A terminus ante quem for the wall is provided by a number of Middle Bronze Age graves nestled in the angles of the wall or between Wall C and adjacent structures. Middle Bronze Age occupation layers were found inside the wall, at an elevation approximately one meter above its foundations. An indirect terminus ante quem is provided by the Area BS Local Stratum 6 remains. These, as can be seen in the schematic plan (see Fig. 5.43), clearly took account of the existence of the wall. As they are dated to a terminal phase of the Early Bronze Age, we may assume that the Wall C was in existence by this time. Intrinsic dating for the wall comes from the trenches excavated along the faces of the wall and from the excavated towers. The trenches, though a stratigraphic nightmare, consistently yielded Early Bronze Age pottery with only occasional, localized instances of later material. In the towers, undisturbed Early Bronze Age contexts provided typical EB III pottery, including Khirbet Kerak Ware. In a number of towers there was clear evidence for Hellenistic re-use. It seems, however, safe to say that the Hellenistic material consistently derives from late deposits, including cist tombs (e.g., in Tower 8), stratigraphically distinguishable from the original Wall C surfaces. It therefore transpires that Wall C can be placed in the latter part of EB III. Keeping in mind that the construction of fortifications can be a very lengthy process, and that its fortunes are not necessarily linked

to those of the houses built within it, the beginning of the construction might be pushed back to mid-EB III, perhaps at about 2500 BCE (conventional dating). Burnt layers found on or within various components of Wall C (e.g., the Bastion—Tower 5) may indicate a violent destruction that affected at least parts of the fortification in late EB III. As for the rather intensive Hellenistic reuse of Fortification C, the following explanation may be offered. When the planned orthogonal settlement of Hellenistic Bet Yerah, generally identified with Ptolemaic Philoteria, was founded in the third century BCE, the Fortification C remains still dominated the southern part of the mound. With the site still protected on three sides by water, the new settlers would have had merely to restore parts of the early fortification, mainly along its southern flank, in order to provide protection for their new site. This led to the Hellenistic deposits observed in several towers. A more detailed analysis of the Hellenistic material is, however, needed in order to put more flesh on this proposition.

CONCLUSION The Bar-Adon excavations comprise the most extensive exposure of Early Bronze Age fortifications in Israel. However, the manner in which they were conducted leaves us with only a schematic understanding of the history of the fortification of the Early Bronze Age town at Bet Yerah. We have attempted to present both the intrinsic and circumstantial evidence for the context of construction of each system: the massive mudbrick fortification across the southern perimeter in EB II (Wall A), the opportunistic repair and reconstruction of the fortification in early EB III (Wall B) and the major overhaul in the town defenses carried out in late EB III (Wall C). While many details of the three fortification systems can be compared to contemporary fortification systems in the Levant, the Bet Yerah sequence as such is unique and must be explained in terms of the evolution of the site as a whole. Such a contextual narrative lies beyond the scope of this report and will be taken up in Volume II.

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1 2

3

4

5

8

6

7

10 9

Fig. 6.29. Pottery from Tower 4. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Bowl

314/27

Tower 4

Buff clay, wheel-marks, red slip

2

Bowl

287/11

Tower 4

Gray clay, red slip

3

Bowl

312/3

Tower 4

Brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Vat

314/48

Tower 4

Buff clay

5

Vat

314/41

Tower 4

Buff lay, large black inclusions, combed

6

Mug

309/10

Tower 4

Buff clay, red-orange slip

7

Jug

314/30

Tower 4

Buff clay, red slip, burnish

8

Jar

275/7

Tower 4

Brown clay, thin red slip

9

Cooking pot

314/8

Tower 4

Gray clay

Lid

288/18

Tower 4

Gray KKW

10

269

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2 3

4 5

6

7

8

11 9

10

12

13

15

14

16 17

Fig. 6.30. Pottery from Tower 5 (the Bastion).

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

◄ Fig. 6.30 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Bowl

153/13

Tower 5

Buff clay, red slip

2

Bowl

201/2

Tower 5

Buff clay, red slip

3

Platter

153/14

Tower 5

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

4

Platter

153/4

Tower 5

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

5

Bowl

153/18

Tower 5

Buff clay, red slip

6

Platter

204/1

Tower 5

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

7

Platter

153/16

Tower 5

Buff clay

8

Bowl

204/4

Tower 5

Brown clay, red slip

9

Bowl

212/2

Tower 5

Brown clay, red burnished KKW, raised decoration

10

Bowl

212/11

Tower 5

Brown clay, red burnished KKW, soot marks

11

Krater

202/14

Tower 5

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW

12

Krater

204/6

Tower 5

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW

13

Mug

205/12

Tower 5

Orange clay, red slip

14

Mug

205/6

Tower 5

Orange clay, red slip

15

Jar

153/15

Tower 5

Orange clay, red slip

16

Jar

202/5

Tower 5

Gray clay

17

Pithos

153/5

Tower 5

Buff clay, traces of thin red slip

Fig. 6.31 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Bowl

191/2

Tower 8

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

2

Cooking pot

170/20

Tower 8

Gray clay

3

Mug

223/1

Tower 9

Buff clay, yellowish brown slip

4

Pithos

223/4

Tower 9

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

5

Bowl

223/11

Tower 9

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

6

Bowl/krater

223/10

Tower 9

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

7

Krater

222/4

Tower 9

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW

8

Lid

222/5

Tower 9

Gray clay, KKW

Andiron

223/15

Tower 9

Gray clay, KKW

10

9

Jar

223/16

Tower 9

Orange clay, gray core, red slip, NCMW

11

Cooking pot

225/2

Tower 10

Gray clay

12

Juglet

225/8

Tower 10

Buff clay, red slip, burnish

13

Jar

228/4

Tower 10

Buff clay

14

Bowl

226/8

Tower 10

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

15

Krater

225/3

Tower 10

Gray clay, red-gray burnished KKW

16

Stand

227/1

Tower 10

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

17

Andiron

228/15

Tower 10

Yellowish-gray clay, KKW

271

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

4 3

5 6

8

7

9 10

12 13 11

14

15

17

16

Fig. 6.31. Pottery from Towers 8 (1, 2), 9 (3–10), and 10 (11–18).

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1

2

3

4

5

6

8 7

Fig. 6.32. Pottery from Segment C38. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Bowl

186/15

C38

Buff clay

2

Bowl

186/11

C38

Buff clay, wheel-marks, red slip

3

Bowl

229/7

C38

Light brown clay, red slip

4

Platter

229/9

C38

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

5

Krater

186/2

C38

Gray clay, red-orange-black burnished KKW

6

Cooking pot

186/19

C38

Brown clay

7

Mug

229/4

C38

Gray clay, red slip, burnish

8

Jar

186/9

C38

Buff clay, red slip

273

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YITZHAK PAZ AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

6 4 5

7

8

9

11

12

10

13

15

14

Fig. 6.33. Pottery from Towers 11 (1–5), 12 (6–8), 13 (9–14), and 14 (15). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Bowl

231/7

Tower 11

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

2

Bowl

231/6

Tower 11

Buff clay, red slip

3

Jar

231/9

Tower 11

Grayish-brown clay, NCMW

4

Pithos

231/5

Tower 11

Buff clay, thin red slip

5

Mug

231/2

Tower 11

Brown clay, red slip

6

Bowl

235/2

Tower 12

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

7

Bowl

235/3

Tower 12

Orange clay, red slip

8

Pithos

235/1

Tower 12

Buff clay, red slip

9

Platter

242/2

Tower 13

Grayish-brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

10

Cooking pot

241/3

Tower 13

Gray clay, thin red slip

11

Jar

242/1

Tower 13

Brown-orange clay, red-painted decoration

12

Jar

240/3

Tower 13

Grayish-brown clay, gray core, NCMW

13

Krater

241/2

Tower 13

Gray clay, red-yellow burnished KKW

14

Stand

240/2

Tower 13

Gray clay, red KKW

15

Bowl

244/1

Tower 14

Brown clay, red burnished KKW

CHAPTER 6: AREA BF: THE BAR-ADON EXCAVATIONS OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, 1952–1955

1

2

3

4

6 5

9

7

8

10

11

Fig. 6.34. Pottery from various wall segments. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

1

Jar handle

159/2

C15

Orange clay, white slip, (pseudo-?) NCMW

2

Basin

159/1

C15

Brown clay, very poorly fired

3

Bowl

234/5

C41–C42

Red-orange clay, red slip, NCMW

4

Platter

245/2

C50

Buff clay

5

Platter

187/2

C40

Orange clay, black core, red slip, burnish

6

Platter

127/1

n.d.a.

Buff clay, gray core

7

Jar

234/2

C41–C42

Red clay, red slip, NCMW Gray clay, red slip, burnish

8

Jug

239/4

C44

9

Krater

214/3

n.d.a.

Gray clay, red-yellow burnished KKW

10

Stand

234/7

C41–C42

Brown clay, orange burnished KKW

11

Stand

234/8

C41–C42

Gray clay, orange burnished KKW

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AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967 YITZHAK PAZ

INTRODUCTION During the months of January and April 1967 two seasons of excavation were held at a point midway along the eastern scarp of Tel Bet Yerah, ahead of planned construction on the nearby slope and shore. The excavations were directed by David Ussishkin and Ehud Netzer on behalf of the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums. The place selected for excavation lay in the hitherto untouched portion of the mound lying between the Bet Yerah agricultural school and the Ohalo seminary. A brief outline of the results was published in 1967, but despite some effort invested in processing the finds, no detailed report was ever written. The present report is based on the material provided by the excavators, but constitutes an independent interpretation. Our thanks are extended to the excavators for freely providing the material at their disposal. The excavations were sited near the center of the mound, at the edge of a cultivated area north of the agricultural school of Bet Yerah where no modern construction or previous excavation had taken place (Plan 7.1; Fig. 7.1). A grid was established parallel to the edge of the mound, which runs southeast–northwest, with excavations eventually encompassing nineteen 5 × 5 m squares in four rows, or approximately 450 sq m. The easternmost squares extended right out to the vertical scarp, several meters above the lake-shore. An accumulation of approximately 4 m was observed, from surface level to virgin soil, in which four to five Early Bronze Age architectural/occupational strata were identified, capped by a number of Hellenistic pits. Scattered sherds of the Middle Bronze Age and the Byzantine period were found on the surface. Documentation and Method of Interpretation The materials provided by the excavators include daily graphic diaries (including basket lists), photographs and

Plan 7.1. Area UN—location map.

color slides, field plans and preliminary stratum plans, a preliminary summary of the stratigraphy, pottery files arranged by loci, and some artifact drawings. All pottery had apparently been kept, and with the exception of some artifacts that were removed for study purposes and eventually lost, was available for quantitative analyses. A number of objective drawbacks in the method of excavation and documentation should be pointed out: 1. As a rule, structures of the uppermost, EB III, architectural phases (Local Strata 2–3; see Table 7.1) were not dismantled, and excavation of the lower, EB I–II, strata was pursued in irregular and often narrow soundings. This has created a rather disjointed portrait of the earlier remains and seems to have hindered the identification of mudbrick architecture in them. 2. Excavation in the rainy season appears to have contributed to the absence of mudbrick architecture

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Fig. 7.1. General view of the south part of the excavation, with Bet Yerah school building in background. Looking south.

in the earliest strata. Elsewhere at Tel Bet Yerah, EB I is marked by the use of mudbrick walls without stone foundations. No such walls were identified in 1967, although nearly two meters of mudbrick detritus were excavated. 3. The available documentation has left us with little record of the character of the archaeological deposits (as distinct from the architecture). Also, there were numerous ambiguities regarding the relation of individual baskets to specific architectural units. Only some of these problems could be resolved by recourse to the fairly thorough photographic record.1 In order to prepare this report, we initially worked out the stratigraphy of the excavated area without reference to the finds. After defining walls and associated floors, we were able to assign loci to their respective strata. The original locus numbers of 1967 (UN 001–UN 040) were assigned during excavation to obvious architectural units, i.e., rooms, streets, etc., as well as to non-architectural excavation areas. During our analysis of the excavation accounts, it was necessary to add ‘new’ loci in order to describe stratigraphic phenomena that predated or postdated the architectural remains described by the original loci. These ‘new’ loci were all given round three-digit numbers (UN 410–UN

700), and include various archaeological features— pits, activity surfaces, etc. Deposits could be assigned to these features on the basis of basket elevation or, occasionally, by the presence of restorable pottery. In some cases, loci numbered by the excavators could not be assigned a specific stratigraphic location; these have been omitted from the discussion. As a proxy to the stratigraphic association of individual units, the general orientation of the structures was observed. Other excavations at Tel Bet Yerah have shown a fairly high level of adherence to overall orientation and town plan. Thus, where unconnected elements showed agreement in orientation and elevation, they were assigned to the same stratum; where significant deviations were evident, this was taken as evidence for a difference in stratum. Only when every feature was put in order were we able to examine the pottery that was found on floors and within secure contexts and relate it to the above-mentioned architectural phases. Stratigraphic Overview The excavated area descends gradually from west to east. The inclination of the area is best seen in the Local Stratum 2 alleyway, which slopes from -197.33 m on

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Table 7.1. Stratigraphy of the Area UN Excavations Local Stratum

Bet Yerah Period

1

H

2 3

D

Chronological Period

Main Architectural Features

Hellenistic

Pits

EB III

Paved street, stone masonry

EB III

Large buildings, open spaces

4

C

EB II

Brick and stone masonry

5

B

EB IB

Upper floors, scant architecture; lower floors, above virgin soil

6

A–B

EB IA or IB

Shallow pits

the west to -197.91 m in the east over a distance of some 15 m. The relatively shallow total accumulation of less than 4 m, as compared to 5–7 m or more in other excavation areas, could indicate that the 1967 excavation area did not encompass the whole Early Bronze Age sequence at Bet Yerah. The stratigraphic configuration can be summarized as follows (Table 7.1): At surface level (-197.00 m) were Hellenistic occupation remains of Local Stratum 1—mainly potsherds—and a single clearly identified pit. Hellenistic sherds found within Early Bronze Age loci testify to further pitting that cut earlier remains. Directly below surface level, the buildings of Local Strata 2–3 were exposed throughout the excavated area. The closely superimposed buildings had stone foundations, usually preserved to a height of two to three courses. No traces of the brick superstructure were detected during the excavation. Small rooms had beaten-earth floors, while large spaces, streets, and some open spaces were paved with flat stone slabs. The deposits from this stratum—gray, ashy ‘tell material’ mixed with pottery and other finds—showed no evidence of sudden destruction. Local Stratum 4, of which building fragments were found all over the excavated area, was characterized by shallow stone foundations and evidence for mudbrick superstructures. The deposits of this stratum, beginning at about -197.80 m on average and about 0.4 m deep in all, resemble the later strata, but the excavators noted the presence of brownish-red mudbrick material. Below the Stratum 4 walls, several soundings— mainly in the southern part of the excavation—revealed Local Stratum 5, a deep accumulation (-198.20– -200.50 m) of alternating mudbrick and ashy material, with little evidence of architecture and few floors. Some of the Stratum 5 remains indicated surfaces near the top of this accumulation, while others suggested an initial phase close to virgin soil, at approximately

-200.10 m. Below this accumulation, Local Stratum 6 comprised pits dug into virgin soil. In the following pages the successive stratigraphic phases are presented from bottom to top.

LOCAL STRATUM 6 (PERIOD A–B) (Plan 7.2) The very limited exposure of this stratum includes fills (UN 500, UN 570, UN 600) beneath Stratum 5 floors, as well as two pits dug into virgin soil—UN 510 (elev. -199.70– -200.90 m) and UN 530 (elev. -199.90– -200.10 m). While the fill loci included Period B (EB IB) ceramics identical to those of Stratum 5 (see below), UN 510 included types of an apparently earlier horizon. At Tel Bet Yerah, at least two Period B phases appear in most excavation locales, with the lowermost consisting typically of refuse pits cut into virgin soil (see Chapters 2, 5, and 8—Areas MS, BS, and EY). Period A (EB IA or earlier) pottery has so far been identified with certainty only in the northern part of the mound (see Chapters 3 and 4—Areas SA and GB). Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (see Fig. 7.18) Figure 7.18 presents a selection of pottery from UN 510. Several forms are typical of Period B (see Local Stratum 5 pottery, below): hemispherical bowls (Fig. 7.18:1, 2), red-slipped holemouths with a plain or profiled rim (Fig. 7.18:3), and the lightly indented ledge-handle (Fig. 7.18:11). The plain inverted-rim holemouth jar (Fig. 7.18:4), the wide-mouthed pithos decorated in grain-wash (Fig. 7.18:10), and the hollow fenestrated stand (Fig. 7.18:12) are also attested in Period B contexts. More interesting are the redslipped gutter-rim jars (Figure 7.18:7–9) and the two tapered holemouth rims (Figure 7.18:5, 6). The jars, of which two bear a grainy red slip, are reminiscent of a burial jar from the earliest phase of Period B in

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LOCAL STRATUM 5 (PERIOD B) (Plan 7.2) Local Stratum 5 accounts for approximately half of the entire depth of archaeological deposits excavated in 1967 (see Plan 7.2), and pottery originating in this stratum dominates later fills as well.2 Nonetheless, few architectural elements could be clearly assigned to this stratum. While part of the blame may lie with the fragmentary nature of the excavation (the overall area excavated to Stratum 5 amounts to no more than 100 sq m), the marked paucity of architecture might also be ascribed to the failure of the excavators to identify the mudbrick construction typifying Period B remains in other parts of the mound. This could be due to the exhaustion of the soft mudbrick or to the inability to detect brickwork elements (possibly compounded by the fact that the first part of the excavation took place in winter). The only architectural features detected during the 1967 excavation were small fragments of stone pavement, found mainly in Sqs J3–4 (UN 550, UN 036) at an elevation of -198.40–80 m. Apparent occupation surfaces in Sqs H5 (UN 490) and J4 (UN 590) at elev. -199.60–70 m probably represent an early phase of the stratum. The bulk of the finds attributed to the two phases of Stratum B derives from fills in various soundings: UN 036, UN 038, UN 520, UN 620, UN 640, and UN 670. Pottery of Local Stratum 5 (see Figs. 7.19–7.29)

Plan 7.2. Plan of Local Strata 6–5, Periods A–B.

the deep cut excavated by Stekelis in 1945 (see Fig. 3.40:4). They are otherwise unattested at Bet Yerah. The holemouths—one bearing stippled decoration and the other coarse and poorly fired—resemble Period A pottery (EB IA or earlier) from the same context (see Fig. 3.38). While they cannot date Stratum 6, they could indicate that the Ussishkin excavations were not too distant from the edge of the Period A occupation, in the northern part of Tel Bet Yerah.

As noted above, the diagnostic pottery could not, for the most part, be associated with architectural remains. The following discussion is therefore purely typological, although the presentation in the plates is arranged by context. As the Area UN Period B assemblage is one of the richest on the site in terms of ceramic variation, we have chosen to illustrate a large sample, providing commentary on the occasional artifact. A comprehensive description of the ceramic industry of Tel Bet Yerah is reserved for Volume II of the report. Technical Traits of the Assemblage The Period B assemblage is characterized by the buff-colored clay that was used to create most of the vessels. Large vessels, i.e., large bowls, holemouth jars, store jars, and pithoi contain coarse basalt and flint inclusions; the smaller vessels—bowls, jugs,

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and amphoriskoi—were typically made of finer clay with smaller inclusions. The vessels were for the most part entirely handmade, with the notable exception of wheel-turned hemispherical bowls with a profiled base.

in size, these bowls have a profiled base that, where preserved, is invariably string cut. Fairly common at Tel Bet Yerah, bowls of this type are most at home in the Jordan Valley cultural milieu (e.g., Leonard 1992: Pl. 10:1–9) and rare elsewhere.

Grain-Wash Decoration The ‘grain-wash’ or ‘band-slip’ decoration, long considered a hallmark of EB IB (see Wright 1937:43; Stager 1992:30) has recently been identified on stratified EB III ceramics from Tell ez-Zeraqun and in contemporaneous survey sites (Genz 2000; Kamlah 2000). The term is also occasionally applied to the smeared decoration found on combed-ware jars. To prevent ambiguity, the following guidelines were followed in the analysis of the Area UN pottery: 1. Grain-wash decoration per se has no chronological significance, unless the form of the vessel is clear. 2. Grain-wash is not to be confused with band painting. The ‘classic’ grain-wash decoration is a free-hand smear of red, brown, or yellowish slip on the vessel, often in two layers, without a regular pattern. Occasionally, brush-applied grain-wash will form a clearer pattern, such as the ladder designs in Figs. 7.20:3 or 7.23:5, but this is rarely systematic. The representation of grain-wash in pottery plates—both in this report and in others—tends to vary from one artist to another, so that the conscientious reader should consult the verbal descriptions in each case. 3. Line or band painting in diagonal or net patterns appears on a large repertoire of vessels, including bowls, jugs, and jars. In Period B contexts it appears to be limited to small vessels. Period C–D band painting appears on larger vessels as well, particularly store jars.

Carinated. These show considerable variation, from bent-walled (Figs. 7.21:1, 2; 7.25:6), to flanged (Fig. 7.19:4), to full-fledged ‘classic’ carination (Fig. 7.21:5). The last type, a small bowl made of buff clay, medium fired, and red slipped, is quite similar to the carinated bowl that characterizes the EB IB–EB II assemblages in central Israel (Beck 1985). The flanged-rim bowl in Fig. 7.19:4 is made of dark grayish clay, and is entirely red slipped and burnished. A similar vessel was found in Tomb 5 at Tell el-Far‘ah North (de Vaux and Stève 1949: Fig. 8:4).

The Period B assemblage in Area UN contains the following types: Small Bowls Usually red-slipped, small bowls seem to have served a variety of purposes, including that of oil lamp (e.g., Figs. 7.19:2; 7.21:5; 7.25:2, 3, 5). The bowls fall into a number of sub-categories: Plain Hemispherical (Figs. 7.19:1; 7.25:1, 2). These come in various sizes and are assumed to have a round base. Hemispherical with Profiled Base (Figs. 7.19:3; 7.21:3, 4; 7.24:1; 7.25:4). Either deep or shallow and varying

Platters (Figs. 7.19:8; 7.25:13, 14) Medium-sized bowls with inclined rims herald the typical platter of later Early Bronze Age phases. They are usually made of buff to pinkish clay and decorated with brown or red slip outside and inside the rim. Some of them were burnished. The platters were normally medium fired; two specimens, made of red-orange clay, appeared to be of Metallic Ware (see below, Possible Transitional Forms). Deep Bowls Most of the deep bowls are red slipped and lightly burnished, and could generally fall under the category of ‘crackled ware’, as described by the Chicago expedition (Esse 1989). As the borders of this genre are somewhat vague, the various deep bowls are here described according to the rim form. Considered a close ‘relative’of late Gray Burnished Ware bowls by virtue of their dark slip (mainly grayish, brown, or black) that tends to crack, crackled ware bowls appear in many variations. All of them are deep bowls with in-turned or plain rims, usually with straight or slightly curved walls. They vary in size and color, verging from gray to brown, red, or black. Since Esse’s publication, crackled ware bowls have turned up at a number of EB IB sites in different regions: Qiryat Ata on the northern coastal plain (Fantalkin 2000: Fig. 8:2, 12), Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley (Joffe 2000: Fig. 8.5:1), Leviah and Gamla in the Golan plateau (Paz 2003: Figs. 2:2, 3; 23:1), and Tell esh-Shuneh in the Jordan Valley (Leonard 1992: Pl. 10:26–28).

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Inverted Rim Bowls (Figs. 7.19:5, 6; 7.21:6–11, 13, 14; 7.24:2; 7.25:7–10; 7.28:4). These are the most abundant type in Stratum 5, followed closely by plain rim bowls that often show clear signs of wheel-finish (Figs. 7.19:7; 7.21:12; 7.24:3–5). Profiled Rim Bowls (Figs. 7.22:15; 7.28:1–3, 5). This is a catch-all term used to include a variety of generally well-made bowls with profiled (hammerhead) rims. Everted Rim Bowls (Figs. 7.21:15; 7.25:12) are quite common, and are usually, but not always, red slipped; they usually have a plain thickened rim or a narrow ledge rim. Chalice Figure 7.28:6 belongs to a tall chalice, probably fenestrated (cf. Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 4:24). Vats (Fig. 7.23:1; 7.29:1–3) Found in limited numbers, wide-mouthed holemouth vessels with in-turned rims may have always been furnished with an upturned spout. Holemouth Jars and Cooking Pots Comprising nearly half of the diagnostics, holemouths present a wide range of minor variants (in stark contrast to Periods C and D). a. The typical Period B holemouth jar is made of a coarse buff to gray clay, with large basalt and flint inclusions (Figs. 7.19:9, 10; 7.22:1, 2; 7.24:6, 7; 7.26:1–7). The rim is almost always thickened or rounded. Other rim variants, triangular or rectangular, are quite rare; ridged rims, scarce in the 1967 excavation, have been found in greater numbers in other excavations at the site. The common decoration of Period B holemouth jars is a red or brown band around the rim and a thin wash, sometimes achieving the patterned look of grain-wash, on the body of the vessel. One specimen has a plastic decoration (Fig. 7.26:6). b. Another common type is made of finer clay (Figs. 7.19:11, 12; 7.22:3–5; 7.26:8, 9). It never bears any painted decoration, though horizontal incisions around the rim (e.g., Fig. 7.19:12) or knobs beneath it (Fig. 7.19:11) are not uncommon. One example bears a rare potter’s mark (Fig. 7.26:9), again in marked contrast to the situation in EB II–III assemblages (below). As Types a and b are clearly coeval, it is likely that

Type b was used as a cooking pot, while the painted Type a holemouth was used for storage. c. Figure 7.26:10 shows elements of both types, yet belongs to neither. It has a distinct infolded rim, is very badly fired, with many large black, white, and gray inclusions, and is covered with red wash and decorated with a band of circular incisions around the rim. In addition, a vertical incised decoration of lines and dots (made with a different tool) interrupts the horizontal band at least at one point forming a distinct pattern. ‘Votive’ Holemouth Jars. The two diminutive vessels with line-painted decoration illustrated in Fig. 7.26: 11, 12 appear to be votive jar miniatures. Store Jars and Pithoi There is a great deal of variety among the jars and pithoi, but they may be classified in a number of broadly defined groups: Short-Necked Jars and Pithoi. This popular jar is usually thin walled, well fired, and decorated with red-brown slip or grain-wash. Additional decorations include painted patterns (e.g., Fig. 7.20:3) and incisions at the base of the short neck. Rims are either vertical (Figs. 7.20:1; 7.27:1, 2) or everted, the latter being either plain (Figs. 7.20:2; 7.22:6–8; 7.24:8, 9; 7.27:3– 5), thickened (Figs. 7.20:3–5; 7.27:6–8), or grooved (Figs. 7.20:6; 7.27:9). The grooved or channeled rim is the forerunner of a diagnostic EB II–III type found in Metallic and later wares. Channeled EB IB rims are found at Jordan Valley sites such as Tell esh-Shuneh (Leonard 1992: Pl. 9:10, 15, 18). The profiled-rim jars, generally, are abundant in the Jordan Valley, e.g., at Tell esh-Shuneh (Leonard 1992: Pl. 9:15–19) and Bet She’an (Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 4:16). They are also present in the lower Galilee and northern coastal plain (Tadmor and Prausnitz 1959: Fig. 5:21; Fantalkin 2000: Fig. 8:15), but are absent at Jezreel Valley sites such as Megiddo and Tel Qashish. Tall-Necked Jars. This relatively infrequent type occurs in plain (Fig. 7.22:9) or undulating (Fig. 7.27:10, 11) profiles, all red slipped. Necked Pithoi. Occasionally bearing grain-wash, these vessels have thickened, folded, or pinched rims (Figs. 7.22:10, 12, 14; 7.24:10; 7.27:12).

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

Rail-Rim Pithoi (Figs. 7.20:7, 8; 7.22:13; 7.24:11; 7.27:14). The pithoi at Bet Yerah are typically, but not always, incised or indented. There are many rim variants; none has chronological significance. A rail rim belonging to a wide-mouthed vessel with grain-wash represents a rare type (Fig. 7.20:8). Pithoi of this type were found elsewhere at Tel Bet Yerah (Getzov 2006). Another rare type is the heavy bow-rimmed example in Fig. 7.27:13. The fragment illustrated in Fig. 7.22:11 could be intrusive. Jugs, Amphoriskoi, and Teapots Figures 7.20:11, 12, and 7.23:2 belong to squat jugs with high loop handles (cf. Fig. 7.29:7) and Fig. 7.20:14 to a taller jug, of which complete examples have been found elsewhere on the site. Narrow-mouthed amphoriskoi are represented in Figs. 7.20:15 and 7.23:3, with probable bases and body fragments illustrated in Figs. 7.20:13, 16. Wide-mouthed amphoriskoi appear as well (Figs. 7.23:4; 7.29:4). Bent-spout teapots are represented by several spout fragments (Fig. 7.29:5, 6). These types form an important link with contemporaneous tombassemblages, including the tomb at Kinneret. Handles Loop handles occur on jugs (Fig. 7.29:7) and amphoriskoi (Fig. 7.29:4). Ledge handles (not illustrated) belonging both to jars and to smaller vessels were abundant. Lug handles appear on bowls (Fig. 7.22:15; 7.29:4, 5) and small containers (Figs. 7.20:16; 7.23:4); one interesting specimen is a decorative double lug handle, which resembles the head of an animal (a bat?; Fig. 7.29:8). Possible ‘Transitional’ Forms between Strata 5 and 4 A number of artifacts from Period B contexts seem to herald Period C. The vessels that are the best candidates for such ‘missing links’ are: a. A ‘proto-metallic’ inverted-rim bowl (Fig. 7.21: 11)—a large fragment closely resembling crackled ware bowls, brown slipped on the inside and made of a fine red clay, fired to a high temperature that may well define it as metallic, or at least proto-metallic. The combination between an EB IB shape and an EB II technique may reflect first attempts to create the highly fired bowl of the full-fledged NCMW assemblages. b. Channeled-rim jar fragments (Fig. 7.20:9, 10) made of buff ware and grain-wash decorated, closely

283

resembling the Metallic Ware channeled-rim jars and pithoi common in EB II (see below). This early appearance is known from the Jordan Valley from sites such as Tell esh-Shuneh (Leonard 1992: Pl. 9: 17). I suggest that this type evolved from the short-rim jar that is very common in the Jordan Valley. Discussion The pottery assemblages of the different loci of Local Stratum 5 represent a single chronological phase. Morphologically, technically, and stylistically they belong to a late EB I horizon. Some interesting quantitative trends are visible in the Period B ceramics from the 1967 excavations. Decoration. Of the 129 illustrated sherds, 106 (90%) bear some kind of painted decoration. This proportion is consistent among all forms, from small bowls to pithoi. The phenomenon stands in contrast to later strata, where many vessels (especially pithoi and holemouth jars) were left undecorated. The most common decoration is slip or wash, in various shades of red, brown, and gray. It is found on almost every vessel type, though it is more popular on small vessels. Of the drawn sherds, 55% were slipped. Grain-wash was found on large vessels, mainly jars and pithoi, but appears also on holemouth jars. Among the body sherds, 857 (of a total of 2819, or 30.4%) bore grain-wash. Band painting, on the other hand, occurs mainly on small vessels, i.e. bowls, jugs, amphoriskoi etc., comprising only c. 1% of the sherds. Burnishing is quite rare, appearing on a few bowls and other small vessels. Type Frequency. The most common vessel type is the holemouth. Approximately 47% of the diagnostic sherds (337 of a total of 710) were rims of holemouth jars or pots. Bowls of all kinds comprise 30% of the assemblage. Of these, crackled ware bowls account for 56% (123 sherds, or 17% of the total assemblage).

LOCAL STRATUM 4 (PERIOD C) (Plan 7.3) The remains of Local Stratum 4 were identified in all parts of the excavation (Plan 7.3). However, contiguous exposure of this phase was limited by the presence of Strata 3–2 remains, which were generally left intact. The architectural remains of Local Stratum 4 belong to at least five separate buildings. Walls were built of mudbrick, usually—but not always—on stone

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The Structures Building UN 031 This is the westernmost of a pair of Stratum 4 structures uncovered in the northern part of the excavation area. It includes an external corner formed by W144 and W145, each about 0.7 m wide, and a narrow chamber— UN 031—bounded by a rather massive inner wall (W146, 0.75 m wide). The pottery from this locus contained mixed EB I–III pottery, evidence of an unidentified intrusion. Building UN 630 This structure is represented by an external corner between W142, with two-rowed stone foundations, and a small segment of W143, both walls being about 0.6 m wide (Fig. 7.2). Two other walls of this room can be discerned in photographs, directly under Stratum 3 walls, and have been reconstructed on the plan. This manner of superposition is common at Tel Bet Yerah (see Chapter 8, the central structure in Area EY, Local Strata 9–6). The earthen floor of Room UN 630 lay at an elevation of -198.20 m. It contained mixed Period B–C pottery. Open Areas UN 460, UN 033 Patches of stone pavement to the south of both structures, at elev. -198.20–30 m, could indicate the existence of an open area or courtyard. Two parallel rows of small stones in UN 460 may have belonged to courtyard installations.

Plan 7.3. Plan of Local Stratum 4, Period C.

foundations. The orientation of the structures was to the cardinal points—an orientation common to virtually all Period C and D structures discovered to date on the mound. Few finds were recovered from the floors of this stratum, and the bulk of the material comes from several concentrations that appear to have been refuse pits.

Wall 147 and Floor UN 027 In Sq H7 the excavators identified a segment of a brick wall with stone foundations, 0.5 m wide, apparently the remnant of a structure badly damaged by later construction (W147; top elev. -197.45 m). Floor UN 027 in Sq H5 (elev. -198.30–40 m), W150, perhaps part of an installation (-198.02–30 m; Fig. 7.3), and the nearby floor accumulation, UN 610, may all have been related to the same structure. Here, too, pottery was fragmentary and mixed with earlier remains.

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W143

W142 W145

Fig. 7.2. Local Stratum 4: corners of W142 and W143, W144 and W145, beneath Building UN 032 of Stratum 3. Note possible Stratum 4 walls emerging beneath W105 (left foreground) and W107 (far left). At center, framing scale, are W401 and W402 of Stratum 2.

Fig. 7.3. Local Stratum 4—W150.

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Building UN 024 The fragmentary remains of this structure were found directly beneath a large Stratum 3 structure (Building UN 019), and it may be assumed that several walls remain hidden beneath the later ones (e.g., W126 and W130 may conceal Stratum 4 walls perpendicular to W155 and W160). The extant walls are either narrow, one-rowed brick walls (up to 0.5 m. wide; W156, W157, W160) that must have been interior walls of the structure, or the somewhat broader wall with two-rowed stone foundations (W155), which might be understood as an internal supporting wall. Room UN 023, at least 2 × 2 m in size, had a floor at elev. -198.20 m. The fill yielded mixed Period C–D (EB II–III) pottery. Room UN 024, at least 2.5 × 3.5 m in size, had a pebble floor at -198.19–24 m (Fig. 7.4); it yielded fragmentary Period C pottery, as well as several dozen unbaked clay balls found in situ, some of them bearing incised marks. Many of these have disintegrated, but a number remain complete and will be discussed—along with similar finds from other areas—in Volume II. Adjacent to the structure were UN 680, with flat stone slabs at about -198.40 m, and UN 025, with a stone mortar resting on a floor at -198.20 m. Midden UN 037 South of Building UN 024, directly beneath the Stratum 2 street, a thick deposit containing great quantities of North Canaanite Metallic Ware fragments, including many partly restorable vessels (mainly platters), was

Fig. 7.4. Brick walls of Building UN 024 (Local Stratum 4). To right, W129 in Building UN 019 of Local Stratum 3.

found between elev. -198.05 and -198.85 m. Although the edges of this feature were not recorded, it appears to be the largest of several Stratum 4 pits, most of which were identified only following our pottery analysis. Indeed, the majority of the pottery from Stratum 4 originates in these pits, which represent ongoing refuse disposal during the lifetime of the stratum. Building UN 028 In Sq H2, at the southwest corner of the excavation area, two fragments of broad stone foundations (W134, W137, each 0.75 m wide) may have formed the corner of a large building (Fig. 7.5). The relatively large pottery assemblage from Building UN 028 represents the typical Period C repertoire from Tel Bet Yerah, including a considerable number of locally made vessels alongside large amounts of NCMW (over 30% of the pottery). Pottery of Local Stratum 4 (see Figs. 7.30–7.36) The fragmentary contexts of Local Stratum 4 did not produce large assemblages of restorable pottery. Most floors yielded a small number of fragments, and the main source of ceramic forms is the large midden, UN 037. Thus, while the plates are organized according to context, the following presentation is typological, the few observations regarding the character of the various contexts being deferred to the concluding discussion.

Fig. 7.5. Locus UN 028 (Local Stratum 4) with fragmentary walls W134, W137 (at right corner), covered by UN 001 (Local Stratum 3).

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Generally speaking, the Period C pottery is characterized by a decrease in the variety of vessel forms in relation to Period B and by the standardization of technological traits. A large component of the assemblage (50.3% of the diagnostic sherds) consists of NCMW, with its strictly controlled selection of raw materials (Greenberg and Porat 1996). Another large group includes cooking pots, also produced in a very limited variety of wares and forms; the remaining, local EB II wares are also, by and large, limited in variety. Small Bowls NCMW Rounded Bowls, shallow or deep, occur with a plain (Figs. 7.30:1; 7.36:1), inverted (Figs. 7.30:3; 7.33:1), or thickened (Figs. 7.30:4; 7.33:2; 7.35:2) rim. Occasional soot marks testify to their use as lamps. Plain-Ware Rounded Bowls (Figs. 7.30:2, 5; 7.35:1, 3). These, while tending to be thicker and of larger diameter than the NCMW variants, show the same rim variants and probably served similar purposes. Carinated Bowls include the classic EB II carinated bowl (Figs. 7.33:3; 7.36:2; cf. Beck 1985), which— though usually characterized as metallic—does not form a regular component of the NCMW assemblage. There are also atypical variants (Figs. 7.30:6; 7.35:4; 7.36:3) with an inverted or plain rim. Medium Deep Bowls These red-slipped inverted-rim bowls (Figs. 7.30:7; 7.33:4–7; 7.35:5), in a medium-fired ware reminiscent of that of the ‘southern potter’ at Tel Bet Yerah (below, Chapter 8), were deeper and coarser than the more common Metallic Ware platter. It is possibly significant that they are more common on the Stratum 4 floors than in the UN 037 midden. Large Deep Bowls A rather outsized NCMW deep inverted-rim bowl (Fig. 7.32:16), similar in technique to the NCMW platters, represents a type rather rare at Tel Bet Yerah, but better represented at sites such as Tel Dan (e.g., Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.27:10, 11). Platters Platters are the most significant artifact in the Stratum 4 assemblage, accounting for nearly half of the diagnostic sherds in the stratum.

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NCMW Platters (Figs. 7.30:8–13; 7.31:1–5; 7.33:8–13; 7.35:6–8; 7.36:5–7), in a red or orange fabric, typify Stratum 4. There is some variation in the use of slip and an occasional pattern burnish (Fig. 7.31:4, 5). Most of the platters have a tool-cut concavity beneath the rim. The platters in UN 037 (Figs. 7.30:8–13, 7.31:1–5) comprise an exceptional assemblage, consisting of about 15 vessels of similar size, technique, and form. Larger than most NCMW platters, the value that these vessels must have had in antiquity is underlined by the repair holes visible in several examples. Non-Metallic Platters (Figs. 7.31:6; 7.33:14) are rare. They are generally made of brown/buff clay, well fired, and often red slipped. The bowl in Fig. 7.36:4 could be residual from Stratum 5, as it resembles the Period B ‘proto-platters’. Vats It is assumed that the fragmentary examples illustrated in Fig. 7.32:15, in combed Metallic Ware, and Fig. 7.34:3, 5, in standard ware, represent spouted vats, though actual occurrences of spouted artifacts are rather rare (see, for example, Fig. 8.63:1). Cooking Pots In contrast to other sites on the mound, the 1967 excavations produced only globular holemouth cooking pots (Greenberg 2006) in Period C. Over 200 rims of such vessels, accounting for 34.6% of the diagnostics, were found. They fall into the two categories already observed by Esse (1991:47, 51): Brown Brittle Ware (Figs. 7.32:1–6; 7.33:16; 7.35:9–11; 7.36:8, 10), dense and well fired, with crushed calcite inclusions, comprises the dominant type in Period C. The rims are usually rounded and thickened, but there are also square (Fig. 7.32:1) or slightly overhanging (Figs. 7.32:3; 7.36:8) rims. The vessels vary in size, from large and heavy (e.g., Fig. 7.32:3) to thin walled and compact (e.g., Fig. 7.32:1, 6). Many bear potter’s marks, some quite developed. While these marks deserve a separate study (see Volume II), the contrast between Period B, where such marks are rare, and Period C, where they are common, should not be overlooked. Brown holemouth pots are common at Metallic Warerich sites in northern Israel such as Tel Kinrot (Fritz 1990: Pl. 53: 1, 6, 10), Tel Te’o (Greenberg 2001: Fig. 8.2:1–3), Rosh Ha-Niqra (Tadmor and Prausnitz 1959:

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Pl. 5:15), Tel Qashish (Zuckerman 2003: Fig. 66:3), Leviah, and Gamla (Paz 2003: Figs. 11:2, 3; 24:16–21), but they are quite rare in Upper Galilee sites, where necked cooking pots are dominant in EB II. Gray Ware (Figs. 7.32:7; 7.33:15, 17; 7.36:9), neither as dense nor as well fired as the brown ware, is introduced in Period C, but becomes dominant only in Period D. Rims are usually sliced and squared rather than thickened. Internal striations are a typical feature of these pots at Tel Bet Yerah. Jugs Globular Mugs (Figs. 7.32:14; 7.34:2; 7.36:18), attested as complete vessels in other parts of the mound (above, Chapter 5; below, Chapter 8), are the dominant type in Stratum 4 of the Area UN excavations. They may be either of NCMW or standard ware—the latter being more common. This type of jug is one of the hallmarks of the Tel Bet Yerah ceramic industry. Narrow-Necked ‘Abydos’ Jugs are represented only by a number of bases. Those illustrated in Fig. 7.32:13 and Fig. 7.34:1 belong to wheel-turned NCMW jugs, whereas those in Fig. 7.36:16, 17 are in wheel-turned red-slipped standard ware. Amphoriskos (Fig. 7.36:19) Only one example of this small vessel, made of buff clay, medium fired, and red slipped, was found. Reminiscent of EB I types, this kind of vessel occurs in EB II strata, e.g., at Tell Abu el-Kharaz (Fischer 2000: Fig. 12.9:4) or Tel Dalit (Gophna 1996: Fig. 54:5). Store Jars and Pithoi There are no complete store jars or pithoi in the Stratum 4 assemblage; the rather meager selection of diagnostic sherds includes the following types: NCMW jars and pithoi, usually pattern-combed (Figs. 7.32:8, 9; 7.33:18; 7.36:11–14) with a flared folded or squared-off rim. These are the most abundant type in the Stratum 4 assemblage. They are joined by the elegant channeled-rim jars and pithoi (Fig. 7.32:10– 12; 7.33:20), a typological outgrowth of Period B jars and pithoi, usually in Metallic Ware. These redslipped and occasionally pattern-burnished vessels (cf. Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.27:15) continue into Period D (see below).

