New Publications by Yuval Gadot
PNAS Vol. 121 No. 19 e2321024121, 2024
Reconstructing the absolute chronology of Jerusalem during the time it served as the Judahite Kin... more Reconstructing the absolute chronology of Jerusalem during the time it served as the Judahite Kingdom’s capital is challenging due to its dense, still inhabited urban nature and the plateau shape of the radiocarbon calibration curve during part of this period. We present 103 radiocarbon dates from reliable archaeological contexts in five excavation areas of Iron Age Jerusalem, which tie between archaeology and biblical history. We
exploit Jerusalem’s rich past, including textual evidence and vast archaeological remains, to overcome difficult problems in radiocarbon dating, including establishing a detailed chronology within the long-calibrated ranges of the Hallstatt Plateau and recognizing short-lived
regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations. The key to resolving
these problems is to apply stringent field methodologies using croarchaeological methods, leading to densely radiocarbon-dated
stratigraphic sequences. Using these sequences, we identify regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations c. 720 BC, and in the historically secure stratigraphic horizon of the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. The latter is verified by 100 single-ring measurements between 624 to 572 BC. This application of intense 14C dating sheds light on the reconstruction of Jerusalem in the Iron Age. It provides evidence for settlement in the 12th to 10th centuries BC and that westward expansion had already begun by the 9th century BC, with extensive
architectural projects undertaken throughout the city in this period. This was followed by significant damage and rejuvenation of the city subsequent to the mid-eight century BC earthquake, after which the city was heavily fortified and continued to flourish until the Babylonian destruction.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 2024
Recent research into agricultural terrace systems across the Jerusalem Highlands, has revealed a ... more Recent research into agricultural terrace systems across the Jerusalem Highlands, has revealed a significant pattern: the majority of terraces were constructed within the past 700 years, during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. The motivation for building terrace systems, a labour-intensive
endeavour requiring significant long-term investment, appears to be associated with land management policies. This study set out to test this hypothesis, by focusing on the terrace system at Nahal (wadi) Ein-Karim, Jerusalem, and the adjacent site of Khirbet Beit-Mazmil. The study employed portable OSL (POSL) profiling of sediments and OSL dating of the terraces and other related features, alongside archival document analysis. A key element of this study was the examining and dating of plot fences, which serve as tangible representation of shifts in land tenure. The utilisation of POSL profiling facilitated comprehension of their sedimentation
dynamics and aided in identifying the optimal sampling approach for OSL dating. The findings
highlight a direct link between land endowment practices and terrace construction, particularly
evident from the fourteenth century CE onwards. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to
our understanding of agricultural terracing dynamics, shedding light on the intricate interplay
between land tenure systems, socio-economic factors, and landscape modification practices in
the Late-Medieval Southern-Levant.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2024
This study aims at establishing a historically based model of animal husbandry in urban and rural... more This study aims at establishing a historically based model of animal husbandry in urban and rural settlements, in the Southern Levant. This type of model is required in the field of zooarchaeology, to better analyze and study ancient faunal remains. It also applies a non-traditional method to study and differentiate between urban and rural economies. For this
aim, we used British Mandate tax files and village statistics. These are the best available historical documents for this period, that recorded herds management statistics in all settlements of Palestine.
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.Through the Ages: Essays in Honour of Dieter Vieweger, 2023
During the excavations of Area 10 of the Giv’ati parking Lot excavations,
16 handles of storage j... more During the excavations of Area 10 of the Giv’ati parking Lot excavations,
16 handles of storage jars bearing impressions made by royal
stamps and ranging in time between the Iron Age and the Hellenistic
period were found. The article presents the stamps and discuss their contribution for Jerusalem's history. First page
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Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 2024
during the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem. Was the transition from the Byzantine to the Islamic pe... more during the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem. Was the transition from the Byzantine to the Islamic period a short and dramatic event or a long and steady process? This study aims to examine later post-earthquake of the 8th century CE. Thus, we carried out a study of Mount Zion's (seasons 2018 and 2019) faunal assemblages, analyzing the species discovered at the site, was on evaluating the cultural identity and economic preferences of the local population. As the site was located inside the Jerusalem walls, the locals gained their meat supply from the local markets and might have been involved in agriculture outside the walls. Although the site experienced architectural alterations between the two periods, the Christian population remained, and their faunal economy did not change from the Byzantine period till after the earthquake.
