Festive Concluding Session: Ethical Issues in the World of Archaeology in Judea and Samaria

Adi Erlich

Thu, 13.2, Concluding Session

Archaeological Survey and a Trail Excavation at the Site in Elevation Point (E.P.) 914 – Is this really the Sanctuary of Bethel?

Aharon Tavger, Binyamin Har-Even and Evgeny Aharonovich

Wed, 12.2, Session IV

During an archaeological survey led by Israel Finkelstein in the early 1980s, an unnamed site was discovered east of the village of Beitin, situated at an elevation point of 914 meters above sea level. While the survey report mentioned architectural remains, the site was classified primarily as “scattered sherds” from the Middle Bronze Age and was not assigned significant importance. As part of the recent New South Samaria Survey, conducted by Ariel and Bar-Ilan Universities in collaboration with the Staff Officer for Archaeology, the site was re-examined and found to have been a Middle Bronze Age settlement, with an additional scatter of Iron Age II pottery. A small-scale excavation that followed the survey confirmed its results. The results of the excavation suggest that the site comprises a flat plateau at the summit of the hill, where activity took place during the Iron Age II, alongside structures from the Middle Bronze Age on the northern slope. In this lecture, we will present the findings from both the survey and excavation and propose a possible connection between this site and the biblical tradition concerning the sanctuary of the biblical city of Bethel.

Park Canada Sites

Alexander Fantalkin (chair of session)

Thu, 13.2, Session II

Herodium Studies

Alon Shavit (chair of session)

Tue, 11.2, Session I

Judah from the Bronze Age to the Persian Period

Amihai Mazar (chair of session)

Wed, 12.2, Session III

Shavei Shomron – New Archaeological Discoveries in the Necropolis of Samaria–Sebaste

Annette Landes-Nager, Uzi Greenfeld, Binyamin Har-Even and Boaz Zissu

Tue, 11.2, Session IV

In August-September 2023, a salvage excavation was conducted on the western outskirts of the Shavei Shomron settlement, south of the ancient city of Samaria–Sebaste, as part of paving access roads to the settlement. A burial area was uncovered, containing two rock-cut tombs dating to Iron Age IIA and the Late Roman period, as well as cist tombs dating to the Early Islamic period, and an entrance to an unfinished additional rock-cut tomb. Moreover, a stone quarry and rock-cut water cisterns were discovered. The Iron Age tomb was accessed by a step descending into a burial chamber featuring a standing pit at its center, surrounded by three benches to the north, east, and south. Within one of the benches, a small burial trough was carved, containing articulated human remains and a carnelian bead. The tomb also yielded scattered human bones, numerous fragments of red and black-painted and burnished pottery, and shells. The Late Roman tomb consists of a rock-cut elaborate room with kokhim and a painted burial chamber. The entrance leads to a step descending into a standing pit carved at the center of the room. Nine kokhim were cut into plastered walls, some of which contained articulated skeletons and burial offerings. The burial chamber carved into the northern wall opposite the entrance, is decorated with colorful wall paintings. The motifs depict plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, geometric patterns, and two human figures – a woman and a child. The design of the burial chamber and the artistic quality of the decorations suggest that the individuals buried there belonged to a wealthy pagan family residing in the region during this period. Adjacent to the caves, a field of cist tombs from the Early Islamic period was discovered, containing nine tombs arranged in a row running east-west. Stone markers were placed at the western ends of the tombs to denote the head of the deceased. The arrangement of the tombs reflects burial practices typical of the Muslim population. These newly discovered tombs join previous finds at the site and its surroundings, contributing to the understanding of the extent of the necropolis of the ancient city of Shomron – Samaria – Sebaste, its burial practices, and cultural characteristics across different periods.

Festive Concluding Session: Ethical Issues in the World of Archaeology in Judea and Samaria

Aren Maeir

Thu, 13.2, Concluding Session

Prof. Gichon’s Excavations at the Roman Bathhouse at Emmaus – New Insights as Part of the Preparation for the Publication of the Final Report and the Plans for the Renewed Excavations

Arleta Kowalewska, Oren Tal and Alexander Fantalkin

Thu, 13.2, Session II

Between 1972 and 1997, Prof. Gichon carried out a series of surveys and excavations at the building in the western part of Canada Park, initially identified as the Tomb of Sheikh Ubayd. These investigations revealed a well-preserved Roman bathhouse with at least two heated halls, as well as unheated and service spaces. Despite the prospective significance of this discovery, the excavation results have so far only been published in short preliminary descriptions. The bathhouse was constructed using opus quadratum, decorated with imported stone slabs, and equipped with glass windowpanes, all typical features of an urban bathing complex of the Roman and Byzantine periods. The bathhouse was probably built in the third century CE as part of the re-foundation of Emmaus as Nicopolis by Elagabalus. Two points of particular interest set this bathhouse apart, among the 190 known remains of bathhouses in Syria-Palaestina, as one of the few crucial buildings for the study of Roman-style baths: 1) its still-standing roofing, including variant vaults and domes; and 2) its in-situ hypocaust made with typically regional ceramic building materials. Ongoing works on legacy material and reinvestigation with pinpointed probes, modern documentation, as well as contemporary analytical techniques, will not only put this significant building at the center of scholarly debate but also will help present it meaningfully to non-professional visitors.

A Tale of Capitals: Dynamics of Cultural Change Reflected in the Architectural Decoration at Herodium

Asaf Ben-Haim

Tue, 11.2, Session I

Herodium serves as a wonderful laboratory for studying stone decorations and the artistic carving industry that Herod harnessed and developed for his needs over the many years he operated at the site. After decades of excavations, the architectural pieces were compiled into a single database, and with the help of 3D scanning, computational processing of findings, and comparative research, the sources of influence of the king’s artists were examined, reconstruction proposals were assembled, and the work process of the stone carvers was analyzed.

Conservation of Heritage Sites throughout Judea and Samaria

Avner Hilman

Thu, 13.2, Session IV

In recent years, the Conservation Department of the Staff Officer of Archaeology of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria has been involved in preserving various sites. A significant number of sites have entered a systematic process of treatment and maintenance conservation, spanning several years, including Nabi Samwil, Qumran, and Lower Herodium. Other sites, such as Shiloh and Kh.t Jama’in, have undergone comprehensive conservation treatment. Aqueducts throughout Judea and Samaria have also required extensive treatment, including exposure, conservation, and restoration, such as the aqueduct in Wadi kelt, as well as the Biyar and ‘Arrub aqueducts within the Efrat Council area. The Conservation Department is sometimes required to provide urgent treatment to findings. This lecture will discuss these important activities throughout Judea and Samaria.