Corrugated-Rim Pithos. Two rim sherds from UN 680 (Fig. 7.36:15) represent a unique occurrence of this recently identified type in a Period C context at Tel Bet Yerah. The typically buff-colored, poorly fired, red-washed vessel has, to date, been accorded an EB III date, though there is no a priori reason to limit its appearance to that period (for a discussion of the type see Paz 2002). Everted Ridged-Rim Pithos. The standard-ware pithos rim in Fig. 7.35:12 belongs to a class of vessels common in late Period C contexts in the southern part of the mound (see Figs. 8.78:3; 8.80:5–7; for a comparable form from Tell el-Far‘ah [N] see de Vaux 1955: Fig. 14:9). Discussion The large variety of pottery types and styles characterizing Period B gives way, in Local Stratum 4, to the much more standardized forms of Period C, reflecting a significant transformation in the ceramic industry. The most noticeable feature of this stratum’s assemblage is the large amount of NCMW, and especially of platters in that ware. This conforms to the picture obtained from other areas in the northern part of the mound (such as the deep cut in Area SA) and stands in stark contrast to the situation in the southern part of the mound, where the locally made standardware assemblage is dominant. There are, however, enough examples of standard ware in the Area UN assemblage to establish the contemporaneity of the remains in the northern and southern areas. Further details regarding the quantitative composition of the Stratum 4 assemblage may be found in the discussion of the Stratum 3 pottery, below. There is some ceramic evidence suggesting that the Period C remains represent more than one phase of occupation. If we contrast the assemblage from the midden with that collected above floors such as UN 028, UN 610, and UN 024, a bias towards large Metallic Ware platters and brown holemouth cooking pots in the midden is immediately evident. The other loci, and UN 028 in particular, show a larger proportion of standard-ware bowls and mugs, as well as gray cooking pots, which are more common in later Period C assemblages in the southern excavation areas. It might be postulated that the UN 037 midden represents refuse collection performed between two phases of occupation, rather than at the end of the

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Period C occupation. Unfortunately, the documentation of the Stratum 4 remains is such that this suggestion must remain in the realm of speculation.

LOCAL STRATA 3–2 (PERIOD D) Local Strata 3 and 2 in Area UN account for the greater part of the architectural features uncovered in the 1967 excavations. They reveal two phases in the development of a well-planned town, with orthogonal stone construction. The dense stratigraphy and lack of detailed information on the deposits, compounded with the apparent uniformity in the finds assemblage in both strata, make the attribution of the architectural remains uncertain in some cases. The main criteria are a clear shift in orientation between the two phases, centered around the main east–west street established in Stratum 2, and the identification of separate floor levels at certain points. The floor levels of Stratum 3 range from -197.85 to -197.55 m—that is, as little as 0.35 m above the floors of Stratum 4—and those of Stratum 2 from -197.10 to -197.25 m. Local Stratum 3 (Plan 7.4) The remains of the earlier phase were detected throughout the excavation area. At least three large buildings are attributed to this phase: a northern (UN 032), a western (UN 440), and a southern (UN 019) building. Between them, there appears to have been a large open space (UN 010), and south of building UN 019, a street (UN 002). Building UN 032 This large multi-roomed structure, partially preserved in the northern part of the excavation area, includes a central rectangular unit with several annexed rooms. The central unit, at least 6 × 11 m in size, has massive external walls (W106, W107, W105), 0.75 m wide, built of two rows of fieldstones with a rubble fill between them. The building was divided by an inner wall, W109 (0.65 m wide), into a western (UN 690) and eastern (UN 032) space, the latter square, and measuring 4.5 × 4.5 m. East of W107, on the edge of the sea-scarp, were remnants of what may be another, quite narrow (1.5 × 4.5 m) room built along the eastern flank of the building. Its walls were largely eroded, and the few stones left may enable the reconstruction suggested by the excavators. The building’s western

Plan 7.4. Plan of Local Stratum 3, Period D.

flank was badly disturbed by a large Hellenistic pit that might have destroyed the westward continuation of W105 and W106. Room UN 040, annexed to the main structure on the north, was a small chamber at least 3.6 m long but only 1.5 m wide, with a floor at -197.80 m. It was bounded by W138 and by an early phase of W103. There is a 0.5 m wide stone threshold in W103, beneath which a drainage channel was found (Figs. 7.6, 7.7). The eastern wall of the room is completely missing. There were few finds on the floors of Building UN 032, and

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Fig. 7.6. Building UN 032, between remains of Local Strata 2 (W401, W402) and 4 (W142) seen at center.

Fig. 7.7. Drainage channel below threshold of UN 039.

a notable absence of Khirbet Kerak Ware among the diagnostic potsherds available for study (see pottery discussion, below). A Khirbet Kerak Ware stand was, however, photographed in situ in UN 014 (the northern part of UN 032; below, Fig. 7.17), at an elevation of -197.64 m, i.e., slightly above the floor. The present whereabouts of this artifact are unknown.

Building UN 440 Parts of a rectangular structure, oriented perpendicularly to UN 032, were discovered in Sqs H7–G6. The precise relation to the northern building is unclear, and the middle of the building was badly disturbed by the Stratum 2 alleyway. Building UN 440 was at least 9 m long and comprised at least three rooms. Room UN 440, a small (c. 2.5 × 3 m) room created by W114, W110 (both 0.5 m wide) and the narrow curtain wall, W115 (Fig. 7.8; note basalt bowl/mortar in secondary use in W114), had a floor at -197.65 m. Room UN 420, bounded by W115, W110, W122 (probably a continuation of W114), and W123—a broad wall, 0.75 m wide, that could mark the southern edge of the building—was quite large (3 × 4 m), with a floor at the same elevation. Floor UN 540, to the west of W114, appears to have abutted the wall at an elevation of -197.55 m. Its relation to the other rooms follows on the assumption that the narrow wall, W114, was internal. The same applies to UN 030, in Sq G6, with a floor at -197.80 m.

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Fig. 7.8. Remains of W114 (right) and single face of W115 (center) in Building UN 440 of Local Stratum 3. Above them, Stratum 2 walls and pavement UN 410. Street UN 008–009 is seen at rear.

Building UN 019 This, the largest building found in Area UN, may be reconstructed as a rectangular structure at least 7.5 × 11 m in size. The building was badly damaged by Hellenistic pits that cut through W128, W125, W126, W127, and W129, and disturbed many of the Early Bronze Age loci within the building. It is oriented similarly to the northern structures and is bordered on the south by an alleyway (UN 002, see below). Parts of three external walls (W125, W126 and W128) were preserved, as well as four internal walls (W129, W127, W130, W131). Most had two-rowed stone foundations, one to two courses high, and were 0.6–0.7 m wide. The southern faces of W126 and W130, however, appeared to be much deeper, and it seems likely that their lower portions were actually Stratum 4 walls (see above, Building UN 024). Four rooms were identified, and an additional, northeastern room may be reconstructed. UN 003, at the southwest corner of the building, is a small room (1.5 × 3.0 m) in which the floor was not clearly identified. The pottery assemblage is typical of Period D, including Khirbet Kerak Ware.

UN 004, east of UN 003, is somewhat larger (2.75 × 3.75 m), and was probably stone paved (only isolated pavement stones have survived at -197.86 m). The pottery in this locus contained a large amount of Khirbet Kerak Ware (over 50% of the diagnostic material). UN 006, north of UN 004, is a large room (3.7 × 4.2 m), with no clear floor. The room was disturbed by a large Hellenistic pit. The Early Bronze Age pottery found here included Khirbet Kerak Ware. The corner of another room was identified east of W131, but left largely unexcavated. Although not marked on the field plans, a doorway connecting Rooms UN 006 and UN 019 appears to have existed in W129 (see Fig. 7.4). UN 019, the largest room in the building (3.75 × 6.50 m), may well have been an enclosed courtyard. A variety of Khirbet Kerak Ware lids was found in this room. It is not clear whether or not Building UN 019 continued to be in use in Stratum 2, since no clear signs of renovations or changes within the building were observed.

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Fig. 7.9. Local Stratum 3, Open Space UN 010 (rear left). At right is Street UN 008–009 (Stratum 2), cut by trial trench (UN 470).

Courtyards UN 010 and UN 007 The area between the three buildings was probably occupied by open activity areas partly paved with flat stone slabs at elev. -197.82–87 m (Fig. 7.9). Typical EB III pottery—with negligible quantities of Khirbet Kerak Ware—was found in UN 450 and UN 010, as well as two terra-cotta bed models. It seems that Open Space UN 010 was connected to Building UN 032. Another open space, UN 007, with flat paving stones at -197.70– 80 m, lay west of Building UN 019 and may have been connected to it. This space served as a kind of courtyard or piazza between the buildings and the street to its south. The pottery found here contained typical EB III forms, including Khirbet Kerak Ware sherds.

Fig. 7.5) containing considerable amounts of Khirbet Kerak Ware.

Street UN 002 and Floor UN 001 A street paved with packed gravel and shells was identified south of Building UN 019, running west– east along the entire width of the excavated area (elev. -197.82 m). The southern edge of the street was demarcated by what seems to be a massive one-meterwide brick wall (W133), giving it a respectable breadth of 2.25 m. The EB III pottery in the street contained significant quantities of Khirbet Kerak Ware (c. 30% of the overall quantity). South of this street lay the remains of another occupation deposit (UN 001; see

Building UN 039 Wall 101, W102, W103, and W104 in Sqs J–K8–9, with two-rowed stone foundations, belong to at least two rooms of a structure overlying Building UN 032 of the previous stratum. UN 039 (floor elev. -197.35 m) is a 3 m wide room, possibly bounded on the south by W402—a flimsy affair consisting of a two-rowed foundation continued by a line of stones ending with a stone mortar in secondary use. Wall 103 is a reused wall of Stratum 3. UN 290, poorly preserved, extends to the west.

Local Stratum 2 (Plan 7.5) Local Stratum 2 is characterized by major architectural changes: Building UN 032 was superseded by a new structure; a new street, enclosed by walls and paved, was built about 12 m north of the Stratum 3 street; and new structures were constructed on either side of the street, on the same, slightly skewed, orientation. These buildings apparently put UN 019 out of use as well. The Stratum 2 remains lay very near the surface and thus were rather unevenly preserved.

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South of W402 and parallel to it were two architectural elements, W401 and W400. Wall 401, overlying W106 of the previous stratum, consists of a row of flat black basalt stones set on their narrow edge and slightly inclined to the south (elev. -197.39–73 m; Fig. 7.10). Wall 400 is another row of inclined standing stones, located 2 m south of W401 at an elevation of -196.97– -197.42 m. UN 012, between these two elements, contained mixed pottery and cannot be dated exactly, though the presence of Khirbet Kerak Ware as well as other EB III pottery types suggests a late phase of Period D rather than a post-urban Intermediate Bronze phase, for which no ceramic evidence was found in Area UN. The oddly placed slabs of the two walls suggested to the excavators cultic stele installations, the likes of which were later discovered, for example, in EB I Hartuv (Mazar and de Miroschedji 1996: Figs. 7–12). However, a more prosaic interpretation would compare W402, W400, and W401 to one-rowed foundations of brick walls or to stone linings of brick foundations, a well-known phenomenon at Tel Bet Yerah. In such a case, all three walls may well have served as internal divisions of Building UN 039.

Fig. 7.10. Local Stratum 2, W401.

Street UN 008–009 The most prominent feature of Stratum 2 is the street that traverses the entire width of the excavation area (Figs. 7.11, 7.12). The 16 m long stretch runs in a west–east direction directly towards the lake-shore. We may only speculate as to the destination of this street— an anchorage of some sort, or perhaps a north–south street? Clearly, a substantial segment of the town has been washed into the sea. Street UN 008–009 reveals two phases of construction. As originally constructed, the paved alley, 1.9 m wide, was bordered by two parallel walls, W118

Plan 7.5. Plan of Local Stratum 2, Period D.

and W119, each 0.5 m wide. Graveled on the west and stone-paved at its eastern end (Fig. 7.13), the street descends from an elevation of -197.33 m at the western end, through -197.72 m at the mid-way point, to -197.98 m at the eastern end. A trial trench (UN 470; see Figs. 7.9, 7.11) revealed no earlier pavements, confirming the assumption that the street was first constructed during this stratum. It seems that the street went through a phase of renovations in which a wall (W120), 5 m long, was

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Fig. 7.11. Street UN 008–009 of Local Stratum 2 (center), cutting through remains of Stratum 3 Building UN 440 and relating to Stratum 2 Building UN 410 (left). Fig. 7.12. Local Stratum 2, Street UN 008–009.

Large amounts of EB III pottery were found in UN 008–009, with a marked absence of Khirbet Kerak Ware (only 20 sherds out of a total of about 300, i.e., less than 1%). A notable find was a shattered widemouthed NCMW pithos from UN 008 (Fig. 7.38:12), which imaginably might have been a water jar placed on the raised platform as a convenience for passersby. The street also yielded fragments of small painted ceramic plaques (see Volume II).

Fig. 7.13. Local Stratum 2, pavement of Street UN 008–009 (southeast edge of the excavated area).

annexed to W119; this caused a narrowing of the street by 0.8 m. The reason for this construction is not clear; possibly it served as a bench. About 5 m east of W120 two other elements were also attached to W119: they were rectangular projections, 0.56 m wide, that may also have served as benches or possibly as thresholds. However, no clear doorways were observed in W119 and W118, unless the breach at the western end of W118 is understood to represent a doorway leading to the paved space UN 020.

Building UN 410 This structure, bordering Street UN 008–009, replaced the dismantled Building UN 440 of Stratum 3. It seems to have included at least two enclosed spaces, UN 410 and UN 015, and two open(?) spaces, UN 020 and UN 011 (Figs. 7.14, 7.15). Its northern part was completely ruined by later activity. Pavement UN 410 fits snugly against W113 and the northeast corner of W112, establishing the connection between UN 410, which might have served as a paved foyer, and the two spaces to its south, UN 015 and UN 011. The doorway to UN 011 was 0.8 m wide. The walls of UN 015, W112, and W116, appear to be bonded to W118. UN 020, at the northwest corner of the excavation area, comprises a surface paved with large flat stones. The pottery from this locus is typical of an advanced phase within Period D.

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Fig. 7.14. Local Stratum 2, Building UN 410, looking east. At center, pavement abuts corner of W112 but overlies W110 and W114 of Stratum 3.

Fig. 7.15. Local Stratum 2, Building UN 410: detail of pavement, overlying W110 of Stratum 3; looking south.

Area UN 021 South of the Street UN 008–009 major architectural changes were effected as well. Building UN 019 may have gone out of use and new buildings bordering W119 were erected. These, however, are poorly preserved. Wall 124, 0.5 m wide, seems to overlie the northwest corner of Building UN 019. Wall 121 in Sq G6 could have been the western wall of a structure, forming an 8 m wide space (UN 021) with a floor level of -197.39 m. East of W124 was another space (UN 650), containing a rectangular plastered installation (Fig. 7.16).

a. There is a drastic decline in the quantity of Metallic Ware. The surviving forms are mainly store jars and pithoi, with only the occasional platter. The dominant fabric is a standard, buff-colored clay, used in all types of vessels. The finish and decoration of the vessels is often poorly executed: the clays are coarse, the slip often worn away, and the firing, in many cases, poor. b. Platters often bear an internal pattern burnish—an idea conceived in EB II, but becoming commonplace only in EB III. c. The introduction of Khirbet Kerak Ware (Fig. 7.17) is, obviously, one of the major features of Period D assemblages. However, in Area UN, as in more southerly locations, a significant pattern emerges from the spatial distribution of the pottery, especially in Stratum 3. This is discussed in further detail below.

Fig. 7.16. Local Stratum 2 plastered installation, UN 650, found at the southeastern edge of the excavated area.

Pottery of Local Strata 3–2 (see Figs. 7.34–7.49) The Period D pottery from Area UN shares a number of characteristics with the pottery of this period found elsewhere on the mound:

Fig. 7.17. A Khirbet Kerak Ware stand (now missing) from the northern part of the excavation area.

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The assemblages originating in Buildings UN 019 and UN 032, and in Street UN 008–009, generally came from clear floors, and included some restorable and nearly complete vessels. As a rule, the Strata 3–2 contexts were not mixed, and contained pure EB III material. Furthermore, the pottery of the two phases (Local Strata 3 and 2) seems to be quite similar, representing a mature EB III. It is important to note that the very late EB III pottery forms encountered elsewhere at Bet Yerah (Area BS, Local Strata 8–6 and Area EY Local Strata 5–4) are not in evidence in Area UN. Small Bowls Wheelmade Bowls with an emphasized base (Figs. 7.39:7; 7.42:1) are not too common in Area UN but are well known from other parts of the site. Often considered typical of late EB III in southern Israel (Getzov, Paz, and Gophna 2001:20–21; de Miroschedji 2000: Fig. 18.8:1), the type can be identified at many northern EB III sites as well (Tel Dan, Greenberg 1996: Figs. 3.35:3; 3.34:8; Leviah, Paz 2003: Fig. 14:3). Plain Rounded Bowls, shallow (Fig. 7.46:1, 2) or deep (Fig. 7.47:1) change little from Period C. North Canaanite Metallic Ware, possibly residual, fades away, to be replaced by standard ware (cf. Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.33:4; 1997: Fig. III.3:2 for similar transformations). A single flared-rim cup (Fig. 7.38:1) belongs to a rare type encountered in Period C and D assemblages in Area EY (see Figs. 8.61:4; 8.106:15; for EB III parallels see Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 9:24, 25; Greenberg 1997: Fig. III.1:9; Genz 2002: Pls. 9:10; 21:7). Medium Bowls Deep Bowls with a simple rim (Fig. 7.39:5), an inverted rim (Figs. 7.40:1; 7.44:1; 7.47:3, 4; 7.48:5), or a bulbous (hammerhead) rim (Figs. 7.37:6; 7.46:4; 7.47:5) are common in Period D. Metallic Ware occurs (Figs. 7.46:3; 7.46:5), but the typical bowl is of standard ware, with red slip and occasional pattern burnish. The flat bowl with a rounded wall in Fig. 7.37:1, red slipped and pattern burnished, is a unique cross between a hemispherical bowl and a typical EB III platter (see below). Platters Period D standard-ware platters, in contrast to those of Period C, were exclusively made of buff clay, and

the quality of their firing ranges from good to poor. Metallic Ware platters are rare. Also in contrast to the carefully finished platters of EB II, EB III platter exteriors were roughly scraped, their slip uneven, and even the patterns in the burnish—a hallmark of the period—appear to deteriorate with time. As for size, EB II platters were mostly medium-sized vessels, and almost never exceeded 50 cm in diameter. In contrast, many EB III platters were very large, and a few even outsized, reaching diameters of 60 cm and more. Rim types vary from triangular and upright (Figs. 7.37:2–5; 7.38:4; 7.39:1; 7.40:3; 7.41:1; 7.42:2–4; 7.43:1–3; 7.46:16; 7.47:7; 7.49:1, 2), to thickened or bulbous (Figs. 7.45:1; 7.47:8), to a degenerate rim only casually separated from the wall of the vessel (Figs. 7.38:2, 3; 7.42:5; 7.43:4; 7.45:3). All maintain an open stance, seemingly designed to increase the platters’ capacity. Vats These are large splayed-wall vessels with either a thickened triangular or mushroom rim (Figs. 7.37:7; 7.38:15, 16; 7.39:3; 7.43:8, 9; 7.45:8), or a sharply inverted ledge rim (Figs. 7.37:8, 9; 7.41:5). Judging by similar vessels from other areas at Tel Bet Yerah, spouts could be associated with either rim type. Cooking Pots Round-based holemouth pots show no typological change in the Period C–D transition, but their relative frequency does change: Brown brittle-ware pots (Figs. 7.38:5; 7.47:10), continuing from Period C, appear in small numbers in Stratum 3 (see quantitative remarks below). Brown holemouth pots are found in EB III contexts in the Golan (e.g., at Leviah, see Paz 2003: Fig. 11:2, 3), though, again, in small quantities, compared to the gray pots. Gray ware pots (Figs. 7.38:6, 7; 7.39:6; 7.40:4, 5; 7.41:2; 7.45:4, 5; 7.47:11, 12), introduced in Period C at Bet Yerah (see above), are by far the most common holemouth type in the Period D assemblages at Bet Yerah. As in Stratum 4, the gray pots usually have a striated interior and are often furnished with potter’s marks. Necked cooking pots (Fig. 7.42:6, 7) make their first appearance in Area UN only in Period D (in contrast to other areas on the mound, where they appear in Period C as well). They were made of brown clay, quite poorly fired, with black inclusions.

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

Jugs Globular, with Flat Base (Fig. 7.49:4). A complete band-painted jug with a globular body, a short neck, a loop handle, and two knobs opposite the handle was found in UN 010. While at first glance the jug appears to be in the EB II tradition, its proportions (short neck, extremely broad base) are actually quite close to those of the relatively common EB III amphoriskos, known from similar Period D contexts in Area EY (see, e.g., Figs. 8.89:9; 8.100:8). Piriform, with Stump Base. Several jug and juglet bases, with either short (Figs. 7.39:2; 7.41:4; 7.43:7) or tall (Figs. 7.37:12; 7.38:13, 14) stumps are presented. Some vessels were wheelmade and red slipped. The hollow stump base first appears during Period C at Tel Bet Yerah, but the emphasized and almost pointed base that characterizes mostly small jugs and juglets is particularly characteristic of Period D (cf. Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 7:15; 10:22; Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.36:19; Genz 2001: Pl. 41:3). Store Jars and Pithoi Metallic Ware Flared-Rim Jars (Figs. 7.43:5) and pithoi (Figs. 7.38:10; 7.45:7) continue to be in use in Stratum 3, without much change from Stratum 4. Metallic Ware Channeled-Rim Pithos (Fig. 7.38:12). A remarkable vessel found in the Stratum 2 street (UN 008) is a very large NCMW pithos, red slipped with a wide channeled rim. The high quality of craftsmanship invested in this vessel is typical of these wide-mouthed containers, large and small, in both EB II and III. Smaller vessels are often painted (see, e.g., in Area EY, Fig. 8.67:12), and larger vessels, often pattern-burnished. Standard Ware Flared-Rim Jars (Figs. 7.37:10; 7.38:8, 9; 7.41:3; 7.45:6; 7.49:3), made of buff to gray clay, generally well fired and often red slipped, appear side by side with NCMW jars and share the same morphological traits. Coarse Ware Red-Washed Pithoi, made of buff/brown clay, poorly fired, with large dark inclusions, have square (Fig. 7.38:11), channeled (Fig. 7.43:6), or ridged (Fig. 7.47:14) rims, the latter with a red/brown wash that probably graded, further down the vessel, to an EB III grain-wash (no body sherds of these pithoi were

297

identified). A complete corrugated-rim grain-washed pithos was discovered in Area SA (see Fig. 2.40). Varia Ledge Handles from jars (Figs. 7.38:19; 7.41:6), though not common, do appear in Stratum 3. Miniature Holemouth Jars (Fig. 7.39:4; 7.47:16). These are very small vessels made of well-levigated clay that could also be interpreted as cups. Similar jars occur at Leviah (Paz 2003: Fig. 10:15). Khirbet Kerak Ware Khirbet Kerak Ware was found in rather large quantities, especially in Stratum 3. Its distribution, as noted earlier, was by no means uniform—a fact reflected in the composition of the plates from the Stratum 3 loci. The rich repertoire of vessel types from Area UN typifies the site as a whole, and justifies the characterization of Tel Bet Yerah as a type site for the presence of ‘Khirbet Kerak folk’. The following KKW forms were found during the 1967 excavations: Straight-Walled Bowls (Figs. 7.40:2; 7.44:2, 3; 7.46:5– 7; 7.47:2; 7.48:1). These comprise the most common type in Stratum 3. They are small or of medium size, made of grayish clay, burnished, and fired red or orange, inside and out; some have additional plastic decoration. Rims are plain, with the occasional slight carination just below the rim. Bases are of the omphalos type. Sinuous Bowls (Figs. 7.38:17, 20; 7.44:4–7; 7.46:8–13). These too were found in large quantities in Area UN. Most of the vessels are small and some are of medium size. Made in grayish to buff clay, they are burnished and fired black on the exterior and red/orange on the interior. One rather rare vessel found in UN 009 (Fig. 7.38:17) is worth pointing out. Finely made, it has—with its single strap handle—the appearance of a miniature KKW krater. Platters (Figs. 7.45:2; 7.46:17, 19; 7.47:9; 7.48:6), rather crudely fashioned of grayish clay and fired red/ orange inside and out, are abundant at Tel Bet Yerah. They, along with the inverted rim bowls and holemouth jar, may be counted among the innovations introduced into the KKW repertoire in the southern Levant, perhaps under the influence of local forms.

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Inverted-Rim Bowl (Fig. 7.48:3). Morphologically, this rare type of bowl looks exactly like the standard-ware inverted-rim bowl of Periods C–D, but the fabric, firing and decorative techniques are all characteristically KKW. Carinated Krater (Fig. 7.44:8, 9; 7.46:14; 7.47:6). This common type, with vertical or slightly inclined wall, was burnished and fired black on the outside and red inside. Plastic decoration is common. The holemouth rim fragment in Fig. 7.47:13 might belong to a large krater with an inclined wall. Sinuous Krater (Fig. 7.44:10; 7.46:15; 7.48:4). This large vessel was very popular at Tel Bet Yerah. Burnished and fired red and black, kraters were often decorated with raised bosses in various geometric patterns. Cooking Pots (Figs. 7.37:11[?]; 7.48:7, 8). Amiran was the first to designate this type of KKW vessel, made of gray clay, unslipped, and sometimes burnished, as a cooking pot (Amiran 1969:69, Pl. 19:6, 7), though no clear evidence for their use as such was ever found. Two fragments were recovered in Area UN, furnished with handle-like knobs. More objects of this type have surfaced in other areas at Tel Bet Yerah. Pithos (Fig. 7.48:2). A single rim of a possible KKW pithos was discovered in Area UN. It was made of gray clay, slipped and burnished. Pithoi are not common in KKW, but they may be distinguished from the large kraters by their profiled rim. Stands (Figs. 7.45:9, 10; 7.46:18; 7.47:15; 7.48:9) are a common feature in Period D assemblages at Tel Bet Yerah. Often ridged, stands are burnished and fired red inside and out. Internal ledges or protrusions, which seem to have served as supports, identify the upper part of the vessel. Lids (Figs. 7.38:18; 7.40:6, 7; 7.42:8; 7.45:11) comprise one of the most variegated classes of KKW. The basic concept was of a conical object with a prominent knob, usually perforated. But there are endless variations in the size and geometry of the lids, as well as in their finish and decoration: Some of the lids were slipped and burnished, some were not; some had incised

decoration, some not; some had a single knob, others a double perforated knob. Andirons (not drawn). Few andiron fragments were recovered in Area UN , none decorated. This contrasts with other areas of the site, where varied decorations were observed (see Chapters 4, 5, 8). Discussion The significant changes in the makeup of the Period D assemblage may best be appreciated by a quantitative comparison between Stratum 4 (Period C) on the one hand, and Strata 3–2 on the other. The sherd counts that follow represent artifacts recovered from stratigraphically reliable loci. Numbers should not be taken at absolute value, as there are clearly some intrusions and many residuals. Rather, it is the patterns and trends that are significant: 1. Of the 1828 sherds (diagnostic and non-diagnostic) in Stratum 4, 920 (50.3%) were North Canaanite Metallic Ware. This statistic approaches those encountered in sites nearest the production centers of this pottery, such as Tel Te’o (75% of the diagnostics; Greenberg 2001c:134). On the other hand, of the 1581 sherds counted in Strata 3–2, only 180 (11.4%) were NCMW, many of them doubtless residual. 2. The most popular vessel in both Periods C and D was the platter. In Stratum 4 platters account for nearly half of the assemblage (295 of 600 diagnostic sherds), whereas in Strata 3–2, 341 of 800 diagnostic sherds (42.6%) were platters. The proportion of Metallic Ware platters drops from 69% in Period C to 21% in Period D. The dominance of platters in the EB II–III assemblages at Bet Yerah stands in sharp contrast to the situation at more peripheral sites. At Leviah, for instance, the platters comprise 13–16% of the assemblage (Paz 2003:103–107). 3. The holemouth cooking pot undergoes an interesting decline, dropping from 34.6% in Stratum 4, to only 18.6% in Strata 3–2. This situation also stands in contrast to the one that prevails in the Golan, with holemouth vessels comprising no less than 40% of the assemblage in both EB II and EB III contexts. This may reflect the rather conservative point of view that characterizes the Golan ceramic industry (see Paz 2003:107). It seems that while at Tel Bet Yerah holemouths were used almost exclusively for cooking, in peripheral regions, such as the Golan, they were all-purpose vessels.

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

4. Brown-ware holemouths are predominant in Stratum 4, accounting for 122 of 208 holemouth rims (58.65%), whereas gray-ware holemouths are predominant in Strata 3–2, where they comprise 109 out of 149 rims, or 73%. 5. Store jars and pithoi appear to be significantly more abundant in Stratum 4 (96 sherds, 16% of the diagnostics) than in Strata 3–2 (48 sherds, 6%). The apparent paucity of storage vessels requires further study, especially as it seems to contrast with other EB III sites, especially in the south. This might have implications for the economic role of the site, including the issues of public storage, the intensity of trade, etc. 6. Khirbet Kerak Ware, which first appears in Stratum 3, accounts for only 15.5% of the entire Period D sherd assemblage—rather beneath our expectations for the type site of this ware. However, spatial analysis of KKW distribution in Area UN reveals an interesting picture: of the 246 sherds recovered and available for study, 30 come from Strata 2 and 3 loci in the northern part of the excavated area (north of the Stratum 2 street) and 216 sherds from the southern part, mainly in Building UN 019 and the adjacent alley and courtyard (all of Stratum 3). As the total counted sherds from the southern part of the area number about 750, KKW is seen to account for approximately 30% of the assemblage there, and less than 4% of the assemblage in the northern half of the excavation. Inside Building UN 019, KKW accounted for 63.5% of the sherds in Room 4 (21 out of 33 sherds), and 31.6% of the sherds in the adjacent street (UN 002; 54 of 171 sherds). This strongly suggests spatial segregation in Stratum 3 between intensive consumers of KKW (e.g., in Building UN 019), and those for whom it was not an integral part of the domestic assemblage (e.g., Building UN 032). A similar picture appears in Area EY, Stratum 6, where KKW-rich houses are bordered by KKW-poor ones, contributing important insights into the way KKW was distributed at Tel Bet Yerah in early Period D.

LOCAL STRATUM 1 (PERIOD H) The Hellenistic presence in Area UN consisted of scattered pottery and various pits cut into the earlier remains. None of these pits were clearly identified during excavation, but the main damage was incurred in Sqs H8, H–J3–4. It is not unlikely that some of these pits represent activity postdating the Hellenistic period as well.

299

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The Area UN excavations make a considerable contribution to our understanding of Tel Bet Yerah’s occupational history. As mentioned above, the relatively shallow 3.5 m accumulation in this area, compared to other locations at the site, intimates that the Early Bronze Age sequence might not have been as full as that discovered elsewhere. Apart from traces of early EB I activity in subsurface pits, the first substantial settlement in Area UN was established during EB IB. Although scant architectural remains were found during the 1967 season, the vast amounts of Period B pottery suggest a sizeable settlement that was probably razed by later building activities. The discovery of pottery types that may represent a transitional phase between Strata 5 and 4 could hint at a gradual and peaceful transition between the strata. The Period C (EB II) settlement, though revealed in only small exposures, consisted of the type of large rectangular buildings, built of bricks on stone foundations, found in other parts of the mound. The predominance of Metallic Ware in this stratum is noteworthy, and helps demarcate the border between the Metallic Ware-rich assemblages of the northern part of the mound and Metallic Ware-poor contexts of the southern part of the site. The Period D (EB III) remains represent the apogee of the Early Bronze Age town, at least in this part of the site. The excavation revealed two sequential planned urban complexes, with large domestic buildings and streets oriented east–west. The fact that these streets currently run directly into Lake Kinneret constitutes important evidence for the original size of the mound, which must have extended well to the east of the present scarp. They could even be interpreted as evidence for the existence of an anchorage on the eastern side of the mound, allowing trade with the eastern shore of the lake. Area UN joins a series of other fields of excavation in which remains of north– south and east–west streets have been found (Areas MS/EY, BS, SA, AC, MK), testifying to the existence of some sort of planning concept. The power of this municipal concept is graphically illustrated in the manner in which the Stratum 2 street and its slightly different orientation were imposed on the existing Stratum 3 structures.

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Spatial Distribution of Khirbet Kerak Ware The uneven distribution of Khirbet Kerak Ware between sites in northern Canaan has engendered much discussion and speculation, and has been attributed demographic and/or chronological significance. It has even been suggested that KKW appears at Bet Yerah itself, as well as Hazor, Leviah, and some southerly EB III sites such as ‘Ai and Yarmut, in an advanced phase of EB III (Getzov, Paz, and Gophna 2001:16–17, 20, 33–36). The analysis of the 1967 excavations at Tel Bet Yerah adds a new dimension to the discussion, showing that the spatial distribution of KKW varies even within the site, in a relatively limited area: less than 20 m divide between a KKW-rich assemblage and an assemblage in which the ware is almost completely lacking. This phenomenon was observed within a single EB III stratum, so that a chronological factor must be ruled out.

As shown above, Stratum 3 may be divided into a northern compound, including Buildings UN 032 and UN 440 and the open courtyard between them (UN 010), and a southern complex, including Building UN 019, the adjacent courtyard (UN 007), Street UN 002, and possibly UN 001 as well. The spatial distribution of KKW permits us to speculate that ‘Khirbet Kerak folk’ (i.e., the chief consumers of this pottery) resided in the southern complex, where KKW averaged 30% of the assemblage, whereas the inhabitants of the northern compound, who had little use for this pottery though it was easily available to them, must have been ‘indigenous’ people. Interaction between the two groups surely occurred, as local ware is dominant in the south, and KKW appears in small quantities in the northern compound, yet each group maintained a cultural identity of its own.

Fig. 7.18 ► No.

Type

1

Bowl

2

Local Stratum

Reg. No.

Locus

Description

UN 510

6

Buff clay, red slip

Bowl

264/8

UN 510

6

Buff clay, soot marks

3

Jar

253/1

UN 510

6

Orange clay, grain-wash

4

Cooking pot

UN 510

6

Gray clay

5

Jar

271/2

UN 510

6

Gray clay, incised decoration

6

Jar

271/2

UN 510

6

Gray clay, large inclusions

7

Jar

253/6

UN 510

6

Buff clay, streaky red slip

8

Jar

263/2

UN 510

6

Orange clay, streaky red slip

9

Jar

249/5

UN 510

6

Orange clay, brown inclusions, red slip

10

Pithos

263/1

UN 510

6

Gray clay, gray core, grain-wash

11

Jar handle

271/1

UN 510

6

Buff clay, black slip

12

Fenestrated stand

331/1

UN 600

6

Buff clay, black core, red slip

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1 2

4 3

5

7

8

6

9

10

11

12

Fig. 7.18. Pottery from UN 510, Local Stratum 6 (early Period B?).

301

302

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

4

3

5

6

8

7

10 9

11 12

Fig. 7.19. Pottery from UN 036, Local Stratum 5. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

318/2

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red slip

2

Bowl

328/2

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red slip, string-cut base

3

Bowl

374/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, wheel marks, red slip, string-cut base

4

Bowl

374/4

UN 036

5

Gray clay, red slip, burnish

5

Bowl

318/3

UN 036

5

Buff clay, crackled red slip

6

Bowl

343/3

UN 036

5

Buff clay, crackled reddish-brown slip

7

Bowl

343/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red slip

8

Platter

306/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, traces of red slip

9

Jar

306/5

UN 036

5

Brown clay, white inclusions, brown wash

10

Jar

306/4

UN 036

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, reddish-brown wash

11

Cooking pot

318/4

UN 036

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, gray core, round knobs below the rim

12

Cooking pot

318/5

UN 036

5

Buff clay, gray core, incisions around rim

303

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1

2

3 4

5

6

7 8

10

9

11 12

13

14

15 16

Fig. 7.20. Pottery from UN 036, Local Stratum 5. Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

306/7

UN 036

5

Orange-brown clay, black inclusions, grain-wash

2

Jar

306/6

UN 036

5

Gray-brown clay, brown grain-wash

3

Jar

382/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, red-painted decoration

4

Pithos

382/2

UN 036

5

Buff-gray clay, grain-wash

5

Jar

306/2

UN 036

5

Buff clay, grain-wash, incised decoration

6

Pithos

375/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, grain-wash

7

Pithos

306/3

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red wash, incised decoration

8

Pithos

374/5

UN 036

5

Yellowish-orange clay, large brown inclusions, red paint drops inside, grain-wash exterior, indented rim

9

No.

Jar

374/2

UN 036

5

Orange clay, black inclusions, red grain-wash

10

Pithos

293/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, black inclusions

11

Jug

374/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red slip

12

Jug

343/4

UN 036

5

Brown clay, white inclusions, red slip

13

Jug

UN 036

5

Buff clay, wheel marks, red-painted decoration

14

Jug

318/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, red slip

15

Amphoriskos

328/1

UN 036

5

Buff clay, orange slip

16

Amphoriskos handle

328/3

UN 036

5

Orange slip, burnish

304

YITZHAK PAZ

3

2

1

5

6

4

7

8 9

11 10

13 12

15

14

Fig. 7.21. Pottery from UN 038, Local Stratum 5. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

142/4

UN 038

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

123/6

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip

3

Bowl

209/9

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip, string-cut base

4

Bowl

250/3

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip, string-cut base

5

Bowl

142/3

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip, soot marks

6

Bowl

195/1

UN 038

5

Gray clay, crackled brown slip

7

Bowl

123/7

UN 038

5

Gray clay, crackled black-gray slip

8

Bowl

142/6

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip

9

Bowl

244/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, crackled brown slip

10

Bowl

244/2

UN 038

5

Gray clay, brown slip on rim

11

Bowl

191/1

UN 038

5

Reddish clay, gray core, brown slip, burnish, very well fired (‘proto-Metallic’ ware)

12

Bowl

209/2

UN 038

5

Buff clay, crackled brown slip

13

Bowl

142/5

UN 038

5

Orange clay, red slip

14

Bowl

123/8

UN 038

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

15

Bowl

250/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1

2

3 4

6

5

7

10 9 8

11 12

9 14

13

15 16

Fig. 7.22. Pottery from UN 038, Local Stratum 5. Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

141/2

UN 038

5

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Jar

209/10

UN 038

5

White-buff clay, calcite inclusions, brown slip

3

Cooking pot

213/4

UN 038

5

Gray clay, large dark inclusions

4

Cooking pot

213/2

UN 038

5

Gray clay, large dark inclusions

5

Cooking pot

195/5

UN 038

5

Grayish clay, gray core, knob decoration

6

Jar

321/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, grain-wash, incised decoration

7

Jar

195/6

UN 038

5

Buff clay, wheel-marks, red slip

8

Jar

195/2

UN 038

5

Grayish clay, red slip, incised decoration

9

Pinkish clay, gray core, red slip

No.