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Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections , 2024
Steatite scarabs were the most common type of seal‑amulets in Egypt and the southern Levant durin... more Steatite scarabs were the most common type of seal‑amulets in Egypt and the southern Levant during the 2nd millennium BCE. Past scholarship attempted to create criteria for the identification of Egyptian vs. Canaanite scarabs, emphasizing mostly their typological and iconographic features, while other aspects of their production have largely been disregarded. This article examines the production of steatite scarabs from the southern Levant, using the chaîne opératoire theoretical and methodological framework, in which each phase of the production sequence is analyzed separately. The presented results of this analysis include a detailed account of the techniques and tools employed in their creation, a general estimation of the location of their centers of production, and potential connections between steatite scarab production and other ancient industries. While the social contexts of production are highlighted, it is noted that further research is needed to elaborate upon the relationship between Levantine and Egyptian artisans.
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New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Region, 2023
This article describes two installations that include a web of shallow rock cut channels. These a... more This article describes two installations that include a web of shallow rock cut channels. These are unique installations that date to the late Iron IIa period. The function of the installations is unknown. We suggest they were meant at soaking vegetal product and that production was under the control of the palace/temple.
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Journal of Archaeological Science, 2023
Evidence of fire is one of the most important features for identifying and characterizing destruc... more Evidence of fire is one of the most important features for identifying and characterizing destruction events. Analysis of microscopic remains of fire has developed exceedingly in recent years, enabling archaeologists to
examine new questions relating to the intensity of destruction events and to the circumstances of the creation of destruction layers. One of the most crucial events in the history of the Southern Levant is the Babylonian destruction of Judah and its capital Jerusalem in 586 BCE, which shaped the biblical narrative and theology for generations to come. Building 100 was an extraordinarily large and rich elite building, thoroughly destroyed
during the Babylonian campaign. This paper presents a study of the destruction layer excavated within the rooms of the building. FTIR spectrometry and archaeomagnetic analysis were combined in the micro-archaeological study of the remains in order to create a detailed reconstruction of the destruction event. This reconstruction sheds new light on how the Babylonian destruction was manifested in reality in the elite buildings of Jerusalem.
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Tel-Aviv, 2023
For full article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03344355.2023.2246811
Excavati... more For full article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03344355.2023.2246811
Excavations on Jerusalem’s Southeastern Ridge, in the Giv>ati Parking Lot excavations,
have exposed a man-made ditch, some 30 m wide and at least 6 m in depth, close
to the hill’s summit. This paper presents the technical features of the ditch, including
the rock scarps that delineate it from the north and south, as well as an enigmatic
installation composed of a series of intertwined channels. Through comparison with
data from previous excavations farther east, it is clear that this ditch traversed the
entire width of the ridge, creating a disconnect between the Southeastern Ridge and
the Ophel. Although the initial cutting of the ditch cannot be determined, it is clear
that by the Late Iron IIA, the ditch served as a moat between the acropolis—possibly
including the Temple Mount—and the city. This continued until the Late Hellenistic
period, when construction activities backfilled the ditch, leading to its disappearance
from the cityscape.
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HeBAI 12: 33-53, 2023
Advances in the sciences have heavily influenced the manner in which archaeology is conducted in... more Advances in the sciences have heavily influenced the manner in which archaeology is conducted in recent years in Israel. In the past decade, this has also impacted the archaeological research of Jerusalem, applying innovative methods and taking a leap into the future with new approaches. In this article we wish to highlight the contribution of the scientific toolkit to the research of chronology, connectivity, foodways, environment and identity in ancient Jerusalem.
Fitst page only. for full article see: https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/article/jerusalem-in-history-101628hebai-2023-0009?no_cache=1
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Archaeometry , 2023
Tel Megiddo is a major type-site for the Middle Bronze
in the Levant. During this period a new bu... more Tel Megiddo is a major type-site for the Middle Bronze
in the Levant. During this period a new burial custom
appeared in which the dead were interred beneath
occupied houses. This tradition is well attested in Area
K at the site. Area H, near the palatial complex, revealed
a monumental masonry-constructed chamber
tomb. This article presents the results of residue analysis
conducted on ceramic vessels placed in these tombs
as burial offerings. Hundreds of intramural Middle
Bronze tombs with ceramic offerings were excavated in
the Levant, but this is the first time the content of the
vessels is revealed.