Jar

352/1

UN 038

5

10

Pithos

142/2

UN 038

5

Buff clay, gray core, red slip

11

Pithos

123/1

UN 038

5

Brown clay

12

Pithos

123/3

UN 038

5

Brown clay, large dark inclusions, grain-wash

13

Pithos

209/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, large dark inclusions, grain-wash

14

Pithos

123/4

UN 038

5

Buff clay, large dark inclusions, grain-wash

15

Bowl

141/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip

16

Bowl

123/2

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip, burnish

305

306

YITZHAK PAZ

2

1

3 4

5

Fig. 7.23. Pottery from UN 038, Local Stratum 5. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Vat/basin

195/2

UN 038

5

Grayish clay, red slip

2

Jug

250/2

UN 038

5

Buff clay, wheel marks, red slip

3

Amphoriskos

135/4

UN 038

5

Brick-red clay, very well fired, burnish

4

Amphoriskos

244/3

UN 038

5

Buff clay, red slip

5

Jar

142/1

UN 038

5

Buff clay, grain-wash with ladder pattern

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1

2 3

5

4

7

6

9

8

10 11

Fig. 7.24. Pottery from UN 520, Local Stratum 5. No

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

136/1

UN 520

5

Buff clay, red slip, wheel-marks, string-cut base

2

Bowl

311/1

UN 520

5

Brown clay, crackled brown slip

3

Bowl

311/2

UN 520

5

Buff clay, red slip, wheel-marks

4

Bowl

136/2

UN 520

5

Buff clay, gray core, red slip

5

Bowl

212/1

UN 520

5

Buff clay, wheel-marks, red slip

6

Jar

158/1

UN 520

5

Gray clay, red slip

7

Jar

106/1

UN 520

5

Gray clay, grain-wash

8

Jar

174/1

UN 520

5

Buff clay, grain-wash

9

Jar

336/2

UN 520

5

Buff clay, brown slip

UN 520

5

Light pink clay, grain-wash

174/2

UN 520

5

Gray clay, large black inclusions, grain-wash

10

Pithos

11

Pithos

307

308

YITZHAK PAZ

1

3

2

5

4

6

8

7

10

9

12

11

13 14

Fig. 7.25. Pottery of Local Stratum 5—bowls and platters from various loci. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

146/3

UN 490

5

Buff clay, traces of red slip

2

Bowl

340/2

UN 620

5

Buff clay, red slip, soot marks

3

Bowl

217/1

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip exterior, dark brown slip interior, soot marks

4

Bowl

145/1

UN 490

5

Buff clay, orange slip, burnish

5

Bowl

181/9

UN 490

5

Gray clay, very poor firing

6

Bowl

78/1

UN 490

5

Light gray clay, red slip, knobs

7

Bowl

196/5

UN 590

5

Gray clay, poorly finished, traces of red slip

8

Bowl

177/1

UN 490

5

Buff clay, crackled red slip

9

Bowl

131/1

UN 490

5

Gray clay, crackled black slip

10

Bowl

149/1

UN 670

5

Buff clay, red slip

11

Bowl

121/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

12

Bowl

341/1

UN 620

5

Buff clay

13

Platter

176/1

UN 670

5

Buff clay, orange slip, burnish

14

Platter

UN 590

5

Gray clay, orange slip, burnish

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

309

2

1

3 4

5 6

7

8

10

9

11 12

Fig. 7.26. Pottery of Local Stratum 5—holemouth jars and cooking pots from various loci. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

UN590

5

Brownish clay, gray core, red slip

1

Jar

2

Jar

153/1

UN 670

5

Orange clay, red slip

3

Jar

121/3

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red grain-wash

4

Jar

166/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red grain-wash

5

Jar

121/1

UN 490

5

Buff clay, brown grain-wash

6

Jar

196/4

UN 590

5

Brownish clay, red slip, plastic decoration

7

Jar

289/1

UN 620

5

Gray clay, grain-wash

8

Cooking pot

406/1

UN 620

5

Gray clay

9

Cooking pot

177/2

UN 490

5

Gray clay, potter’s mark

10

Jar

406/2

UN 620

5

Buff clay, large gray, white and black inclusions, red slip, incised decoration

11

Votive jar

UN 620

5

Gray clay, red-painted decoration

12

Votive jar

UN 640

5

Buff clay, red-painted decoration, knobs

361/1 290/1

310

YITZHAK PAZ

2 1

3

4

5

6

8

7

9

10

12

11

14 13

Fig. 7.27. Pottery of Local Stratum 5—jars and pithoi from various loci. Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jar

317/3

UN 590

5

Buff clay, grain-wash

2

Jar

UN 550

5

Buff clay, brown grain-wash

3

Jar

341/3

UN 620

5

Orange clay, grain-wash

4

Jar

326/2

UN 620

5

Buff clay, red band painting

5

Jar

316/3

UN 590

5

Buff clay, red band painting

6

Jar

131/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, grain-wash, knobs

7

Jar

314/2

UN 620

5

Orange clay, brown grain-wash

8

Jar

179/1

UN 590

5

Orange clay, brown grain-wash

No.

9

Jar

217/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, dark gray slip exterior, red slip on rim, incisions

10

Jar

361/2

UN 620

5

Brown clay, brown slip

11

Jar

335/1

UN 640

5

Buff clay, red slip

12

Pithos

298/1

UN 590

5

Light gray clay, red grain-wash

13

Pithos

308/1

UN 640

5

Orange clay, many inclusions, grain-wash

14

Pithos

196/1

UN 590

5

Brown clay, many inclusions, indented rim, grain-wash

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2

1

4 3

5 6

Fig. 7.28. Pottery of Local Stratum 5—varia. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

294/1

UN 590

5

Buff clay, orange slip

2

Bowl

150/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

3

Bowl

145/2

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

4

Bowl

153/3

UN 670

5

Brownish clay, red slip

5

Bowl

383/1

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

6

Chalice

290/2

UN 640

5

Buff clay, red slip

311

312

YITZHAK PAZ

1

4 2

3

5 6

7 8

Fig. 7.29. Pottery of Local Stratum 5—varia. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Vat

397/2

UN 035

5

Buff clay, red slip

2

Vat spout

220/1

UN 550

5

Gray clay, large black inclusions

3

Vat spout

341/2

UN 620

5

Brownish clay, red slip

4

Amphoriskos

131/7

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

5

Teapot spout

214/1

UN 700

5

Gray clay

6

Teapot spout

150/1

UN 670

5

Buff clay, red slip, burnish

7

Jug handle

131/6

UN 490

5

Buff clay, red slip

8

Jar(?) handle

402/1

UN 035

5

Buff clay, brown-red slip

313

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2

3

4

1

6

5

7

9

8

10

11

12

13

Fig. 7.30. Pottery from UN 037, Local Stratum 4. No.

Type

Reg. No

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

178/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

2

Bowl

284/1

UN 037

4

Buff clay, red slip, soot marks

3

Bowl

284/2

UN 037

4

Red clay, pattern burnish, soot marks, NCMW

4

Bowl

160/2

UN 037

4

Reddish clay, red slip, burnished, NCMW

5

Bowl

269/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, black inclusions

6

Bowl

400/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, brown inclusions, red slip

7

Bowl

268/1

UN 037

4

Brownish clay, gray core, red slip

8

Platter

321/2

UN 037

4

Buff clay, small black inclusions, NCMW

9

Platter

259/2

UN 037

4

Pink clay, small black inclusions, red slip, NCMW

10

Platter

259/1

UN 037

4

Buff clay, small black inclusions, brown slip, NCMW

11

Platter

197/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, repair hole, NCMW

12

Platter

258/2

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, repair hole, NCMW

13

Platter

260/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

314

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3

4

5

6

Fig. 7.31. Pottery from UN 037, Local Stratum 4. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

269/2

UN 037

4

Orange clay, red slip, NCMW

2

Platter

178/2

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

3

Platter

291/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

4

Platter

300/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, pattern burnish, NCMW

5

Platter

366/1

UN 037

4

Orange clay, red slip, pattern burnish, NCMW

6

Platter

171/3

UN 037

4

Brown clay, red slip

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2 1

4 3

5

6

7

9

8

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Fig. 7.32. Pottery from UN 037, Local Stratum 4.

315

316

YITZHAK PAZ

◄ Fig. 7.32 Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Cooking pot

258/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, black core

2

Cooking pot

283/3

UN 037

4

Brown clay, black core, potter’s mark

3

Cooking pot

218/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, black core

4

Cooking pot

300/2

UN 037

4

Brown clay

5

Cooking pot

321/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, black core, potter’s mark

6

Cooking pot

258/3

UN 037

4

Brownish clay, potter’s mark

7

Cooking pot

400/1

UN 037

4

Gray clay

8

Jar

270/1

UN 037

4

Pink clay, yellowish core, small inclusions, NCMW

No.

9

Jar

208/2

UN 037

4

Pink clay, small inclusions, NCMW

10

Jar

171/2

UN 037

4

Red clay, NCMW

11

Pithos

297/2

UN 037

4

Buff clay, small inclusions, red slip, NCMW

12

Pithos

160/1

UN 037

4

Brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish, NCMW

13

Jug

160/4

UN 037

4

Red clay, wheelmade, NCMW

14

Mug

203/1

UN 037

4

Red clay, NCMW

15

Vat

160/3

UN 037

4

Red clay, combed decoration, NCMW

16

Bowl

321/3

UN 037

4

Red clay, gray core, brown slip, NCMW

Fig. 7.33 ► No

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

165/2

UN 028

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

2

Bowl

156/5

UN 028

4

Pink clay, NCMW

3

Bowl

172/13

UN 028

4

Red clay, red-brown slip

4

Bowl

172/12

UN 028

4

Brown clay, red slip

5

Bowl

165/7

UN 028

4

Buff clay, black inclusions, traces of red slip

6

Bowl

172/3

UN 028

4

Brown clay, red slip

7

Bowl

191/2

UN 028

4

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

8

Platter

165/8

UN 028

4

Pink clay, gray core, NCMW

9

Platter

156/4

UN 028

4

Red clay, NCMW

10

Platter

191/1

UN 028

4

Red clay, NCMW

11

Platter

165/4

UN 028

4

Orange clay, NCMW

12

Platter

172/2

UN 028

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

13

Platter

156/3

UN 028

4

Red clay, yellowish core, radial burnish, NCMW

14

Platter

156/2

UN 028

4

Buff clay, black inclusions

15

Cooking pot

102/4

UN 028

4

Gray clay

16

Cooking pot

172/1

UN 028

4

Brown clay

17

Cooking pot

156/6

UN 028

4

Light brown clay, black core

18

Jar

165/6

UN 028

4

Orange clay, combed decoration, finger imprints inside, NCMW

19

Jar

165/5

UN 028

4

Orange clay, NCMW

20

Pithos

156/1

UN 028

4

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1

3

2

4 5

7 6

8

9

11

10

12

14 13

16 15

19 18 17

20

Fig. 7.33. Pottery from UN 028, Local Stratum 4.

317

318

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3

4

5

Fig. 7.34. Pottery from UN 028, Local Stratum 4. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jug

165/1

UN 028

4

Brown clay, wheel marks, brown slip, NCMW

2

Mug

172/4

UN 028

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

3

Vat

102/1

UN 028

4

Brownish clay, black inclusions

4

Jar handle

102/3

UN 028

4

Gray clay, white inclusions

5

Vat

102/2

UN 028

4

Brown clay

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2

1

4 5

3

6

7

8 9

11 10

12

Fig. 7.35. Pottery from UN 610, Local Stratum 4. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

204/1

UN 610

4

Buff clay, black inclusions

2

Bowl

204/2

UN 610

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

3

Bowl

377/1

UN 610

4

Orange clay, red slip

4

Bowl

348/1

UN 610

4

Orange clay, red slip, burnish

5

Bowl

377/3

UN 610

4

Buff clay, red slip

6

Platter

204/3

UN 610

4

Reddish clay, black inclusions, red slip, NCMW

7

Platter

204/4

UN 610

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

8

Platter

370/2

UN 610

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

9

Cooking pot

392/1

UN 610

4

Brown clay, white inclusions

10

Cooking pot

370/1

UN 610

4

Brown clay, potter’s mark

11

Cooking pot

147/1

UN 610

4

Brown clay, gray core, potter’s mark

12

Pithos

370/3

UN 610

4

Buff clay, red slip

319

320

YITZHAK PAZ

1

3

2

4

5

7 6

8 9

10

11

12

13

14

16

15

17

18

Fig. 7.36. Pottery from UN 024 and other loci, Local Stratum 4.

19

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

321

◄ Fig. 7.36 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

144/2

UN 680

4

Buff clay, red slip, soot marks, NCMW

2

Bowl

267/1

UN 034

4

Brown clay, red slip, soot marks

3

Platter

78/1

UN 027

4

Buff clay, red slip

4

Platter

144/3

UN 680

4

Buff clay

5

Platter

154/2

UN 024

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

6

Platter

154/3

UN 024

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

7

Platter

154/4

UN 024

4

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

8

Cooking pot

297/2

UN 024

4

Brown clay, black core

9

Cooking pot

254/1

UN 024

4

Gray clay

10

Cooking pot

122/11

UN 027

4

Brown clay, potter’s mark

11

Jar

288/1

UN 034

4

Red clay, gray core, NCMW

12

Pithos

173/1

UN 680

4

Orange clay, red slip, NCMW

13

Pithos

216/11

UN 027

4

Orange clay, pattern combed, NCMW

14

Pithos

216/12

UN 027

4

Orange clay, pattern combed, NCMW

15

Pithos

144/1

UN 680

4

Buff clay, red slip

16

Jug

199/1

UN 027

4

Buff clay, wheel-marks, red slip, string-cut base

17

Jug

199/2

UN 027

4

Buff clay, red slip, wheel-marks

18

Mug

154/5

UN 024

4

Brown clay, red slip

19

Amphoriskos

135/1

UN 460

4

Buff clay, red slip

Fig. 7.37 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

41/3

UN 010

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Platter

353/11

UN 010

3

Brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

3

Platter

256/7

UN 010

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

41/5

UN 010

3

Buff clay, traces of red slip, pattern burnish

5

Platter

256/13

UN 010

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

6

Bowl

293/7

UN 010

3

Buff clay

7

Vat

5/1

UN 010

3

Buff clay, many dark inclusions

8

Vat

41/4

UN 010

3

Reddish clay, black inclusions

9

Vat

5/2

UN 010

3

Brown clay, black inclusions

10

Jar

52/2

UN 010

3

Buff clay, many small inclusions, red slip

11

Cooking pot?

41/1

UN 010

3

Gray clay, KKW

12

Juglet

256/1

UN 010

3

Gray clay, wheel-marks

322

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Fig. 7.37. Pottery from UN 010, Local Stratum 3.

12

323

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2

1

3 4

5 6

8 9 7

10 11

13

12

14

15

17 16

18

19

20

Fig. 7.38. Pottery from Street UN 008–009, Local Stratum 2.

324

YITZHAK PAZ

◄ Fig. 7.38 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Cup

24/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff/gray clay, traces of red slip

2

Platter

9/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

3

Platter

9/3

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

9/2

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip

5

Cooking pot

10/2

UN 008/9

2

Brown clay, gray core

6

Cooking pot

11/3

UN 008/9

2

Gray clay, striated interior

7

Cooking pot

18/1

UN 008/9

2

Gray clay, striated interior

8

Jar

257/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, brown slip

9

Jar

20/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip

10

Pithos

10/1

UN 008/9

2

Red clay, NCMW

11

Pithos

9/4

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip

12

Pithos

25/2

UN 008/9

2

Red clay, gray core, red-brown slip, NCMW

13

Jug

23/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip

14

Jug

25/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, wheel marks, red slip

15

Vat

18/2

UN 008/9

2

Brown clay, brown inclusions

16

Vat

9/9

UN 008/9

2

Brown clay, grayish core, red slip

17

Bowl

3/1

UN 008/9

2

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

18

Lid

26/2

UN 008/9

2

Gray clay, black burnished KKW

19

Jar handle

11/1

UN 008/9

2

Buff clay, red slip

20

Bowl

11/2

UN 008/9

2

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1 2

4 3

5

6

7

Fig. 7.39. Pottery from UN 039 and UN 040, Local Strata 3–2. Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

Platter

386/4

UN 039

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

Jug

386/3

UN 039

2

Buff clay, wheel-marks

3

Vat

386/1

UN 039

2

Buff clay, black inclusions, combed

4

Miniature jar

386/2

UN 039

2

Gray clay

5

Bowl

390/1

UN 040

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

6

Cooking pot

390/3

UN 040

3

Gray clay, striated interior, potter’s mark

7

Bowl

390/2

UN 040

3

Red slip, pattern burnish

No.

Type

1 2

325

326

YITZHAK PAZ

2 1

3

4

5

7

6

Fig. 7.40. Pottery from UN 029, Local Stratum 3. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

202/1

UN 029

3

Buff clay

2

Bowl

255/2

UN 029

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW, soot marks

3

Platter

214/1

UN 029

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Cooking pot

202/2

UN 029

3

Light brown clay

5

Cooking pot

255/1

UN 029

3

Gray clay

6

Lid

255/3

UN 029

3

Gray clay, burnished KKW

7

Lid

255/4

UN 029

3

Gray clay, burnished KKW

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1 2

3

4

5

6

Fig. 7.41. Pottery from UN 540, Local Stratum 3. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

36/6

UN 540

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Cooking pot

36/1

UN 540

3

Gray clay

3

Jar

36/4

UN 540

3

Buff clay, traces of red slip, incised decoration

4

Juglet

36/5

UN 540

3

Buff clay, red slip

5

Vat

41/2

UN 540

3

Buff clay, red-painted decoration

6

Jar handle

36/3

UN 540

3

Gray clay, red-painted decoration

327

328

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3

4

6 5

7

8

Fig. 7.42. Pottery from UN 014 and UN 032, Local Stratum 3. Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

No.

Type

Description

1

Bowl

108/2

UN 014/32

3

Buff clay, red slip, soot marks

2

Platter

152/8

UN 014/32

3

Buff clay, red slip, burnish

3

Platter

108/1

UN 014/32

3

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

152/12

UN 014/32

3

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

5

Platter

68/1

UN 014/32

3

Buff clay, small black inclusions

6

Cooking pot

108/7

UN 014/32

3

Light brown clay, many gray-black inclusions

7

Cooking pot

108/9

UN 014/32

3

Brown clay, many gray-black inclusions

8

Lid

108/3

UN 014/32

3

Dark gray clay, KKW

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

2 1

3

5

4

7

6

8

9

Fig. 7.43. Pottery from UN 020, Local Stratum 2. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

93/2

UN 020

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Platter

93/1

UN 020

2

Buff clay, red slip

3

Platter

93/6

UN 020

2

Buff clay

4

Platter

89/1

UN 020

2

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

5

Jar

118/3

UN 020

2

Red clay, NCMW

6

Pithos

93/7

UN 020

2

Buff clay, large black inclusions, thin red slip

7

Juglet

93/3

UN 020

2

Buff clay, red slip

8

Vat

93/4

UN 020

2

Brown clay, large black inclusions

9

Vat

93/5

UN 020

2

Gray clay, large black inclusions

329

330

YITZHAK PAZ

2 1

4 5

3

7

8

6

9

10

Fig. 7.44. Pottery from UN 001, Local Stratum 3. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

130/10

UN 001

3

Buff clay, pattern burnish

2

Bowl

82/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW, raised decoration

3

Bowl

61/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, orange burnished KKW

4

Bowl

280/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

5

Bowl

61/2

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

6

Bowl

110/2

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red burnished exterior, KKW

7

Bowl

110/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

8

Krater

61/3

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

9

Krater

287/2

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

10

Krater

274/2

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

1

3 2

5 4

6 7

8

9

10

11

Fig. 7.45. Pottery from UN 001, Local Stratum 3. Type

Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

287/8

UN 001

3

Buff clay, red slip

2

Platter

287/9

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red-orange burnished KKW

3

Platter

273/1

UN 001

3

Buff clay, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Cooking pot

58/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay

5

Cooking pot

50/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, potter’s mark

6

Jar

140/1

UN 001

3

Buff clay, gray core

7

Pithos

159/1

UN 001

3

Red clay, gray core, NCMW

8

Vat

58/2

UN 001

3

Buff clay

9

Stand

61/4

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

10

Stand

140/1

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW, internal knob

11

Lid

50/3

UN 001

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

No.

331

332

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3 4

5 6

7

8

10

9

12

11

13

14

16 15

17

18

19

Fig. 7.46. Pottery from UN 002, Local Stratum 3.

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

◄ Fig. 7.46 Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

No.

Type

Description

1

Bowl

126/2

UN 002

3

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

332/1

UN 002

3

Brown clay, red slip

3

Bowl

105/2

UN 002

3

Brown clay, NCMW

4

Bowl

126/1

UN 002

3

Buff ware, red slip

5

Bowl

302/4

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

6

Bowl

197/1

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

7

Bowl

105/5

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

8

Bowl

105/8

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

9

Bowl

105/4

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

10

Bowl

302/2

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

11

Bowl

105/7

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

12

Bowl

203/3

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

13

Bowl

302/3

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

14

Krater

302/1

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

15

Krater

105/6

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

16

Platter

105/1

UN 002

3

Buff clay, red slip

17

Platter

74/1

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

18

Stand

39/1

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

19

Platter

203/2

UN 002

3

Gray clay, red burnished interior, KKW

Fig. 7.47 ► No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

32/1

UN 003

3

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

56/2

UN 003

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

3

Bowl

183/2

UN 003

3

Gray/brown clay, thin brown slip

4

Bowl

73/1

UN 003

3

Buff clay, red slip

5

Bowl

56/4

UN 003

3

Orange clay, black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish (not shown)

6

Krater

76/1

UN 003

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW, raised decoration

7

Platter

56/3

UN 003

3

Brown clay

8

Platter

76/5

UN 003

3

Buff clay, traces of red slip

9

Platter

62/1

UN 003

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

10

Cooking pot

32/2

UN 003

3

Brown clay

11

Cooking pot

183/1

UN 003

3

Gray clay, potter’s mark

12

Cooking pot

275/1

UN 003

3

Gray clay, potter’s mark

13

Krater

73/2

UN 003

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

14

Pithos

76/4

UN 003

3

Brown clay, gray core, red slip, stippled decoration

15

Stand

76/3

UN 003

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

16

Miniature jar

275/2

UN 003

3

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip

333

334

YITZHAK PAZ

1 2

3 4

6

5

7

9 8

11

10

13 12

14

15

16

Fig. 7.47. Pottery from UN 003, Local Stratum 3.

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

335

2

1

4

3

6 5

7

8 9

Fig. 7.48. Pottery from UN 004, Local Stratum 3. No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

53/2

UN 004

3

Gray clay, black core, red burnished KKW

2

Pithos(?)

53/1

UN 004

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW, raised decoration

3

Bowl

22/3

UN 004

3

Gray clay, lightly burnished thin red slip interior shading to gray exterior, KKW

4

Krater

22/2

UN 004

3

Gray clay, red-black burnished KKW

5

Bowl

252/2

UN 004

3

Brownish clay, black inclusions, orange slip

6

Platter

53/15

UN 004

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

7

Cooking pot(?)

252/1

UN 004

3

Gray clay, KKW

8

Cooking pot(?)

247/1

UN 004

3

Gray clay, KKW

9

Stand

22/1

UN 004

3

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

336

YITZHAK PAZ

1

2

3

4

Fig. 7.49. Pottery of Local Strata 3–2, varia. No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

91/1

UN 021

2

Gray clay, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Platter

91/17

UN 021

2

Gray clay, red slip, pattern burnish

3

Jar

99/1

UN 450

3

Gray clay, brown slip, pattern combed

4

Jug

41

UN 010

3

Buff clay, red-painted decoration, knobs

CHAPTER 7: AREA UN: THE USSISHKIN–NETZER EXCAVATIONS, 1967

Table 7.2. Area UN Locus List No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

Remarks

Illustrations

UN 001

3

H2

-197.45/-197.80

Floor

Plan 7.4

UN 002

3

H–J2

-197.50/-197.85

Street

Plan 7.4

UN 003

3

H3

-197.35/-197.95

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 004

3

J3

-197.35/-197.85

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 005

3

H4

-197.25/-197.80

Open area

Plan 7.4

UN 006

3

J4

-197.31/-198.24

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 007

3

H5–6

-197.22/-197.80

Courtyard

Plan 7.4

UN 008

2

J5

-197.30/-197.72

Street

Plan 7.5; Figs. 7.11–7.13

UN 009

2

G6

-196.92/-198.00

Street

Plan 7.5; Figs. 7.11–7.13

UN 010

3

H–J6–7

-197.30/-197.85

Open area

Plan 7.4; Fig. 7.9

UN 011

2

H6

-197.00/-197.25

Courtyard(?)

Plan 7.5

UN 012

2

J7

-196.97/-197.60

Room

Plan 7.5; Fig. 7.10

UN 013

1

J8

UN 014

3

K8

UN 015

2

G7

UN 019

3

UN 020 UN 021

Pit

Hellenistic

-197.44/-197.85

Room

= UN 032

-196.92/-197.02

Room

Plan 7.5

H4

-197.37/-197.78

Room

Plan 7.4

2

G7

-196.92/-197.40

Room(?)

Plan 7.5

2

G6

-197.34/-197.39

Room

Plan 7.5

UN 022

4

J4

UN 023

4

H3

-197.95/-198.20

Room

Plan 7.3

UN 024

4

J3

-197.90/-198.24

Room

Plan 7.3; Fig. 7.4

UN 025

4

H4

-198.10/-198.20

Floor

Plan 7.3

UN 026

4

J4

-198.30/-198.50

Floor

Plan 7.3

Floor

Floor

UN 027

4

H5

-198.00/-198.30

UN 028

4

H2

-198.10/-198.64

UN 029

3

J9

-197.50/-197.80

UN 030

3

G6

UN 031

4

J9

UN 032

3

J7

UN 033

4

UN 034

4

UN 035 UN 036 UN 037

Plan 7.4; Fig. 7.17

= UN 026

Plan 7.3 Room

Plan 7.3; Fig. 7.5

Floor

Plan 7.4

-197.50/-197.80

Floor

Plan 7.4

-197.94/-198.50

Room

Plan 7.3

-197.67/-197.85

Room

Plan 7.4; Figs. 7.6, 7.7

K7

-197.83/-198.20

Open area

Plan 7.3

J4

-198.00/-198.30

Floor

Plan 7.3

5

J5

-198.40/-198.80

Fill

Plan 7.2

5

J3

-198.55/-199.80

Fill+floor

Plan 7.2

4

H2

-198.05/-198.85

Pit/midden

Plan 7.3

UN 038

5

H3

-198.30/-198.55

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 039

2

K8

-197.00/-197.35

Room

Plan 7.5; Figs. 7.6, 7.7

UN 040

3

K8

-197.20/-197.80

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 410

2

H7

-197.00/-197.25

Floor

Plan 7.5; Figs. 7.14, 7.15

UN 420

3

H7

-197.30/-197.75

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 440

3

H7

-197.30/-197.65

Room

Plan 7.4; Fig. 7.8

UN 450

3

J7

-197.60/-197.85

UN 460

4

J7

-198.00/-198.20

H6

-197.53

Sounding

5

H5

-198.50/-199.60

Occupation surface

UN 470 UN 490

Plan 7.4 Open area

Plan 7.3 In Street UN 008–009 Plan 7.2

337

338

YITZHAK PAZ

Table 7.2 (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation (m)

Type

UN 500

6

H5

-199.60/-200.50

Fill

Remarks

Plan 7.2

Illustrations

UN 510

6

H5

-200.70/-200.90

Pit

Plan 7.2

UN 520

5

H4

-198.70/-199.90

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 530

6

H4

-199.90/-200.10

Pit

Plan 7.2

UN 540

3

G7

-197.10/-197.57

Floor

Plan 7.4

UN 550

5

J4

-198.60/-199.00

Occupation surface

Plan 7.2

UN 570

6

H3

-198.55/-200.40

Fill

UN 580

1

J4

-198.50

Pit

Plan 7.2 Hellenistic

UN 590

5

J4

-198.50/-199.70

Occupation surface

Plan 7.2

UN 600

6

J4

-199.80/-200.40

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 610

4

G6

-198.00/-198.20

Floor

Plan 7.3

UN 620

5

K7

-198.40/-200.25

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 630

4

K8

-197.90/-198.20

Room

Plan 7.3; Fig. 7.2

UN 640

5

H2

-198.90/-199.20

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 650

3

J5

-197.37/-197.65

Space

UN 660

3

K7

-197.40/-197.70

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 670

5

J7

-198.30/-199.00

Fill

Plan 7.2

UN 680

4

J–H4

-197.78/-198.40

Occupation surface

Plan 7.3

UN 690

3

H–J8

-197.50/-197.80

Room

Plan 7.4

UN 700

5

H8

-198.40/-198.60

Fill

Plan 7.2

Contains plastered installation

Plan 7.4; Fig. 7.16

NOTES 1

Note should be taken of the fact that (a) all elevations were reckoned from an arbitrary datum point for which an absolute value was not provided. The elevations appearing on Plans 7.2–7.5 are based on our reconstructed one-meter contour topographic map of the site and are thus approximate; (b) neither a precise location map nor an arrow pointing north were provided by the excavators; the location and direction have been established in relation to elements appearing on a schematic location map.

2

EB IB pottery was found in almost every locus that was excavated during the 1967 season. The discussion of Local Strata 6–5 is based only on material found beneath Stratum 4. 3 The analysis is based on material from secure Stratum 5 loci. The material available appears to represent an unbiased sample, as it consisted of both diagnostic and non-diagnostic sherds. It may be assumed, judging by the size of the pieces, that the smaller forms are under-represented.

CHAPTER 8

AREA EY: THE EISENBERG –YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986 EMANUEL EISENBERG AND R APHAEL GREENBERG

INTRODUCTION This report presents the results of excavations in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah, in a relatively small sounding excavated from the present surface to natural soil. Despite its limited horizontal extent, the Eisenberg–Yogev excavation provides a very detailed stratigraphic sequence, rich in finds. It thus serves as a backbone to the stratigraphic, chronological, and cultural sequence uncovered in the various parts of the mound. Excavations in an open area within the grounds of the Bet Yerah Agricultural High School (Plan 8.1) were initiated in 1981 in advance of the construction of a large air-raid shelter. During the first campaign, in July–August 1981 and June 1982, a 10 × 10 m area was cleared to natural soil under the supervision of Emanuel Eisenberg. Construction was delayed for several years, however, and in 1985 excavations were renewed, in order to prepare the ground for a larger, 15 × 20 m structure. These excavations, supervised by Ora Yogev (Fig. 8.1), were carried out in August–

Plan 8.1. Location of Area EY.

Fig. 8.1. The late Ora Yogev (first row, left) and the excavation team, 1986.

340

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

November 1985 and May–September 1986. The area thus cleared covers about 300 sq m, within which the ancient remains were excavated and removed in their entirety, to an average depth of approximately 3 m below the modern surface (Fig. 8.2). By a quirk of chance, unbeknownst to the excavators, the excavation area traversed the back-filled trench and deep sounding excavated in 1944–1945 by the JPES expedition (see Chapter 2), thus forming, in effect, a ‘concentric excavation’ (1944–1945, bordered by 1981–1982, itself surrounded by 1985–1986; Plan 8.2). These early excavations had cleared most of the Hellenistic-period remains in the new excavation area, penetrating to deeper strata at only one spot (identified as Pit 416 in the Eisenberg excavations). As many as eleven Early Bronze Age stratigraphic phases were identified in the excavations, making this portion of the mound one of the densest in terms of the

Fig. 8.2. The north balk of the completed excavation; above—a classroom of the Bet Yerah high school.

vertical sequence. Not all phases are represented in every part of the excavated area, so that the phenomenon of ‘spiral stratification’ must often be taken into account. Also, the uppermost strata (Hellenistic and later) had already been cleared by the 1944–1945 excavations, whereas the Hellenistic construction itself damaged the uppermost Early Bronze Age strata, leaving only architectural fragments. These could be assigned to their correct stratum only after correlation with the sequence excavated in 1944–1945, which included areas free of later construction. From EB II and upwards, stone foundations were the norm. Walls were either re-used and repaired on old foundations, or rebuilt with new stone foundations atop the brick courses of earlier walls. Floors, however, were usually at the foundation level of the walls or even slighly below them. All of this makes for considerable danger of confusion. This danger is partly counterbalanced by the penchant of the inhabitants for pillar bases, door sockets, and sub-floor installations, all of which aid floor identification. The fact that Area EY was excavated by two different excavators (leaving aside the earlier soundings) had both positive and negative repercussions. On the positive side, the 1985–1986 reexcavation provided independent stratigraphic control for the earlier excavation. On the negative side, the need to correlate her excavation with that of Eisenberg seems to have been a cause for considerable anxiety with Yogev, leading to a tendency to over-divide stratigraphic units (counting eighteen phases to Eisenberg’s original nine or ten) and to assign features to strata, rather than work out their internal relationships. This same apprehension appears to be at the root of a great superfluity of mudbricks evident on plans and especially in photos, their outlines etched into the packed-earth surfaces in both likely and patently unlikely configurations. Our task in correlating Yogev’s excavation with that of Eisenberg was thus a difficult one, and we cannot say that it was always successful. One of our main proxies for floor identification was the expert pottery mending of Michal Ben-Gal, whose joins brought together contexts that overzealous partitioning had sundered. Method of Stratigraphic Processing

Plan 8.2. ‘Concentric’ excavations of 1944–1945, 1981–1982, and 1985–1986.

Using field notes, photographs, detailed sections (Plan 8.3),1 and stratigraphic summaries prepared during or shortly after excavation, we have reconstructed a series of fourteen phases in eleven strata (Table 8.1;

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

341

Plan 8.3. Section drawings prepared in 1982: (1-1) western section; (2-2) northern section; (3-3) eastern section; (4-4) southern section.

342

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Table 8.1. Stratigraphy of Area EY Local Stratum

Tel Bet Yerah Period

Archaeological Period

Principal Features

1

J/ Modern

Roman/ Modern

Pits

2A–B

H

Hellenistic

Town houses

EB III (late)

Meager remains, KKW

EB III

Houses in eastern part, KKW

5

EB III

Meager remains, KKW

6A–B

EB III (early)

Houses, alley, KKW

7

EB II (late)

Houses, alley, southern potter

EB II

Houses, southern potter

EB II (early)

Pillared houses, NCMW

EB IB

Rectilinear mudbrick architecture

EB IB

Pits

3 4

8

D

C

9A–B 10 11

B

this includes four phases added to the original series by virtue of the correlation with the JPES excavations). The method was as follows: we first approached the Eisenberg excavations, in which the architectural features were clearly distinguished, and established the character of the deposits for each phase with the aid of field diaries and especially a series of detailed section drawings prepared during the excavation; after establishing the main parameters of a given phase, we extended our purview to the Yogev excavations. The latter often proved to be richer in finds, and by accurate positioning of find groups, the main architectural features and floor assemblages could be assigned with confidence to the various phases. Finally, the results of these recent excavations were correlated with those of the 1944–1945 excavations through architectural analysis. Loci appearing in the text and plans represent spatial–stratigraphic units, usually indicating floors/ occupation surfaces and the material associated with them (primary and de-facto refuse). The resolution and recording of the excavations is not such that permits hermetic separation between deposits, and it is assumed that there is a constant ‘leakage’ between sequential units. Also, in many cases, floors were identified after the fact (e.g., on the basis of floor installations, pottery-mending results, photos, and section readings), and deposits (= baskets) were reassigned to loci on the basis of elevations or contextual information found in the field notes. Generally speaking, Eisenberg tended to lump stratigraphic units together, whereas Yogev tended to divide units. Furthermore, Yogev introduced many alterations into her original field notes as her

stratigraphic analysis progressed. We have attempted, as far as possible, to recover the original contextual information and redefine the stratigraphic units using as many independent strands of evidence as possible (section drawings, field notes, photos, potteryreading). In processing the pottery, finds were selected from the most secure contexts available and from those that produced the greatest quantity of restorable pottery. In addition to the illustrated pieces, diagnostics from controlled contexts were counted, providing a quantitative commentary on the illustrated material. These counts should not be taken as absolute measures. Eisenberg sorted pottery during excavation, retaining only those pieces deemed diagnostic and accurately provenanced. As for Yogev, many thousands of sherds collected and kept by her were not canvassed by us as they were stored in typological drawers and would have required hundreds of work-hours just to re-assign them to their excavation contexts. We have assumed (a) that many of these sherds were either not diagnostic, or belonged to insecure contexts, and (b) that there was no inherent bias in the material set aside by Yogev as representative. Note Regarding Elevations. All elevations measured in excavations in the southern part of Tel Bet Yerah are affected by a significant error in the original benchmark used. While the error at the source has been calculated at approximately -7.37 m (Gal 2002 and pers. comm.), a conventional change of -7.00 m has been adopted here in order to minimize calculation errors.

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

LOCAL STRATA 11–10 (PERIOD B) (Plans 8.4, 8.5) The Lisan marl subsoil was encountered in all areas of excavation. The earliest phase of settlement in this part of the mound was established on uneven ground, sloping both from north to south and from west to east (-201.57 m in the northwest to -202.06 m in the southeast). Evidence for at least two phases of settlement was encountered at various points. This seems to be the result of the gradual expansion of the site from the northern part of the mound to its south, beginning with sporadic occupation and use (Local Stratum 11) and ending with the construction of substantial structures (Local Stratum 10). The Stratum 10 remains were preserved to a height of only 0.2–0.5 m, being sealed from above by the more massive architectural remains of Stratum 9. In the center of the excavation area, Strata 11–10 remains could be partly correlated with the features excavated in 1944–1945 (Chapter 2: MS 138, MS 139, and MS 136).

343

Local Stratum 11 (Plan 8.4) is represented by occupation patches (EY 481, EY 488, EY 491, EY 632, EY 636, EY 644, EY 650), consisting of clay floors, hearths, and artifact-strewn surfaces, and by several pits (EY 485, EY 486, EY 487, EY 490, EY 646), cut into sterile soil. These pits, ranging in depth from 0.3 to 1.0 m, contained potsherds, organic remains (seeds, grain, olive pits) and mudbrick debris testifying to the existence of architecture nearby. (Also of this phase are Pits MS 138 and MS 139 and a pebble surface between them, MS 140 [-202.50 m], all found in the JPES excavations.) Local Stratum 10 floors and walls (Plan 8.5) sealed the patchy Stratum 11 remains: Wall 55 overlay Pits EY 490 and EY 485 in Sqs C2–3; Floor EY 475 covered Floor EY 481 in Sq C3, and Pits EY 486 and EY 487 were sealed by Floors EY 477 and EY 478 in Sqs B– C3. Preservation of the structures was uneven, being better in the northern part of the excavation area.

Plan 8.4. Plan of Local Stratum 11.

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Plan 8.5. Plan of Local Stratum 10.

The architectural remains of Local Stratum 10, confined for the most part to the northwest part of the excavation area, include parts of rectilinear, multiroomed structures. Walls were built of light brown mudbricks, 1–1.5 rows wide, placed directly on the marl, with no stone foundations. The large, flat bricks (0.51–0.58 × 0.31–0.36 × 0.11–0.12 m) were typically laid in regular staggered courses in order to ensure vertical bonding. For additional stability, rows of halfbricks (0.51–0.58 × 0.13–0.18 × 0.11 m) were laid on alternating sides of the wall (see Figs. 8.3, 8.4). Remains of yellowish wall plaster, 1–2 cm thick, were identified in several locations. Earthen floors abutted the bases of the walls, at elevations of -201.55–45 m. Deposits overlying the floors included patches of ash and soot, but they do not appear to represent a destruction layer, and in situ artifact deposits were rare. The main identifiable structure (Fig. 8.3) is bounded by W55 on the east and probably by W220 on the south,

with internal dividing walls—W52, W218, W56, W53, W54, and W99 (Figs. 8.5, 8.6). A stone door-socket near the middle of W55, at elev. -201.44 m, appears to indicate the entrance, from the east, into the large eastern broadroom (Fig. 8.5). Just north of it, on the far side of W55, the JPES excavations uncovered a stone drain emerging from beneath the brick wall (MS 136; cf. Area BS, Plan 5.3, BS 007 in Local Stratum 14). The earthen floor (EY 473), up to 0.10 m thick in some places, abuts the bases of the walls. A deposit of restorable vessels (EY 480) preserved beneath a brick installation that appears to belong to Stratum 9 is probably to be associated with this floor. The room was subdivided by W54 and W99 (the latter appeared at a higher elevation; however, its construction, orientation, and apparent juncture with W53 indicate its relation to Stratum 10). The fallen bricks visible in the northern part of the room (EY 633) may represent

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Fig. 8.3. Building EY 473 in Local Stratum 10, looking north.

Fig. 8.4. Detail of W55, looking north.

Stratum 11 remains underpinning the Stratum 10 floor. Two cooking pots were found in this area. Another doorway, in W53, led into Room EY 479, bounded on the south by W52. Wall 53 was covered with a thick layer of plaster. This room was subdivided by W56; at its western end (EY 216), a small stone installation was discovered at elev. -201.41 m. A narrow compartment (EY 474) was situated to the south of this room, between W52, W218, and W220 (Fig. 8.6). The continuation of W220 is surmised on the basis of its Fig. 8.6. Detail of the corner between ► W218 and W52, looking northeast.

Fig. 8.5. Wall 55 in foreground, Room EY 473/475, W54 and restorable vessels in EY 480, beneath later brick installation. Looking west.

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alignment with a definite corner visible at the southern end of W55. Further structures include a possible corner between a fragmentary north–south wall south of the main structure (W59) and a narrow row of bricks uncovered beneath a Stratum 9 wall, south of EY 477, and a possible wall (W57) abutting the north end of W55. An irregular brick-lined installation, EY 626, some ashy surfaces in the northeast part of the excavation area (EY 625, EY 627) and an open area to the south (EY 212, EY 472) are also to be attributed to this phase. Pottery of Local Strata 11–10 (see Figs. 8.45–8.52) The rich Period B assemblage of Local Strata 11 and 10 is presented according to context in Figs. 8.45–8.50. Additions to the corpus from poor or less-secure loci are shown in Figs. 8.51 and 8.52. Typology Bowls. Most of the bowls fall into the generalized category of ‘crackled ware’ (Esse 1989; the term is something of a misnomer, as many vessels in the group, though bearing the characteristic slip, can hardly be described as crackled). As in all Period B assemblages, there is great internal variation in this group: most bowls have in-curved or sharply inverted rims (Figs. 8.45:1–3, 7, 8; 8.46:1, 2); others have profiled rims (Fig. 8.52:2, 3) or a more open stance (Figs. 8.45:4, 9; 8.47:4). Knobs and handle(?) stubs are common on the larger bowls. One inverted-rim bowl is furnished with a short spout (8.47:2). The bowls share a dark red slip, sometimes verging toward brown and even black, and usually carry a light burnish. Other bowls include red-slipped lamp-bowls with string-cut bases (Figs. 8.47:1; 8.49:1, and perhaps 8.45:10), small bowls with inverted rims and horizontal or vertical handles (Figs. 8.47:3; 8.49:2), and a mediumsized bowl looking very much like an EB II platter but made in an unusual coarse fabric (Fig. 8.52:4). Carinated platter-bowls (following Schaub’s 2000 definition) include a set of three fine bowls (Fig. 8.47:7–9), red slipped with a dense criss-cross burnish on the outside only (cf. de Vaux and Stève 1948: Fig. 5:21, 24; Yannai 1996: Fig. 2:9, 10, 13), and three fragments of Metallic Ware vessels of nearly identical type (Figs. 8.47:6; 8.52:5, 6). The metallic bowls are unslipped and, while bearing the signature technological characteristics of North Canaanite

Metallic Ware, they seem to represent a primitive stage in NCMW production, lacking the stylistic flourishes that characterize the industry in its developed stage (burnish, tool-cut concavity beneath rim). A large deep carinated bowl, furnished with a pair of finely scalloped ledge-handles (Fig. 8.47:5), is a fine example of late EB I ceramic art. Completing the repertoire of open vessels are the rare red-slipped cup base (Fig. 8.45:11), perhaps comparable to vessels from Tell Abu el-Kharaz (Fischer 2000: Fig. 12.2:3, 4), and a number of braziers: Figure 8.50:7, a crackled ware vessel, with perforated stand, handle and burn-marks both within and beneath the bowl; Fig. 8.51:5, a coarser, unperforated vessel, also showing evidence of burning in the bowl; and Figs. 8.45:19 (base of stand?) and 8.50:8, a fragment of a fenestrated stand. Holemouth vessels may be divided into two major categories: 1. Kraters decorated in the grain-wash technique (Figs. 8.45:12; 8.46:3; 8.47:13; 8.49:5; 8.50:1). These were relatively shallow (see Leonard 1992: Pl. 9:1) and (always?) furnished with a spout, as in Fig. 8.50:1. 2. Jars/pots, usually red slipped. This category may be subdivided into coarse soot-stained vessels that obviously served for cooking (Figs. 8.45:15; 8.47:10, 11; 8.50:2, 3; 8.52:7) and multipurpose vessels for food storage, food preparation, etc. (Figs. 8.45:13, 14; 8.47:12; 8.49:3, 4; 8.52:8, 9). The prominent fingerimpressions visible on the cooking pot, Fig. 8.50:3, underline the simplicity of the technique used to manufacture pots in this phase. Among the closed containers, the smaller vessels are not very abundant: Amphoriskoi, both large (Fig. 8.48:1) and small (8.50:4, 5) are marked by their red slip and small pierced handles. Jugs and juglets include wide-mouthed juglets (or cups) with a high loop handle (Figs. 8.45:16, 17; 8.51:2) and large tall-necked jugs. Of the latter, one red-polished example (Fig. 8.51:1) has an appliqué reptile clinging to its handle, which also bears a potter’s incision (similar incisions can be seen on Figs. 8.45:17 and 8.52:2). In profile, the handle presents the grotesque appearance of the small reptile perched on the back of a larger one that seems to be devouring the rim of the jug.