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Parasitology, 2023
The aim of this study was to determine if the protozoa that cause dysentery might have been prese... more The aim of this study was to determine if the protozoa that cause dysentery might have been present in Jerusalem, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, during the Iron Age. Sediments from 2 latrines pertaining to this time period were obtained, 1 dating from the 7th century BCE and another from the 7th to early 6th century BCE. Microscopic investigations have previously shown that the users were infected by whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), Taenia sp. tapeworm and pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis). However, the protozoa that cause dysentery are fragile and do not survive well in ancient samples in a form recognizable using light microscopy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits designed to detect the antigens of Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia duodenalis were used. Results for Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium were negative, while Giardia was positive for both latrine sediments when the analysis was repeated three times. This provides our first microbiological evidence for infective diarrhoeal illnesses that would have affected the populations of the ancient near east. When we integrate descriptions from 2nd and 1st millennium BCE Mesopotamian medical texts, it seems likely that outbreaks of dysentery due to giardiasis may have caused ill health throughout early towns across the region.
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'Atiqot 110, 2023
Excavations in the Giv'ati Parking Lot in Jerusalem uncovered extensive architectural remains dat... more Excavations in the Giv'ati Parking Lot in Jerusalem uncovered extensive architectural remains dating from the Iron Age to the Early Islamic period, the latest dating to the Abbasid period. The remains from the Abbasid period comprise a large commercial area where a metal industry operated. This paper presents an Abbasid-period stone mold for casting metal artifacts engraved with an Arabic inscription, whose purpose and meaning are discussed by the authors based on parallels from material finds and written sources.
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New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusaelem and its region, 2022
This article presents Building 100 - a public building that was uncovered at the "Givati Parking ... more This article presents Building 100 - a public building that was uncovered at the "Givati Parking Lot" excavation site, located on the northwestern slope of the southeastern ridge, a short distance from the Opheel and the Temple Mount. We show evidence of wealth accumulation and its display during the Iron Age IIB-C. We offer to recognize the building as a bureau לשכה
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Jerusalem archaeology by Yuval Gadot
This is the story of the landfill that operated in Jerusalem during the first century CE and serv... more This is the story of the landfill that operated in Jerusalem during the first century CE and served as its garbage dump during the ca. 50-year period that followed Jesus’s crucifixion through to the period that led to the great revolt of the Jews just prior to the city’s destruction.
The book presents an extensive investigation of hundreds of thousands of items that were systematically excavated from the thick layers of landfill. It brings together experts who conducted in-depth studies of every sort of material discarded as refuse—ceramic, metal, glass, bone, wood, and more. This research presents an amazing and tantalizing picture of daily life in ancient Jerusalem, and how life was shaped and regulated by strict behavioral rules (halacha). The book also explores why garbage was collected in Jerusalem in so strict a manner and why the landfill operated for only about 50 years. Half a century of garbage from Early Roman–period Jerusalem provides an abundance of new data and new insights into the ideological choices and new religious concepts emerging and developing among those living in Jerusalem at this critical moment. It is an eye-opener for archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, and theologians, as well as for the general reader.
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Journal of Archaeological Sciences: Report, 2022
The ichthyological evidence that is available for the import and trade of fish into ancient Jerus... more The ichthyological evidence that is available for the import and trade of fish into ancient Jerusalem is summarized against the backdrop of social and political developments of the Iron Ages to Early Islamic periods (10th century BCE to 10th century CE). Fish remains, originating from the Nile River, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and the Lake of Galilee, are regularly found in excavations of Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s nearest water source, the Gihon spring, does not allow for fish habitation, therefore the remains of fish represent trade imports. The aim of this paper is to assess the production and trade of fish through the lens of new assemblages from the City of David, in Area D3, and from the Givati Parking Lot excavations, in Area 10, dating to the 8th through 2nd centuries BCE. These finds also allowed us to explore production and consumption within ancient urban centers that engaged in long-distance commerce. These assemblages, paired with previously published assemblages, allow for an in-depth diachronic perspective of fish consumption and trade. Results of this research indicate that production techniques varied by species and that trade was sustained after the destruction of the city in 586 BCE. It also attests to changes in trade and consumption as a reaction to political and cultural changes in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
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PLOS ONE, 2022
Fot the entire article see:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.026... more Fot the entire article see:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266085
The article presents results of residue analysis, based on Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) measurements, conducted on 13 ceramic storage jars unearthed in the Babylonian destruction layer (586 BCE) in Jerusalem. Five of the jars bear rosette stamp impressions on their handles, indicating that their content was related to the kingdom of Judah’s royal economy. The identification of the original contents remains is significant for the understanding of many aspects related to the nutrition, economy and international trade in the ancient Levant. The study shed light on the contents of the jars and the destruction process of the buildings in which they were found. The jars were used alternatively for storing wine and olive oil. The wine was flavored with vanilla. These results attest to the wine consumption habits of the Judahite elite and echo Jerusalem’s involvement in the trans-regional South Arabian trade of spices and other lucrative commodities on the eve of its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar.