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The other jug neck (8.51:3) belongs to a group of jugs and jars found in various locations. These vessels bear a vertical striped decoration (cf. Figs. 2.14:8; 4.7:8, and below, 8.48:3); the stripes are formed by vertical burnished bands, usually over a red slip, and are not to be confused with line-painting. Among the larger containers, jars and pithoi bearing grain-wash decoration are prominent. The former include examples with a flared rim (Fig. 8.45:18) or an incised rolled rim (Figs. 8.46:4; 8.48:2); the latter all have thick rolled rims, plain (Fig. 8.48:7) or incised (Figs. 8.49:7; 8.51:4). Other jars and pithoi are red slipped (Figs. 8.45:5, 6; 8.48:5, 6; 8.50:6) and only one is band painted (Fig. 8.52:11+12). Figure 8.48:3, from the cache of vessels in EY 480, reveals the form of the jars with spaced vertical burnish on their cylindrical neck; this technique appears on several jar and jug fragments at Tel Bet Yerah. Only loop handles have been found on jars, with ledge handles restricted to open vessels (a possible exception is Fig. 8.49:6). Discussion The assemblage retrieved from the floors of Building EY 475 is the most complete late Period B assemblage from Tel Bet Yerah. Though modest in the number of vessels found, it is remarkably varied, providing a broad range of household functions, from storage (pithoi and jars), to food preparation (cooking pots and kraters), to food presentation and consumption (large and small bowls). In a comparative perspective, while we may assume that the closest affinities will be found with Jordan Valley assemblages, the dearth of published collections makes the present case an editio princeps of the household assemblage of eastern Canaan. Looking farther afield, the Tel Bet Yerah household crockery is quite different from that recently published from the western Galilee site of Qiryat Ata (Golani 2003:110–120) where, for example, the crossburnished bowl is entirely absent. This discrepancy is the more remarkable in view of the near identity of the Metallic Ware ceramic assemblages from these two sites in the following phase, in early EB II. Some general trends in the Period B pottery may be pointed out. The three prominent categories in the assemblage are the inverted-rim crackled ware bowls (Esse 1989), comprising about 23% of the diagnostic pieces (n = 66); holemouth jars and cooking pots, 36% (n = 99); and necked jars and pithoi, most of them deco-

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rated in the grain-wash technique, together accounting for 21% of the diagnostics (n = 61). A comparison of the Stratum 11 pits and the Stratum 10 household assemblage is, however, instructive: In the former group, inverted-rim crackled ware bowls are dominant, whereas in the latter group, a varied collection of bowls may be seen, among which three fine cross-burnished platters and a possible early Metallic Ware platter (see below) stand out. This may point to a significant decline in the frequency of crackled ware before the end of Period B in favor of the cross-burnished bowls—the immediate forerunners of the classic EB II platter—found in the terminal Period B assemblage in Building EY 475. As for Metallic Ware, only nine sherds, amounting to about 3% of the diagnostics, belong to this group. While the smaller fragments could be written off as intrusive, the small assemblage in EY 642—apparently a Stratum 10 pit—poses a more significant challenge: while not a sealed locus, its collection of well-made EB I bowls with profiled rims and large fragments of the most basic variety of NCMW platters (Fig. 8.52:5, 6) and jars (Fig. 8.52:10) could indicate a chronological overlap or point of contact between the EB I and EB II industries. However, the evidence here, as in all other possible points of contact identified to date at Tel Bet Yerah, is in the last analysis inconclusive. The nature of the ceramic transition from EB I industries to those of EB II in this part of the country, dramatic and far-reaching as it is, has so far resisted conventional explanation. Its understanding requires a broader approach, examining many dimensions of the EB I–II transition. These will be looked into at greater length in Volume II.

LOCAL STRATUM 9 (EARLY PERIOD C) As noted, the builders of the Stratum 9 structures razed the remains of the previous stratum to within half a meter or less of the earlier floors. The new structures were built to a somewhat different orientation (though the change in general layout is not a radical one), with structures on the western side of the excavation area and an open area to the east. As in Stratum 10, ground level in this phase sloped down slightly toward the southeast, resulting in graded foundation levels for the Stratum 9 walls. The primary structures of this phase are a series of pillared buildings with party walls, forming a block, the borders of which lay west and south of the excavated

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area. For the most part, external walls were of mudbrick on a low stone foundation, whereas internal walls were of mudbricks only. Period B mudbrick size and construction technique were carried over to Period C. Two distinct floor levels were identified in the main structures. The lower level, 9A, was characterized by large quantities of broken pots and other ‘de facto refuse’ (Schiffer 1987) deposited on the floors, seemingly the result of roof-collapse. The raised floors of the second phase, 9B, were covered with a considerable accumulation of primary refuse. Despite the large size of the rooms, the finds appear to be all of a domestic nature. Local Stratum 9A (Plan 8.6) The best preserved structure in this phase is Building EY 460, bounded by W43, W46, W44, and W192 (Figs. 8.7–8.13). Part of the structure was excavated and

removed by the JPES expedition (W44122, W44127; see Chapter 2). It consists of a central broadroom with three column bases (out of four, to judge by the intervals) preserved in situ. Floor elevation averaged -201.25 m, with the tops of the column bases at -201.20 m, -201.09 m, and -201.16 m (from east to west). A central strip of stone paving extends from north to south (Fig. 8.9). This pavement included a number of worked stones, probably salvaged from Stratum 10. The floor lies at an elevation about even with the base of W44 and somewhat below that of the base of W43. In Section 1-1, drawn along grid line A–B2–3 (Plan 8.3), a brick can be seen adjacent to the base of W43; this could indicate the existence of a bench along W43, not identified during the excavation of the room itself. The entrance to the structure appears to have been in its northern wall. Its location might be marked by a stone door-socket found inside the north wall at elevation -201.12 m (Fig. 8.10). Outside the wall at this point was

Plan 8.6. Plan of Local Stratum 9A.

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the brick ‘installation’ (EY 480B), which could have functioned as an entrance platform (it was approached via a passageway, MS 134 excavated in 1944–1945, formed by W43 = W44127 and W44126). Alternatively,

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the entrance could have been located opposite the main paved area, in the middle of the northern wall. At some stage a brick buttress was built between W44 and the easternmost column, forming a small cell—EY 469—

Fig. 8.7. General view of Building EY 460 (excavation of 1982), looking west. Note missing portion of house in foreground, the two sets of pillar bases, and the floor sunk below the base of the walls.

Fig. 8.8. View of the eastern part of Building EY 460; note brick wall approaching earlier pillar base, top right.

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Fig. 8.9. Central part of Building EY 460, looking south. At left, W60 of Local Stratum 8; at bottom left, two copper axeheads as found; beyond W44 at top, pillar-bases and east wall of EY 467.

Fig. 8.10. Debris on the floor of EY 460, looking west. Note door-socket near W43, at right.

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in the southeast corner of the structure (see Fig. 8.8). This may have been an attempt to shore up the sagging roof—a measure that evidently failed: this structural phase seems to have ended with the collapse of the roof on the contents of the room. Considerable quantities of broken pottery were recovered in Building EY 460 (Fig. 8.10). The assemblage consists nearly entirely of cooking vessels (three nearly complete vessels and five fragments) and storage vessels (three complete—including a Metallic Ware pithos—and seven fragmentary, including four jugs). In addition, a mortar and grindstone were located between the two eastern pillar bases (see Fig. 8.8), and a number of hearths near the western end of W44 (another mortar was documented in the northeast corner, MS 133, excavated in 1944–1945). A pair of copper axes was found on the stones of the pavement, near W43 (Fig. 8.11). The area north of EY 460 was apparently not built up. Only unspecified occupation patches were identified (EY 201, EY 203, EY 615, EY 617, EY 612). One of these, EY 201, yielded a group of eight complete basalt spindle whorls. West of EY 460, W175 abutted the bonded corner of W43 and W192, forming a room, EY 204, that extends west of the excavated area (Figs. 8.12, 8.13). The southern portion of this room was disturbed by a pit (EY 135, Stratum 4), and later construction appears to have damaged the southwest part of the excavated area. Building EY 460 was abutted on the south by a complex of pillared rooms and chambers. Preservation of these rooms was rather poor, and the description that

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W192

Fig. 8.12. The western end of Building EY 460, excavated in 1986, and EY 204 to its west, with shelf or bench added to W192 in Local Stratum 9B. In foreground, EY 200/197.

W175

W192 W43

Fig. 8.11. Axe blades on the EY 460 pavement.

Fig. 8.13. Detail of the corner between W43, W192, and W175.

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and a stone-paved (entrance?) chamber, EY 455a (-201.24–39 m). The third unit, built symmetrically—and hence, coevally—with the second, seems also to have included a pillared room (EY 206; floor elev. -201.30 m), in which only one base (top elev. -201.32 m) survived. A possible wall in the west balk (W208) might mark the edge of this room, and W207 may have been a buttress or dividing wall, forming a chamber, EY 205. Wall 41 continues south of W48 to form the eastern side of the main unit. East of W41 there are three small chambers, EY 618, EY 619, and EY 620 (Fig. 8.14), which contained a rich and varied ceramic assemblage (see Figs. 8.57, 8.58). The entire eastern strip of the excavated area seems to have been an open courtyard area, with evidence for various domestic activities: ashy areas (EY 613), paved patches (EY 616), and a pit (EY 622). Local Stratum 9B (Plan 8.7)

Fig. 8.14. Partially excavated Local Stratum 9 chambers along the southern edge of the excavation area; foreground—complete bowl found in Room EY 618 (not as numbered in photo). Looking west.

follows must be taken as a tentative reconstruction. Room EY 467/200, sharing W44 with EY 460 on the north and bounded on the east by W41, extends west outside of the excavation area (its known length is 8 m; see Figs. 8.9, 8.12). This room had three surviving column bases out of an original four, with top levels of -201.14 m, -201.13 m, and -201.23 m protruding slightly above floor level (-201.37 m). There was an installation (work-table?) comprised of a rectangular basalt slab bounded by small stones in the northeast corner of the room. The entrance to EY 467 may have been in its poorly preserved southern wall, W48, at a point where a row of three stones appears to mark a gap in the foundation course. Adjoining the pillared room was a rectangular unit bounded on the east by W87 and divided by two curtain-walls into three units: EY 471; EY 456A, with floor levels at -201.30–41 m;

The various attempts to shore up the columns of Stratum 9A seem to have failed, as the floors were found covered with debris—presumably the result of the collapse of the roof upon the floors—and column bases were reinstalled—an operation that could have been effected only after the dismantling of the roof. In Stratum 9B new floors were laid approximately 0.15 m above the earlier ones, and new column bases were set in place at slightly different—and noticeably more symmetrical—positions within the rooms. In EY 450, replacing EY 460, the earthen floor was found at elevation -201.07–11 m (Fig. 8.15). A number of bowls, a lamp, a mug, and a cooking pot may be associated with this phase (Fig. 8.61). Near the doorsocket adjoining the northern wall there was a patch of pavement comprised of large grain-wash pithos fragments originating in Stratum 10. This could be taken as evidence for the existence of an entrance at this point, still approached from the east via a corridor and paved vestibule, EY 465, replacing EY 480b of the earlier phase. In the room to the west, EY 196, a shelf(?) built along W192 contained a juglet and the upper portion of a potter’s wheel. The floor of Stratum 9A Building EY 467 was also raised—forming EY 197—and its western column base was replaced by two new column bases placed at somewhat higher elevations. The northern part of W42 covered the eastern column base, stretching between

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Plan 8.7. Plan of Local Stratum 9B.

Fig. 8.15. View of Building EY 450 (Local Stratum 9B), looking southwest. Note external pavement adjacent to possible entrance area, bottom right and brick installation inside building.

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W44 and W48 to form a separate eastern chamber, EY 458, in the pillared unit (the eastern column base, absorbed in W42, was the only base left in place in the Stratum 9B rebuild). This structure, too, provided restorable pottery, including an impressive spouted vat (Fig. 8.63:1). To the east, Rooms EY 456 (now EY 456b), EY 471 (now EY 470), and EY 455 (now EY 455b) remained in use, with raised floor levels containing restorable pottery, as did the rooms along the southern edge of the excavated area (now EY 198, EY 199, EY 603, EY 608, EY 610). A significant find was made in EY 610: a group of unfired clay objects, including fragments of bowls, scraps of coils and perhaps handles, kneaded lumps, and two rather strange ad hoc perforated items. These artifacts can be interpreted as evidence for the presence of a potter’s workshop just south of the excavated area—a workshop, the existence of which could also be inferred from the potter’s wheel found in EY 196 and from the ceramic analysis itself (see below, and Volume II). In the open area (EY 606, EY 604) east of the contiguous structures, two ovens (tabuns) were built, one of them sealing EY 622—a pit associated with the earlier phase. A third oven was identified in the northern excavation balk. A stone work-table in the middle of the open area was also attributed to this phase. Finds associated with this area include a jar (Fig. 8.67:11) found near the northeast corner of the excavation. Fragments of a decorated jar from EY 606 joined fragments recovered in the Mazar–Avi-Yonah excavations of 1945 to form a remarkable painted Metallic Ware vessel (see Figs. 2.34; 8.67:12). Some scant traces of construction in the southeast corner of the excavation suggest the beginning of the filling-in of open areas—a process greatly accelerated in the following stratum. The area north of Building 450 remained open. Pottery of Local Stratum 9 (see Figs. 8.52–8.65) The assemblage of the two phases of Local Stratum 9 comprises approximately 460 diagnostic pieces, of which about 30 were complete vessels and many more nearly complete in profile. This makes these early Period C assemblages by far the richest and most varied at the site. The wares of the two phaseassemblages fall into three general categories: imported North Canaanite Metallic Ware (Greenberg and Porat 1996), cooking ware, and a large component

of common or local ware. As in all the other areas of excavation, the transition from Period B to Period C is marked by a total typological and technical break. However, in stark contrast to Period C assemblages in the northern part of the mound (e.g., Areas UN, SA), the bulk of the assemblage is not composed of NCMW, but rather of medium-fired pottery that appears to be, for the most part, locally produced (there are also a number of fine-ware vessels that are quite similar to the exquisite EB II pottery of Tell es-Sa‘idiya and may have been produced at or near that site; see below). The discovery of unbaked clay fragments—including a number of rim-fragments of hemispherical bowls—in a Stratum 9B context (EY 610), of a fragment of red ochre in EY 603, and of elements of potters’ wheels in the same stratum (in EY 196) demonstrate that a potter’s workshop must have existed just outside the excavated area. This workshop—the existence of which could never have been inferred from the ceramic inventory of contemporary strata in the north of the mound—distributed its wares in the southeast quarter of the town and comprised one of the very few local industries known within the sphere of NCMW distribution in EB II. This local industry thrived in later EB II, virtually displacing NCMW altogether before the onset of EB III, as can be seen in the late Period C pottery both in Area EY and in neighboring Areas MS and BS (see Chapters 2 and 5). The following typological discussion encompasses both phases of Stratum 9, noting some differences between them. It is followed by a brief review of the specific house-assemblages. As is the case in all strata of Area EY, we have chosen material from secure contexts alone, concentrating on those that produced the greatest quantities of restorable material. Residual Period B material, accounting for about 30% of the diagnostics in Stratum 9A and 15% in Stratum 9B, is ignored. North Canaanite Metallic Ware In Stratum 9A, NCMW comprises 25% of the diagnostics (33%, excluding cooking pots), declining to 17% (21%, excluding cooking pots) in Stratum 9B. This contrasts with approximately 50% (80%, excluding cooking pots) in Area UN, a proportion strikingly similar to that reported from EB II assemblages at Qiryat Ata and elsewhere in northern Canaan (Golani 2003:151). The repertoire includes, for the most part, the usual variety of open vessels: a small shallow bowl and a hemispherical bowl from Stratum 9B (Fig. 8.67:2, 3);

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an inverted rim bowl from Stratum 9A (Fig. 8.60:2); plain thin-rimmed or triangular-rimmed platters (Figs. 8.53:2; 8.57:9; 8.59:7; 8.60:4, 6; 8.61:6), more characteristic of the earlier phase; and platters with a tool-cut channel beneath the rim (Figs. 8.56:6; 8.62:5, 6; 8.65:11), more typical of the later phase. At Tel Dan, a similar distinction was observed between platters of the earlier and later phases of EB II (Greenberg 1996), and if we add the earliest platters in our sequence from the possibly transitional EB I–II group in EY 642 (above, Fig. 8.52:5, 6), the chronological significance of this typological shift becomes more pronounced. The fact that such a progression is not always observed (e.g., in Areas UN and BS) may be due to the finer stratigraphic resolution of the Area EY sequence. Platters vary in diameter from 23 to 45 cm, with an average of 33 cm. Closed vessels include standard ovoid jugs and jug-amphoriskoi (Figs. 8.54:4–6; 8.60:12), as well as smaller varieties of the same that may be termed juglets (Figs. 8.56:11; 8.63:3; 8.64:5; 8.65:15), and a more globular, narrow-mouthed jug (Fig. 8.61:18). The preponderance of bases—many of them incised with typical potters’ marks—is probably due to their higher survival rate as diagnostic pieces. Figure 8.60:10 is an unusual channeled-rim wide-mouthed amphoriskos (the rim and vestigial handles are typically found on small Metallic Ware jars). Flared jars (Figs. 8.54:9–12; 8.58:5, 6; 8.59:10; 8.63:4; 8.66:5) exhibit the variety of rim details common in this type and the large handleless pithos is represented by a magnificent complete example (Fig. 8.55) and the rim of another (8.60:14). Figure 8.63:5 is an interesting piece: while highly fired to nearly metallic quality, its ledge handle and thin white wash betray a more southerly origin. The piéce de résistance of the Metallic Ware assemblage is without doubt the unique decorated jar found in fragments in at least two different excavations (1945 and 1986), scattered along the eastern side of the excavation area (above, Fig. 2.34, and Fig. 8.67:12). Although decorated white-on-red and red-on-white fragments have turned up in various areas, this is the first time we have a complete pattern on an identifiable NCMW jar. The jar is of the channeled-rim type with vestigial lug handles on the shoulder. This type, which appears in a wide variety of sizes (see, for example, a small jar and a pithos from Tel Dan: Greenberg 1996: Figs. 3.26:5; 3.27:15), is often decorated either with a painted pattern or a pattern burnish (de Miroschedji 1988: Fig. 26:1; Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.27:15; 2001:

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Fig. 8.46:14, 15). In the present case both types of decoration are present: The upper part of the vessel was covered with a cream-colored slip, serving as a ground for red-painted decoration; the lower part was unslipped and bore a net-patterned burnish. The painted pattern was executed in several registers: the rim of the jar decorated with diagonal strokes, and the shoulder with a double and single wavy line enclosing a band of superimposed triangles sometimes topped with ‘floating’ wavy lines. The ensemble has close affinities with the well-known Arad painted jars (Amiran et al. 1978: Pls. 56–65), although the precise pattern is not repeated there. Cooking Pots The cooking pots fall into three main types: a. Necked cooking pots with a flared rim and flat base (Figs. 8.53:3–5, 7, 8; 8.57:12; 8.61:10). The type, first identified as such at Tel Dan and since published at several northern sites, should be distinguished from the round-based type with a rolled rim, also found in northern sites (see Greenberg 2006). The two complete vessels from EY 460 are perhaps the first published examples of the complete form. There are considerable variations in the proportions of these pots, some of which are globular, and others ovoid, with rather narrow bases. b. Holemouth cooking pots in a dense, dark to reddish-brown fabric (Figs. 8.53:6; 8.54:1–3; 8.57:13, 14; 8.60:7, 8; 8.61:7–9; 8.62:7; 8.65:13) with a thickened rim. These ‘brown’ pots are most common in early Period C contexts at Tel Bet Yerah, and often accompany NCMW at sites south of the Hula Valley. The one-handled ‘personal’ cooking pot in Fig. 8.61:9, found in secondary use set into the floor of a Stratum 9B room, is worth noting. c. Holemouth cooking pots in a gray to light-brown fabric, with an angled wall and a plain sliced rim, often striated on the interior (Figs. 8.57:15, 16; 8.59:9; 8.62:8–11). This type, the ‘gray’ cooking pot, although introduced early in Period C, becomes common only in late Period C. Common Ware This term is used as a catch-all for vessels that fall into neither of the first two categories. Included is a large group of vessels that appear to have been manufactured on-site, as well as a number of objects that are different in some respects from the others, and may have been

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brought to the site from the Jordan Valley or the Jezreel Valley. Where a specific provenance is suggested, parallels will be adduced. Common ware in Strata 9A–B is normally slipped and often burnished. Bowls. Small bowls include the following: a. Plain hemispherical bowls, averaging about 15 cm in diameter (Figs. 8.56:1–3; 8.57:2; 8.61:13, 14; 8.65:4, 5). Figure 8.60:1 is a small hemispherical bowl with a small lug handle and painted decoration in the Jordan Valley tradition that begins in EB I and is carried over into EB II and III (see, e.g., Figs. 7.49:4; 8.77:4, 5 for line-painting on closed vessels). b. Rounded bowls with a thickened or triangular rim (Figs. 8.59:2; 8.61:2; 8.62:1; 8.65:3; 8.67:5, 6). c. Plain curved shallow bowls (Figs. 8.57:5; 8.61:3). d. Shallow bowls with a thickened or profiled rim (Figs. 8.57:1; 8.64:1; 8.67:1). e. Deep carinated bowls (Figs. 8.57:3; 8.67:7). These remarkable wheel-formed bowls have a slightly ridged upper body and a concave base. While the latter example is carefully burnished, the former reveals the scraping technique used to shape the lower body before burnishing, indicating that the bowl was half-formed in a mold. f. Straight-sided cups or goblets (Figs. 8.61:4; 8.66:4). This is a rare type in EB II, usually found in tombs (Smithline 2001:58 and Fig. 22:5). g. Plain deep bowls (Fig. 8.67:4). The only complete example of the type comes from Stratum 7 (below, Fig. 8.85:2). While some of the small bowls may well have doubled as lamps, there are a number of vessels that were designed as lamps: the slightly pinched bowl in Fig. 8.57:4 and the bowls with broad, flat base in Figs. 8.61:1, 12 and 8.65:1, 2. Figure 8.59:1 is a cooking-pot base re-fashioned to serve as a lamp. Medium (25–30 cm in diameter) and large (31–40 cm in diameter) inverted-rim bowls were the most popular type in common ware, with many complete examples found (Figs. 8.56:4; 8.57:7, 8; 8.61:15, 16; 8.62:2). All the bowls are red slipped, and more often than not are densely burnished as well. This burnish is most often radial on the inside and horizontal on the outside. Rims may be simple and triangular or flattened (e.g., Figs. 8.57:7; 8.59:3, 4; 8.61:16; 8.65:6–8), but most often they have a ‘mushroom’ rim with a pronounced concavity beneath it (e.g., Figs. 8.56:4, 5; 8.57:8; 8.61:5; 8.62:3, 4; 8.64:2; 8.65:9; 8.66:1). The nearly

complete profile of a heavy bowl with a vertical rim (Fig. 8.60:3) stands midway between the bowls and the following type described, i.e., the platter. Platters are quite common, and display the same technical characteristics as the deeper inverted-rim bowls described above. Rims are short and triangular, with a single thin-rimmed exception (Fig. 8.65:12). In contrast to the NCMW platters, no pattern is discernible in the distribution of platters with a concavity below the rim (e.g., Figs. 8.53:1; 8.57:10, 11; 8.60:5; 8.65:10; 8.66:3) and those without (e.g., Figs. 8.59:5, 6; 8.64:3; 8.66:2; 8.67:8). They vary in size from 22 cm in diameter (Fig. 8.53:1) to 43 cm (8.66:3)—one outsized curved vessel is 58 cm in diameter (Fig. 8.57:6)—with an average size of 34 cm (median size—36 cm). This range is nearly identical to that of the Metallic Ware platters in Area EY, suggesting that the two industries were in direct competition. Vats and Basin. Industrial open vessels include one rim of an open vat or large bowl (Fig. 8.56:7) and a complete spouted vat (Fig. 8.63:1) found on the floor of Room EY 197. The complete vat, with an inverted rim, has the appearance of a truncated jar, similar in concept to a large pattern-combed vat found at Tel Dan (Greenberg 1996: Fig. 3.25:10). Figure 8.63:6 is a fragment of what seems to be a coarse basin. Jugs and Mugs. Narrow-mouthed jugs with ovoid or spindle-shaped bodies (Figs. 8.56:10; 8.58:3; 8.60:11; 8.63:2) are the more common type in the early phase. The squat proportions of Fig. 8.59:8—an extremely fine slipped and burnished jug—comprise a transitional form between the standard jugs and the type that becomes increasingly popular at Tel Bet Yerah in late Period C and in Period D: the one-handled mug (Figs. 8.56:8, 9; 8.58:1, 2; 8.60:9; 8.61:11, 16; 8.64:4; 8.65:14). The fine burnished examples (Figs. 8.59:8; 8.58:1; 8.60:9) are reminiscent of fine EB II ware found in quantity at Tell es-Sa‘idiya (Tubb 1988: Figs. 32, 35) and were probably imported to Bet Yerah from the Jordan Valley. Figure 8.60:13 appears to be a cross between a mug and a small jar. Store Jars. The non-metallic ware jars form a heterogeneous group. Most remarkable are two ledgehandled jars of very simple appearance (Figs. 8.54:8; 8.67:11). Plain ledge handles like those attached to these jars are not typical of any period at Tel Bet

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Yerah; however, as at least one of the jars was found on a house-floor along with numerous other Period C vessels (EY 460), their EB II date cannot be disputed. The remaining jars are red slipped with an everted rim and loop handles (Figs. 8.54:7; 8.56:12; 8.58:4; 8.64:6; 8.65:16; 8.66:6); or the same, but lacking a neck, with a flanged rim (Figs. 8.56:13; 8.64:7). A decorated base (Fig. 8.58:7) represents the survival of the painted tradition at Tel Bet Yerah, well-attested in both Period C and Period D assemblages on the mound. Figure 8.67:10 is the folded rim of a large commonware pithos. Varia. Figure 8.65:17 appears to be a fenestrated stand or chalice-base. Figure 8.67:9, with an indented rim, appears to be a chalice-bowl. Neither form is attested elsewhere on the site. Remarks on the Local Stratum 9 Assemblages When viewing house-assemblages, the relation between finds and function is always to be seen as problematic. However, ceramic assemblages often seem to be remarkably resistant to the type of curation behavior that can skew functional relationships when other types of artifacts are sought. In a well-known Early Bronze Age example, house-assemblages at Arad display a remarkable consistency, with the ceramic finds often conforming to the non-portable evidence for household activity (Ilan 2001). Stratum 9A, and to a lesser extent Stratum 9B, provided artifact-rich floor assemblages that appear to have been left largely intact at abandonment. Their interpretation, though not free of difficulties, can contribute to our understanding of the workings of the early Period C society. Two rich house-assemblages from Stratum 9A form an interesting contrast: The material from the pillared hall, EY 460, presents a mixed collection of vessels used for cooking (9 pots in Figs. 8.53 and 8.54) and storage (9 jars and jugs in Figs. 8.54 and 8.55). While some of the vessels are of the finest Metallic Ware, others are quite simple and coarse. Many are remarkably large, indicating that cooking was being performed for many people. The southernmost suite of rooms in the same phase, EY 618–620, has provided a far more balanced assemblage, with lamps (2), serving bowls and mugs (11), cooking vessels (4) and storage vessels (5) all in evidence. The serving vessels here include some of the finest pieces in the Stratum 9A repertoire (e.g., bowls, Fig. 8.57:2, 3, or the mug in Fig. 8.58:1). Whether this

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difference alludes to Building EY 460 being only part of a much larger household, with segregated activities, or to economic or cultural disparities in the early Period C settlement in Area EY remains to be seen. An argument in favor of the former possibility is the discovery of a group of eight spindle whorls in the apparent courtyard, EY 201, just north of the pillared hall. Rather than an individual house, we may well be dealing with multifunctional house compounds, perhaps occupied by extended families. Less of this functional segregation can be seen in Stratum 9B, although the architectural configuration was largely unchanged. Here, the assemblages from the pillared halls suggest multiple functions: EY 448/197 (Figs. 8.62, 8.63), for example, has a fine assemblage including serving vessels (5), cooking vessels (5), storage vessels (4 fragments) and the spouted vat, perhaps used for household oil production. The rooms on the south have a preponderance of serving vessels (Figs. 8.65, 8.66) and a few exotic items, but it should be kept in mind that they also contained evidence for the existence of a potter’s establishment (in EY 610), potentially skewing the composition of the assemblage in these partially excavated units.

LOCAL STRATUM 8 (MIDDLE PERIOD C) (Plan 8.8) The dense stratigraphic sequence continues in Strata 8 and 7, which represent two phases of the major rebuild that replaced the Stratum 9 structures. If the abandonment level of Stratum 9 lay at -201.00– -200.90 m, Stratum 8 floors appear at an average elevation of -200.80 m—a difference of a mere 0.10 m. Nonetheless, this stratum saw important changes in the architectural layout of the area, indicating changes in the general layout of the town. These were achieved by a subtle shift in the axis of the structures toward a true north–south orientation and by a reduction in room size. Some walls were reused as they stood, others were rebuilt with new stone foundations on existing stumps, and still others completely razed in this transition (Fig. 8.16). The rectangular broadrooms of the previous phase were replaced with square multiroomed structures, and the use of columns was entirely abandoned. Previously open areas were now densely built up, and access to the inner structures was afforded through carefully planned approaches. At some points, the use of doubled walls emphasizes the boundaries

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Plan 8.8. Plan of Local Stratum 8.

W43

W40

W34

Fig. 8.16. The stratigraphic relation between Local Strata 9 and 8: At top, W38 (left) overlying the bricks of W43; at bottom, W34 overlying W44; between them, brick dividing-wall W40. Looking north.

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of independent units, contrasting with the party-walls characterizing the previous strata. The clearest instance of this division is between structures in the eastern third of the excavation area and those in the central and western parts. The following description begins with the new structures on the east. Building EY 586, bounded on the north by W88 and on the west by W87 (retained from the Stratum 9 structure!), extends east and south of the excavated area (Fig. 8.17). A curtain wall, W96a, borders Room 586 on the south. Floor elevations were at approximately -200.80 m. This unit was separated from the northeast unit by a courtyard (EY 576), 2.5 m wide, disturbed by a Stratum 6A pit (EY 565). (The courtyard, partly excavated in 1944, appears to have been bordered in this phase by the northward continuation of W87, W44161, identified in photographs of the balk of the JPES excavations.) Building 580 is another partly excavated structure, bounded on the west and south by W91 and W93, and divided by irregular walls (W92, W90) into three rooms, EY 581 (floor elev. -200.82 m), EY 588 (disturbed by a pit, EY 572, of Stratum 6A), and EY 580 (floor elev. -200.76 m). The middle of the excavated area is occupied by a large multi-roomed structure, termed Building 449. This structure absorbed both Building EY 460/450 of Stratum 9 and the building that bordered it on the south. Wall 38, rebuilt with new stone foundations atop the brick stump of W43, is the northern wall of the structure. Its western wall is W180—a rebuild of W192. An entirely new wall, W36, was constructed inside the former external wall, W87, and served as the eastern wall of the structure. The main suite of rooms was bounded on the south by the one-brick wide W16, preserved to a height of more than one meter. The former large broadroom of Stratum 9 was now bisected by three dividing walls to form four chambers, EY 178 (Fig. 8.18), EY 447, EY 449, and EY 454. These were all bounded on the south by the stone-based rebuild of W44, now numbered W34. Two chambers, EY 453 and EY 445, separated by W33 (built atop W41), were located between W34 and W16. To their west, an entrance corridor (EY 434) approached the building from the south. Wall 16 may well have been an internal dividing wall, and the area to its south (EY 465/595) might have been part of the main structure, perhaps a walled courtyard; however, intensive activity in Stratum 7 appears to have obliterated the Stratum 8

Fig. 8.17. Local Stratum 8 structures along the east side of the excavation area (looking north): Rooms EY 586 (foreground), EY 576, and EY 580, to north.

W29

EY178

Fig. 8.18. Room EY 178, of Local Stratum 8, bisected by W29 of Stratum 7. Looking north.

remains. In any case, W36 appears to have jutted south of the juncture with W16, and Section 4-4 of the 1981 excavations, at the grid line between B–C3–4 (see Plan 8.3, below EY 575), clearly reveals a north–south dividing wall that must have originally joined W16 about 1.9 m west of W36. This wall was not identified by Yogev.

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Building 582, north of the main building, shared W38. A bonded corner with W190 marks the western end of this structure and W37 demarcates it on the east. The structure may already have been divided by W31 in this phase, with EY 176 on the west, and EY 582 on the east (floor elevations at approximately -200.80 m). The area between W37 and W91 was presumably a courtyard (EY 583), as the latter wall was not doubled as in the case of W87 and W36. To the west of the main structure, loci EY 171/179 seem to comprise another unroofed area. A hearth was identified here, and no clear cross walls were identified. Farther south, west of the entrance corridor EY 434, three well-preserved mudbrick rooms were excavated. The building, which clearly abuts the main structure, is bounded by W181 on the north and W32 on the east. One-brick-wide dividing walls (W144, W167, W146) form a row of three contiguous rooms, EY 173, EY 174 (Fig. 8.19), and EY 170, and a large space to the west, only a small part of which was revealed.

Fig. 8.19. Room EY 174, looking north.

Pottery of Local Stratum 8 (see Figs. 8.68–8.75) The relatively small assemblage from Stratum 8 is, like the stratum itself, very much transitional to Stratum 7. It is doubtful whether this appearance of transition reflects a truly transitional industry, or only a physical mixture of earlier and later elements. Metallic Ware continues to decline, now accounting for only 11% of the diagnostic pieces (15%, discounting cooking pots). Brown cooking pots continue to outnumber gray cooking pots, as in Stratum 9, and the common-ware vessels are still often burnished (47% of the vessels; the frequency of burnish in Stratum 9 was greater than 50%, but no precise figures are available). There are

less than twenty complete vessels, most of them small. This stands to reason, in view of the character of the deposit. Most of the material comes from two houseassemblages—Buildings EY 449 (Figs. 8.68, 8.69) and EY 586 (Figs. 8.70, 8.71)—as well as from Building EY 582 (Fig. 8.72) and Courtyard EY 171/179 (Figs. 8.73, 8.74). All three groups consist primarily of food preparation and serving vessels, with only minimal storage capabilities attested. Metallic Ware The Metallic Ware collection is small and unremarkable. Platters fall into the three most common types: triangular rim, plain wall (Fig. 8.68:7); triangular rim, tool-cut concavity (Fig. 8.72:7); vertical rim/wall (Fig. 8.70:7). The remaining pieces include one jug base with typical incision (Fig. 8.70:16), a few folded jarrims (Fig. 8.71:3–5), and a combed jar or pithos base (Fig. 8.69:5)—the only large storage vessel found in this stratum. Cooking Pots The three main types of cooking pots continue with the same relative frequency: brown holemouth cooking pots are the most common, followed by gray holemouth pots and by the necked variety. The brown group includes, alongside the standard forms (Figs. 8.68:8; 8.70:11, 12; 8.72:9, 10) of which Fig. 8.68:8 constitutes a fine, complete example, two small, one-handled vessels that might be characterized as ‘personal’ cooking mugs (Fig. 8.73:14, 15; the latter warped—either mis-fired or left too long on the hob). The gray cooking pots are easily identified by their angled wall, sliced rim, and internal striations (Figs. 8.68:9, 10; 8.70:10; 8.72:11; 8.73:12, 13; 8.75:7). The few necked examples (Figs. 8.70:8, 9; 8.72:8) are similar to the complete flat-based examples found in Stratum 9. Figure 8.72:6 is a deep bowl made of cooking-pot ware, showing clear marks of use. This is the only recorded example of a cooking bowl in the Bet Yerah assemblage. Common Ware By Stratum 8, the ‘southern potter’ was well-established at Tel Bet Yerah and was responsible for by far the greatest bulk of the pottery—66% of the diagnostics in this phase. By and large, all the main forms found in Stratum 9B continue to appear in Stratum 8, with few surprises.

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Bowls. As usual, the most interesting group among the bowls is that of the small bowls and lamps. Figures 8.70:1, 2 and 8.75:1 represent the classic flat-based lamp, the last being the basic form, and the former two with profiled wall and rim. Figure 8.69:6, flat-based with red slip, must be one of the earliest manifestations of the four-spouted lamp (the rim is not preserved). With a single-spouted type already reported in Stratum 9 (Fig. 8.57:4), Tel Bet Yerah may be said to provide the full typological range of Bronze Age lamps within two EB II phases! Small bowls—carinated or with an inverted rim (Fig. 8.75:2–4)—may have seen use as lamps as well. Figure 8.73:1 is a medium-sized bowl with a rather unusual sinuous profile, Fig. 8.73:2 a carinated bowl with a scraped base—a type already encountered in Stratum 9—and Figs. 8.70:3, 8.73:3, larger carinated bowls (or platters). The plain hemispherical bowls (Figs. 8.68:1; 8.72:1, 2; 8.75:5), the medium to large inverted-rim bowls (Figs. 8.68:2, 3; 8.70:5; 8.72:3–5; 8.73:4–8), and the platters (Figs. 8.68:4–6; 8.70:6; 8.73:9–11; 8.75:6) all continue the Stratum 9 typology. Figure 8.70:4 has the appearance of a small vat. Mugs, Jugs, and Jars. The loop-handled mug with a flat base emerges as the most resilient and characteristic product of the ‘southern potter’ (Figs. 8.68:11, 12; 8.70:13–15; 8.74:1–3; 8.75:8). It is no longer burnished, but bears only a thin red to brown slip, often smeared carelessly so as to form a grain-like pattern. Its proportions range from squat (e.g., Fig. 8.70:13), to globular (Fig. 8.70:14), to tall (Fig. 8.75:8). Figure 8.69:1–3 illustrates the entire collection of jugs and amphoriskoi in this phase; Fig. 8.69:2 is noteworthy for its fine red burnished slip and the evidence for wheelforming on the base and interior of the vessel. Store jars, either tall necked (Figs. 8.69:4; 8.71:2) or wide mouthed (Fig. 8.74:4, 5), are rare and unremarkable. The small, complete example in Fig. 8.71:1, with rope decoration at the base of the rim and prominent loop handles, does not appear to be a typical product, as complete forms in other phases usually exhibit a more streamlined profile. Decorated vessels include one with a standard net-painted pattern (Fig. 8.75:9) and a fragment of a red-on-white painted jug or small jar (Fig. 8.70:17).

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LOCAL STRATUM 7 (LATE PERIOD C) (Plan 8.9) This stratum represents the final phase or partial rebuild of the Stratum 8 buildings. Floors, some of them covered with much debris and considerable quantities of de facto refuse (see below), were about 0.1–0.2 m above those of the previous levels, and significant changes were effected in the overall plan following the construction of several walls and the dismantling of others. Still, many of the Stratum 8 walls remained in use. A striking feature of Stratum 7 is the uneven distribution of finds. While considerable quantities were discovered in some rooms (EY 150, EY 161, EY 160, EY 575), others were nearly devoid of finds, including the whole of the well-preserved central structure. Stratigraphic analysis of the transition to Stratum 6 (below) suggests that the differential distribution could be the result of curation behavior in the Strata 7–6 transition: While the central structure and its neighbors to the east and north remained in use, areas to the west and south were temporarily abandoned and refuse representing the debris of Stratum 7 (old pots, brick fragments, and organic waste) was thrown into them. Such processes are typical of densely built-up settlements, as shown by various site formation studies (Ziadeh-Seely 1999). Another interesting feature is the indifferent quality of the mudbrick construction: Alongside some cases of orderly construction of wide external and thin internal walls with full and half-bricks, we find several instances of haphazard construction with bricks of irregular size and brick fragments (e.g., W160/W29 or W33). The description of the structures will begin in the southeast, proceeding counter-clockwise. Building 586 of the previous stratum, now numbered EY 573/574, remained intact, but its interior division changed. Wall 86 now divided the main room into two uneven parts (EY 573 + EY 574). Floor elevations were at about -200.60 m. North of this structure there are some fragmentary wall-stubs (W94, W95; EY 566, EY 567) which might be joined to W44161, representing rooms or a courtyard annexed to Building EY 573/574 (cut by a pit, EY 565). The northeast corner of the excavated area (above Stratum 8 W91) appears to have been damaged by the JPES trench. Although only occupation patches and ash deposits are recorded (EY 572, EY 563, EY 570), it is hard to imagine that this area was abandoned, as

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Plan 8.9. Plan of Local Stratum 7.

the stratum as a whole appears to be characterized by dense construction and the filling in of previously open areas. The use of this area must remain an enigma. The central area underwent significant renovation (Fig. 8.20), effected by the northward extension of the Stratum 8 entrance corridor, EY 434, to create a 1.3–1.5 m wide north–south alley, EY 158, bisecting the western part of the Stratum 8 structures, Rooms EY 447 and EY 176. In the course of this renovation, W38 was partly dismantled and its stone foundation incorporated as a step in the alleyway. Wall 25 joined the already extant walls, W26 and W31, to border the alley on the east and form the new western wall of the central structure. Wall 27 was added on the west in continuation of W32. To compensate for the loss of the western room in the northernmost building (now numbered EY 451), the courtyard on the east now seems to have been incorporated into the structure. The former courtyard, which may have been bisected by the east–west wall,

W85 (not identified in the JPES trench), included a paved area, EY 452 (= MS 129; Fig. 8.21), and EY 571, possibly bounded on the north by W84. Floor elevations in this structure were at approximately -200.60–62 m. The western room, EY 451, contained a stone work table. The central structure, EY 442, deprived of its western room, now constituted a nearly perfect square, approximately 8.3 × 8.4 m. The entrance into this structure was probably in W25, opposite an opening in W27 and at a point near its juncture with W26 where sherds were found on top of the wall, nearly flush with floor level. The southern, eastern, and northern walls continued in use, W34 was replaced by a narrower mudbrick rebuild, W24, and floor levels were raised to elevations of -200.60–68 m (Rooms EY 446, EY 442, EY 431, EY 437). Finds were quite meager in this structure. The stratigraphic situation in the structures west of Alley EY 158 was complex (Fig. 8.22), and could

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363

Fig. 8.20. View of the central structure, looking north. To left, the alleyway, EY 158; center, Rooms EY 446 and 431; right, Room EY 442, bisected by an excavation balk. The rooms have been excavated to sub-floor levels, revealing Stratum 9B remains.

W22 W33

W38

Fig. 8.21. Northern stone wall of central structure (W38) sandwiched between W43 of Stratum 9 and mudbrick W22 of Stratum 6. To left, W18 of Stratum 7; to right, stone pavement, EY 452 approaching W38 and partly covered by W33 of Stratum 6.

only be unravelled by recourse to the detailed section drawing (Plan 8.3: Section 1-1). In this section, the walls added in Stratum 7 are clearly visible: Wall 145 inserted north of W181, and W29 and W160

built together north of W145. Also, the brick collapse covering the Stratum 7 floors is clearly visible. Generally speaking, the severed portions of the central and northern Stratum 8 structures were now

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W168

W155

Fig. 8.23. The corner formed by W155 and W168. Excavation below the floor of EY 157 revealed W190 of Local Stratum 8. Looking east.

Fig. 8.22. Local Stratum 7 architecture excavated in 1986; foreground, EY 157; center, EY 150; background, Building EY 161 and Room EY 160, with deposits, to left of alley. Looking south.

incorporated into one new building extending to the north and west and into another situated south and west, including the southern suite of rooms carried over from Stratum 8. Each structure was probably approached from the alleyway (although only one entrance was found in the excavated area). It is evident that the slight dip in floor elevations from north to south was maintained in this stratum. In the northwest corner, west of W27, part of a structure bounded by the newly built W160 was excavated. This unit included a small chamber (EY 444) partly paved with stones (top elev. -200.42 m) set in an ashy layer (-200.56 m), enclosed by a corner formed between W28 (a remnant of W38 from Stratum 8) and stone-based W168 (Fig. 8.23). West of W168, W155 bounded another, partly excavated room (EY 157; floor elev. -200.55 m). Between W28, W155, and W160, an irregular chamber, EY 443+156, was created. Wall 29 doubles W160 (Fig. 8.24) to mark the northern border of a large room, opening, via a wellbuilt stone threshold, onto the central alley. Wall 180 of the previous stratum was dismantled, and the resulting

Fig. 8.24. Double-wall W29+W160. Looking east.

space, EY 150 (floor elev. -200.55 m), appears to be the anteroom of the new, enlarged building that must have extended west of the excavated area. This room yielded a rich assortment of finds, including several jars, a mortar and, near W29, a potter’s wheel. The three rooms to the south remained intact (EY 153, EY 161, EY 162). Floors were raised to an average elevation of -200.70 m (the same as the stone threshold between Rooms EY 153 and EY 161), and many finds lay upon

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Fig. 8.25. Room EY 161, with pottery on floor.

them, including a large group of shattered pots in the northwest corner of Room EY 161 (Figs. 8.25, 8.26). The floors here are somewhat lower than those to the north and east, as can be clearly seen in the section drawing. As noted above, no surface plainly attributable to Stratum 8 had been identified in the south-central portion of the excavated area, and the Strata 8–7 deposits may well be interpreted as the result of uninterrupted activity spanning a considerable length of time. In the western part of this area, W147, W169, and W89 define part of what appears to be a broadroom aligned north–south (EY160). While the exterior walls of this

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Fig. 8.26. Pottery deposit in Room EY 161.

room, with stone foundations, were clearly identified, W89 fell precisely at the juncture between Yogev’s two excavation areas (excavated some time apart), and there appears to be some confusion in her field notes as to its exact location and its stratigraphic relationship with the features that adjoin it. Our description will proceed under the assumption that this wall did indeed delimit a broadroom, though alternative interpretations cannot be ruled out. Room EY 160 contained two similar pottery deposits (both numbered 1064 or 164 [sic!] by the excavator); each consisted of a covered holemouth pot, a large jar, and a small jar (Figs. 8.27–8.29; see Figs. 8.79,

Fig. 8.27. Room EY 160, with southern pottery deposit. Note potter’s wheel at far left, forming a pair with the lid of holemouth seen in Fig. 8.28. Looking southeast.

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Fig. 8.28. Southern deposit in Room EY 160; note potter’s wheel on holemouth, as well as two (libation?) jugs on floor above deposit.

8.80). In both groups, the mouth of the larger jar lay at floor level (approximately -200.65 m); the top of the holemouth, covered by a flat stone (in the northern group) or potter’s wheel (in the southern group), was somewhat lower, and the smaller jar, to which no lid was found, was 0.15–0.20 m lower than the floor. It is clear that the six vessels were all intentionally interred, as witness their perfect state of preservation. Above the northern cache, in the northeast corner just atop the holemouth pot, there lay an unusually thick-walled jug at floor level. Above the southern cache there were two more jugs of unusual proportions. One was an elongated, thick-walled vessel upon which a graffito was lightly incised, apparently before firing (the worn surface bars certain identification). The graffito has been interpreted as an Egyptian name (Greenberg and Eisenberg 2002; Kaplony 2002; Morenz 2004). The other was a squat, double-walled jug. East of Room EY 160 there seems to have been a courtyard, sloping slightly towards the east. This courtyard (EY 575) contained a thick accumulation of debris, including many pottery vessels (Figs. 8.81, 8.82) and several potter’s wheels (Fig. 8.30). A tabun was found near W16, and the area might have been subdivided by the north–south wall emerging from W16, seen only in section (Plan 8.3: Section 4-4), described in Stratum 8. The general aspect of the southern area is not domestic in nature. Rather, both the architecture and

Fig. 8.29. Northern deposit in Room EY 160.

Fig. 8.30. Open area(?), EY 575, with deposit of pottery and potter’s wheel as found.

the finds suggest ritual usage—perhaps as a small neighborhood shrine. Pottery of Local Stratum 7 (see Figs. 8.76–8.86) Over fifty complete and nearly complete vessels from Stratum 7 represent the apogee of the production of the ‘southern potter’ (Fig. 8.31). Here, as in other late Period C locales in the southern part of the mound, large groups of restorable pots lay on floors. Although little other evidence for a violent destruction exists, the pottery-strewn floors in Area BS, MS, and EY

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8.83:3; 8.86:6) and many local platters (Figs. 8.76:3, 4; 8.79:3; 8.83:11; 8.84:2; 8.85:5), including several that are complete (Figs. 8.78:2; 8.81:3; 8.84:3). None, it should be noted, are out-sized and none bear the ‘spider’s web’ pattern burnish typical of Period D. Inverted-rim bowls, though not heavily represented in the illustrations (Figs. 8.81:2; 8.83:2, 10; 8.85:3, 4; 8.86:5, 16), were the most numerous among the diagnostic rims. A deep, steep-walled bowl (Fig. 8.85:2), complete, seems out of place in the assemblage, although its fabric might well be local. Fig. 8.31. Products of the ‘southern potter’, Local Stratum 7.

attest to a crisis, followed by a partial abandonment of structures. As a result, the main pottery assemblages from this stratum are unevenly distributed: Rooms along the western and southern edges of the excavation area provide the greatest bulk of pottery, while other structures—most conspicuously the central structure, EY 442—had only fragmentary remains. In Figs. 8.76–8.86, the pottery is presented in discrete assemblages, beginning with the most productive loci. The general trends in Stratum 7 pottery follow the path indicated in earlier Period C strata: a further decline in NCMW, now constituting a mere 6% of the assemblage (7% without cooking pots); a dramatic decrease in the frequency of burnished common-ware vessels (25%, down from 47% in Stratum 8); and the increasing popularity of the gray cooking pots, now outnumbering the rest (71% of the total cooking pots). Alongside the familiar local types, the Stratum 7 pottery includes many unusual items, some of them almost certainly produced outside the site. The following discussion will focus on the new and unusual types, with only a cursory description of the forms continuing from earlier strata. This will be followed by a review of the main assemblages. Typology Bowls. Hemispherical bowls (Figs. 8.79:1, 2; 8.81:1; 8.83:1; 8.86:3, 4) and lamps of various kinds (Figs. 8.76:2; 8.84:1; 8.85:1; 8.86:2) continue earlier trends. Carinated bowls, the scraped bottom mold-formed and the upper wall wheel-formed (Figs. 8.76:1; 8.78:1), prove that the earlier occurences of the type were not accidental and, although rare, the type should be considered a legitimate part of the ‘southern potter’ assemblage. There are a few Metallic (Figs. 8.76:5;

Vats. The two vats, one a fragment and the other complete (Fig. 8.81:4, 5), present a flared profile that continues into Period D at Tel Bet Yerah. Cooking Pots. There are very few necked cooking pots in Stratum 7. Among the holemouths, several brown pots with incised decorations or potter’s marks are illustrated (Figs. 8.79:5; 8.84:4; 8.86:7–9), as well as the standard gray pots with scored or striated interior (e.g., 8.81:6–8 and many more). The brown pots in this stratum tend to be smaller than the gray ones, as can be seen by comparing the above-mentioned gray pots with the complete brown pot in Fig. 8.81:9 (the fabric of this pot is, however, not quite the same as that of the classic brown pots of earlier phases). The very large and symmetrical pots in Fig. 8.79:6, 7 were found in the two ritual deposits in Room EY 160. Mugs, Jugs, an Amphoriskos, and a Twin-Vessel. While mugs of various proportions continue to be a rather pedestrian, if popular, local product (Figs. 8.76:8; 8.83:5, 8; 8.86:12, 17; Fig. 8.86:11 is an NCMW mug), the jugs present an interesting variety not only of forms, but also, apparently, of origins (a picture akin to that revealed in the Late Period C assemblage of Area BS). A collection of five red-slipped, unburnished jugs and a similar amphoriskos from EY 161 (Figs. 8.76:9–13; 8.77:3) represents the typical local product. What may be considered as the Metallic Ware prototype of the slender jug-amphoriskos was found nearby (Fig. 8.84:5). The apparently non-domestic contexts of EY 160 and EY 575 provided an assortment of jugs, some of them quite unusual: Figures 8.79:8, 9 and 8.80:1 are all poorly fired local products with abnormally thick walls. This emerged when the incised jug, Fig. 8.79:8, was immersed in acetic acid in order to remove a calcareous encrustation and the fabric of jug itself

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began to dissolve; the vessel was simply not fired through. Petrographic examination of the vessel revealed it to be of local composition (N. Porat, pers. comm.). The incision is shallow, rendered with a sharp instrument, and although composed of straight lines, does not betray the back-and-forth motion that typifies incisions made after firing. The double wall of Fig. 8.80:1 was probably unintended and could be the result of the unfired core of the vessel-wall gradually dissolving and escaping through a hole in the external surface. Figure 8.80:2, also probably of local manufacture, is a functional red-slipped jug with a collar at the base of the neck. Another collared jug is the graceful vessel illustrated in Fig. 8.82:2. The collar and carinated form of this vessel seem to be inspired by a metal or stone prototype; the quality of the design places it beyond the skills of the local potter. The twin-vessel in Fig. 8.82:1—in fact a pair of typical mugs conjoined at body and handle—completes the collection of unusual vessels in the southern part of the excavation area. Additional jugs that do not seem to be the product of the ‘southern potter’ at Tel Bet Yerah include the jug in Fig. 8.82:3, slipped and burnished and with a button base, and the matching pairs of juglet bases and fragmentary neckhandled jugs found in Rooms EY 441/442 (Fig. 8.83:6, 7) and EY 156/157 (Fig. 8.85:6, 7). Store Jars. Store jars also form a varied group. The standard ‘southern potter’ product would appear to be the sturdy loop-handled jar with an often streaky red slip, as seen in Figs. 8.78:3, 4; 8.80:4, 5; and 8.82:6. Closely related would be the thick-set combed jars in Figs. 8.80:7 and 8.86:13, and the decorated jars in Figs. 8.80:6 and perhaps 8.77:4, 5. Figure 8.77:1, also with streaky red slip, may have been furnished with a ‘pillarhandle’ as its wide mouth seems suitable for dipping. Figure 8.77:2, with its slightly pushed-up ledge handles and impressed decoration, is certainly anomalous in the assemblage, as is the white-slipped ledge-handled jar in Fig. 8.82:5. Their origin should probably be sought in the southern Jordan Valley. There are several channeled jar-rims, one plain (Fig. 8.83:13), another burnished (Fig. 8.86:14), and a third in Metallic Ware, with redon-white decoration (Fig. 8.86:15). An additional redon-white jar with loop-handles, this time in non-metallic ware, is shown in Fig. 8.85:8. Varia. Unidentified ceramic objects include a ringbase fragment in Fig. 8.76:7, perhaps part of a chalice,

and a rectilinear pierced object (Fig. 8.85:9), evidently attached to a larger artifact. Remarks on the Stratum 7 Assemblages The sixteen complete or nearly complete vessels and the fragments of six others from Rooms EY 150/161/162 (Figs 8.76–8.78) form a nearly complete complement of household vessels. Functional variation may be seen in the rooms of the house, with Rooms EY 162 and EY 150 serving mainly for storage, and Room EY 161, perhaps, for food consumption. Nearly absent is evidence for food preparation (cooking pots and mixing bowls); this must have taken place in the courtyard located just outside the excavation area, west of W146. The remaining houses in the stratum provided only fragmentary assemblages, though the emphasis in the rooms excavated in the northwest, north, and east may be said to be on presentation, rather than storage or preparation (Figs. 8.84, 8.85, 8.86:16, 17). As for the central structure, EY 442, we are tempted to suggest that the paucity of artifacts on its floors (Fig. 8.83:1–9) is due to its having been continuously occupied and periodically cleaned, and that the jumble of storage and food-preparation vessels found in the open area to its south (Figs. 8.81, 8.82) may well be the product of this periodic cleaning. The non-domestic nature of the EY 160 assemblage, including objects found both upon and beneath the floor, has been noted above (see also Greenberg and Eisenberg 2002). It is worth noting that the entire complement of vessels can be ascribed to the local potter, including the platters and the jug bearing the Egyptian grafitto (for the latter form, cf. above, Fig. 5.81:3). Taken in conjunction with the matched upper and lower potter’s wheels found in the same room, we might conclude that there was an intimate relation between the ritual carried out in EY 160 and the potter’s establishment that must have been located nearby.

LOCAL STRATUM 6 (EARLY PERIOD D) (Plans 8.10, 8.11) Stratum 6 marks a general rebuilding of earlier structures, after a crisis that led to the abandonment of some. Despite this crisis, the general layout of the buildings was not altered, and floors were laid directly over the remains of the previous phase. The north–south alleyway remained in use, though its northern section was widened somewhat in Stratum 6B to form a small

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Plan 8.10. Plan of Local Stratum 6A.

plaza. As in previous strata, the rebuilding of walls sometimes involved laying a new stone base. When only mudbricks were used, these were of markedly different shape from those of earlier strata, being of a thicker, shoebox-like character (see Plan 8.3: Section 2-2). Two phases in Stratum 6 were observed in parts of the excavation, reflecting the dynamics of use within the structures. Where structures were rebuilt in Stratum 6B, the size of the rooms was reduced—a consistent feature recurring since Stratum 9B. The stratum ended with a general abandonment resulting in the deposition of a good deal of de facto refuse. As the character of the subphases changes from one structure to the next, we have preferred to describe the stratigraphy in each structure separately. The description will begin with the southeast structure, and proceed in a roughly counterclockwise direction. The southeast structure, EY 568 (Plan 8.10, floor elevation -200.45 m), represents a rebuild of the

Stratum 7 building on the same site. Wall bases built of large fieldstones were placed atop the mudbrick stumps of the previous phase: Wall 77 replaced W88 in the north and W78 replaced W87 in the west. Wall 79 was added on the southern side and W81 on the east. There appears to be a short east–west dividing wall, W71, abutting W78. Room EY 568 included ash deposits, scattered sherds, and patches of pavement upon the ashes. In Stratum 6B (EY 551; Plan 8.11) the floor was raised by about 0.20 m; W71 was razed and its base covered over. An interesting installation, identified by Yogev as a potter’s tournette-base (though a pillar-base seems as likely an explanation), was discovered in the middle of the room. It consisted of a round, flat stone supported by smaller stones (Fig. 8.32). To the east a paved area and a stone bowl are worthy of notice. North of the unit described above, W80 serves as the western wall of a poorly understood unit, damaged by the JPES trench. A large space, some 8 m wide, extends

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Plan 8.11. Plan of Local Stratum 6B.

Fig. 8.32. EY 568/551, looking south. In right foreground, the stone installation or pillar base; to left, patches of stone pavement representing successive Local Strata 6A–B floors.

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north of Building 568, with no evidence for internal divisions and sparse evidence of activity. Surfaces were identified at elevations -200.43–45 m (EY 561, EY 562; Plan 8.10) and -200.16 m (EY 539, EY 541; Plan 8.11), and a pit, EY 565, was apparently dug in Stratum 6A. In the northeast corner of the excavation the broad stone foundations (W74, W83) of a corner of a structure extending outside the excavation area were uncovered. A floor was identified at -200.20 m (EY 543; Plan 8.11), with a possible earlier surface in EY 560 (Plan 8.10). There appears to have been a doorway facing south in W83. The area west of Room EY 560 was occupied by unspecified deposits EY 557 and EY 542 in Strata 6A–B, respectively. The central structure of Stratum 7 was rebuilt along the same lines (Building EY 435) in Stratum 6A, with mudbricks added to the external walls and some new subdivisions in the interior (Fig. 8.33). Floor elevations in this phase were at about -200.36–38 m. The northern wall, W22, appears to have been doubled in order to set the structure apart from the one lying to its north. Wall 12 replaced W25/26, W17 replaced W33, and W11 replaced W24 in the center of the structure. The southern part of the building was subdivided by W17, W20/21, and W15 to form four new chambers: EY 423, EY 424a, EY 424, and EY 417. Wall 21 continued north to create Rooms EY 435 and EY 436. Room EY 433 represents the raising of the floor in the northwest room. In Stratum 6B floors were raised to an elevation

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of approximately -200.20 m (EY 419, EY 427, EY 413, EY 417, EY 420a, EY 420, EY 423; Plan 8.11). Pottery-mending between Stratum 6A rooms suggests that this process was accompanied by redeposition of fills from the earlier layer. The Stratum 6B floors were found covered with debris, especially in EY 413 and EY 427 (Figs. 8.34, 8.35). To the north of the central structure, Room EY 558 was bordered by W22 on the south and W31, rebuilt with shoebox-like bricks and furnished with a door to the alleyway, on the west. Its eastern wall was W33; the stone foundation of the southern end of this wall was sandwiched between the bricks of W38 from Stratum 7 and those of W22 (Figs. 8.36, 8.37). Wall 75 served as a divider, with EY 554 to its north (elev. -200.49 m) bordered by W70. In Stratum 6B the room was rearranged, with W30, preserved to a height of only one course, creating a chamber (EY 428) in the southeast corner (elev. -200.13 m; Fig. 8.36). A large lower grindstone, made of basalt, was found on the floor near W33, as well as a limestone slab in the middle of the room. Some mudbricks located south of W70 may have served to close off the western room (EY 429; -200.15 m). The gradual accumulation of debris in Alleyway EY 432/415 (Fig. 8.38) required the addition of mudbricks to the threshold of the entrance in W31. West of the alleyway, W27 was raised with shoeboxmudbricks and continued in use in Stratum 6A. The corner formed by W168 and W155 of Stratum 7 was

Fig. 8.33. General view of central structure in Local Stratum 6A (Building EY 435), looking southwest. Note JPES trench left of scale.

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Fig. 8.34. The central structure, Building EY 427, in Local Stratum 6B, with debris on floors. Looking southwest.

Fig. 8.36. Room EY 428, bordered by W22 (top), W30 (right), and W33 (left). The latter is built over a stone pavement of Local Stratum 7 and W37 of Strata 8–7. Looking south.

Fig. 8.35. Detail showing debris in EY 427.

covered over by new construction: Wall 128, a meterwide mudbrick wall forming a narrow chamber, EY 141, and west of it a larger space, EY 151, with a floor at elevation -200.30 m, bounded by the still-extant W160/ W29. In Stratum 6B some dramatic changes occurred: Wall 160, W27, and W128 fell out of use (only W29 was rebuilt with ‘shoebox’ bricks), and a plaza was created (EY 415; -200.00 m) in the northwest corner of the excavation area.

In the southwest structure the stratigraphic picture is not very clear. Initially, the Stratum 7 walls appear to have remained in use—W29, W146, W144a, and the northern part of W32. Doorways were blocked, and Pits EY 459 (sealed by Stratum 6B W13) and EY 165 were dug in the south. No clear floors could be associated with this phase in Rooms EY 148 and EY 149, though ash lenses were identified in the south (EY 152, and above it EY 136). A possible explanation might be that the structure was abandoned and boarded up for a time, during which it served for refuse and perhaps ad-hoc activities, and its southern part annexed to the open area (EY 142) extending south of the main structure. In Stratum 6B, W13—with a foundation built of large

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W31

Fig. 8.37. Wall 33, its stone foundations covering W38 of Local Stratum 7 and covered in turn by the bricks of W22. Looking west.

stones and up to five courses of mudbrick preserved— replaced W32. Wall 19, of similar construction, replaced W145, and W144a—or perhaps only its easternmost portion—was apparently repaired. The three rooms of the structure, EY 422, EY 138, and EY 133, had floors at elevations of -200.15–20 m, upon which a large number of finds remained (especially in Room EY 422; Fig. 8.39). Pits EY 121 and EY 135, cut from Stratum 4, disturbed the western part of Room EY 422. Finally, the southern edge of the excavation area— which appeared to have been the locus of ritual use in Stratum 7—remains to be described. Despite several walls and floors ascribed to the area in Yogev’s field notes, none are marked by her with confidence, and there is a marked lack of the type of debris typifying other parts of the stratum. This evidence, in addition to the testimony of the section drawing, led us to the conclusion that the area was an open area, with no identifiable function (EY 552 and EY 142 in Stratum 6A, as well as EY 130 in Stratum 6B). Pottery of Local Stratum 6 (see Figs. 8.87–8.99) The two sub-phases of Stratum 6 provided almost fifty complete or nearly complete vessels, comprising a rich and varied representation of early Period D pottery.

Fig. 8.38. Local Stratum 6A alley, excavated in 1986, looking north. Note build-up in alley (below large scale) and the addition of ‘shoebox’ bricks to W31 (in balk at top right).

Fig. 8.39. Finds on the floor of EY 422.

As in all other parts of the mound, the onset of Period D is marked by changes in the composition of the local assemblage and by the introduction of Khirbet Kerak Ware. The latter ware was not distributed randomly in the excavated area, but was discovered in discrete

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assemblages, principally in those rooms lying to the south and west of the central structure (EY 435/427). Thus, in Stratum 6A, KKW comprised 30–50% of the material in EY 152, EY 136, and EY 568, while Building EY 435 provided only a handful of fragments and Alley EY 432 a solitary sherd. In Stratum 6B, loci south and west of the central structure yielded 36 KKW sherds out of a total of 66 diagnostics (55%); those of the central and northeast sector—11 out of a total of 220 (5%). As for the local assemblage, the main innovation was the appearance of the large pattern-burnished platter, alongside less conspicuous Period D diagnostics, such as the wheelmade bowl and the stump-based jug. Comparative measurement of a large sample of platters in Periods C and D showed a distinct increase of about 6 cm in average diameter. This increase was, however, smaller than that observed in Area UN (from 31 to 41 cm). In other senses, continuity may be said to be the hallmark of the transition from Period C to Period D as far as the ‘southern potter’ was concerned. As in late Period C, Metallic Ware all but disappears, gray holemouth cooking pots far outnumber the brown (many of which must be assumed to be residual), and burnished vessels account for about one third of the total red-slipped vessels.

(e.g., Fig. 8.91:14). There does, however, seem to be a preference for everted channeled rims, usually shorter and thicker than their Period C forerunners (Figs. 8.91:13; 8.92:4; 8.93:10; 8.94:10). Ledge handles continue to appear sporadically (Fig. 8.90:7; 8.92:5; 8.94:9). Red-painted decoration continues to appear in Period D, here on a rather unusual mug or amphoriskos with decorative lugs (Fig. 8.89:8). Vats generally maintain the splayed stance adopted in late Period C (Figs. 8.91:8; 8.98:7; 8.99:3, 7, 8), although Fig. 8.93:8 forms an in-turned exception. The thick wall and awkward proportions of the small amphoriskos from EY 561 (Fig. 8.98:15) carry on the tradition seen in the vessels from the ritual deposit in Room EY 160 of Stratum 7. Among the cooking pots, Fig. 8.88:11 appears to be a ‘brown’ cooking pot; it is decorated with an intricate combed pattern. Combed brown holemouth cooking pots were also observed in EB III at Tel Dan (Greenberg 1996: Figs. 3.31:13; 3.34:12). Most of the remaining pots are of the globular gray variety, virtually unchanged from Period C (e.g., Figs. 8.88:12; 8.89:1, 2). Figure 8.93:3 continues the tradition of flatbased necked cooking pots, few of which were found in Stratum 6.

Common Ware and Cooking Pots Continuing from Period C Several vessel categories show very little change in the transition from Period C to D. These include hemispherical bowls (Figs. 8.93:1; 8.94:1, 2; 8.98:2), the ubiquitous inverted-rim bowls (Figs. 8.87:2, 4; 8.90:4, 5, 10; 8.91:4, 5; 8.93:6; 8.98:3), mugs (Figs. 8.87:6; 8.96:10, 11; 8.99:9), certain jugs (Figs. 8.87:8, 9; 8.89:6, 7; 8.93:9; 8.96:12), juglets (Figs. 8.87:7; 8.90:14; 8.93:2), and large amphoriskoi (Fig. 8.89:9). Some inverted-rim bowls were decorated with pattern burnish (Figs. 8.90:11; 8.94:5)—a typical Period D technique more commonly associated with platters (see below). Lamps appear to show a tendency towards a more standardized, shallow flat-based bowl with a slightly pinched rim (Figs. 8.92:3; 8.98:1, 14), or more often without one (Figs. 8.90:1, 2; 8.92:1, 2; 8.98:12; 8.99:1). Additional types of bowls could also serve as lamps (Figs. 8.93:4; 8.99:2). Jars do not seem to have changed significantly (see, e.g., Fig. 8.89: 10–15); as in late Period C, combed wares are by and large non-metallic, though they often preserve the structural details of the Metallic Ware prototypes

Common Ware—New Forms and Techniques Characteristic Period D innovations in the local pottery tradition include the following: Wheelmade Bowls and Platters. The small bowls are typically hemispherical, with clear evidence for the wheel along the entire wall of the vessel (Figs. 8.87:1; 8.90:8, 9; 8.96:1). Figure 8.88:2 is a wheelmade straight-walled bowl with an inverted rim and pattern burnish. Figure 8.96:4 belongs to a class of Period D platters with wheel-formed walls set on a very broad, flat base. Shallow, Thick Platters, Usually Pattern-Burnished. The hallmark of Period D/EB III, as in all other parts of the mound, are the thick-set, shallow platters with vertical triangular rims (e.g., Figs 8.87:5; 8.88:3–7; 8.94:6, 7; 8.96:7–9). The largest of these platters are about 60 cm in diameter (Figs. 8.90:12; 8.98:4), considerably less than the oversize platters found in other parts of the mound (see, e.g., Fig. 3.24:5, 6). Stump-Based and Oversized Jugs. Only fragments of stump-based jugs were found (Figs. 8.89:3–5; 8.91:12;

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8.94:8). The larger bases, as well as the upper half of a jug in Fig. 8.90:15, seem to belong to the type of oversized jug (see Fig. 3.46:6) that typifies EB III. Pithoi. Only fragments of pithoi were recovered. The non-metallic combed type (Fig. 8.94:12, 13) is typical of Period D. Also diagnostic of this phase are the corrugated-rim fragment (Fig. 8.92:6, cf. above, Fig. 2.40) and the common-ware red-slipped vertical neck and rim (Fig. 8.89:16), of a type never encountered in Period C. Carinated Bowls. Bowls with a high carination and inverted rim (Fig. 8.96:2, 3) may be seen as a Period D innovation. Figure 8.98:13 is a heavy-set version of the EB II carinated bowl. Khirbet Kerak Ware As noted above, Khirbet Kerak Ware appears in rather modest quantities in Area EY, and it is concentrated in specific loci. Nonetheless, the repertoire is varied and includes an exotic stand or funnel as well as decorated andirons. Bowls are the most numerous, and include small redslipped bowls with vertical or slightly curved walls and an omphalos base (e.g., Figs. 8.95:3–5; 8.97:3; 8.98:8, 9), as well as red-black bowls with sinuous sides, some small (e.g., Figs. 8.88:8; 8.95:1, 2), others of medium size and furnished with a strap handle (Fig. 8.98:10). Figures 8.95:6 and 8.97:2 are the only open bowls in this assemblage. Kraters, all red-black burnished, include the wide carinated type with a vertical rim and ribbed decoration (Figs. 8.95:7; 8.97:4, 5), and the deeper decorated sinuous-sided type (Figs. 8.88:9; 8.95:8, 9). Figure 8.97:6, gray in color and burnished only on the outside, may be considered a rare type of jar, rather than a krater. Stands include a red-slipped ridged base (Fig. 8.95:13) and the showcase piece in Area EY’s KKW assemblage—a beautifully decorated base (Fig. 8.95:12), apparently belonging to a type of ‘egg-cup’ or funnel, the complete form of which can be seen in a similarly decorated example from Bet She’an (Fitzgerald 1935: Pl. 8:6). The incised and painted decoration features a highly distinctive border of

375

diagonally hatched triangles, above which is a frieze consisting of stylized horned animals composed of triangles, lozenges, and angled lines alternating with a geometric design composed of bands of hatched triangles. The incised designs are accentuated with lime, and set off by a subtle application of black color within all the enclosed geometric shapes that compose the design. Although the vessel-type is unique to the Levant, the details and general appearance of the decoration have very strong parallels in the KuraArax assemblage, from which Khirbet Kerak Ware is generally thought to have been derived (see Sagona 1984: Figs. 120–122). Lids and Andirons. These include the standard knobs and triangular bodies of lids, unslipped but burnished (Figs. 8.95:10, 11; 8.97:7; 8.99:10), as well as various andiron fragments: functional (8.97:8–11), and undersized (Figs. 8.95:14; 8.98:11). Among the functional andirons, Fig. 8.97:8, with incised hatched decoration, and Fig. 8.97:9, which is combed all over (a technique borrowed from local potters?), may be noted. Note on the Local Stratum 6 Assemblages In addition to the uneven distribution of Khirbet Kerak Ware discussed earlier, the Stratum 6 house assemblages show a continued emphasis on food preparation and especially presentation, with bowls and platters comprising 50–60% of the total diagnostics in both subphases. Thus, in the central structure (Figs. 8.87–89), where little or no KKW was present in both phases, the large open vessels are most prominent, along with the complete cooking pots. Storage is divided between small and middle-sized containers, with only a single pithos in evidence. In the KKW-rich loci (e.g., Figs. 8.94–8.97), the local assemblage is hardly different from that of the central structure (if anything, there are even fewer storage vessels). The absence of cooking vessels is, we believe, accidental—an artifact of choices made in the archaeologists’ selection of forms for illustration. Other KKW-rich deposits at Tel Bet Yerah tend to include many holemouth cooking pots of local type.

LOCAL STRATA 5–3 (LATE PERIOD D) (Plans 8.12, 8.13) Stratum 6, as noted above, was abandoned in haste, leaving considerable deposits of artifacts upon the

376

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Plan 8.12. Plan of Local Strata 5–4.

floors. There was, however, no clear sign of violent destruction. The succeeding structures, as in previous levels, were founded directly above the earlier remains (with 0.2–0.3 m intervening between the floors of the two strata). However, as Strata 5–3 were the uppermost deposits of the Bronze Age in this part of the mound, they were subject to considerable erosive processes during the two millennia that elapsed before Hellenistic resettlement in Stratum 2. In addition, building activities in the later strata badly damaged the Early Bronze Age remains. The interpretation of the patchy Strata 5–3 remains, preserved mainly along the eastern and western edges of the excavation, is therefore dependent upon their correlation with the more substantial architecture uncovered by the JPES (Area MS) excavations just north of Area EY, where Stratum 2 structures did not intrude. This correlation, presented in greater detail in Chapter 2, reveals that the rather ephemeral Stratum 5 is represented in Area EY only

by non-architectural deposits (EY 115/116; Plan 8.12), and the major late Early Bronze Age construction of Stratum 3 (as recorded in Area MS)—by three or four wall fragments and a number of occupation patches only (EY 114, EY 111, EY 112; Plan 8.13). This leaves us with the relatively well-preserved Stratum 4. The buildings in this stratum show continuity (in terms of layout, orientation, and technique) with the preceding structures in the area. Excavation in the southeast sector revealed part of a large multi-roomed structure (Building EY 530; Plan 8.12) which by now may be considered characteristic of Tel Bet Yerah (Fig. 8.40). The structure had wellbuilt, two-row, stone foundations, one or two courses in height. Its floors abutted the walls between the first and second course (in contrast to earlier strata, where floors were flush with the bottom of the walls or even somewhat below them). Of the external walls, only W66 in the north (= W44102 of the JPES excavations)

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

377

Plan 8.13. Plan of Local Stratum 3.

Fig. 8.40. View of Local Stratum 4 structures along the eastern edge of the excavation area.

was clearly preserved. The western wall might have been built atop the remains of W78 of Stratum 6B; however, it was not identified with any certainty (the corner between the two walls, W44102 and W44103,

was, however, clearly defined in the JPES excavations). The interior east–west and north–south dividing walls—W69, W68, and W64—were either two rows wide or consisted of a single row of stones, apparently buttressed by a row of bricks. The structure’s rooms, with floors at elevations of -199.80–90 m, include EY 530, with a stone mortar set into the floor; EY 534, with an ashy patch and stone table in the northwest; EY 525 (disturbed by Pit EY 528); and EY 526, in which a lower grinding stone was found. Two pits were identified near Building 530. EY 421 (elev. -199.87– -200.95 m), which cut W36 of Stratum 6, lay just west of the structure and could have been coeval with it. EY 528 (-199.92– -200.77 m) could not have coexisted with Building EY 530, and must either have preceded it (as suggested by the excavator) or succeeded it (judging by the damage to W78). North of Building EY 530, parts of two more structures were excavated. In the northeast corner, the

378

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

W3

Fig. 8.41. Wall 115 of Local Stratum 4 running beneath W3 of Stratum 2.

elev. -199.91 m), with a rather large collection of pottery (see Figs. 8.102, 8.103), seems to belong to an independent structure. The central area, as noted above, was devoid of architectural remains. In the northwest corner, where W31 of Strata 8–6 protruded above the other Stratum 6 remains, there are deposits which seem to represent erosive fills postdating Stratum 6 and predating Stratum 4 (EY 116, EY 123a?). The advent of Stratum 4 or 3 is marked here by the construction of new stone foundations: Wall 115, running east–west (Fig. 8.41), and W120, built over W31. The occupation level associated with these walls is EY 114, at -199.69 m. South of the above-mentioned structure there were meager remains. These included pits, EY 121 and EY 135 (Plan 8.12), a north–south wall, W122 (Plan 8.13), built atop W166 of Stratum 6B, and activity areas to either side of the wall (EY 111/414 to the east, EY 112 to the west; elev. approximately -199.70 m). These areas—possibly the remains of a house—include mortars set into the floors (Fig. 8.42) and two sunken jars, one with a stone cover, found in the southern balk (top elev. -199.56–60 m; bottom elev. -200.08 m; see Fig. 8.107). The elevations and especially the orientation of these elements fit those of Stratum 3 in Area MS, and could provide that stratum with a clear date of construction, in late EB III (see pottery discussion below). Pottery of Local Strata 5–3 (see Figs. 8.100–8.107)

Fig. 8.42. Mortar in EY 111.

Stratum 6 structure (EY 560/543) was succeeded by a building bordered by W74 on the west (surviving from Stratum 6) and W73 on the south. Wall 72 forms two rooms, EY 531 to the west and EY 532 to the east, with floor elevations at approximately -199.75 m. Between this structure and Building 530, Room EY 527, bordered by W67 on the east (floor

The three final phases of Early Bronze Age occupation in Area EY provided a rather limited assemblage, for reasons enumerated earlier. Nonetheless, the pottery is sufficient in quantity and quality to place all three phases squarely within Period D (i.e., EB III). Isolated fragments of the Area BS ‘Stratum 6 ware’ (ascribed to Period E, or final EB; see Chapter 5) were recovered, but not enough to permit any of the three strata to be assigned to that period. Moreover, Khirbet Kerak Ware maintains a relative frequency of approximately 25% in all three strata, without showing evidence of decline. Stratum 5 (see Fig. 8.100) The small collection of sherds ascribed to this stratum include straight and curved wheelmade bowls (Fig. 8.100:1–3), the stump-base of a jug (Fig. 8.100:5), and a Khirbet Kerak Ware bowl and stand (Fig. 8.100:4,

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

6). The votive footed bowl (Fig. 8.100:7) calls to mind the full-sized tetrapod platter found in the Tel Yarmut B1 palace (de Miroschedji 2000: Fig. 18.9:1). A complete amphoriskos (Fig. 8.100:8), one of the favorite shapes of the ‘southern potter’ at Bet Yerah and nearly unchanged since Stratum 7, comes from a fill that can belong to either Stratum 5 or 4, as does the large andiron fragment (Fig. 8.100:9). Stratum 4 (see Figs. 8.101–8.105) The largest amount of pottery comes from contexts attributed to Stratum 4 (including EY 113/114, which might belong to Stratum 3, or incorporate Stratum 3 deposits). Most of the material repeats the Stratum 6 assemblage: wheelmade bowls (Figs. 8.102:3; 8.105:1); large inverted-rim bowls (Fig. 8.102:6–9); patternburnished platters (Figs. 8.101:1; 8.102:4, 5); a splayed vat (Fig. 8.102:10); a mug (Fig. 8.103:3); gray cookingpots with scored interiors (Figs. 8.101:4; 8.103:1, 2; 8.104:5, 6; 8.105:4); stump-based jugs (Fig. 8.103:4, 5); channeled-rim jars (Fig. 8.105:6, 7); standard pithoi (Fig. 8.105:8); ledge-handles (Fig. 8.104:7, 8); and a wide-mouthed pithos with decorative lugs (Fig. 8.103:6). There appears to be more of an emphasis, in Stratum 4, on wheel-forming, as illustrated by string-cut jugs (Fig. 8.101:6; 8.103:4) and previously unattested wheelmade mugs (Fig. 8.104:2, 3). The random painting on Fig. 8.101:7, the splayed rim of the jar in Fig. 8.101:8, and the small jars with decorative ledge handles in Figs. 8.101:5 and 8.104:4 should all be seen as late Period D developments. Khirbet Kerak Ware includes the standard Period D shapes: vertical bowls (Fig. 8.105:2, 3); decorated kraters (Figs. 8.101:3; 8.103:8; 8.105:9); a lid (Fig. 8.103:7); a stand (Fig. 8.101:9); and an andiron (Fig. 8.105:10). There are, however, some interesting new shapes which might have chronological significance: deep invertedrim bowls, red slipped (Figs. 8.101:2; 8.104:1); and the small stand with internal ledge (Fig. 8.104:9). The coarse jar with prominent rope-decoration, Fig. 8.105:5, is without doubt an intrusive sherd, belonging to the chronological horizon of Period E (see Chapter 5, Local Stratum 6), otherwise not represented in Area EY. Stratum 3 (see Figs. 8.106, 8.107) The small assemblage from Stratum 3, in addition to Period D standards, such as the inverted-rim bowls (Fig. 8.106:2, 5), pattern-burnished platter (Fig. 8.106:6),

379

red-slipped mug (Fig. 8.106:7), and sinuous KKW bowls (8.106:12–14), yielded several unusual pieces: Figure 8.106:1 is a small carinated bowl that appears to imitate Khirbet Kerak Ware. Figure 8.106:4 is a rather crude, curved bowl that may have been intended to imitate large rounded KKW bowls (as in Fig. 8.106:3). Figure 8.106:8 is a cooking pot of the type that is most popular in the ‘final EB’ (Period E) levels in Area BS (see Fig. 5.98); Fig. 8.106:9 is a reworked fragment of a combed holemouth cooking pot, its pattern nearly identical to that of the complete pot in Stratum 6 (Fig. 8.88:11). Jars range from the delicate globular jar (Fig. 8.106:10)—possibly in by-now rare Metallic Ware—to the large, coarse jars preserved in subfloor interments (Fig. 8.107). The narrow-mouthed pithos with decorative lugs in Fig. 8.107:2, a frequent Period D type, forms an interesting contrast with the more refined channeled-rim pithos in Fig. 8.106:11, in which the lugs retain their original handle-like form (presumably serving to tie down the lid that rested within the channeled rim). Two Khirbet Kerak Ware items, Fig. 8.106:15—a unique flared cup—and Fig. 8.106:16—a double-handle of a lid—provide further evidence of the growing diversity of KKW forms that came into being as EB III wore on. Finally, Fig. 8.106:17 is part of a complex fenestrated object. The sliced rim of the object is pierced, suggesting that another vessel was placed atop the stand. In all, the progressive diversification of forms in Strata 5–3 reflects the gradual decline of powerful ceramic industries during Period D in favor of smaller, heterogeneous workshops. The final chapter of this decline, in Tel Bet Yerah Period E, is, however, virtually unattested in Area EY.