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Jerusalem and the Coastal Plain in the Iron Age and Persian Periods New Studies on Jerusalem’s Relations with the Southern Coastal Plain of Israel/Palestine (c. 1200–300 BCE) Research on Israel and Aram in Biblical Times IV, 2022
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‘Atiqot 106, 2022
This preliminary report presents an assemblage of ivory items found in the precincts of the City ... more This preliminary report presents an assemblage of ivory items found in the precincts of the City of David National Park in Jerusalem. Such prestigious ivory items have only been found in prominent cities, such as Late Bronze Age Megiddo and Iron Age Samaria, where they originated in buildings recognized as part of palatial complexes. These items are the first of their kind to be found in Jerusalem, revealing the wealth of Jerusalem’s elite on the eve of the city’s destruction in 586 BCE. The findings shed light on the cultural and economic role of the city’s elite in the “global” network that connected royal courts and their agents across the ancient Near East.
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Qadmoniot, 2022
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Uploads
New Publications by Yuval Gadot
exploit Jerusalem’s rich past, including textual evidence and vast archaeological remains, to overcome difficult problems in radiocarbon dating, including establishing a detailed chronology within the long-calibrated ranges of the Hallstatt Plateau and recognizing short-lived
regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations. The key to resolving
these problems is to apply stringent field methodologies using croarchaeological methods, leading to densely radiocarbon-dated
stratigraphic sequences. Using these sequences, we identify regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations c. 720 BC, and in the historically secure stratigraphic horizon of the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. The latter is verified by 100 single-ring measurements between 624 to 572 BC. This application of intense 14C dating sheds light on the reconstruction of Jerusalem in the Iron Age. It provides evidence for settlement in the 12th to 10th centuries BC and that westward expansion had already begun by the 9th century BC, with extensive
architectural projects undertaken throughout the city in this period. This was followed by significant damage and rejuvenation of the city subsequent to the mid-eight century BC earthquake, after which the city was heavily fortified and continued to flourish until the Babylonian destruction.
endeavour requiring significant long-term investment, appears to be associated with land management policies. This study set out to test this hypothesis, by focusing on the terrace system at Nahal (wadi) Ein-Karim, Jerusalem, and the adjacent site of Khirbet Beit-Mazmil. The study employed portable OSL (POSL) profiling of sediments and OSL dating of the terraces and other related features, alongside archival document analysis. A key element of this study was the examining and dating of plot fences, which serve as tangible representation of shifts in land tenure. The utilisation of POSL profiling facilitated comprehension of their sedimentation
dynamics and aided in identifying the optimal sampling approach for OSL dating. The findings
highlight a direct link between land endowment practices and terrace construction, particularly
evident from the fourteenth century CE onwards. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to
our understanding of agricultural terracing dynamics, shedding light on the intricate interplay
between land tenure systems, socio-economic factors, and landscape modification practices in
the Late-Medieval Southern-Levant.
aim, we used British Mandate tax files and village statistics. These are the best available historical documents for this period, that recorded herds management statistics in all settlements of Palestine.
16 handles of storage jars bearing impressions made by royal
stamps and ranging in time between the Iron Age and the Hellenistic
period were found. The article presents the stamps and discuss their contribution for Jerusalem's history. First page
examine new questions relating to the intensity of destruction events and to the circumstances of the creation of destruction layers. One of the most crucial events in the history of the Southern Levant is the Babylonian destruction of Judah and its capital Jerusalem in 586 BCE, which shaped the biblical narrative and theology for generations to come. Building 100 was an extraordinarily large and rich elite building, thoroughly destroyed
during the Babylonian campaign. This paper presents a study of the destruction layer excavated within the rooms of the building. FTIR spectrometry and archaeomagnetic analysis were combined in the micro-archaeological study of the remains in order to create a detailed reconstruction of the destruction event. This reconstruction sheds new light on how the Babylonian destruction was manifested in reality in the elite buildings of Jerusalem.
Excavations on Jerusalem’s Southeastern Ridge, in the Giv>ati Parking Lot excavations,
have exposed a man-made ditch, some 30 m wide and at least 6 m in depth, close
to the hill’s summit. This paper presents the technical features of the ditch, including
the rock scarps that delineate it from the north and south, as well as an enigmatic
installation composed of a series of intertwined channels. Through comparison with
data from previous excavations farther east, it is clear that this ditch traversed the
entire width of the ridge, creating a disconnect between the Southeastern Ridge and
the Ophel. Although the initial cutting of the ditch cannot be determined, it is clear
that by the Late Iron IIA, the ditch served as a moat between the acropolis—possibly
including the Temple Mount—and the city. This continued until the Late Hellenistic
period, when construction activities backfilled the ditch, leading to its disappearance
from the cityscape.