LOCAL STRATA 2 AND 1 (LATE PERIODS) (Plan 8.14) A clear erosive interface intervenes between Stratum 3, of the late EB III, and Stratum 2, of the Hellenistic period. This unconformity, noticed by nearly all excavators of the mound, marks the 2000 year interval between the end of Early Bronze Age occupation and the renewal of extensive occupation in the Hellenistic period. The Stratum 2 remains in this part of the mound were extensively excavated by the JPES expedition in 1944. It is not clear to what depth the structures were excavated, nor to what extent the schematic plans published by the earlier expedition (Maisler, Stekelis,

380

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Plan 8.14. Plan of Local Strata 2A–B (hatched).

and Avi-Yonah 1952) represent the actual walls found. We therefore describe the remains de novo, as if no previous work had been done, keeping in mind the possibility that some elements may well have been removed by the earlier excavators. Two architectural phases, with two corresponding floor levels, were recovered. Stratum 2A comprises part of a large domestic structure, of which a row of three rooms in the northwest (EY 407, EY 409, and EY 411), and two additional rooms to the southeast (EY 408, EY 512) were cleared (Fig. 8.43). The northeast wall of the complex, W9/W57, was cut by the JPES trench. Only one to two courses (up to 0.5 m) of the two-rowed masonry wall survived; mudbrick collapse inside the rooms testified to the character of the superstructure. The beaten-earth floors all lay at an elevation of approximately -199.25– 30 m; some of them were laid on a pebble fill. No architectural elements were found within the structure,

save for a small bin in the southern corner of Room EY 407. Outside the structure, in EY 105, a burnt clay surface and fragments of burnt bricks, perhaps indicating a cooking area, were uncovered. In EY 404, to the west of the structure, the upper part of a Rhodian amphora along with Attic lamp fragments, was discovered. In Room EY 411, beneath the floor, a complete small cylindrical jar was found. This was either intentionally cached during Stratum 2A, or perhaps indicates activity preceding the construction of the structure. In Stratum 2B, the domestic complex was enlarged and rearranged. A new wing, EY 101, was added on the west, with its long walls W1 and W3 clearly overriding W5 of the earlier phase (Fig. 8.44). A new wall, W4, served as eastern wall of the new wing and as western wall of the suite of now square rooms (EY 407, EY 406, EY 403). A new wall, W2, forms a small space at the eastern end of Room EY 101. The space to the east of

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

these rooms (EY 402) appears to have been converted into a passageway, with a thick pebble bedding leveling the Stratum 2B remains. Room EY 506 now served as the corner of a separate structure (a large courtyard structure cleared in 1944). At the northeast corner of the excavations, on the far side of a 7.5 m wide street, the corner of a third structure was uncovered (EY 516). Floors of this phase, at approximately -198.90– -199.00 m, were poorly preserved. Stratum 1, of the Roman period, is apparently not represented in Area EY. The only post-Hellenistic stratigraphic elements are three pits: EY 139, in the northwest corner; EY 103, along the eastern balk; and EY 416, the JPES trench near the center of the excavation area. Like EY 416, the former two elements may well represent twentieth-century activities (excavation and construction) on this part of the mound.

381

Fig. 8.43. The southeast portion of the Local Stratum 2 structures cleared in 1981; looking northwest.

Fig. 8.44. The corner between the Local Stratum 2A elements ► extending northwest, W5 and W9, overridden by the later Stratum 2B corner of W4 and W1, extending southeast, built of lighter-colored, larger stones; looking southwest.

Fig. 8.45 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

4228/23

486

11

Buff clay, red slip, lightly burnished exterior

2

Bowl

4234/10

486

11

Gray clay, brown inclusions, brown slip

3

Bowl

4228/5

486

11

Buff clay, brownish-red slip

4

Bowl

4234/7

486

11

Gray-brown clay, white inclusions, dark brown slip

5

Small jar

4234/12

486

11

Buff clay, brownish-red slip

6

Jar

4228/19

486

11

Orange clay, gray inclusions, red slip

7

Bowl

4232/3

487

11

Pink clay, large and small inclusons, dark red slip

8

Bowl

4232/1

487

11

Light brown clay, brown inclusions, dark red slip, lightly burnished exterior

9

Bowl

4232/2

487

11

Light brown clay, white inclusions, dark red slip

10

Bowl?

4229/1

487

11

Light brown clay, dark red slip, wheelmade, string-cut base

11

Cup

4232/4

487

11

Light brown clay dark gray inclusions, brownish-red slip, wheelmade, stringcut base

12

Krater

4231

487

11

Reddish brown clay, gray inclusions, red grain-wash decoration

13

Jar

4229/2

487

11

Brown clay, large gray and white inclusions, brown slip

14

Jar

4235/1

487

11

Brown clay, medium and large gray and white inclusions, brownish-red slip

15

Cooking pot

4235/2

487

11

Gray to red-brown clay, medium to large gray and white inclusions, dark brown slip, soot on interior and exterior

16

Jug

4229/3

487

11

Light brown clay, red slip

17

Jug

4229/4

487

11

Buff clay, brown slip, potter’s mark

18

Jar

4232/5

487

11

Pink clay, gray and white inclusions, red grain-wash decoration

19

Stand?

4229/5

487

11

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, dull red slip

382

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

1

3

6

5 4

12 7

13

8

14 9

10

11 15

16 17 18

Fig. 8.45. Pottery of Local Stratum 11 (early Period B).

19

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

383

2

4 3

Fig. 8.46. Pottery of Local Stratum 11 (early Period B). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1503/1

636

11

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions, brick-red slip

2

Bowl

1504/1

636

11

Reddish brown clay, many gray inclusions, brick-red slip, possible spout

3

Krater

1504-6

636

11

Gray clay, gray inclusions, red/brown grain-wash

4

Jar

1493-3

632

11

Brown clay, dark red slip, incised decoration

Fig. 8.47 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

4203/5

476

10

Light brown clay, brown inclusions, red slip, wheelmade, string-cut base, soot on rim

2

Spouted bowl

4196/1

473

10

Pink clay, brown inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

4196/14

473

10

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

4203/1

476

10

Pink clay, gray inclusions, dark red crackled slip

5

Bowl

1400/1

615 = 480

10

Pinkish-brown clay, many large inclusions (mostly basalt), thin streaky red slip

6

Platter

4201

480

10

Gray clay, burnished gray surface, burnt NCMW, mending hole

7

Platter

4221/2

480

10

Light brown clay, small white and gray inclusions, dark red slip, burnish

8

Platter

4202/2

480

10

Orange clay, fine white inclusions, red slip, burnish

9

Platter

4214/1

473

10

Light brown clay, fine gray and white inclusions, dark red slip, burnish

10

Cooking pot

1472/14

633

10

Pinkish-brown clay, many large inclusions (mostly basalt), red slip

11

Cooking pot

1489

633

10

Pinkish-brown clay, many large inclusions (mostly basalt), dark red slip, burnt lower wall

12

Jar

4184/4

473

10

Light brown clay, large gray, white and shell inclusions, red slip, applied decoration

13

Krater

4214/2

473

10

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red grain-wash

Description

384

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2 3

4

7

5

8

6

9

10 11

12 13

Fig. 8.47. Pottery from Building EY 475, Local Stratum 10 (late Period B).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

385

1

3

2

4

5 6 7

Fig. 8.48. Pottery from Building EY 475, Local Stratum 10 (late Period B). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Amphoriskos

1400-7 4202-3

615 = 480

10

Brown clay, small black and white inclusions, red slip, burnish

2

Jar

4221/3

480

10

Reddish-brown clay, gray core, many medium and large white and black inclusions, reddish-brown grain-wash, incised decoration on rim

3

Jar

4202-1

480

10

Light brown clay, light gray core, small black and white inclusions, red slip, spaced vertical burnish

4

Jar

4221/1

480

10

Brown clay, large gray and small white inclusions, streaky red slip

5

Pithos

4196/5

473

10

Pink clay, large brown, white inclusions, red slip

6

Pithos

1439-2

615 = 480

10

Pinkish-brown clay, many large inclusions (mostly basalt), thin red slip

7

Pithos

909-6

211

10

Pinkish-brown clay, many large inclusions (mostly basalt), dark brown streaky slip

386

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

4

5 3

7

6

Fig. 8.49. Pottery from pits, Local Stratum 10 (late Period B). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1556/1

647

10

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip, soot marks on rim

2

Bowl

1528/1

644

10

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip exterior, dark red slip interior

3

Jar

1525/8

644

10

Brown clay, large gray inclusions, brown slip

4

Jar

1528/8

644

10

Gray clay, large brown inclusions, red slip

5

Krater

1556/2

647

10

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, grain-wash exterior, spattered interior

6

Jar handle

1533/20

644

10

Pink clay, large gray inclusions, brown slip

7

Pithos

1524/1

644

10

Buff to brown clay, large inclusions (mostly basalt), brown slip and grainwash, incised decoration

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

387

1

2

3

4 6

5

7

8

Fig. 8.50. Pottery from open areas, Local Stratum 10 (late Period B). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Krater

1433/21

630

10

Red, gray clay, medium gray inclusions, red to brown grain-wash

2

Cooking pot

1398/5

629

10

Brown clay, gray, white inclusions, brown slip, soot on exterior

3

Cooking pot

1475/3

629

10

Gray brown clay, brown, gray inclusions, dark red slip, mottled to brown

4

Amphoriskos

1500

629

10

Pink clay, gray-brown inclusions, traces of red slip, incisions

5

Amphoriskos

1515

630

10

Brown clay, inclusions, red slip

6

Jar

1518/15

630

11

Brown clay, brown inclusions, red slip

7

Brazier

1470/10

629

10

Gray to brown clay, red slip, mottled to black inside base and bowl interior and exterior

8

Stand

1459/33

627

10

Gray clay, red-painted decoration

388

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

4

5

Fig. 8.51. Pottery from various deposits, Local Stratum 10 (late Period B). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Jug

916

631

10

Pinkish-brown clay, small white, gray and black inclusions, dark brownish-red slip, burnish, applied zoomorphic decoration and two incisions on handle

2

Juglet

1465

623

10

Light brown clay, red slip, spaced vertical burnish

3

Jug

1534/12

645

10

Light gray clay, pink exterior, fine dark inclusions, burnished stripes

4

Jar

1536/10

645

10

Light brown clay, medium to large gray and white inclusions, red grain-wash, impressed decoration

5

Brazier

1476/9

623

10

Light brown clay gray inclusions, brown to red slip, black in bowl

Description

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

389

7

8 2

3 9

10

4

5

11

6

12

Fig. 8.52. Pottery from EY 642—either a mixed pit or a transitional Period B/C assemblage. No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1529/2

642

10

Buff clay, reddish to dark brown slip, burnished interior, knob exterior

2

Bowl

1529/1

642

10

Red clay, crackled brown slip, potter’s mark

3

Bowl

1529/6

642

10

Brown clay, crackled brown to black slip interior and exterior, light burnish

4

Bowl

1555/1

642

10

Yellowish gray clay, large white and black inclusions, red to dark brown slip

5

Platter

1529/7

642

10

Red clay, brown and white inclusions, bottom shows over-firing, NCMW

6

Platter

1529/8

642

10

Red clay, NCMW

7

Cooking pot

1555/3

642

10

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, soot on exterior

8

Jar

1555/7

642

10

Light brown clay, many medium gray inclusions, brownish-red slip

9

Jar

1555/2

642

10

Brown clay, many medium gray inclusions, brown slip

10

Jar

1531/9

642

10

Red clay, NCMW

11 12

Jar

1531/22 + 1531/12

642

10

Buff clay, gray and white inclusions, red-painted decoration

390

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

5

4

6

7

8

Fig. 8.53. Pottery from Building EY 460, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

391

◄ Fig. 8.53 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Platter

4169

460

9A

Buff clay, medium dark gray inclusions, red slip

2

Platter

4129

460

9A

Red clay, burnish, NCMW

3

Cooking pot

4128-4

460

9A

Brown clay, large gray-brown inclusions, soot on exterior

4

Cooking pot

4157-3

466

9A

Reddish brown clay, gray core, large gray and black inclusions

5

Cooking pot

4131

460

9A

Brown gray clay, large gray and black inclusions

6

Cooking pot

4161-1

466

9A

Dark brown clay

7

Cooking pot

4161-2

466

9A

Gray brown clay, many white and gray inclusions

8

Cooking pot

4128-1

460

9A

Brown clay, many medium and large gray and white inclusions

Fig. 8.54 ► Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Cooking pot

4169-2

460

9A

Dark brown clay, finger indentation

2

Cooking pot

4157-2

466

9A

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

3

Cooking pot

4170-1

466

9A

Dark brown clay

4

Jug-amphoriskos

4158

466

9A

Red clay, vertical burnish, NCMW

5

Jug

4170-2

466

9A

Gray-brown clay, burnish, NCMW

6

Jug

4153-2

466

9A

Pink clay, burnish, wheelmade, NCMW

7

Jar

4130-2

460

9A

Light brown clay, white and black inclusions, reddish-brown slip

8

Jar

4130-1

460

9A

Reddish-brown clay, many large gray and black inclusions, traces of red slip, especially in lower part

No.

Description

9

Jar

460

9A

Red clay, burnish, NCMW (red slip drawn in error)

10

Jar

4166

460

9A

Dark gray clay, burnished orange surface, NCMW, probably goes with No. 12

11

Jar

4157-1

466

9A

Brick red clay, gray surface, stippled decoration, NCMW

12

Jar handle

4167

460

9A

Gray clay, burnished orange surface, NCMW

392

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

5

3

4

6

7

8

9

10 11

12

Fig. 8.54. Pottery from Building EY 460, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

Fig. 8.55. Combed NCMW pithos, Reg. No. 4129-2, from Building EY 460, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C). Red clay, potter’s mark.

393

394

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

4

2

3

5

6 8

7

9

11

12

13 10

Fig. 8.56. Pottery from Building EY 455a, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

395

◄ Fig. 8.56 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

4219-2

455a

9A

Orange clay, white and gray inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

4219-1

455a

9A

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, burnished interior

3

Bowl

4114-7

455a

9A

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

4114-3

455a

9A

Gray brown clay, many large and medium black inclusions, red slip, burnish

5

Bowl

4114-41

455a

9A

Orange-buff clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip

6

Platter

4114-2

455a

9A

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

7

Vat

4179-1

455a

9A

Light brown clay, white inclusions, red slip

8

Mug

4179-3 (= 4179-2?)

455a

9A

light brown clay, white inclusions, thin red slip Red clay, white inclusions, thin red slip

Description

9

Mug

4179-2

455a

9A

10

Jug

4114-5

455a

9A

Brown clay, many black and white inclusions, red slip, burnish

11

Juglet

4177-18

456a

9A

Pink clay, red slip, NCMW

12

Jar

4114-6

455a

9A

Light gray clay, small and some large brown inclusions, thin red slip

13

Jar

4114-1

455a

9A

Brown clay, gray, black and white inclusions, red slip, burnish

Fig. 8.57 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1424-3

618

9A

Brown clay, red slip

2

Bowl

1454-3

618

9A

Light brown clay, small gray inclusions, red slip, light random burnish interior

3

Bowl

1424-2

618

9A

Light brown clay, dark gray, red, white inclusions, bottom scraped, thin red slip over all exterior, wheelmade

4

Lamp

1405-1

619

9A

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

5

Bowl

1516-2

620

9A

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, dark red slip

6

Platter

1516-3

620

9A

Gray clay, dark brown inclusions, burnished interior, scraped exterior

7

Bowl

1424-4

618

9A

Light brown clay, small gray and few white inclusions, red slip over all, light radial burnish

8

Bowl

1432-1

618

9A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip interior and exterior over scraped exterior; light swirled radial burnish interior

9

Platter

1519-2

620

9A

Red clay, NCMW

10

Platter

1516-1

620

9A

Sandy brown clay, gray inclusions, dark red slip, radial burnish interior, irrgular exterior

11

Platter

1424-1

618

9A

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip over all, light radial burnish

12

Cooking pot

1519-9

620

9A

Dark brown clay, white, crushed calcite inclusions, soot on exterior

13

Cooking pot

1516-4

620

9A

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

14

Cooking pot

1516-5

620

9A

Dark brown clay, large gray inclusions

15

Cooking pot

1454-5

618

9A

Gray-brown clay, gray, white shell inclusions, soot on exterior near rim, potter’s mark

16

Cooking pot

1405-3

619

9A

Gray clay, dark gray and white inclusions, striated interior, potter’s mark, soot on rim exterior

396

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

3

5

4 6

8

7

9 13

10

14

15

11

12 16

Fig. 8.57. Pottery from Rooms EY 618–620, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

397

2

3 1

4 5 6

7

Fig. 8.58. Pottery from Rooms EY 618–620, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Mug

1454-2

618

9A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, mottled red-brown slip, vertical burnish

2

Mug

1519-10

620

9A

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip

3

Jug

1454-1

618

9A

Light brown clay, red slip, vertical burnish, crudely hand-formed interior

4

Jar

1516-10

620

9A

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip

5

Jar

1519-11

620

9A

Pink clay, buff surface, NCMW

6

Jar

1542-3

619

9A

Brick red clay, white and gray grits, potter’s mark (NCMW?)

7

Jar

1454

618

9A

Sandy reddish brown clay, gray and shiny inclusions, white slip, dark red-painted decoration

Description

398

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2 5

6 3

7 4

9

10

8

Fig. 8.59. Pottery from Building EY 205–206, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Pot/lamp

874-21

205

9A

Reddish-brown clay, gray, crushed calcite inclusions, soot along ‘rim’

2

Bowl

914-1

206

9A

Light brown clay, brown and red inclusions, dark red slip

3

Bowl

874-5

205

9A

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, scored exterior

4

Bowl

874-4

205

9A

Pinkish-brown clay, small gray and white inclusions, dark red slip

5

Platter

874-7

205

9A

Gray clay, gray, brown, red inclusions, brown burnished interior (burnt)

6

Platter

874-3

205

9A

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip

7

Platter

874-6

205

9A

Brownish-red clay, light burnish interior and rim, NCMW

8

Jug

914-19 914-12

206

9A

Light brown clay, brown, gray and white inclusions, red slip, traces of burnish

9

Cooking pot

874-10

205

9A

Gray clay, gray, white red inclusions, striated interior

Jar

874-14

205

9A

Dark brown surface, NCMW

10

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

399

2

4 3

5

6

7 8

10

11

9

12

14

13

Fig. 8.60. Pottery from open areas, Local Stratum 9A (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1458-1

616

9A

Buff clay, red-painted decoration

2

Bowl

1397-3

616

9A

Red clay, burnished interior and exterior, red slip, NCMW, repair hole

3

Bowl

822-9

200

9A

Pink clay, gray inclusions, large voids

4

Platter

1411-4

616

9A

Red clay, burnish, NCMW

5

Platter

902-2

204

9A

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, thin red slip and radial burnish interior

6

Platter

926-2

204

9A

Red clay, red slip, burnish, NCMW

7

Cooking pot

1447-5

W87

9A

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

8

Cooking pot

822-23

200

9A

Brown clay, gray, brown and white inclusions, lightly striated interior

9

Mug

1447-18

W87

9A

Brown clay, large gray and organic inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

10

Amphoriskos

1422-13

622

9A

Red, gray clay, burnish, NCMW

11

Jug

1422-19

622

9A

Buff clay, gray inclusions, brownish-red slip

12

Jug

882-7

201

9A

Red clay, gray core, burnish, potter’s mark, wheelmade, NCMW

13

Small jar

1415-15

613

9A

Buff clay, very crudely coil-formed, red slip

14

Pithos

1447-13

W87

9A

Gray clay, gray to red surface, NCMW

400

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

3

1

2 4

5

6

7 8

10 9

11

12

13

14 15

16

17

18

Fig. 8.61. Pottery from Building EY 450, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

401

◄ Fig. 8.61 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

836-1

450 (195)

9B

2

Bowl (lamp?)

4099-1

450

9B

Reddish brown clay, black and white inclusions, scraped base

3

Bowl

836-3

450 (195)

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Cup

4142-3

464

9B

Buff clay, fine red and gray inclusions, red slip, burnished exterior and upper interior

5

Bowl

749-8

182

9B

Light brown clay, gray, brown and white inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

6

Platter

836-4

450 (195)

9B

Red clay, NCMW

7

Cooking pot

853-10

450 (195)

9B

Dark brown clay

8

Cooking pot

4117-2

450

9B

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

9

Cooking pot

4119

457

9B

Dark brown clay, crudely fashioned, soot on interior and exterior

Description Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

10

Cooking pot

4152-1

457

9B

Brown clay, many gray and white inclusions

11

Mug

4139

461

9B

Reddish-brown clay, white and black inclusions

12

Lamp

847-60

196

9B

Light brown clay, gray, brown and white inclusions, thin red slip

13

Bowl

837-1

196

9B

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

14

Bowl

859-1

196

9B

Light brown clay, dark gray and white inclusions, red slip, burnish, soot along rim

15

Bowl

837-3

196

9B

Brown clay, gray red and white inclusions, scraped exterior, thin red slip, radial burnish

16

Bowl

837-2

196

9B

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brick-red slip

17

Mug

837-14

196

9B

Brown clay, red, gray and white inclusions, very thin red slip

18

Jug

857

196

9B

Red clay, NCMW

Fig. 8.62 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

4156-10

448

9B

Pink clay, large basalt inclusions, red slip, random burnish interior and upper exterior, string-cut base

2

Bowl

828-3

197

9B

Light brown clay, gray, white, red inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

4156-8

448

9B

Pink clay, white and gray inclusions, thin red slip

4

Bowl

816-3

197

9B

Light brown clay gray and white inclusions, brown slip, radial burnish interior

5

Platter

800-2

197

9B

Pinkish brown clay, red slip, NCMW

6

Platter

800-4

197

9B

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

7

Cooking pot

842

197

9B

Dark brown clay, soot on interior and exterior

8

Cooking pot

828-9

197

9B

Gray clay, potter’s mark, sooty exterior

9

Cooking pot

788-11

197

9B

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior, potter’s mark, sooty exterior

10

Cooking pot

815-5

197

9B

Gray clay, gray inclusions, lightly striated interior, sooty exterior

11

Cooking pot

815-6

197

9B

Gray clay, gray inclusions, lightly striated interior, sooty exterior

Description

402

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

3 4

5

6

8

9

7

10 11

Fig. 8.62. Pottery from Building EY 448, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

403

2

3

1

4

5

6

Fig. 8.63. Pottery from Building EY 448, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Vat

814-4

197

9B

Light brown clay, many medium to large black inclusions, red slip

2

Jug

4156-1

448

9B

Pinkish brown clay, white and crushed calcite inclusions, red slip, well burnished

3

Juglet

800

197

9B

Red clay, potter’s mark, NCMW

4

Jar

4156-6

448

9B

Red clay, NCMW

5

Jar

842-8

197

9B

Red clay, small and medium white, red-brown inclusions, thin white wash, well fired (pseudo-Metallic)

6

Basin

816-5

197

9B

Brown clay, large gray and white inclusions, red slip

404

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

3

4

6

5

7

Fig. 8.64. Pottery from Building EY 455b, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1461-1

455

9B

Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions

2

Bowl

1468-3

455

9B

Pink clay, small gray and white inclusions, thin red slip, lightly burnished interior

3

Platter

1468-1

455

9B

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, thin red slip, faint radial burnish

4

Large mug

1461-

455

9B

Buff clay, small dark gray and red inclusions, red slip

5

Juglet

4134-1

456

9B

Pink clay, burnish, mottled surface, NCMW

6

Jar

1468-10

455

9B

Reddish-brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip on rim, brown slip exterior, combed

7

Jar

1468-15

455

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

2 6

3 7

4 8

5 9

10 13

11 14

12

15

16 17

Fig. 8.65. Pottery from Building EY 198–199, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C).

405

406

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

◄ Fig. 8.65 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

830-1

198

9B

Light brown clay, many gray inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

2

Lamp

830-29

198

9B

Light brown clay, medium and large gray inclusions, red slip, soot marks toward rim

3

Bowl

830-4

198

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

830-2

198

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, light red slip, radial burnish interior

5

Bowl

843-1

199

9B

Brown clay, black and gray inclusions, red slip interior, traces exterior

6

Bowl

830-9

198

9B

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip, radial burnish interior

7

Bowl

830-11

198

9B

Brown clay, gray, red and white inclusions, red slip (streaky on exterior), radial burnish interior

8

Bowl

843-5

199

9B

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

9

Bowl

830-10

198

9B

Reddish-brown clay, white inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

10

Platter

833-5

198

9B

Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, dark red slip, radial burnish interior

11

Platter

830-14

198

9B

Red clay, red slip, burnish interior and rim, NCMW

12

Platter

843-6

199

9B

Pink clay, small to medium white and large red inclusions, traces of red slip

13

Cooking pot

833-7

198

9B

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

14

Mug

830-18+24

198

9B

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

15

Juglet

833-12

198

9B

Gray clay, burnished dark gray surface, NCMW

16

Jar

843-16

199

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip

17

Chalice?

830-19

198

9B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

407

1

2

3

4

5

6

Fig. 8.66. Pottery from the potter’s workshop structure, EY 610, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1407-7

603

9B

Pinkish-brown clay, medium gray and white inclusions, red slip, radial burnish interior

2

Platter

1407-8

603

9B

Light brown clay, red slip, light burnish rim and interior

3

Platter

1407-5

603

9B

Light brown clay, small gray and white inclusions, red slip

4

Cup

1407-10

603

9B

Light brown clay, dark brown inclusions, reddish-brown slip

9B

Gray clay, red surface, vertical burnish, NCMW

9B

Brown clay, many gray and white inclusions, red slip exterior and base

5

Jar

1521-11

6

Jar

1399

610

408

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2 3 4

6

5

7

8

9

10

11

12

Fig. 8.67. Pottery from open areas, Local Stratum 9B (early Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

409

◄ Fig. 8.67 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1438-1

606

9B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade, with roughly scraped exterior beneath red slip

2

Bowl

1380-1

606

9B

Red clay, burnish, NCMW

3

Bowl

1429-1

606

9B

Gray clay, red slip, radial burnish interior, continuous on exterior, NCMW

4

Bowl

812-1

193

9B

Brown clay, white and dark gray inclusions

5

Bowl

797-5

193

9B

Gray clay, dark gray inclusions, brownish-red slip

6

Bowl

797-6

193

9B

Pink clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, burnish

7

Bowl

4151-7

465

9B

Light brown clay, red slip, diverse burnish interior and exterior, wheelmade

8

Platter

797-4

193

9B

Gray brown clay, dark brown inclusions, brownish-red slip, burnished interior

9

Chalice

797-1

193

9B

Brown clay, brown and white inclusions, red slip

10

Pithos

812-3

193

9B

Pink clay, medium gray inclusions, red slip

11

Jar

1375

602

9B

Pink clay, large gray and white inclusions, streaky reddish-brown slip

12

Jar

1361-15 + 1429,1279, 1321, KI4061

606

9B

Reddish-brown clay, red-painted decoration on buff slip, lattice burnish below and slightly overlapping decorated band, NCMW

Fig. 8.68 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

762-1

178

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip and burnish interior and exterior

2

Bowl

4110-8

453

8

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

748-2

178

8

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

4

Platter

4110-1

453

8

Light brown clay, medium and large gray, brown and white inclusions, traces of brown slip interior

5

Platter

4106-9

445

8

Pinkish-brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

6

Platter

4110-9

453

8

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip

7

Platter

4127-2 + 5

447

8

Red clay, NCMW

8

Cooking pot

4098

449

8

Gray-brown clay, black core, many white inclusions

9

Cooking pot

4110-6

453

8

Brown clay, brown inclusions, striated interior, sooty exterior

10

Cooking pot

748-16

178

8

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior, potter’s mark, sooty interior and exterior

11

Mug

4088-2

445 (437a)

8

Light brown clay, white and gray inclusions, faint brown slip

12

Mug

935-28

= 178

8

Light brown clay, white, gray and black inclusions, red slip

Description

410

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 2

4

3

6 5

7

9

10

8

11

12

Fig. 8.68. Pottery from Building EY 449, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

2

1

4

3

5

6

Fig. 8.69. Pottery from Building EY 449, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jug

4087

445 (437a)

8

Red clay, small white inclusions

2

Jug

4088-5

437a

8

Brown clay, white and brown inclusions, red slip, well burnished, wheelmade, string-cut base

3

Amphoriskos

769-12

178

8

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, thin red slip

4

Jar

4121-2

445

8

Reddish-brown clay, white and gray grits, red slip

5

Jar

4110-3

453

8

Red clay, combed decoration, NCMW

6

Lamp

4124

445

8

Light brown clay, small gray to red inclusions, red slip

411

412

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 8.70 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

1364

593 (590)

8

Gray-brown clay, white and black inclusions, red slip

2

Lamp

1313-1

586

8

Gray clay, gray inclusions, soot on interior and exterior

3

Bowl

1310-3

586

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

1310-2

586

8

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, beginning of spout or handle

5

Bowl

1341-5

586

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, pinkish-brown slip, burnished interior and rim

6

Platter

1321-4

593 =586

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip

7

Platter

1321-30

593 =586

8

Red, gray clay, red to brown burnished surface, NCMW

8

Cooking pot

1343-10

593 =586

8

Light brown clay, gray and crushed calcite inclusions

9

Cooking pot

1315-28

593 =586

8

Dark brown clay, gray and crushed calcite inclusions, potter’s mark

10

Cooking pot

1315-16

593 =586

8

Gray-brown clay, gray inclusions, faintly striated interior, potter’s mark

11

Cooking pot

1277-1

586

8

Brown-gray clay, gray inclusions, potter’s mark, soot on exterior

12

Cooking pot

1310-14

586

8

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark, soot on exterior

13

Mug

1345

594

8

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions

14

Mug

1313-17

586

8

Brown clay, many gray and white inclusions, brown slip

15

Mug

1310-17

586

8

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

16

Jug

1341-30

586

8

Pink clay, burnished, potter’s mark, NCMW

17

Jug

1365-1

594 = 586

8

Red, gray clay, white slip, red-painted decoration

Description

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

2 3

5

4

1

6 7

9 8

10

11

12

15 14 13

16

17

Fig. 8.70. Pottery from Building EY 586, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C).

413

414

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

3

1

5

4

Fig. 8.71. Pottery from Building EY 586, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C). Local Stratum

Description

593 (= 586)

8

Light brown clay, many gray inclusions, incised rope decoration

1310-20

586

8

Brown clay, small gray inclusions, red slip

1321-19

593 (= 586)

8

Red clay, burnished neck, NCMW

Jar

1321-20

593 (= 586)

8

Red clay, NCMW

Jar

1314-21

593 (= 586)

8

Brown clay, NCMW

No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

1

Jar

1321-9

2

Jar

3

Jar

4 5

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

415

2

1

3

4

5

7 6

9

8

10 11

Fig. 8.72. Pottery from Building EY 582, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

1286-1

582

8

Light brown clay, few grog, shell and other inclusions, dark red slip, radial burnish interior

2

Bowl

1286-3

582

8

Light brown clay, few small inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

1286-4

582

8

Yellowish-brown clay, red and brown inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

4

Bowl

747-2

176

8

Light brown clay, brown inclusions, dark red slip

5

Bowl

1286-5

582

8

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

6

Cooking bowl?

1286-8

582

8

Reddish-brown clay, white, gray and shiny inclusions, soot on interior and exterior

7

Platter

1286-6

582

8

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

8

Cooking pot

1290-7

582

8

Reddish-brown to gray clay, large gray and crushed calcite inclusions, soot on exterior

Description

9

Cooking pot

1308-4

582

8

Dark brown clay

10

Cooking pot

746-1

177

8

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark, sooty exterior

11

Cooking pot

1286-9

582

8

Brown-gray clay, white inclusions, striated interior

416

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

1

5

3 4

6

7

8

9

12 10

11

13

14

15

Fig. 8.73. Pottery from Open Area EY 171/179, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

◄ Fig. 8.73 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

785-1

179

8

Light brown, gray, brown, white, red inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

796-2

179

8

Light brown clay, brown inclusions, base roughly scraped, red slip

3

Bowl

773-1

171

8

Pink to light brown clay, gray inclusions

4

Bowl

744-5

171

8

Red clay, brown inclusions

5

Bowl

744-2

171

8

Buff clay, small and medium inclusions, red slip, radial burnish interior

6

Bowl

773-7

171

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, brown slip

7

Bowl

729-1

171

8

Light brown clay, brown-red inclusions, brownish-red slip, tool marks exterior

8

Bowl

785-9

179

8

Light brown, gray and red inclusions

9

Platter

744-3

171

8

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown to red slip

10

Bowl

744-8

171

8

Grayish brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip

11

Platter

744-7

171

8

Light brown clay, brown and white inclusions, reddish-brown slip

12

Cooking pot

832-10

179

8

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior, sooty exterior

13

Cooking pot

785-13

179

8

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior

14

Cooking pot?

785-38

179

8

Brown clay, white and brown inclusions

15

Cooking pot

785-18

179

8

Brown clay, gray (including chert) and white inclusions; misfired—cracked and warped

Description

3

2

1

5 4

Fig. 8.74. Pottery from Open Area EY 171/179, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Mug

792-1

179

8

Light brown clay, white inclusions, very thin red slip

2

Mug

744-12

171

8

Red to gray clay, white and brown inclusions, brown slip

3

Mug

744-13

171

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Jar

785-19

179

8

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, red slip

5

Jar

785-21

179

8

Buff clay, white inclusions, yellowish-brown slip

417

418

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

4

3

5 6

7

9

8

Fig. 8.75. Pottery from various loci, Local Stratum 8 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1466

595

8

Reddish-brown clay, black inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

1250-1

576

8

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

3

Bowl

822-3

187

8/9B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

4

Bowl

1395

595

8

Light brown clay, small black white and red inclusions, red slip

5

Bowl

1250-3

576

8

Light brown clay, brown inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

6

Platter

1374-2

595

8

Light brown clay, gray and red inclusions, thin red slip

7

Cooking pot

1279-12

576

8

Gray-brown clay, dark brown inclusions, striated interior, potter’s mark

8

Mug

752

170 (162)

8

Brown clay, white and black inclusions, streaky red to dark brown slip

9

Jar

1250-22

576

8

Grayish-brown clay, gray inclusions, brown-painted decoration

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

2

3

1

4

5

6

7

8 9

11

12

10

13

Fig. 8.76. Pottery from Building EY 161, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

419

420

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

◄ Fig. 8.76 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

775

161

7

Brown clay, black, gray and white inclusions, striated base, thin red slip

2

Lamp

722-1

162

7

Buff clay, red slip

3

Platter

737-8

161

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, discontinuous burnish

4

Platter

737-7

161

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, diagonally burnished interior

5

Platter

757-2

161

7

Red clay, red slip, NCMW

6

Cooking pot

715-6

161

7

Gray-brown clay, white and gray inclusions, striated interior

7

Stand?

715-18

161

7

Light brown clay, gray and black inclusions

8

Mug

710-5

162

7

Red clay, many white and few gray inclusions, finger impressions interior, streaky red slip

Description

9

Jug

776-8

161

7

Brown, gray clay, white and black inclusions, red slip

10

Jug

771-3

161

7

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

11

Jug

765

161

7

Brown clay, black and white inclusions, streaky red slip

12

Jug

760

161

7

Gray brown clay, white and black inclusions, red slip

13

Jug

755-2

161

7

Brown clay, black, gray and white inclusions, red slip

Fig. 8.77 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Jar

768

161

7

Reddish-brown clay, many large white and black inclusions, streaky red slip

2

Jar

763

161

7

Gray-brown clay, black and brown inclusions, red slip, impressed decoration

3

Amphoriskos

767

161

7

Pinkish-brown clay, white and black inclusions, thin red slip

4

Jar

710-9

162

7

Red clay, white and gray inclusions, red-painted decoration

5

Jar

709-16

162

7

Pinkish brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red-painted decoration

Description

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

3

1

4

2

5

Fig. 8.77. Pottery from Building EY 161, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

421

422

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

4

Fig. 8.78. Pottery from Building EY 161, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

1

Bowl

850-1

150

7

Description Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, red slip

2

Platter

721-2

150

7

Gray brown clay, large gray inclusions, red slip, burnish

3

Jar

678-1

150

7

Brown clay, white, black, gray inclusions, streaky red slip

4

Jar

736-2

150

7

Brown clay, medium and large black inclusions, streaky red slip, pattern-combed

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1 3

2 4

5

6

7

8

9

Fig. 8.79. Pottery from the ritual deposit in Room EY 160, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

423

424

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

◄ Fig. 8.79 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

771-2

164

7

Dark brown clay, small black inclusions, red slip

2

Bowl

771-1

164

7

Light brown clay, small white inclusions, red slip

3

Platter

770-9

164

7

Brown clay, many gray grits, red slip

4

Platter

770-6

164

7

Pink clay, white and gray inclusions, reddish-brown slip, light diagonal burnish

5

Cooking pot

770-18

164

7

Brown clay, impressed decoration

6

Cooking pot

791-1

164

7

Dark gray-brown clay, many black inclusions

7

Cooking pot

734

164

7

Brown clay, many medium and large gray and black inclusions

8

Jug

741

164

7

Light brown clay, gray and red inclusions, light vertical burnish, string-cut base; incised marks, perhaps before firing

9

Jug

723

160

7

Brown clay, many black and brown inclusions, red slip

Fig. 8.80 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Jug

740

164

7

Brown clay, many black inclusions, traces of red slip

2

Jug

769-1

164

7

Brown clay, small brown and black inclusions, red slip

3

Jar

770-19

164

7

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

4

Jar

789

164

7

Brown clay, many small white and black, and some large white inclusions, streaky red slip

5

Jar

790

164

7

Light brown clay, many large white and gray inclusions, streaky red-brown slip

6

Jar

733

164

7

Brown clay, many medium white and black inclusions, red-painted decoration

7

Jar

725

164

7

Brown clay, many medium white, black and gray inclusions, traces of red slip, pattern-combed

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

3

2

1

5

4

6

7

Fig. 8.80. Pottery from the ritual deposit in Room EY 160, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

425

426

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 8.81 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

1241-1

575

7

Buff clay, white and dark gray inclusions, trace of red slip interior

2

Bowl

1295-2

585

7

Light brown clay, few gray and white inclusions, red slip, radial and concentric burnish

3

Platter

4164

468

7

Gray brown clay, black inclusions, red slip, burnish

4

Vat

1294-3

575

7

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

5

Vat

4239

468 (489)

7

Light gray brown clay, many large black inclusions, streaky red slip

6

Cooking pot

1249

575

7

Gray-brown clay, many gray and white inclusions, striated interior

7

Cooking pot

1294-6

575

7

Gray-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior

8

Cooking pot

1241-11

575

7

Gray-brown clay, many gray and white inclusions, striated interior

9

Cooking pot

4163

468

7

Brown clay, white and black inclusions

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

6

2

7

3

8

4

5

9

Fig. 8.81. Pottery from the southern open area, EY 575, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

427

428

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

3 1 2

4

6

5

Fig. 8.82. Pottery from the southern open area, EY 575, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Twin-vessel

1295-1

585

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

2

Jug

1303

585

7

Light brown clay, small dark gray inclusions, traces of thin red slip

3

Jug

1302

585

7

Light brown clay, white and brown inclusions, much worn red slip, burnish

4

Jar

1227-15

575

7

Orange clay, white inclusions, red slip, burnish

5

Jar

1288

575

7

Pink clay, white inclusions, thick white slip, finger impressions interior

6

Jar

1294-1

575

7

Gray-brown clay, gray inclusions, straited interior, dark red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

429

2

1

4

3

5

7

6

9

8

10

11

13 12

Fig. 8.83. Pottery from the central structure, EY 442, and alleyway, EY 158, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

4083-1

441

7

Light brown clay, red slip

2

Bowl

4094-5

442

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, brown slip

3

Platter

4084-5

442

7

Red clay, NCMW

4

Cooking pot

4084-2

442

7

Brown clay, dark brown inclusions, sooty exterior

5

Mug

4083-2

441

7

Brown clay

6

Juglet

4083-8

441

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

7

Jug

4083-6

441

7

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, burnish

8

Mug

4084-7

442

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of slip

9

Jar

4083-11

441

7

Brown clay, dark red slip

10

Bowl

719-64

163

7

Buff clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

11

Platter

4082-3

158

7

Light brown clay, red slip, burnished interior

12

Cooking pot

719-67

163

7

Brown, gray clay, large gray and white inclusions, striated interior, soot on exterior

13

Jar

4082-2

158

7

Gray clay, dark gray inclusions

430

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 4

2

3

5

Fig. 8.84. Pottery from the northern structure, EY 451, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1127-1

451

7

Brown clay, white and black inclusions, red slip

2

Platter

1221-1

564

7

Light brown clay, gray, brown and red inclusions, light brown slip interior, red slip exterior, burnish interior and exterior

3

Platter

1221-2

564

7

Light brown clay, gray, red and white inclusions, pale red slip, radial burnish

4

Cooking pot

1221-11

564

7

Brown clay, dark brown and black inclusions, potter’s mark

5

Jug

1202

564

7

Light brown clay, burnish, NCMW

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

431

2

1

3 4

6 5 7

8

9

Fig. 8.85. Pottery from the northwest structure, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

806-1

157

7

Light brown clay, gray, white, red inclusions, red slip, soot on slightly pinched rim

2

Bowl

705-3

156

7

Light brown clay, basalt, chert and limestone inclusions, dark red slip

3

Bowl

703-1

157

7

Light brown clay, gray and brown inclusions, brown slip, burnish interior

4

Bowl

803-1

157

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, random burnish interior

5

Platter

806-4

157

7

Reddish brown clay, gray and white inclusions, dark red slip

6

Jug

705-16

156

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, string-cut base

7

Jug

803-2

157

7

Gray clay, medium and large gray inclusions, dark red slip, broken and abraded rim

8

Jar

705-4

156

7

Gray clay, gray, white and red inclusions, dark red-painted decoration on gray-buff slip; below decoration, faintly burnished self-slip

9

Stand? Model?

705-25

156

7

Light brown clay, thin red slip

Description

432

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 8.86 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

1211-2

563

7

2

Lamp

1211-1

563

7

Light brown clay, medium gray and black inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

3

Bowl

1248-1

567

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip

4

Bowl

1244-1

567

7

Pink clay, medium and large gray and white inclusions, red slip, net burnish

5

Bowl

1211-5

563

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip

6

Platter

1252-5

570

7

Brown clay, burnish, NCMW

7

Cooking pot

1213-6

563

7

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark (finger indentation)

8

Cooking pot

1238-2

570

7

Brown to gray clay, gray, white inclusions, potter’s mark (fingernail impressions)

9

Cooking pot

1211-17

563

7

Dark brown clay, potter’s mark

10

Cooking pot

1211-18

563

7

Gray-brown clay, dark gray inclusions, dark red slip

11

Mug

1252-12

570

7

Orange to gray clay, burnish, NCMW

12

Mug

1211-20

563

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, dark gray slip

13

Jar

1192-10

566

7

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, pattern-combed

14

Jar

1209-25

563

7

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

15

Jar

1211-85

563

7

Red clay, buff slip, red-painted decoration, NCMW

16

Bowl

1231-3

573

7

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, brown slip

17

Mug

1240

574

7

Light brown clay, many medium black inclusions, red slip, burnish

Description Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1 3 5

6

2

4

8 7

9

10

11

12

15 14 13

16

17

Fig. 8.86. Pottery from various loci, Local Stratum 7 (late Period C).

433

434

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

4

3

5

7

6

8

10

9

Fig. 8.87. Pottery from the central structure, EY 435, Local Stratum 6A (early Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

4049

424

6A

Buff clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade

2

Bowl

4058-3

424

6A

Brown clay, red slip

3

Bowl

4077-3

435

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, dark red slip

4

Bowl

4077-2

435

6A

Brown clay, many dak gray inclusions, thin red slip

5

Platter

4077-1

435

6A

Brown clay, brown slip, pattern burnish

6

Mug

4058-8

424

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

7

Jug

4058-1

424

6A

Brown clay, large and small black, small gray inclusions, worn red slip

8

Jug

4058-2

424

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, possible traces of red slip

9

Jug

4058-9

424

6A

Brown clay, red slip

10

Jar

4086

424

6A

Reddish-brown clay, black, gray and white inclusions, red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1 2

4 3

6

5

7

8

10

9

11

12

Fig. 8.88. Pottery from the central structure, EY 427, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D).

435

436

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

◄ Fig. 8.88 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

4073-4

413

6B

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, radial burnish interior

2

Bowl

4064-5

427

6B

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, brown slip, pattern burnish, wheelmade

3

Platter

4068-4

427

6B

Light brown clay, small gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

4

Platter

4032-3

413

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

5

Platter

4064-6

427

6B

Brown clay, small gray and white inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

6

Platter

4073-2

413

6B

Gray clay, red slip, pattern burnish

7

Platter

4034-2

413

6B

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

8

Bowl

4032-1

413

6B

Brown clay, burnished brownish-red interior shading to brown and black exterior, KKW, raised decoration

9

Krater

4032-5

413

6B

Red clay, red burnished KKW, raised decoration

10

Cooking pot

4053-2

413

6B

Light brown clay, small dark gray inclusions, potter’s mark

11

Cooking pot

4068

427

6B

Reddish-brown clay, black and white inclusions, pattern-combed, soot on exterior

12

Cooking pot

4053-1

413

6B

Dark gray clay, black inclusions

Fig. 8.89 ► Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Cooking pot

4034-1

413

6B

Gray-brown clay, medium and large black and gray inclusions, soot on exterior

2

Cooking pot

4054

413

6B

Brown clay, medium and large gray and black inclusions, soot on exterior

3

Jug

4065-1

427

6B

Light gray brown clay, black and gray inclusions, red slip

4

Jug

4065-2

427

6B

Reddish-brown clay, medium white and black inclusions

5

Jug

4068-5

427

6B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of burnished red slip, wheelmade

6

Jug

4067-2

427

6B

Brown clay, black and white inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish

7

Jug

4064-7

427

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

8

Amphoriskos

4064-1

427

6B

Brown clay, many medium and large black and white inclusions, redpainted decoration

9

No.

Description

Amphoriskos

4067-1

427

6B

Brown clay, many medium and large gray, white, and black inclusions

10

Jar

4068-2

427

6B

Reddish-brown to black clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip

11

Jar

4047-4

427

6B

Pink clay, orange to red slip

12

Jar

4068-3

427

6B

Brown clay, dark gray and red inclusions, red slip

13

Jar

4064-3

427

6B

Brown clay, gray and small white inclusions, brown slip

14

Jar

4064-2

427

6B

Red clay, gray, brown and white inclusions, thin red slip, pattern-combed

15

Jar

4064-4

427

6B

Red clay, combed, NCMW

16

Pithos

?

427

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnish

437

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

2

6 3

5

4

10 9

8

11

12

13

16 14

15

Fig. 8.89. Pottery from the central structure, EY 427, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D).

7

438

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

1

3

6

4

5 7

8 9

10

11

12

13 14

15

Fig. 8.90. Pottery from the alley, Local Strata 6A and 6B (early Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

◄ Fig. 8.90 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

4076-6

432

6A

2

Lamp

4076-7

432

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, sooty interior

3

Bowl

4081-3

432

6A

Red burnished KKW

4

Bowl

1228-2

552

6A ?

Brown clay, black inclusions, red slip

5

Bowl

4081-9

432

6A

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, lightly burnished interior and rim

6

Mug

4081-4

432

6A

Brown clay, dark gray and white inclusions, brown slip

7

Jar handle

4085-1

435

6A

Light brown clay, red and gray inclusions, red slip

8

Bowl

626-7

130

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, wheelmade, scraped bottom and base

9

Bowl

618-6

130

6B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, light burnish, wheelmade

10

Bowl

4041-5

418

6B

Brown clay, red slip

11

Bowl

618-2

130

6B

Gray-brown clay, black and gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

12

Platter

618-1

130

6B

Gray-brown clay, gray and black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

13

Platter

633-2

130

6B

Brown clay, small gray inclusions, brown slip, pattern burnish

14

Jug

625-1

126

6B

Brown clay, many medium and large black inclusions

15

Jug

4048-1

418

6B

Pinkish-brown clay, dark gray, gray and other inclusions, brownish-red slip

Description Reddish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

Description Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, soot marks along rim

Fig. 8.91 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

1168-1

549

6B

2

Lamp?

1149-1

549

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, soot on exterior, near rim

3

Bowl

1153-1

549

6B

Reddish-brown clay, thin red slip, lattice burnish

4

Bowl

1159-1

549

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions

5

Bowl

1156-10

549

6B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, slight burnish

6

Platter

1163-7

549

6B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

7

Platter

1163-97

549

6B

Brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

8

Vat

1160-6

549

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

9

Cooking pot

1149-15

549

6B

Gray-brown clay, gray and white inclusions, striated interior

10

Cooking pot

1157-10

549

6B

Brown clay, black inclusions, striated interior, potter’s mark

11

Mug

1175-10

549

6B

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

12

Jug

1153-13

549

6B

Brown clay, few gray and shiny inclusions

13

Jar

1160-17

549

6B

Reddish-brown clay, black inclusions, irregular burnish

14

Jar

1163-23

549

6B

Pinkish-brown, pattern-combed, NCMW

439

440

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

1

3

4 5

7

6

8

10 9

11 12

13 14

Fig. 8.91. Pottery from open areas, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

441

1

4 2

3

6

5

Fig. 8.92. Pottery from open areas, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1140-1

529

6B

Brown clay, red slip

2

Lamp

1139-1

539

6B

Light brown clay, red slip, soot marks on rim

3

Lamp

1133-1

539

6B

Buff clay, gray inclusions, slight indentation made with slip-dipped finger

4

Jar

1139-10

539

6B

Brown clay, brown, red and gray inclusions, brown slip, irregular burnish

5

Jar handle

1131-40

539

6B

Red, gray clay, many white and some crushed calcite inclusions

6

Pithos

1121-21 + 1125-15

539

6B

Gray clay, grog and gray inclusions, brown/red grain-wash decoration on associated body sherd

442

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

4

6

7

5

10 9 8

Fig. 8.93. Pottery from various loci, Local Strata 6A and 6B (early Period D). Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

686-1

149

6A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions

694-3

151

6A

Light brown clay, small gray inclusions, red slip (including base), burnish, wheelmade

558

6A

Gray clay, gray and white inclusions, soot marks on exterior and interior

No.

Type

1

Bowl

2

Juglet

3

Cooking pot

1106

4

Bowl (lamp?)

1148-1

540

6B

Light brown clay, large gray inclusions

5

Bowl

1227-2

127

6B

Light brown clay, white and gray inclusions, pale red slip, continuous radial burnish interior, irregular horizontal burnish exterior

6

Bowl

647-3

127

6B

Light brown clay, small gray and white inclusions, brown slip, burnished interior

7

Platter

624-6

127

6B

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, traces of red slip

8

Bowl or vat

614-4

129

6B

Brown clay, black and white inclusions, red slip and drip decoration

9

Jug

1128-5

540

6B

Gray clay, brown inclusions, light burnish, wheelmade, potter’s mark

10

Jar

619-7

127

6B

Pinkish brown clay, white and gray inclusions, brownish-red slip

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

443

3

2

4

5

6

8

9

10

7

12 11 13

Fig. 8.94. Pottery from the open area in southwest, Local Stratum 6A (early Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

676-1

152

6A

Red clay, white inclusions, soot along rim

2

Bowl

712-4

142

6A

Brown clay, small white and black inclusions, thin red slip, pattern burnish

3

Lamp

673

142

6A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, soot marks along rim

4

Platter

706-16

152

4A

Light brown clay, red slip

5

Bowl

712-1

142

6A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, thin red slip, pattern burnish.

6

Bowl

656-2

152

6A

Pinkish-brown clay, red slip, well-burnished interior, traces on rim

7

Platter

663

136

6A

Brown clay, black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

8

Jug

684-8

152

6A

Brown clay, thin red slip

9

Jar handle

706-48

152

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions

10

Jar

698-18

152

6A

Red clay, gray inclusions, red slip

11

Jar

699-7

152

6A

Brown clay, brownish-red slip

12

Pithos

660-53

152

6A

Pink clay, medium and large gray to black inclusions, red slip

13

Pithos

698-27

152

6A

Reddish-brown clay, white and dark gray inclusions, combed

444

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

3

2

1

4

6

5

7

8

10

9

11

13

12

14

Fig. 8.95. Pottery from the open area in the southwest, Local Stratum 6A (early Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

445

◄ Fig. 8.95 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

684-16

152

6A

Red-brown-black burnished KKW

2

Bowl

664-22

152

6A

Red-brown-black burnished KKW

3

Bowl

660-24

152

6A

Red, very worn, KKW

4

Bowl

698-4

152

6A

Red burnished KKW

5

Bowl

691-19

152

6A

Matte red KKW

6

Bowl

664-1

152

6A

Red burnished KKW

7

Krater

664-21

152

6A

Red burnished interior, shading to brown-black, double burnished exterior, KKW, raised decoration

8

Krater

701-11

152

6A

Orange interior, dark gray exterior, KKW

9

Krater

706-7

152

6A

Red unburnished interior, brown-black burnished exterior, KKW, raised decoration

10

Lid

684-25

152

6A

Dark gray burnished KKW

11

Lid

685-19

152

6A

Brown clay, pale brown burnished KKW

12

Stand/funnel

660-1

136

6A

Red burnished KKW, incised lime-filled and black-painted decoration

13

Stand

660-16

152

6A

Red burnished interior, double-burnished exterior, KKW

14

Andiron

702-2

152

6A

Dark red clay, KKW

Description

Fig. 8.96 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

642-1

133

6B

Buff clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade, string-cut base

2

Bowl

4051-1

422

6B

Brown clay, many large black and white inclusions, red slip Brown clay, red slip, pattern burnished interior, light burnish exterior

3

Bowl

622-1

132

6B

4

Bowl

622-11

132

6B

Pinkish-brown clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade wall

5

Bowl

622-4

132

6B

Brown clay, small gray inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

6

Platter

622-5

132

6B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

7

Platter

650-4

133

6B

Brown clay, white and black inclusions, red slip

8

Platter

650-1

133

6B

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip and pattern burnish interior, mending hole

9

Platter

655-2

131

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

10

Mug

650-16

133

6B

Pinkish-brown clay, gray, white and red inclusions, thin red slip

11

Mug

4052

422

6B

Brown clay, black inclusions, red slip

12

Jug

4051-2

422

6B

Reddish gray clay, large gray and white inclusions

13

Jar

655-12

131

6B

Light brown clay, dark gray and white inclusions, thin red slip

14

Jar

652-15

131

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, pattern-combed

446

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 4

5

2

3

6

7 10

8

11

9

13 12

14

Fig. 8.96. Pottery from the southwest structure, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

3

2

4

5

7 6

9 8

10

11

Fig. 8.97. Pottery from the southwest structure, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D). TypeType

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

649-9

133

6B

Gray-brown clay, red-brown-black burnished KKW

2

Bowl

635-1

133

6B

Dark gray clay, red to mottled gray burnished KKW

3

Bowl

642-25

133

6B

Brown clay, red burnished KKW

4

Krater

649-12

133

6B

Gray clay, large inclusions, reddish-brown to dark brown burnished KKW

5

Krater

649-11

133

6B

Reddish-brown clay, red-brown-black KKW, raised decoration

6

Jar or krater

642-10

133

6B

Gray, burnished exterior, KKW

7

Lid

649-7

133

6B

Dark gray clay, brown lightly burnished KKW

8

Andiron

649-1

133

6B

Brown clay, gray inclusions, incised ladder decoration, KKW Gray to reddish brown KKW, combed

No.

9

Andiron

649-5

133

6B

10

Andiron

649-3

133

6B

Gray-brown KKW, combed

11

Andiron

649-2

133

6B

Gray KKW

447

448

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Fig. 8.98 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Lamp

1273-1

568

6A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, soot on rim, very slightly pinched

2

Bowl

1206-2

568

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnished interior

3

Bowl

1307-3

568

6A

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip

4

Platter

1196-20

568

6A

Light brown clay, red slip, pattern burnish

5

Platter

1307-2

568

6A

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, reddish-brown slip, burnished interior

6

Platter

1210-2

568

6A

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

7

Vat

1196-18

568

6A

Red, brown clay, many white and gray inclusions

8

Bowl

1196-6

568

6A

Dark red burnished KKW

9

Bowl

1196-1

568

6A

Red burnished KKW

10

Bowl

1196-3

568

6A

Light brown burnished KKW

11

Andiron

1196-16

568

6A

Dark brown clay, white inclusions, soot on exterior, KKW

12

Lamp

1181-1

562

6A

Light brown clay, various inclusions, red slip over all, soot on rim

13

Bowl

1182-1

561

6A

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, radial burnish

14

Lamp

1194-1

562

6A

Brown clay, gray, red inclusions, red slip, soot along rim

15

Amphoriskos

1185

561

6A

Gray brown clay, many large white and black inclusions, traces of burnished red slip

Description

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

2

3 1

4

8

5

9

6

10

7

12

11

13

14

Fig. 8.98. Pottery from the southeast structure, Local Stratum 6A (early Period D).

15

449

450

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

1

3

4 5 6

7

8

10

9

Fig. 8.99. Pottery from the southeast structure, EY 551, Local Stratum 6B (early Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1193-1

550

6B

Pinkish-brown clay, red slip, soot on rim

2

Bowl/lamp

1227-1

545

6B

Brown clay, dark gray and red inclusions, crudely scraped base, dark red slip

3

Bowl

1155-27

545

6B

Buff clay, brown-painted decoration exterior, spattered red interior

4

Bowl

1158-4

545

6B

Gray clay, pink-light brown-black burnished KKW

5

Bowl

1191-1

556

6B

Reddish-brown burnished, KKW

6

Bowl

1226-2

545

6B

Dark gray clay, smoky pink burnished KKW

7

Vat

1166-1

556

6B

Brown clay, gray, red and white inclusions

8

Vat

1158-12

545

6B

Brown clay, large gray and brown inclusions, red slip

9

Mug

1191-28

556

6B

Brown clay, gray and white inclusions, streaky red to brown slip

10

Lid

1158-5

545

6B

Gray clay, pinkish gray mottled to gray burnished KKW

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

451

3

2

5

4

6

7

9

8

Fig. 8.100. Pottery from Local Stratum 5 (late Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

604-13

115

5

Buff clay, dark gray and red inclusions, wheelmade, string-cut base

2

Bowl

604-15

115

5

Buff clay, few small dark gray inclusions, wheelmade, string-cut base

3

Bowl

604-1

115

5

Dark gray clay, dark gray inclusions, wheelmade?

4

Bowl

611-1

123a

5

Orange clay, burnished red KKW

5

Jug

572-15

116

5

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnish

6

Stand

611-14

123a

5

Gray clay, brownish-red surface, mottled red slip exterior, burnished, KKW

7

Votive bowl

597

123a

5

Brown clay

8

Amphoriskos

610

124

5–4

Light brown clay, many black, gray, brown and white inclusions, streaky red slip

9

Andiron

612-96

124

5

Brown clay, white inclusions, pebbles, KKW

452

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

2

3

1

5

6 4

7

9

8

10

Fig. 8.101. Pottery from Building EY 530, Local Stratum 4 (late Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

453

◄ Fig. 8.101 Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Platter

1107-2

533

4

Light brown clay, few inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Krater?

1062-1

525

4

Brown clay, gray inclusions, red burnished KKW

3

Krater

1059-1

525

4

Brown clay, white and gray inclusions, red burnished KKW, raised decoration

4

Cooking pot

1109-7

534

4

Gray-brown clay, dark gray inclusions, striated interior

5

Small jar

1104-7

533

4

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, wheelmade

6

Jug

1109-12

534

4

Light brown clay, few dark gray inclusions, brown slip, vertical burnish, wheelmade, string-cut base

7

Jar

1109-11

534

4

Red clay, gray and white inclusions, brown-painted decoration

8

Jar

1067

515

4

Light brown clay, small dark gray inclusions, red slip

9

Stand

1062-4

525

4

Brown clay, red burnished KKW

Andiron?

1062-12

525

4

Light brown clay, large and very large gray inclusions, KKW?

No.

10

Description

Fig. 8.102 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Lamp

1080-1

522

4

Light brown clay, red slip, soot on pinched rim

2

Lamp

1065-1

522

4

Brown clay, brown and black inclusions, red slip, soot on rim

3

Bowl

1061-7

522

4

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, diagonal burnish, wheelmade

4

Platter

1071-1

522

4

Brown clay, brown slip, pattern burnish

5

Platter

1047-7

522

4

Light brown clay, black inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

6

Bowl

1090-8

527

4

Light brown clay, small dark gray inclusions, thin red slip, continuous burnish interior and rim

7

Bowl

1071-2

522

4

Buff clay, dark gray inclusions, badly warped base (waster?)

8

Bowl

1090-4

527

4

Pinkish-brown clay, medium dark gray inclusions, thin red slip

9

Bowl

1080-12

522

4

Reddish-brown clay, gray inclusions

Vat

1076-10

522

4

Pinkish-brown clay, dark gray and white inclusions, thin red slip

10

454

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2 3

5 4

6

7

8

9

10

Fig. 8.102. Pottery from EY 522/527, Local Stratum 4 (late Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

455

2 1

3

5

4

7

6

8

9

Fig. 8.103. Pottery from various loci, Local Stratum 4 (late Period D). No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Cooking pot

1071-10

522

4

Brown clay, medium and large dark gray inclusions, striated interior

2

Cooking pot

1080-24

522

4

Gray clay, dark gray inclusions, striated interior

3

Mug

1080-21

522

4

Buff clay, dark gray inclusions, thin red slip

4

Jug

1076/20

522

4

Buff clay, small dark gray and red inclusions, red slip, vertical burnish, wheelmade, string-cut base

5

Jug

1067-5

522

4

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, red slip, burnish

6

Pithos

1089-13

527

4

Light brown clay, medium dark gray inclusions, brownish-red slip

7

Lid

1076-1

522

4

Gray clay, dark gray inclusions, KKW

8

Krater

1126-1

537

4

Brown clay, red-dark gray burnished KKW, raised decoration

9

Cooking pot

1099-15

527

4

Dark brown clay, dark gray inclusions

456

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1

2

3

5

6 4

7

8

9

Fig. 8.104. Pottery from pits, Local Stratum 4 (late Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

457

◄ Fig. 8.104 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

627-1

135

4

Brown clay, white and organic(?) inclusions, red burnished KKW

2

Mug

1116-10

528

4

Brown clay, dark red slip, wheelmade, string-cut base

3

Mug

1082-3

528

4

Brown clay, gray inclusions, traces of red slip, wheelmade

4

Small jar

1087-19

528

4

Pink clay, gray inclusions, wheelmade

5

Cooking pot

4055

421

4

Gray clay, gray inclusions

6

Cooking pot

1087-1

528

4

Gray clay, potter’s mark

7

Jar handle

1116-20

528

4

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions

8

Jar handle

1082-15

528

4

Pink clay, gray inclusions

9

Stand

4045-1

421

4

Gray clay, mottled red burnished KKW

Description

Fig. 8.105 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Bowl

593-11

114

4–3

Light brown clay, small gray and white inclusions, traces of red slip on interior

2

Bowl

591-8

113

4–3

Orange clay, red burnished KKW

3

Bowl

582-1

113

4–3

Red burnished KKW, soot on rim

4

Cooking pot

583-3

114

4–3

Gray clay, white and gray inclusions, soot marks on exterior

5

Jar

583-7

114

4–3

Reddish-brown clay, gray and shiny inclusions, applied rope decoration

6

Jar

583-8

114

4–3

Brown clay, white inclusions, red slip, pattern combed

7

Jar

586-35

113

4–3

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions

8

Pithos

601-7

113

4–3

Pinkish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

9

Krater

589/10 592/13

113

4–3

Brown clay, red-black burnished KKW

Andiron

586-6 + 591-22

113

4–3

Brown clay, large inclusions, KKW

10

Description

458

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

1 3

2

5 4

7 6

8

9

10

Fig. 8.105. Pottery from EY 113–114, Local Stratum 4 or 3 (late Period D).

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

2

3

5 4

6

7 8

9 10

13

12 11

14

16 15 17

Fig. 8.106. Pottery from Local Stratum 3 (late Period D).

459

460

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

◄ Fig. 8.106 No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

Description

1

Bowl

4029-8

410

3

Grayish-brown clay

2

Bowl

607-2

112

3

Light brown clay, dark gray inclusions, red slip, traces exterior

3

Bowl

568-13

111

3

Brown clay, red burnished KKW

4

Bowl

607-3

112

3

Reddish-brown to black clay, many large and small white, large black inclusions, reddish-brown slip

5

Bowl

598-1

111

3

Light brown clay, gray inclusions, irregular burnish interior

6

Platter

1045

519

3

Light brown clay, gray and shiny inclusions, reddish-brown slip, pattern burnish

7

Mug

1063-5

521

3

Light brown clay, gray and white inclusions, red slip

8

Cooking pot

1047-20

519

3

Grayish-brown clay, gray and white inclusions

9

Reshaped cooking-pot fragment

590-18

117

3

Brown clay, gray and shiny inclusions, pattern-combed

10

Jar

1074

521

3

Red clay, white, red, and gray inclusions, red-painted decoration, traces of burnish, NCMW? (very worn)

11

Pithos

1049-6

519

3

Reddish-brown and brown clay, fine white and shiny inclusions, red slip

12

Bowl

574-24

112

3

Orange clay, burnished red-brown-black burnished KKW

13

Bowl

574-28

112

3

Brown clay, white inclusions, red-brown-dark gray burnished KKW

14

Bowl

607-18

112

3

Light brown clay, red-brown-black burnished KKW

15

Cup

581-24

112

3

Brown clay, red burnished KKW

16

Lid

581-25

112

3

Brown clay, dark gray inclusions, KKW

17

Stand

581-41

112

3

Brown clay, small gray inclusions, brown-painted decoration

Fig. 8.107 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Locus

Local Stratum

1

Jar

884

111

3

Brown clay, many medium and large gray and black inclusions

2

Jar

568

111

3

Reddish-brown clay, medium and large gray and black inclusions, traces of red slip

Description

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

1

2

Fig. 8.107. Pottery from Local Stratum 3 (late Period D).

461

462

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Table 8.2. Area EY Locus List No.

Stratum

Square

EY 101

2B

A–B1–2

EY 103

1

A2–3

EY 104

2B

A3

EY 105

2B

A4

EY 110

2A

A4

EY 111

3

B4

Elevation* (m)

Type

Remarks

Room -198.48–80

Pit

Illustrations Plan 8.14

Recent

Court

Plans 8.3W; 8.14 Plan 8.14

-199.28

Room

Paved

-199.56–70

Floor

Stone table; joins 414

Plans 8.3S, 8.13; Fig. 8.42

Mortar

Plan 8.13

Installation

Plan 8.14 Plan 8.14

EY 112

3

A3–4

-199.60–65

Floor

EY 113

4–3

A2

-199.80

Surface?

Plan 8.12

EY 114

4–3

A–B1

-199.69

Surface

Plans 8.3W; 8.13

EY 115

5

B1

EY 116

5

B1

EY 117

3

B3–4

-199.78

Fill

= 116

Fill

Abuts top of W31

Plan 8.12

Floor

= 111

Plan 8.12 Plan 8.12

EY 118

4

A3–4

-199.80

Surface

Above 124

EY 119b

5

A1

-199.78

Fill

Joins 116

EY 120

4

A2

EY 121

3?

A2

Fill -200.08–40

Pit

Identified below mouth

Plan 8.11; 8.12

EY 123a

5

A1

Fill

EY 123b

4–3

A2

Surface

= 113?

Plan 8.13

EY 124

5/4

A3–4

Fill

Above 133; Amphoriskos Reg. No. 610

Plans 8.3N; 8.12

EY 125

6B?

A1–2

Fill

= 415?

EY 126

6B

B4

-199.95

Fill/alley

Above 418; Jug Reg. No. 625

EY 127

6B

A1

-200.15–30

Fill

= 415 (makeup)

EY 129

6B

B1

Fill

Above 141

EY 130

6B

B4

Fill

Above 142

EY 131

6B

A2

-200.12

Floor

= 422

-200.20

-199.80–88

EY 133

6B

A3–4

EY 134

6B

B1

EY 135

4

A2–3

EY 136

6A

A3–4

-200.20–40

EY 138

6B

A3

-200.18

EY 139

1

A1

EY 140

6A

Floor

Plan 8.11 Plan 8.11

Open area

= 415

Pit

Cuts Strata 5–9

Ash layer

Above 152

Floor

Joins 133

Pit

Plans 8.11; 8.12 Plans 8.3W; 8.11 Plans 8.8–8.13 Plan 8.10; Fig. 8.38

EY 141

6A

B1–2

-200.30

Floor

EY 142

6A

B4

-200.35

Open area

EY 148

6A

A2

Plan 8.10 Above 160

Fill?

Plan 8.10 Plan 8.10

EY 149

6A

A3

-200.39

Floor

EY 150

7

A2

-200.55

Room

Plan 8.10

EY 151

6A

A1–2

-200.30

Floor

Plan 8.10

EY 152

6A

A3–4

-200.40

Ash layer

Plan 8.10

EY 153

7

A3

-200.59

Room

Plans 8.3W; 8.9

EY 154

7

A3

Includes 154, 439

= L150

Plans 8.3W, 8.9; Fig. 8.22

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

463

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation* (m)

Type

EY 156

7

A2

-200.56

Cell

Remarks

Plan 8.9

Illustrations Plan 8.9; Fig. 8.22

EY 157

7

A1

-200.55

Room

EY 158

7

B1–3

-200.59

Alley

EY 160

7

B4

-200.67

Room

EY 161

7

A3

-200.70

Room

Plan 8.9; Figs. 8.22, 8.25, 8.26

EY 162

7

A4

-200.63

Room

Plan 8.9

EY 163

7

B4

-200.60

Alley

Continues 158

EY 164

7

B4

-200.65/-201.12

Deposits

= 160

EY 165

6A

D3

-200.45/ -201.13

Pit

Plan 8.10

EY 170

8

A4

-200.80

Floor

Plan 8.8

-200.78

Plans 8.3N, 8.9; Fig. 8.20 Ritual deposits

EY 171

8

A1

EY 172

8

A1

Open area

EY 173

8

A3

-200.83

Room

EY 174

8

A3–4

-200.80

Room

EY 176

8

A–B1

-200.82

Floor

With 177

EY 177

8

A–B1

-200.82

Floor

With 176

EY 178

8

A–B2

-200.83

Room

EY 179

8

A2

-200.87

Open area

Open area

Plan 8.9; Figs. 8.22, 8.27–8.29

Plans 8.3S; 8.9

Plan 8.8 = 171 Plans 8.3W; 8.8 Plan 8.8; Fig. 8.19 Plan 8.8 Plans 8.3W, 8.8; Fig. 8.18 Intrusions noted

Plan 8.8 Plans 8.3W; 8.7

EY 182

9B

A–B2

-201.11

Floor

= 450

EY 183

8

A3

-200.83

Room

= 173

EY 185

8–9B

A4

Fill

Above 198

EY 186

8–9B

B4

Fill

Above 199

EY 191

9B

B1

EY 193

9B

A1

EY 195

9B

A–B2

-201.09

Floor

Part of Room 450

EY 196

9B

A2

-201.13

Floor

Above 204

Plan 8.7

EY 197

9B

A–B3

-201.10

Floor

= 448

Plans 8.3S, W, 8.7; Fig. 8.12

-201.16

Open area

Plan 8.7

Open area

Plan 8.7

EY 198

9B

A4

-201.12

floor

EY 199

9B

B4

-201.07

Cell

Plan 8.7

EY 200

9A

A3

-201.34

Floor

Joins 467

EY 201

9A

A1

-201.23

Open area

8 spindle whorls

EY 203

9A

B1

-201.25

Open area

Plan 8.7 Plan 8.6; Fig. 8.12 Plan 8.6 Plan 8.6

EY 204

9A

A2

-201.21

Room

Plan 8.6; Figs. 8.12, 8.13

EY 205

9A

B4

-201.27

Cell

Plan 8.6

EY 206

9A

A4

-201.30

Floor

Plan 8.6

EY 211

10

A2

-201.27

Floor

EY 212

10

A3

-201.50

Open area

Joins 472

Plan 8.5

EY 213

10

A2

Passage?

Joins 474

EY 215

10

A1

-201.40

Floor

Joins 216

EY 216

10

A–B1

-201.40

Floor

W part of Room 479

EY 401

2A–B

B–C1–2

-199.25

Street

Plan 8.5

Plan 8.5 Plans 8.3N; 8.14

464

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

EY 402

2B

C3

Elevation* (m)

EY 403

2B

A–B3–4

EY 404

2A

A–B1–2

EY 405

2B

B2

EY 406

2A

B3

EY 407

2A

B–C2–3

-199.30

EY 408

2A

C3–4

EY 409

2A

B3

EY 411

2A

EY 412 EY 413

Type

Remarks

Illustrations

Room

Plans 8.3S, E; 8.14

Room

Plans 8.3S, W; 8.14

Open area

Plans 8.3N, W; 8.14

Cell

Plan 8.14

Room

Plan 8.14

Room

Plan 8.14

-199.23

Room

Plan 8.14

-199.30

Room

Plan 8.14

B4

-199.29

Room

Plan 8.14

2B

A3

-199.46

Room

6B

C3

-200.22

Room

-199.27

Plan 8.14 Destruction debris, cut by JPES

Plan 8.11

EY 414

3

B3

-199.70

Floor

Joins 111

Plan 8.13

EY 415

6B

A–B1–2

-200.16–11

Plaza

With 127, 129

Plan 8.11

Pit

JPES sounding

6A–B

B3

-200.19

Room

Lower floor not identified

EY 416 EY 417

Plans 8.10; 8.11

EY 418

6B

B2–3

-200.18

Alley

Plans 8.3S; 8.11

EY 419

6B

B2–3

-200.14

Room

Plan 8.11

EY 420

6B

C3

-200.20

Room

Plan 8.11

EY 420A

6B

C3

Anteroom

Plan 8.11

EY 421

4–3

C3

-199.87/-200.95

Pit

Cuts W36

Plans 8.3E; 8.12; 8.13

EY 422

6B

A–B2

-200.12

Room

Many finds

Plans 8.3W; 8.11; Fig. 8.39

EY 423

6A–B

C3

Room

Floors not identified

Plans 8.10; 8.11

EY 424

6A

C3

EY 424A

6A

C3

Anteroom

EY 425

5? 4?

B3

Pit

Cuts EY 417

Plans 8.3N; 8.12

-200.45

Room

Plan 8.10 Plan 8.10

EY 426

5? 4?

B3

Pit

Cuts EY 417

Plan 8.12

EY 427

6B

C2–3

-200.20

Room

Destruction debris

Plan 8.11; Figs. 8.34, 8.35

EY 428

6B

C2

-200.13

Room

EY 429

6B

B1–2

-200.15

Room

EY 430

6B

B–C3

EY 431

7

B3

-200.66

Room

Plan 8.9

EY 432

6A

B3

-200.40

Alley

Plans 8.3S, 8.10; Figs. 8.21, 8.38

EY 433

6A

B2–3

-200.37

Room

Plan 8.10

EY 434

8

B3

Corridor

Plans 8.3N, S; 8.8

EY 435

6A

C2–3

EY 436

6A

C2–3

EY 437

7

B–C3

EY 439

7

B2

EY 441

7

C3

EY 442

7

C2–3

EY 443

7

B2

EY 444

7

B1–2

Fill

-200.38

Plans 8.3N; 8.11 = 130

Room Room

-200.63–66

Plans 8.3N; 8.11

Plan 8.10; Fig. 8.33 Cut by JPES trench

Room

Plan 8.10 Plan 8.9

E end of L150 Cell? -200.60 -200.42

= 442

Plan 8.9

Room

Plan 8.9; Fig. 8.20

Niche

Plans 8.3W; 8.9

Stone pavement

Stones set in ashy matrix

Plans 8.3N, W; 8.9

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

465

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation* (m)

Type

Remarks

Illustrations

EY 445

8

C3

-200.80

Room

Renumbered locus [= 437a]

Plan 8.8

-200.68

EY 446

7

B2

EY 447

8

B/2

EY 448

9B

B3

EY 449

8

C2–3

-201.13

Room

Plan 8.9; Fig. 8.20

Room

Renumbered locus [= 446a]

Plan 8.8

Floor

Above 467 = 197

Plan 8.7

Room

Renumbered locus [= 442a]

Plan 8.8 Plan 8.7; Fig. 8.15

EY 450

9B

C2

-201.07–10

Floor

Above 460

EY 451

7

B–C1–2

-200.62

Room

Pillar base or table

Plans 8.3N; 8.9

EY 452

7

C2

-200.61

Stone pavement

= MS 129

Plans 8.3N; 8.9

EY 453

8

B3

-200.75

Room

Renumbered locus

Plans 8.3S; 8.8

EY 454

8

C3

Room

Renumbered locus [= 441a]

Plans 8.3E; 8.8

EY 455A

9A

C–D3

EY 455B

9B

C–D3

EY 456A

9A

C3

EY 456B

9B

C3

EY 457

9B

EY 458

9B

EY 459 EY 460

-201.24–39

Room

Plans 8.3S; 8.6

Room

Plans 8.3E; 8.7

-201.41

Room

Plans 8.3S; 8.6

-201.19

Room

Plans 8.3S; 8.7

B2

-201.06

Floor

Part of Room 450

B3

-201.16

Cell

Between W41 and W42

6A

B3

-200.56/-201.98

Pit

Sealed by W13

9A

C2

-201.30

Floor

EY 461

9B

B2

-201.09

Floor

= 450 (w. intrusions?)

EY 462

9B

B2

-201.09

Floor

= 450 (w. intrusions)

EY 465

9B

C2

-201.00

Pavement

EY 466

9A

B2

-201.30

Floor

W part of 460

Plans 8.3W, 8.6; Figs. 8.7, 8.12

EY 467

9A

B3

-201.37

Floor

Room w. pillars

Plans 8.3S, W; 8.6

EY 468

7

C4

-200.69

Surface

Joins 575

EY 469

9A

C3

-201.28

Cell

SE corner of Building 460

EY 470

9B

C3

-201.14

Room

EY 471

9A

C3

-201.30

Room

EY 472

10

B3

-201.55

Open area

Joined by 212

Plans 8.3S, W; 8.5

EY 473

10

C2

-201.45

Floor

Door socket at -201.44

Plan 8.5; Figs. 8.3, 8.5

EY 474

10

B2

-201.45

Passage?

Joined by 213

Plans 8.3W, 8.5

Plans 8.3S; 8.7 Plans 8.3W; 8.10 Plan 8.6; Figs. 8.7–8.11

Plans 8.3S; 8.7

Plan 8.6; Figs. 8.7, 8.8 Plans 8.3S; 8.7 Plans 8.3S; 8.6

EY 475

10

C2

-201.47

Floor

Plan 8.5; Figs. 8.3, 8.5

EY 476

10

B–C2

-201.45

Floor

Plan 8.5; Fig. 8.3

EY 477

10

C3

-201.48

Open area

Plans 8.3S; 8.5

EY 478

10

C3

-201.58

Open area

Plan 8.5

EY 479

10

A2

-201.39

Floor

Plans 8.3W; 8.5; Fig. 8.3

EY 480

10

C1–2

-201.00–35

Installation?

Stratum 9A ‘doorway’ over in situ Stratum 10 remains associated with 473

Plan 8.5; Fig. 8.5

EY 481

11

C2

-201.65

Floor

Beneath 475

Plan 8.4

466

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation* (m)

Type

Remarks

EY 482

11

B3

-201.97

Surface

Beneath 472 = 488

EY 483

11

B3

-201.90

Surface

EY 484

Sub-11

C2

-201.71

EY 485

11

C2

-201.60–91

EY 486

11

C3

EY 487

11

EY 488

11

EY 490

Illustrations

Beneath 472, = 488

Plan 8.3S

Beneath 481

Plan 8.4

Pit

Beneath W55 and L473

Plan 8.4

-201.70/-202.06

Pit

Beneath 477

Plan 8.4

B–C4

-201.68/-202.65

Pit

Beneath 478

Plans 8.3S; 8.4

B–C3

-201.90

Surface

Beneath 478

Plans 8.3S; 8.4

11

C2

-202.09

Pit

Beneath W55

EY 491

11

B2

-201.79

Occupation patch

EY 506

2B

D3–4

Room

Plan 8.14

EY 509

2A

D2–3

-199.24

Street

Plan 8.14

EY 512

2A

D3–4

-199.25

Room

Plan 8.14

EY 513

3

Plan 8.13

EY 514

3

Plans 8.3N; 8.13

Plan 8.4

EY 515

4–3

D–E4–5

Fill

EY 516

2

E1

Room

EY 518

3

D–E2

Fill

Above 522

Plan 8.13

EY 519

3

E1

Surface

E of W63

Plan 8.13

EY 520

4–3

D–E1

Fill

Above 531–532

-199.60

Above 526

Plan 8.13 Plan 8.14

EY 521

3

B–C1

Open area

EY 522

4

D–E1–2

Fill

Above 527

Plan 8.12

EY 523

4

D2–3

Fill

Above 534

EY 524

4

EY 525

4

D3

Fill

Above 533

Plan 8.12

EY 526

4

D–E3

Floor

Grindstone

Plan 8.12

Cuts W78

Plans 8.12; 8.13

Plans 8.3S, E; 8.12 -199.88

EY 527

4

D–E2

-199.91

Room/floor

EY 528

4–3

D3

-199.92/-200.77

Pit

Plan 8.12

EY 529

6B

D2

Ash patch

Joins 541/539

EY 530

4

E2–3

-199.88

Floor

Mortar; see 535

EY 531

4

D1

-199.75

Floor

EY 532

4

E1

-199.75

Floor

EY 533

4

D3

-199.80

Room/floor

= 525

EY 534

4

D2–3

-199.90

Room

Ashy patch + stone table

EY 535

5

E2–3

Subfloor

Possibly make-up of 530

EY 537

4

E4

Floor

= 526

EY 538

6B

B–C4

-200.22–35

Fill

Above 552; joins 130

EY 539

6B

D2

-200.16

Open area

EY 540

6B

C1

Floor

EY 541

6B

D2–3

Open area

EY 542

6B

C–D1

Open area

EY 543

6B

D1

-199.80–86

-200.20

Floor

Plan 8.12 Plan 8.12 Plan 8.12 Plan 8.12

Plan 8.12 Plan 8.11

= 428 Plan 8.11 Area W of 543

Plan 8.11 Plan 8.11

CHAPTER 8: AREA EY: THE EISENBERG–YOGEV EXCAVATIONS, 1981–1982, 1985–1986

467

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation* (m)

Type

Remarks

EY 545

6B

D3

-200.20

Floor

Joins 551 (makeup)

Illustrations

EY 546

6B

D3

-200.15

Floor

= 551

EY 549

6B

D2

-200.16

Open area

Joins 539

EY 550

6B

D3

-200.24

Floor

Makeup of 551

EY 551

6B

D–E3–4

-200.15–23

Room

Including 545, 546, 550, 556

EY 552

6A

C4

-200.35

Open area

Joins 142, 152

Plan 8.10

EY 553

6A

D3

-200.32–45

Cell

Joins 568

Plan 8.10

EY 554

6A

B–C1

-200.49

Room

EY 556

6B

D–E4

-200.23

Floor

EY 557

6A

C–D1

-200.50

Open area

EY 558

6A

B–C2

-200.50

Room

Plan 8.10

EY 560

6A

D–E1

-200.51

Floor

Plan 8.10

EY 561

6A

D2–3

-200.45

Open area

Plan 8.11; Fig. 8.32

Plan 8.10 = 551 Plan 8.10

Includes 565, 572

Open area

Plan 8.10

EY 562

6A

D1

EY 563

7

D2

-200.61

Open area

Plan 8.10

EY 564

7

B–C1

-200.56

Floor

= 451

EY 565

6A

D3

-200.50/-201.13

Pit

Cuts Strata 7–9

EY 566

7

D3–4

-200.68

Room

Plan 8.9

EY 567

7

D–E2–3

-200.60

Room

Plan 8.9

EY 568

6A

D–E3–4

-200.45

Room

EY 570

7

D1

EY 571

7

C1

EY 572

6A

D2

Plans 8.8; 8.10

Plan 8.10; Fig. 8.32

Open area

Probably cut by JPES

Plan 8.9

-200.63

Floor

Cut by JPES

Plan 8.9

-200.45/-201.18

Pit

Plans 8.8–8.10

EY 573

7

D–E3–4

-200.60

Floor

Plan 8.9

EY 574

7

D3–4

-200.61

Floor

Plan 8.9

EY 575

7

C4

-200.69

Surface

EY 576

8

D3

-200.89

Open area

EY 577

8

D3

-200.89

Open area

= 576

EY 578

8

D4

Floor

= 586

EY 579

7

C–D1

Pit

In north balk

-200.45–93

Many broken vessels, = 468

Plans 8.3S, 8.9; Fig. 8.30 Plan 8.8; Fig. 8.17

EY 580

8

D1

-200.76

Floor

Plan 8.8; Fig. 8.17

EY 581

8

D2

-200.82

Room

Plan 8.8 Plans 8.3N; 8.8

EY 582

8

B–C1–2

-200.81

Room

EY 583

8

C–D1–2

-200.80

Courtyard

EY 585

7

C4

-200.69

Surface

= 575

EY 586

8

D–E3–4

-200.79

Room

With 578, 593, 594

EY 588

8

D2

EY 592

7

C4

-200.69

Surface

= 575

EY 593

8

D3–4

-200.79

Floor

= 586

EY 594

8

E3–4

-200.78

Floor

= 586

-200.82

Open area?