Fitst page only. for full article see: https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/article/jerusalem-in-history-101628hebai-2023-0009?no_cache=1
in the Levant. During this period a new burial custom
appeared in which the dead were interred beneath
occupied houses. This tradition is well attested in Area
K at the site. Area H, near the palatial complex, revealed
a monumental masonry-constructed chamber
tomb. This article presents the results of residue analysis
conducted on ceramic vessels placed in these tombs
as burial offerings. Hundreds of intramural Middle
Bronze tombs with ceramic offerings were excavated in
the Levant, but this is the first time the content of the
vessels is revealed.
Jerusalem archaeology by Yuval Gadot
The book presents an extensive investigation of hundreds of thousands of items that were systematically excavated from the thick layers of landfill. It brings together experts who conducted in-depth studies of every sort of material discarded as refuse—ceramic, metal, glass, bone, wood, and more. This research presents an amazing and tantalizing picture of daily life in ancient Jerusalem, and how life was shaped and regulated by strict behavioral rules (halacha). The book also explores why garbage was collected in Jerusalem in so strict a manner and why the landfill operated for only about 50 years. Half a century of garbage from Early Roman–period Jerusalem provides an abundance of new data and new insights into the ideological choices and new religious concepts emerging and developing among those living in Jerusalem at this critical moment. It is an eye-opener for archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, and theologians, as well as for the general reader.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266085
The article presents results of residue analysis, based on Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) measurements, conducted on 13 ceramic storage jars unearthed in the Babylonian destruction layer (586 BCE) in Jerusalem. Five of the jars bear rosette stamp impressions on their handles, indicating that their content was related to the kingdom of Judah’s royal economy. The identification of the original contents remains is significant for the understanding of many aspects related to the nutrition, economy and international trade in the ancient Levant. The study shed light on the contents of the jars and the destruction process of the buildings in which they were found. The jars were used alternatively for storing wine and olive oil. The wine was flavored with vanilla. These results attest to the wine consumption habits of the Judahite elite and echo Jerusalem’s involvement in the trans-regional South Arabian trade of spices and other lucrative commodities on the eve of its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar.
exploit Jerusalem’s rich past, including textual evidence and vast archaeological remains, to overcome difficult problems in radiocarbon dating, including establishing a detailed chronology within the long-calibrated ranges of the Hallstatt Plateau and recognizing short-lived
regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations. The key to resolving
these problems is to apply stringent field methodologies using croarchaeological methods, leading to densely radiocarbon-dated
stratigraphic sequences. Using these sequences, we identify regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations c. 720 BC, and in the historically secure stratigraphic horizon of the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. The latter is verified by 100 single-ring measurements between 624 to 572 BC. This application of intense 14C dating sheds light on the reconstruction of Jerusalem in the Iron Age. It provides evidence for settlement in the 12th to 10th centuries BC and that westward expansion had already begun by the 9th century BC, with extensive
architectural projects undertaken throughout the city in this period. This was followed by significant damage and rejuvenation of the city subsequent to the mid-eight century BC earthquake, after which the city was heavily fortified and continued to flourish until the Babylonian destruction.
endeavour requiring significant long-term investment, appears to be associated with land management policies. This study set out to test this hypothesis, by focusing on the terrace system at Nahal (wadi) Ein-Karim, Jerusalem, and the adjacent site of Khirbet Beit-Mazmil. The study employed portable OSL (POSL) profiling of sediments and OSL dating of the terraces and other related features, alongside archival document analysis. A key element of this study was the examining and dating of plot fences, which serve as tangible representation of shifts in land tenure. The utilisation of POSL profiling facilitated comprehension of their sedimentation
dynamics and aided in identifying the optimal sampling approach for OSL dating. The findings
highlight a direct link between land endowment practices and terrace construction, particularly
evident from the fourteenth century CE onwards. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to
our understanding of agricultural terracing dynamics, shedding light on the intricate interplay
between land tenure systems, socio-economic factors, and landscape modification practices in
the Late-Medieval Southern-Levant.
aim, we used British Mandate tax files and village statistics. These are the best available historical documents for this period, that recorded herds management statistics in all settlements of Palestine.
16 handles of storage jars bearing impressions made by royal
stamps and ranging in time between the Iron Age and the Hellenistic
period were found. The article presents the stamps and discuss their contribution for Jerusalem's history. First page
examine new questions relating to the intensity of destruction events and to the circumstances of the creation of destruction layers. One of the most crucial events in the history of the Southern Levant is the Babylonian destruction of Judah and its capital Jerusalem in 586 BCE, which shaped the biblical narrative and theology for generations to come. Building 100 was an extraordinarily large and rich elite building, thoroughly destroyed
during the Babylonian campaign. This paper presents a study of the destruction layer excavated within the rooms of the building. FTIR spectrometry and archaeomagnetic analysis were combined in the micro-archaeological study of the remains in order to create a detailed reconstruction of the destruction event. This reconstruction sheds new light on how the Babylonian destruction was manifested in reality in the elite buildings of Jerusalem.
Excavations on Jerusalem’s Southeastern Ridge, in the Giv>ati Parking Lot excavations,
have exposed a man-made ditch, some 30 m wide and at least 6 m in depth, close
to the hill’s summit. This paper presents the technical features of the ditch, including
the rock scarps that delineate it from the north and south, as well as an enigmatic
installation composed of a series of intertwined channels. Through comparison with
data from previous excavations farther east, it is clear that this ditch traversed the
entire width of the ridge, creating a disconnect between the Southeastern Ridge and
the Ophel. Although the initial cutting of the ditch cannot be determined, it is clear
that by the Late Iron IIA, the ditch served as a moat between the acropolis—possibly
including the Temple Mount—and the city. This continued until the Late Hellenistic
period, when construction activities backfilled the ditch, leading to its disappearance
from the cityscape.
Fitst page only. for full article see: https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/article/jerusalem-in-history-101628hebai-2023-0009?no_cache=1
in the Levant. During this period a new burial custom
appeared in which the dead were interred beneath
occupied houses. This tradition is well attested in Area
K at the site. Area H, near the palatial complex, revealed
a monumental masonry-constructed chamber
tomb. This article presents the results of residue analysis
conducted on ceramic vessels placed in these tombs
as burial offerings. Hundreds of intramural Middle
Bronze tombs with ceramic offerings were excavated in
the Levant, but this is the first time the content of the
vessels is revealed.
The book presents an extensive investigation of hundreds of thousands of items that were systematically excavated from the thick layers of landfill. It brings together experts who conducted in-depth studies of every sort of material discarded as refuse—ceramic, metal, glass, bone, wood, and more. This research presents an amazing and tantalizing picture of daily life in ancient Jerusalem, and how life was shaped and regulated by strict behavioral rules (halacha). The book also explores why garbage was collected in Jerusalem in so strict a manner and why the landfill operated for only about 50 years. Half a century of garbage from Early Roman–period Jerusalem provides an abundance of new data and new insights into the ideological choices and new religious concepts emerging and developing among those living in Jerusalem at this critical moment. It is an eye-opener for archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, and theologians, as well as for the general reader.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266085
The article presents results of residue analysis, based on Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) measurements, conducted on 13 ceramic storage jars unearthed in the Babylonian destruction layer (586 BCE) in Jerusalem. Five of the jars bear rosette stamp impressions on their handles, indicating that their content was related to the kingdom of Judah’s royal economy. The identification of the original contents remains is significant for the understanding of many aspects related to the nutrition, economy and international trade in the ancient Levant. The study shed light on the contents of the jars and the destruction process of the buildings in which they were found. The jars were used alternatively for storing wine and olive oil. The wine was flavored with vanilla. These results attest to the wine consumption habits of the Judahite elite and echo Jerusalem’s involvement in the trans-regional South Arabian trade of spices and other lucrative commodities on the eve of its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar.
eastern slopes of the city’s ancient core, reveal that Jerusalem was initially settled in the early phases of the period, with public architecture first appearing in the beginning of the 19th century BC and continued to develop until the 17th century BC. At that time, a curious gap in settlement is noted until the 16th century BC, when the site is resettled. The construction of this phase continued into the early 15th century BC. The dates presented are discussed in both the site-level, as well as their far-reaching implications regarding MB regional chronology. It is
suggested here that the high chronology, dating the Middle Bronze Age between 2000 and 1600 BC is difficult to reconcile with dates from many sites. In contrast, a more localized chronology should be adopted, with the Middle Bronze Age continuing into the early 15th century BC in certain parts of the southern Levant, such as the region of Jerusalem.
in the early Hellenistic period, the third and second centuries BCE. The
evidence derives from excavations in an area known as the Givʿati parking
lot, which is situated on the western slope of the city’s southeastern ridge
site traditionally considered as the location of Bronze and Iron Age Jerusalem.