Beneath 592/575

EY 595

8

B–C1

EY 601

9B

D2

EY 602

9B

D1

Plan 8.8

Room

-201.13

Plan 8.8; Fig. 8.17 Plan 8.8 Fig. 8.30

Plan 8.8

Open area

Plan 8.7

Open area

Plan 8.7

468

EMANUEL EISENBERG AND RAPHAEL GREENBERG

Table 8.2. (cont.) No.

Stratum

Square

Elevation* (m)

Type

EY 603

9B

C4

-201.18

Floor

Remarks

EY 604

9B

D3

-201.21

Open area

EY 606

9B

D4

-201.08

Open area

Illustrations Plan 8.7

Between tabuns

Plan 8.7 Plan 8.7

EY 607

9B

C1

-201.16

Open area

Plan 8.7

EY 608

9B

C4

-201.15

Floor

Plan 8.7

EY 610

9B

D4

-201.23

Floor

EY 611

9B

E1–2

EY 612

9A

D1–2

-201.27

Open area

-201.28

Unfired pottery

Plan 8.7

near E balk

EY 613

9A

D2–3

EY 614

9A

D2

Open area

EY 615

9A

B–C1

Open area

EY 616

9A

D3

-201.28

Plan 8.6

Open area

Open area

Plan 8.6 = 612 Plan 8.6 Stone pavment near 456a

Plan 8.6

EY 617

9A

C1

-201.30

Open area

Plan 8.6

EY 618

9A

C–D4

-201.26

Floor

Plan 8.6; Fig. 8.14

EY 619

9A

C4

-201.26

Floor

Plan 8.6; Fig. 8.14

EY 620

9A

B–C4

-201.30

Floor

EY 622

9A

D3

-201.18–55

Pit

Plan 8.6; Fig. 8.14

EY 623

10

E4

-201.38

Fill

EY 625

10

D1

-201.55

Open area

Plan 8.5

EY 626

10

D3

-201.20–51

Brick installation

Plan 8.5

Sealed by tabun in next phase

E of W55

Plan 8.6

EY 627

10

D2

-201.56

Open area

EY 629

10

D–E3

-201.55

Open area

Plan 8.5

Plan 8.5

EY 630

10

D4

-201.45

Open area

Plan 8.5

EY 631

10–11

C4

-201.54

Pit or surface

Plan 8.5

EY 632

11

D1

-201.74

Surface w. ash

Plan 8.4

EY 633

10

B–C1

-201.44

Floor

EY 634

11

D2

-201.60

Surface?

Plan 8.5

EY 636

11

D2

-201.60

Surface?

EY 642

10

D3

-201.61–95

Fallen bricks

EY 644

11

C2

-201.87–90

Pit/surface

Joined to 490?

Plan 8.4

EY 645

11

D–E4

-201.80–89

Surface

= 650

Plan 8.4

EY 646

11

D3

-201.95/-202.35

Pit

EY 647

11

C–D3

-201.89–92

Pit/surface

Joined to 490?

EY 649

11

EY 650

11

Surface

= 645

Under 627 = 636 Plan 8.4

Plan 8.4 Plan 8.4

D4

* Elevations are not available for all loci, especially in Yogev’s excavation (100/200 and 500/600 loci), where elevations were measured at several days’ interval

NOTE 1

Of the four sections drawn in the original 10 × 10 m sounding, only two drawings were completed (Sections 1-1

and 4-4); Sections 2-2 and 3-3 reached Local Strata 6 and 9, respectively.

CHAPTER 9

MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

AREA MK: THE MAKHOULY EXCAVATIONS, 1933 Introduction In 1933 the Public Works Department of the Mandatory government of Palestine initiated a change in the alignment of the southern portion of the road that traversed Tel Bet Yerah from north to south. The change was required due to the construction of the Deganya barrage on the Jordan River by the Palestine Electric Company, about 200 m west of the wooden bridge built by the Jewish Labor Corps in the early 1920s (see Chapter 1), and the diversion of traffic from the bridge to the top of the barrage. After the contractors had removed topsoil to a depth of 0.7 m, antiquities inspector Na‘im Makhouly conducted an excavation along the center of the roadbed from the 4th to the 18th of October, 1933 (Plan 9.1). Despite the hurried excavation and threadbare documentation, Makhouly’s excavation provides a number of important insights, with particular bearing on the results of later excavations along the same roadbed (Getzov 2006). Documentation The results of the excavation were summed up in a two-page report filed with the Department of Antiquities (ATQ 445), accompanied by a schematic plan and section (Plan 9.2) and a tabulation of the finds in the different segments of the excavation (termed Sections). Several photographs of the excavation were found in the IAA archives, and a number of finds in the Rockefeller building: complete and restored vessels in the Student Gallery; animal figurines in the permanent exhibit; and fragmentary vessels and additional finds in storage. A few of these finds were furnished with tags or penciled notes indicating their provenance. In view of the extent of the excavation and the schematic nature of the documentation, only an outline of the main results can be presented.

Plan 9.1. Location map of Areas MK, RV, and BH.

Method of Excavation Makhouly excavated a trench, 100 m long and 5 m wide, along the center of the roadbed (Fig. 9.1). The northern end of the trench was expanded to a width of 10 m, due to the discovery of substantial architecture there. Later, the entire trench was widened to a total width of 12 m by the road-builders. For purposes of recording, the trench was divided into 10 m sections, numbered 1–11 from south to north (Plan 9.2). Virgin soil was recorded in all sections, with the exception of Section 11. The roadbed north of the excavated area, Sections 12–20, was cut by the road-builders with only cursory inspection by Makhouly. Relation to Later Excavations The 1994–1995 salvage excavations conducted by N. Getzov were virtually contiguous with Area MK, exposing the continuation of some of the major elements found in the earlier excavation. Getzov excavated a 4 × 95 m trench along the western edge of the roadbed,

470

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

Plan 9.2. Makhouly’s trench: section and top plan.

at a distance of perhaps 5 m from Makhouly’s original trench. Architecture and Finds There is a dramatic difference in the depth of archaeological deposits between the southern end of the excavation trench, where virgin soil was reached at about 5 m below the surface, and the northern end, where it was reached at about 2 m. This is due to the presence of the massive mudbrick fortifications at the southern edge, although their existence seems to have escaped Makhouly’s attention. Stone architecture was observed in Sections 2–11, but only Sections 2–4 provide any data on stratification.

Fig. 9.1. Area MK: general view of the trench cut for the new road in 1933; looking south.

Sections 2–4: Elements Related to the Early Bronze Age Fortifications At the very edge of the excavated area Makhouly notes the typically laminated layers of natural marl (termed ‘river levels’) that underlie the tell deposits. Above these natural levels, at 5.0–4.2 m below surface (approximately -201.00– -200.20 m), there is an accumulation consisting of several layers of ash and, presumably, mudbrick material. This accumulation

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

may be equated with the early phase of Period B identified in nearby excavation areas (e.g., Local Stratum 11 in Areas MS and EY). Above these layers, at about 4.2–3.2 m below surface, were the remains of a well-built curved stone wall identified in Sections 2–3 (Figs. 9.2, 9.3). Curvilinear stone architecture typifies EB I throughout the Levant, and is found at Tel Bet Yerah in Area BH (below), where it was dated to late Period B (EB IB). North of the curvilinear structure, in Sections 3–4, was a thick, undifferentiated deposit that must be equated with the mudbrick fortification (Wall A). Thus, the curvilinear structure lies outside the fortifications and appears to have been cut during their construction. The presence of late Period B architecture outside the line of Wall A has important implications for the date of the fortifications: since Getzov (1998; 2006:8–11) has reported that the fortifications were founded on the natural marl, it would appear that several Period B layers were cut during the construction of the wall. Wall A could thus have been built only in a terminal phase of Period B or, as seems more likely, in EB II. A narrow stone wall identified in Section 3 at about 2 m below surface must also be associated with the fortifications—either belonging to one of the repairs of Wall A or to the low stone foundations of Wall B, which usually ran atop and along the outer part of Wall A. The pottery ascribed by Makhouly to the deposits described

Fig. 9.2. Area MK: The curved wall in Section 2; top view, looking southwest.

471

above appears to have consisted of many fragments with grain-wash decoration, ledge handles, and flatbased jars—all consistent with a Period B date. The deposits between 1.6 and 0.4 m below surface were attributed by Makhouly to ‘early MB’—based on the large quantities of burnished red and black pottery found in them. Albright had originally dated this ‘Khirbet Kerak Ware’ to the Middle Bronze Age, and although the Bet She’an excavations had by the time of this excavation already established the EB III date of the ware, its identification was evidently not yet common knowledge. A stone wall identified in Section 4 might be equated with Wall C, of the late EB III. The remains of this wall would be expected to have been much more substantial, but one may suspect that they were damaged by the road-builders before Makhouly arrived on the scene. A flat-based jug (Fig. 9.7:3) associated with these levels might be attributed to late Period C or early Period D. The uppermost 0.4 m of this part of the excavation contained mixed pottery, including types attributed a Roman and Hellenistic date. Sections 6–11: Early Bronze Age and Hellenistic Structures The most remarkable find in Area MK was the covered stone drainage channel traversing the excavation trench from west to east in Sections 6–7. With its top

Fig. 9.3. Area MK: The curved wall in Section 2; looking east.

472

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

Fig. 9.4. Area MK: The stone-built drain crossing the 12 m wide trench, looking east.

at about 2.5 m below surface, the channel was 0.8 wide and 1.15 m high (Fig. 9.4). Getzov (1998:21; 2006: Fig. 3.21) excavated a portion of this channel in 1994– 1995, noting that it was cut from early EB III levels and contained pottery of that date. To the north of the channel, in Section 7, Makhouly uncovered a fine paved street (Fig. 9.5), also running east–west, at 1.2 m below the surface (approximately -201.50 m). Adjoining the street, in Sections 7–8, is part of a house, with several rooms and a courtyard. Domestic installations included a mortar set in the floor. The construction and dimensions of the street recall Period C (EB II) streets identified in Areas SA and BS (see Chapters 3, 5). Most intriguing is the fact that this east–west street lies at a distance from Wall A nearly identical to that of the east–west street discovered by Bar-Adon inside the Period C gateway (see Plan 5.6), and could conceivably be the same street! Further remains of what appears to be domestic architecture, including the flank of a 10 m long structure, were exposed in Sections 9–10. There are at least two well-separated architectural phases evident in section, the latter most likely EB III (Period D) in date. Recovered from Sections 8–10 were four animal figurines representing equids and cattle, two of them belonging to Period D levels (these are presented in Volume II). In Sections 11–12 Makhouly uncovered part of a large complex described as ‘underground rooms or cellars’, of which the northernmost was subdivided by narrow walls (Fig. 9.6). The orientation and plan of this structure closely resemble those of Hellenistic

Fig. 9.5. Area MK: The Early Bronze Age paved street in Section 7, looking east.

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

473

Fig. 9.6. Area MK: The Hellenistic structure in Section 11, looking southeast.

houses excavated in Areas BS and MS/EY, and it should be attributed a similar date. Some two dozen pyramidal loom-weights found in the IAA storerooms are associated with this building. Makhouly did not excavate beneath the structure. Makhouly’s notes on Sections 12–20 mention no architecture, and the pottery described is entirely Early Bronze Age in date, including both Khirbet Kerak Ware and grain-wash ware. Selected Pottery from Area MK The surviving pottery from Area MK can be said, at best, to represent the periods from which the greatest number of complete pots typically survive at Tel Bet Yerah: late Period C–early Period D. The selection

illustrated represents the finest pieces, none of which can be assigned a certain excavation provenance. The mug, jugs, amphoriskoi, and jar (Fig. 9.7:1–6) all belong to the local pottery tradition typifying the southern excavation Areas BS and MS/EY (see Chapters 2, 5, 8) in both late C and early D contexts. Noteworthy is the amphoriskos with rather sloppily executed painted decoration on a pale surface (Fig. 9.7:5). Similar decoration appears on jars in Areas BS and EY (see, e.g., Figs. 5.82:3; 8.77:5; 8.101:7). Khirbet Kerak Ware accounts for the rest of the group: a fine straight-walled bowl (Fig. 9.7:7); a red-black krater (Fig. 9.7:8); and two stands—one unusually large (Fig. 9.7:9), and one horizontally ribbed (Fig. 9.7:10), almost identical to the stand found within the kiln in the Circles Building (above, Fig. 3.27:9).

Fig. 9.7 ► No.

Type

Reg. No.

Description

1

Mug

37-999

Orange clay, large gray inclusions, streaky red slip

2

Jug

37-1001

Pink clay, gray inclusions, red slip

3

Jug

37-1002

Pink clay, gray inclusions, red slip exterior and base, string-cut base

4

Amphoriskos

37-997

Buff clay, gray and white inclusions

5

Amphoriskos

37-1127

Red clay, white inclusions, white slip, red decoration, potter’s mark

6

Jar

37-994

Brown clay, gray inclusions

7

Bowl

37-995

Red burnished KKW, soot near rim interior

8

Krater

37-1004

Red shading to brown and black burnished KKW

9

Stand

37-1005-1

Red burnished (exterior only) KKW

10

Stand

37-1005-2

Red burnished KKW

474

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

1

4

2

3

7

5

6

8

9

10

Fig. 9.7. Pottery from Area MK.

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

AREA RV: THE R AVANI SALVAGE PITS, 1950–1951 The massive construction carried out on Tel Bet Yerah during 1950–1951 included the digging of foundations, laying of water-pipes, and the excavation of cesspits. While much of the work received little or no archaeological supervision, there was some recording of damaged remains and collection of artifacts. In the two cases described below work was actually delayed to allow for controlled excavation. Department of Antiquities inspector Bezalel Ravani, based in Tiberias, was on hand to record much of the damage, and it was he who excavated two round sewage disposal pits on the grounds of the Bet Yerah Agricultural High School (Plan 9.1). Ravani’s excavation records consist of written descriptions accompanied by his own drawings of the excavated features. The few finds that have survived of these excavations are useless for dating purposes, and we must therefore rely on Ravani’s verbal description of the pottery. Elevations were all measured in relation to ground surface. The Bull-Pen Pit Excavated in August 1950 near the road junction in the middle of the mound, a few score meters west of Area UN, the pit was 3 m in diameter and eventually excavated to a depth of approximately 3 m. Ravani excavated in four quadrants, advancing in spits of 0.2 m. The uppermost remains were attributed to the Hellenistic period. They consisted of a stone wall (0.20–0.53 m below surface), about 0.5 m wide, traversing the pit from north to south. The wall was abutted by a stone pavement. A fill extending to a depth of 0.70 m also contained Hellenistic pottery. Khirbet Kerak Ware was associated with deposits between 0.7 and 1.4 m below surface. A complete vessel was found in situ at the base of these deposits. Other features include a stone pavement at 1.15–1.20 m below surface and possible remains of a brick wall. At 1.3–1.7 m below surface, parts of three mudbrick walls built at right angles to each other may have formed part of a structure. Wall 7, running north–south, was three courses high, with bricks measuring 0.49 × 0.32 × 0.13 m. It was joined on the south by W8, running westwards, and on the north by W9, running eastwards—both at a somewhat higher elevation. The excavator could not assign these walls a clear date. He noted destruction debris and ‘grain-wash’ pottery.

475

However, the latter was noted in EB III phases as well and is not indicative of the date. At 1.80–2.15 m below surface, the entire area of the pit—save for a pit at the northern edge—was occupied by massive mudbrick construction oriented southeast to northwest (brick sizes 0.41 × 0.30 × 0.14 m). The mudbrick feature was covered with burnt material and was dated by the excavator to EB I, based on the presence of both grain-wash decoration and crackled ware. From 2.4 m below surface the ‘loess-like’ soil was recorded, associated with grain-wash decorated pottery and, at 2.5 m, sherds with thick brown or red wash. Virgin soil was reached at 3.1 m below surface. The Pit near Building 4 Located among the school buildings, about 50 m northwest of Area EY, this pit was 2 m in diameter and excavated to a depth of nearly 3 m, without reaching virgin soil. The description of the elements in this pit does not provide a very coherent picture. Between 0.90 and 1.74 m below surface there were two superimposed brick elements. The uppermost element appears to have been composed of two-course walls and a narrow corridor between them, running east–west. The corridor contained Khirbet Kerak Ware. Beneath these features was a massive mudbrick structure occupying the entire pit to a depth of five courses. Earlier elements included a stone wall running north–south along the eastern edge of the pit, 1.97 m below surface, and another east–west brick wall at 2.10 m. The pottery here was mixed EB I–III. The rest of the pit consisted of alternating layers of ash and brick material, probably belonging to EB I deposits. Summary The two pits recorded by Ravani contribute important information to the overall understanding of the site formation at Tel Bet Yerah. The pit near the bull pen closely resembles the Area UN sequence. Assuming the undated mudbrick walls to be EB II in date, we find the sequence presented in Table 9.1. Thus the presence of EB II remains in the middle of the mound, though clearly less substantial than in other parts of the mound, is confirmed, as is the more massive stratification of both EB I and III. The Building 4 pit suggests the presence of an important EB II or III building.

476

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

Table 9.1. Comparative Depth of Deposits (in m) in Areas RV and UN for Each Major Period Area RV (Bull Pen)

Area UN

Period H

0.7

Pits only

Period D

0.7

0.8

Period C

0.4

0.4

Period B

1.3

1.8

Period A

?

0.5?

AREA BH: THE BAHAT EXCAVATIONS OF 1976–1977 In 1976–1977 salvage excavations were conducted in the central part of Tel Bet Yerah, south of the main building of Ohalo, near the eastern edge of the mound (see Plan 9.1; Fig. 9.8). Excavation squares covering an area of about 120 sq m were excavated during three seasons: April–May 1976 (supervised by D. Bahat), September– November 1976 (supervised by M. Stieglitz), and August–September 1977 (supervised by J. Frost). The excavation records provided by Bahat included field logs, sketch-plans, and photographs. Only limited quantities of pottery were retained, representing less than one third of the baskets recorded. Elevations were not recorded in the final season, rendering the attribution of features and finds from this season uncertain.

Stratigraphy The entire excavation area was badly disturbed by nineteenth–early twentieth-century graves and modern sewage and water pipes. In addition, pits of late periods (Hellenistic and possibly later) penetrated Early Bronze Age levels, leaving very few deposits of that period undisturbed. Several soundings were excavated in the attempt to reach virgin soil, but neither the presence of virgin soil nor the elevations of these soundings were recorded. The entire depth of deposit excavated appears to have been 2.5–3 m. Our review of the stratigraphy is based on architecturally associated features and floor levels purportedly sealing earlier features. The excavators discerned eight occupation phases: Phases 1–4, attributed to the Hellenistic period, consisted of stone structures and plaster floors. Phase 5 included meager remains attributed to EB III. Phase 6 included wall fragments and pits dated to EB II. Phase 7 comprised the most substantial architectural features—massive round structures attributed to EB I. Phase 8, revealed in small trial sections between the Phase 7 walls, included slight architectural remains, also dated to EB I. They are described below from bottom to top.

Fig. 9.8. Area BH: general view of excavation area, looking east. At rear, Hellenistic structure; to left, EB II–III remains; at right, EB I remains.

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

Phase 8 Wall fragments and fills associated with this phase were identified in various parts of the excavation (Plan 9.3). At the northern edge of the excavation area stone foundations clearly antedating Phase 7 structures were revealed (Fig. 9.9). They include W7625, which forms a corner with W7626, and further stone construction

Plan 9.3. Area BH, Phase 8.

Fig. 9.9. Area BH: Phase 8–7 remains in northern part of excavation area; looking west.

477

to its south that served as a foundation for the possible Phase 7 grain-pit BH 44 (approximate elev. -197.30 m). BH 61, north of W7625, contained EB IB pottery. A sounding, BH 63, beneath the floor of Building BH 36, revealed poorly preserved brick walls, associated with Period B (EB IB) pottery, among which an unusual baking tray may be pointed out. At the southern edge of the excavation, more mudbrick construction and stone foundations were discovered (W7623, identified in the balk, and W7622). Between these features, BH 42 (-197.60 m) and the sounding BH 43 (-198.06 m) produced, again, Period B pottery. Phase 7 This stratum yielded the most impressive architectural remains (Plan 9.4). Buildings BH 35 and BH 36 (Fig. 9.10) are two conjoined, well-built, round structures of similar dimensions. The southern structure, BH 35, of which about one quarter was preserved, had a 1.5 m thick perimeter wall, ending abruptly at what appears to be a doorway on the south. A basalt mortar (probably a door socket) found just inside this doorway could indicate the level of the floor (-197.54 m). The internal diameter of the structure was about 4 m. BH 36 clearly postdates BH 35, its 1.5 m thick wall expanded to form an organic link with the earlier

Plan 9.4. Area BH, Phase 7.

478

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

Fig. 9.10. Buildings BH 35 and BH 36 of Phase 7.

structure. The massive mudbrick superstructure of this structure was preserved in the northern part of the building, where large, irregular bricks—square, rectangular, trapezoidal, and even triangular—were observed. Slabs set in the floor of this structure (-197.46 m) may have served as pillar bases. The organic nature of these two structures suggests that they might have been part of a larger conglomerate of subrectangular structures. Indeed, the Amiran excavations of 1976, about 75 m northwest of Area BH, revealed another round mudbrick structure, 2.5 m in diameter, ascribed to EB I (Amiran and Cohen 1976). Round structures are often interpreted as non-domestic, with grain-storage being the favored functional interpretation. In the present case, however, there are several points that argue against a storage function: (a) the discovery, just north of BH 35 and BH36 of another, flimsier, round installation (BH 44, described below), in which the excavators claim to have found evidence for its use as a grain silo; (b) the varied ceramic repertoire in BH 35/36 and the complete absence of evidence for organic storage. Massive round structures of smaller diameter have been found in EB IB sites of northern Israel, e.g., Qiryat Ata (Golani 2003:64; Plan 2.22) and Megadim (Wolff 1998), where they are interpreted as storage structures. Farther south, perfectly circular structures have been discovered at Palmahim Quarry (Braun 1991). One

of these was 2 m in diameter and had a doorway, door socket, and pillar base; the other is about 4 m in diameter. Their function was not determined. The closest parallel to the Tel Bet Yerah structures comes from Tell esh-Shuna, where Philip (2001:178) reports on Building 9, mudbrick with stone foundations, 5.5 m in diameter, and furnished with a pillar base. As at Tel Bet Yerah, Philip states that the structure “appears to have been one of several circular structures, grouped closely in the central area of the site.” Just north of BH 35/36 lay the foundations of another round structure, BH 44, identified by the excavator as a grain silo (see Fig. 9.9). The partly-preserved stone foundations, which apparently overlay the stone foundations of W7625 (of Phase 8), were abutted by an earthen floor upon which the excavator claimed to have identified carbonized impressions of grain (there is, unfortunately, no photographic record of this interesting observation). The relation between the ‘silo’ and BH 35/36 is far from clear. Its presumed floor level was, at elev. -197.14–24 m, well above that of both BH 35/36 and the plaster and pebble pavement, BH 38, reportedly abutting the main structure at -197.48 m. Phases 6–5 Badly disturbed by later activity, the remains of Phases 6–5 can give only a fragmentary picture of the nature

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

of the EB II–III occupation (Plan 9.5). BH 33 is a small corner of a room found at the northern edge of the excavation area. It is bounded by W7618 (0.8 m wide) and yielded pottery that can be dated to EB II. The only other features that can be ascribed to Phase 6 are two pits, BH 72 (1.5 m diameter, elev. -197.31–60 m), and BH 71—a very large pit (as much as 5 m in diameter; elev. -196.94– -198.12 m) with large amounts

479

of mixed EB I–II pottery (the former probably derived from Building BH 36, which was cut by the pit). Phase 5 is even more poorly represented: Wall 7612 is a stone foundation, 1 m wide, built above W7618 of Phase 5. A 0.3 m wide passage in the wall, too narrow to be a doorway, could have served as a drainage channel. Though EB III pottery was found on either side of the wall (BH 26, 28), no clear floor was detected. Phase 4 Building BH 15, at the northeast corner of the excavated area, consisted of a small portion of a stone structure with a plastered floor upon which Hellenistic pottery was found (Plan 9.6). This structure closely resembles, both in plan and orientation, the buildings of the extensive Hellenistic settlement revealed in Areas BS, EY, and GZ. Also belonging to this phase was a large pit, BH 73. Phases 3–1 In Phase 3, the structure and other features of Phase 4 were filled and the entire excavation area appears to have been occupied by a plastered surface, BH 13 (-195.97– -196.05 m; Plan 9.7). A wall fragment, W7627, is also attributed to this phase. Phase 2 is represented by W7603 and Loci BH 02, BH 04, and Phase 1 by stone walls, W7601 and W7602. The excavators attributed all these phases to the Hellenistic

Plan 9.5. Area BH, Phases 6–5.

Plan 9.6. Area BH, Phase 4.

Plan 9.7. Area BH, Phases 3–1.

480

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

period, but as they were severely disturbed, their date should be considered uncertain. A Grain-Wash Pithos After the excavation was concluded, a large railrimmed pithos with grain-wash decoration was revealed, intact with stone cap in place, in the northern balk of the excavation area. The pithos is currently on display at the Bet Gordon Museum in Deganya, but no details as to its archaeological context or its contents are available. Pottery from Area BH The extant assemblage from Area BH is small and unremarkable. As usual, the EB I levels produced the bulk of the pottery, while later Early Bronze Age phases are poorly represented. Figures 9.11–9.14 present the finds according to excavation context. Early Bronze I (Figs. 9.11, 9.12) The pottery from Phases 8 and 7 constitutes, for the most part, the standard Period B repertoire. Bowls include a small hemispherical lamp-bowl (Fig. 9.11:3), crackled ware bowls (Figs. 9.11:4, 9.12:5), a lug-handled bowl (Fig. 9.12:9), and a number of inverted-rim bowls (Figs. 9.11:8, 9.12:1), including one that appears to be of Metallic Ware (Fig. 9.11:8). This is one of several apparent occurrences of Metallic Ware in EB I contexts, none of them, unfortunately, of impeccable credentials (i.e., from sealed loci with restorable pottery). The

highly burnished bowl in Fig. 9.12:6 should be seen in conjunction with the bowl found in a later context, Fig. 9.13:1. These represent the finest exemplars of a late EB I–early EB II Jordan Valley ceramic tradition (cf. de Vaux 1955: Fig. 13:31, 35; Fischer 2000: Fig. 12.1:7). Holemouths include red- or brown-slipped vessels (Figs. 9.11:5, 9–12; 9.12:3, 10). Small closed vessels are represented by rim fragments of a jug (Fig. 9.11:6) and an amphoriskos (Fig. 9.12:7), and larger closed vessels by short-necked jars, red slipped or bearing grain-wash decoration (Fig. 9.12:4, 8; Fig. 9.11:7 is a heavy-set, pithos-sized version of this type). Figure 9.12:12, belonging to a small closed vessel, bears a droplet decoration that turns up occasionally at Tel Bet Yerah. The standard repertoire is closed out with ‘rail-rim’ pithoi (Figs. 9.11:1, 2; 12:11). There remain two unusual pieces. One, Fig. 9.11:13, is a fragment of an incense-burner with clear signs of burning on its underside (cf. Fig. 8.50:7). The other, Fig. 9.11:14, resembles a baking tray, its rim decorated with x-shaped incisions. Poorly fired, with a thick core and organic inclusions, the vessel bears an orange-red slip that is uncharacteristic of baking vessels. Early Bronze II–III (Figs. 9.13, 9.14) Aside from the highly burnished inverted-rim bowl (Fig. Fig. 9.13:1) discussed above, the EB II–III pottery falls into the standard categories found in other excavation areas. North Canaanite Metallic Ware is dominant in EB II, with standard platters and invertedrim bowls (Fig. 9.13:2, 4, 6, 7, 13), as well as a curious

Fig. 9.11 ► No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Phase

Description

1

Pithos

326

BH 42

8

Brown-orange clay, thin red slip, incised decoration

2

Pithos

319

BH 42

8

Orange clay, thin red slip, incised decoration

3

Bowl

319

BH 62

8

Buff clay, black inclusions, soot marks

4

Bowl

319

BH 62

8

Gray clay, crackled black slip

5

Holemouth jar

319

BH 62

8

Buff clay, black inclusions, thin brownish-red slip

6

Jug

319

BH 62

8

Buff clay, thin red slip

7

Pithos

316

BH 62

8

Orange clay, gray core, thin red slip

8

Bowl

320

BH 63

8

Orange-red clay, NCMW

9

Holemouth jar

320

BH 63

8

Orange clay, black and white inclusions, brown slip

10

Holemouth jar

320

BH 63

8

Buff clay, thin red slip

11

Holemouth jar

336

BH 63

8

Buff clay, thin brown slip

12

Holemouth jar

336

BH 63

8

Light gray clay, large inclusions, poorly fired, orange-brown slip

13

Stand

320

BH 63

8

Light brown clay, brown slip, soot marks

14

Tray

320

BH 63

8

Orange clay, black core, chaff temper, poorly fired, orange-red slip, incised decoration

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

double-rimmed bowl (Fig. 9.13:8). This vessel appears to consist of a standard inverted-rim bowl, to which an extra coil and rim were added, forming a large bowl with an interior ledge. Other EB II types include a standard-ware platter (Fig. 9.13:5), ‘brown’ and ‘gray’ holemouth cooking pots (Fig. 9.13:3, 9), a necked

cooking pot (Fig. 9.13:10), a common-ware jar (Fig. 9.13:11), and an amphoriskos (Fig. 9.13:12). The very limited pottery from EB III levels includes non-diagnostic bowls, lamps, mugs, and jars (Fig. 9.14:1– 6), a pithos rim (Fig. 9.14:7, possibly intrusive), and a fragment of a Khirbet Kerkak Ware stand (Fig. 9.14:8).

1

2

3

4

5

7 6

8

9 10

12

11

481

13

14

Fig. 9.11. Pottery from Area BH, Phase 8 (Period B).

482

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

2

1

4 3

5 6

8 7

9 10

11 12

Fig. 9.12. Pottery from Area BH, Phase 7 (Period B). No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Phase

Description

1

Platter

221

BH 35

7

Pinkish-buff clay, orange slip, burnish

2

Krater

BH 35

7

Buff clay, crackled red slip

3

Holemouth jar

219

BH 35

7

Brown clay, black inclusions, dark brown slip

4

Jar

217

BH 35

7

Pink clay, gray slip

5

Bowl

268

BH 36

7

Buff clay, crackled brown slip

6

Bowl

BH 36

7

Orange clay, orange-red slip, pattern burnish

7

Amphoriskos

BH 36

7

Gray clay

8

Jar

266

BH 36

7

Orange clay, red slip

9

Bowl

314

BH 60

7

White-buff clay, well levigated, well fired, orange slip, burnish

10

Holemouth jar

223

BH 39

7

Orange clay, thin red slip

11

Pithos

288

BH 38

7

Orange clay, large inclusions, brown wash, thumbed decoration on rim

12

Body sherd

225

BH 39

7

Pale pink clay, red-painted decoration

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

1

2

3

5

4

6

7

8

9 10

11

12 13

Fig. 9.13. Pottery from Area BH, Phase 6 (Period C).

483

484

SARIT PAZ AND YITZHAK PAZ

◄ Fig. 9.13 No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Phase

Description

1

Bowl

286

BH 33

6

Brownish-red clay, well fired, small white inclusions, red slip, pattern burnish

2

Platter

253

BH 72

6

Red clay, gray core, NCMW

3

Cooking pot

253

BH 72

6

Brown clay

4

Platter

270

BH 71

6

Red clay, NCMW

5

Platter

211

BH 71

6

Buff clay, black inclusions, red slip, burnish

6

Platter

270

BH 71

6

Brown clay, large black inclusions

7

Bowl

212

BH 71

6

Orange clay, pattern burnish

8

Bowl

212

BH 71

6

Orange-red clay, NCMW

9

Cooking pot

BH 71

6

Gray clay, potter’s mark

10

Cooking pot

270

BH 71

6

Gray-brown clay, poorly fired, soot marks

11

Jar

212

BH 71

6

Orange clay

12

Amphoriskos

211

BH 71

6

Gray clay, poorly fired

13

Platter-base

270

BH 71

6

NCMW, potter’s mark

1

3

2

6 5 4

8

7

Fig. 9.14. Pottery from Area BH, Phase 5 (Period D). No.

Type

Basket

Locus

Phase

Description

1

Bowl

254

BH 41

5

Buff clay, well fired, traces of red slip

2

Bowl

BH 41

5

Buff clay, wheel-marks

3

Bowl

199

BH 29

5

Buff clay, red slip

4

Mug

27

BH 10

5

Brownish-buff clay, black inclusions

5

Jug

159

BH 29

5

Gray clay, red slip

6

Jar

184

BH 29

5

Gray clay, thin brown slip, incised decoration

7

Pithos

184

BH 29

5

Brown-orange clay, black inclusions

8

Stand

237

BH 40

5

Gray clay, red burnished KKW

CHAPTER 9: MINOR EXCAVATIONS, 1933–1977: AREAS MK, RV, AND BH

Summary Area BH affords a glimpse into the variety of architectural forms in the extensive Period B (EB IB) settlement at Tel Bet Yerah. As virgin soil was not

reached, the excavation does not aid in delineating the extent of Period A remains, and the disturbance of Period C–D levels was such that little of interest could be discovered of those periods.

Table 9.2. Area BH Locus List No.

Phase

Type

BH 01

0

Pit

BH 02

2

Room

BH 03

0

Pit

Elevation (m)

Remarks Surface level

-195.97

Hellenistic

-196.08

Hellenistic

BH 04

2

Room

BH 05

0

Pit

BH 06

0

Pit

BH 07

0

Grave

BH 08

0

Grave

BH 10

?

Occupation

-195.82/-195.92

Badly disturbed

BH 11

4

Room

-196.35

Hellenistic

BH 12

4

Room

-196.34

Hellenistic

BH 13

3

Floor

-195.97/-196.03

Hellenistic

BH 14

4

Fill

-196.40/-196.67

Hellenistic

BH 15

4

Room

-196.23/-196.49

Hellenistic

BH 16

4

Occupation

-196.13/-197.22

Hellenistic

BH 19

0

Grave

BH 20

5

Debris

-196.50/-196.74

BH 21

5

Debris

-196.55/-196.76

BH 22

0

Grave

BH 25

0

Grave

BH 26

5

Occupation layer

BH 28

5

Occupation layer

BH 29

5

BH 31

0

Grave

BH 33

6

Room

-197.01/-197.24

BH 34

6

Occupation

-197.00/-197.32

BH 35

7

Building

-197.40/-197.54

W7613

BH 36

7

Building

-196.72/-197.46

W7615, W7619

BH 37

7

Occupation

-197.04

BH 38

7

Pavement

-197.32/-197.48

BH 42

8

Fill

-197.60/-198.00

BH 43

8

Occupation /fill

-198.06

BH 44

7

Silo

-197.14/-197.24

BH 46

7

Occupation

-197.79

BH 53

Ottoman Ottoman

Islamic Hellenistic–EB Hellenistic–EB Islamic Islamic -196.72/-197.00

W7612

-196.72/-197.33

Badly disturbed

W7612 Islamic W7618

W7622, W7623 W7624

Pit

BH 54

485

Pit

BH 57

7

Silo floor

-197.24

BH 60

8

Fill

-197.60

BH 61

8

Room

BH 62

8

Fill

BH 63

8

Sounding

-197.50

W7625 W7625

BH 71

6

Pit

-196.94/-198.12

BH 72

6

Pit

-197.31/-197.60

BH 73

4

Pit

‘Pit L’ ‘Pit K’

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IAA REPORTS No. 1 G. Avni and Z. Greenhut, The Akeldama Tombs: Three Burial Caves in the Kidron Valley, Jerusalem, 1996, 129 pp.

No. 15 M. Dayagi-Mendels, The Akhziv Cemeteries: The Ben-Dor Excavations, 1941–1944, 2002, 176 pp.

No. 2 E. Braun, Yiftah’el: Salvage and Rescue Excavations at a Prehistoric Village in Lower Galilee, Israel, 1997, 249 pp.

No. 16 Y. Goren and P. Fabian, Kissufim Road: A Chalcolithic Mortuary Site, 2002, 97 pp.

No. 3 G. Edelstein, I. Milevski and S. Aurant, Villages, Terraces and Stone Mounds: Excavations at Manahat, Jerusalem, 1987–1989, 1998, 149 pp. No. 4 C. Epstein, The Chalcolithic Culture of the Golan, 1998, 352 pp. + plans. Hardcover. No. 5 T. Schick, The Cave of the Warrior: A Fourth Millennium Burial in the Judean Desert, 1998, 137 pp. No. 6 R. Cohen, Ancient Settlement of the Central Negev: The Chalcolithic Period, the Early Bronze Age and the Middle Bronze Age I (Hebrew, English Summary), 1999, 396 pp. No. 7 R. Hachlili and A. Killebrew, Jericho: The Jewish Cemetery of the Second Temple Period, 1999, 202 pp. No. 8 Z. Gal and Y. Alexandre, Horbat Rosh Zayit: An Iron Age Storage Fort and Village, 2000, 247 pp. No. 9 U. Dahari, Monastic Settlements in South Sinai in the Byzantine Period: The Archaeological Remains, 2000, 250 pp. + map. No. 10 Z. Yeivin, The Synagogue at Korazim: The 1962–1964, 1980–1987 Excavations (Hebrew, English Summary), 2000, 216 pp.

No. 17 A. Kloner, Maresha Excavations Final Report I: Subterranean Complexes 21, 44, 70, 2003, 183 pp. No. 18 A. Golani, Salvage Excavations at the Early Bronze Age Site of Qiryat ‘Ata, 2003, 261 pp. No. 19 H. Khalaily and O. Marder, The Neolithic Site of Abu Ghosh: The 1995 Excavations, 2003, 146 pp. No. 20 R. Cohen and R. Cohen-Amin, Ancient Settlement of the Negev Highlands II (Hebrew, English Summary), 2004, 258 pp. No. 21 D. Stacey, Exavations at Tiberias, 1973–1974: The Early Islamic Periods, 2004, 259 pp. No. 22 Y. Hirschfeld, Excavations at Tiberias, 1989–1994, 2004, 234 pp. No. 23 S. Ben-Arieh, Bronze and Iron Age Tombs at Tell Beit Mirsim, 2004, 212 pp. No. 24 M. Dothan and D. Ben-Shlomo, Ashdod VI: The Excavations of Areas H and K (1968–1969), 2005, 320 pp. No. 25 M. Avissar, Tel Yoqne‘am: Excavations on the Acropolis, 2005, 142 pp.

No. 11 M. Hartal, The al-Subayba (Nimrod) Fortress: Towers 11 and 9, 2001, 129 pp.

No. 26 M. Avissar and E.J. Stern, Pottery of the Crusader, Ayyubid, and Mamluk Periods in Israel, 2005, 187 pp., 53 figs., 34 color plates.

No. 12 R. Gonen, Excavations at Efrata: A Burial Ground from the Intermediate and Middle Bronze Ages, 2001, 153 pp.

No. 27 E.C.M. van den Brink and Ram Gophna, Shoham (North), Late Chalcolithic Burial Caves in the Lod Valley, Israel, 2005, 214 pp.

No. 13 E. Eisenberg, A. Gopher and R. Greenberg, Tel Te’o: A Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Site in the Hula Valley, 2001, 227 pp.

No. 28 N. Getzov, The Tel Bet Yerah Excavations, 1994–1995, 2006, 204 pp.

No. 14 R. Frankel, N. Getzov, M. Aviam and A. Degani, Settlement Dynamics and Regional Diversity in Ancient Upper Galilee: Archaeological Survey of Upper Galilee, 2001, 175 pp. + color distribution maps and foldout map.

No. 29 A.M. Berlin, Gamla I: The Pottery of the Second Temple Period, the Shmarya Gutmann Excavations, 1976–1989, 2006, 181 pp. No. 30 R. Greenberg, E. Eisenberg, S. Paz and Y. Paz, Bet Yerah: The Early Bronze Age Mound I: Excavation Reports, 1933–1986, 2006, 500 pp.