Several scholars have recently challenged this conventional view, arguing that the southeastern hill became part of the city only in the 8th century
BCE. Five stratigraphic anchors are discussed in detail, including the finds from Kenyon’s Section A, remains surrounding the Gihon Spring and the stratigraphic sequence in Area E. These, as well as remains excavated in Area G and the ‘Ophel’, show that at least three Iron II construction phases need to be taken into account, the earliest probably dating to before the middle of the 8th century BCE.
period is less dramatic than has previously been claimed. The author asserts that the large number of 7th century BCE sites around Jerusalem is the result of the devastation of the Shephelah wrought by Sennacherib and that a relatively large number of Iron Age sites survived into the Persian period
due to the role played by Ramat Rahel, which replaced Jerusalem as the economic and political hub of the southern highlands.
This paper presents the preliminary results of a newly launched, multi-disciplinary investigation of Khirbet Beit Mazmil in its terraced landscape. The project ‘The Medieval Jerusalem Hinterland Project’, which is funded by the ‘German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development’, combines archaeological excavations of a late Mamluk and Ottoman farmstead with survey, excavation, and OSL-dating of relic terraces that historically belonged to its lands. Informed by a critical analysis of medieval Arabic and Ottoman Turkish texts (legal treatises and fatwa manuals, agricultural manuals, geographies, local chronicles, endowment documents, and tax registers), the preliminary results of this project suggest ways in which medieval Jerusalem’s agricultural hinterland were revived from the 15th century, and village communities in the vicinity thrived at a time of settlement and agricultural decline in other parts of Bilād al-Shām.
highlands of Jerusalem and show that they become a dominant agricultural feature only in classical times. We also discuss the implication of the results for understanding the realia behind some of the biblical text.
The recent success in dating dry farming terraces by Optically stimulated Luminescence (OSL) enables scholars to evaluate for the first time construction events of terraces in their true social and economic context. Presented here are 36 new ages from two study areas located along the Upper Soreq catchment, highlands of Jerusalem,
Israel. Field operations were targeted at locating Bronze Age and Iron Age agricultural activities while evaluating possible methodological limitations in using OSL for dating terraces.
The results convincingly show that in the Mediterranean highland environment, soil erosion and rebuilding activities have only a mild impact on the resulting OSL dating. When combining the new ages with the ~60 ages that were published previously in the study area, it is possible to conclude that in the more favorable ecological niches of the highlands of Jerusalem terraces began ca 2400–2200 years ago. This was followed by two or three waves of wide-scale terracing, taking place mainly in the last 800 years. Finally, we were able to recognize a unique ecological niche that preserved ancient (ca 2500 years old) pre-terracing activities as it was not densely covered by later terraces.
ceramic horizon into ‘early’ and ‘late’.
The fortification system was erected during the transition from the MBA I to II, or during the early stages of the MBA II, and served until the final stages of the MBA, when it went out of use, at least in part. In relative terms Tel Azekah was fortified during the third wave of fortification construction, after the erection of fortifications at major coastal sites such as Aphek and Ashqelon, contemporaneous to Tell a-Safi/Gat, and prior to Gezer, Beth-Shemesh, and Lachish. We suggest that the fortification phenomenon in the region was a socio-economic reaction to the establishment of Ashqelon as a major seaport and trading center. Azekah was one of the first inland sites to react to the regional economic growth, serving as a central trading link, connecting the fertile Highlands and Lowlands with the coast.
of sites in the Shephelah, Hill Country, Beersheba‒Arad Valley and Sinai have prompted a revaluation of the ceramic horizon of the Iron Age IIB (c. late ninth and eighth century BCE) in Judah. In this article we report on the discovery of a ceramic assemblage situated within a short-term refuse pit at Tel Azekah, which has further contributed to this growing corpus of material. A typological assessment of these material remains suggests a new ceramic peg for the region — one that rests between the existing pegs of Tell eṣ-Ṣafi/Gath Stratum A3 (c. late ninth century BCE) and Lachish Level III (c. late eighth century BCE), and aligns with material from Tel Beth Shemesh Level 3 (c. late ninth‒early/ mid-eighth century BCE). The identification of such a ceramic horizon provides the opportunity to elevate the current chronological resolution of the Iron IIB
ceramic horizon into ‘early’ and ‘late’.
stress markers show that they were likely highly active; in the context of
artifacts recovered from the building, we suggest that specific activities included grinding grain and carrying heavy objects. Heat damage to the remains shows that the bodies were extensively burned. The archaeological and osteological evidence suggest that a high temperature fire fueled by flammable goods stored in the building
caused the building to collapse on top of these individuals, preserving their burnt remains in situ. Together, these lines of evidence enhance our understanding of these individuals' ways of life and manners of death against the backdrop of the “crisis years” of the Late Bronze Age Collapse during the end of the 2nd Millennium BCE.
the site thus far, is the Late Bronze Age. A destruction layer dating to this
time period was exposed in almost every excavation area of the site, enabling various multi-disciplinary studies of a wide range of material remains. This report focuses on stratigraphic investigations, ceramic analyses, results from a radiocarbon dating project, residue analysis of pottery containers, physical anthropological studies and glyptic and figurative examinations. The results provide testimony to the character of daily life, aspects of interaction with Egyptian overlords, and observable transformations in concepts and consumption practices at Tel Azekah in the Late Bronze Age.
Age II deposit at Ramat Raḥel. The ceramic and faunal remains indicate the presence of a ritual
deposit that was intentionally placed below the floor of the central courtyard of the palatial administrative
structure. During Aharoni’s excavations at the site (1954, 1959–1962), another ritual
pit with even larger numbers of pottery vessels and figurines was uncovered but misinterpreted;
we interpret both as favissae. These favissae are evidence of diacritical feasting that took place at
the administrative center of Ramat Raḥel. The feasting events are significant because they are the
only examples of elite feasting found in a palace or administrative context in Iron Age Judah.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X21001164?casa_token=fcSV721UhWoAAAAA:kQFM1CNhUwZs33-dVDmBuHUpvS7yTOoD5pyq2TJFbhwReVkKrrTc2q0mLGcnR6zKdurtetPA
and discard of chalices from three sites in Philistia in order to form a
coherent ‘life-cycle story’ of this vessel type. The analyses include
examination of the sources of the ceramic raw material using petrography;
study of the modes of manufacture, employing visual inspection and
ethnographic data; and examination of the function of these vessels, using
organic residue analysis. By combining these analytic perspectives, the
authors shed new light on cultic practices in Iron Age Philistia and offer
an alternative view of Philistine identity.
residential area including house floors and various fills produced 1,080 identifiable specimens including fish, mammal, reptile and bird remains. The mammalian remains show a number of distinct patterns pointing to accumulation from the community of small animals which lived and died on-site. These patterns include evidence for fragmentation due to trampling and presence of burned specimens. The mammalian remains also differed in their
taphonomy from an assemblage from Early Bronze Age II Megiddo which originated from predator accumulation during a period of abandonment. These analyses point to an especially low taxonomic diversity in the Iron Age residential assemblage suggesting that the urban environment of Megiddo supported a unique community of small mammalian animals. This differs markedly from ecological conditions in modern day cities which in some
cases show greater than background levels of diversity and suggests a dense, homogeneous urban environment. We suggest that reconstructing the evolution of urban fauna in greater detail will provide a sensitive tool for tracing historical processes of growth, decline and increasing complexity of urban sites in the Near East as well as other regions of the world.
aim, we used British Mandate tax files and village statistics. These are the best available historical documents for this period, that recorded herds management statistics in all settlements of Palestine. We selected only settlements inhabited by the indigenous population and divided the data into four environmental regions. We analyzed the livestock abundance
and herd demography in each region. Each urban center was considered independently, while the rural villages were classified into three groups, based on the most common livestock (cattle, sheep, or goats). Results show economic variations between urban and rural settlements as well as regional trends, such as in pastoralism and agricultural management. In
addition, meat industries were common in most urban centers, being the primary difference from rural economies. We applied this model to two large zooarchaeological case studies, dating from the Early Islamic to the Ottoman period; Mount Zion, located in the urban city of Jerusalem, and Tel Beth Shemesh (East), whose size and nature were not historically
recorded. We found that the economic variations reflected in the model were also present in the faunal assemblages.
against the backdrop of social and political developments of the Iron Ages to Early Islamic periods (10th
century BCE to 10th century CE). Fish remains, originating from the Nile River, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and
the Lake of Galilee, are regularly found in excavations of Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s nearest water source, the Gihon
spring, does not allow for fish habitation, therefore the remains of fish represent trade imports. The aim of this
paper is to assess the production and trade of fish through the lens of new assemblages from the City of David, in
Area D3, and from the Givati Parking Lot excavations, in Area 10, dating to the 8th through 2nd centuries BCE.
These finds also allowed us to explore production and consumption within ancient urban centers that engaged in
long-distance commerce. These assemblages, paired with previously published assemblages, allow for an indepth
diachronic perspective of fish consumption and trade. Results of this research indicate that production
techniques varied by species and that trade was sustained after the destruction of the city in 586 BCE. It also
attests to changes in trade and consumption as a reaction to political and cultural changes in the Hellenistic,
Roman, and Byzantine periods.