Aharon Tavger | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (original) (raw)
Papers by Aharon Tavger
Journal of Biblical Literature, 2021
The identification of the biblical מלוא (millôʾ; Millo) in Jerusalem (e.g., 2 Sam 5:9) has long b... more The identification of the biblical מלוא (millôʾ; Millo) in Jerusalem (e.g., 2 Sam 5:9) has long been debated. Considering recent archaeological investigations in the vicinity of the Gihon Spring in the city of David, this paper argues that the Millo and the related בית מלוא (“house of Millo,” 2 Kgs 12:21) should be connected with the fortifications that surrounded the Gihon Spring—the primary water source for Bronze and Iron Age Jerusalem.
B. Hensel (ed.), The History of the Jacob Cycle (Genesis 25–35) Recent Research on the Compilation, the Redaction, and the Reception of the Biblical Narrative and Its Historical and Cultural Contexts, 2021
A historical-geographical and archaeological study of the location of the sanctuary of Bethel in ... more A historical-geographical and archaeological study of the location of the sanctuary of Bethel in Iron Age Northern Kingdom of Israel
Israel Numismatic Research, 2022
In this article we present 27 coins that were discovered recently in el-Janab cave (‘Usarin cave)... more In this article we present 27 coins that were discovered recently in el-Janab cave (‘Usarin cave), a large karstic cave located south of Nablus. These coins, together with pottery and other finds, represent three periods in which the cave was probably used as a hiding place: the late Persian–early Hellenistic period, the Early Roman period and the late Ayyūbid–early Mamlūk period.
Quaternary International , 2022
Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several m... more Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several micromorphological studies, contributing to the differentiation of anthropogenic remains from long-term natural sedimentation, occurring post-abandonment. This paper discusses how the study of sedimentary processes and chemical compositions of sediments can be used within the context of an ongoing archaeological project, and how they can contribute to archaeological, historical and geomorphological interpretations. Sedimentary processes were studied implementing POSL, granulometry and PXRF as part of the archaeological research at Tel Burna, Israel. Focusing on the area along the northwestern fortification walls (Area B2), data was collected from multiple strata inside and outside the casemate fortifications dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age.The gradual increase of OSL values obtained inside the casemate wall, indicate accumulation of sediment during a long period of time. Whereas similar values along the entire profile outside the casemate wall indicate sediment accumulation in one-time event. This might be related to defensive preparations, allegedly in response to advances made by Sennacherib's army in 701 BCE. In addition, results from the PXRF studies demonstrated correlation between human activities and the Cu, P, K, Zn, Mn values. Specifically, it was found that as K content increased from younger to older periods, it can be used as a pseudo-dating element. Ca content decreased as sampling descended from the tell's surface, suggesting its origin in long-term aeolian processes. The results show that the use of POSL and PXRF on archaeological contexts are useful for determining sedimentary processes. Furthermore, chemical content enabled pseudo-dating of strata and facilitated the distinction between natural and anthropogenic processes in archaeological sites and landscape.
קדמוניות Qadminiyot, 2018
במעבה ההר In the Highland's Depth, 2015
'Atiqot, 2023
Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attent... more Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attention since at least the nineteenth century CE. An analysis of the archaeological data collected during ongoing excavations at the tell indicates that these fortifications were built in the late tenth or early ninth century BCE. The fortification of this Judahite stronghold, located on the border with Philistia, remained in use for the next 200 years. Recently, evidence has come to light of a massive undertaking to reinforce and strengthen the western side of the casemate wall in the late eighth century BCE. The authors identify these activities as part of the preparations made to defend the city from Sennacherib's campaign in the region. The site was subsequently re-inhabited, but the fortifications seem to have gone out of use during the last stage of the occupation at the end of the Iron Age.
Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology, 2022
El-Janab Cave (‘Usarin Cave) is a large karst system located about 11 km south of Shechem (Nablus... more El-Janab Cave (‘Usarin Cave) is a large karst system located about 11 km south of Shechem (Nablus) in Central Samaria. It comprises a series of large chambers connected by narrow passages that developed as a hypogenic cave in Upper-Cenomanian dolomite. During 2017–2018, we mapped and surveyed the cave, retrieving archaeological finds from various periods, including the Late Chalcolithic, early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age I, Iron Age II, Persian, early Hellenistic, Early Roman, Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. It seems that the cave’s geographical and morphological features—its location in an open but settled landscape and its complex structure of passages leading to spacious chambers—attracted distinct human activities in several periods. In some phases, it was used as a refuge in turbulent times. In this paper, we present the archeological assemblages from the cave and discuss their interpretation and association with the history of the area.
Ashkelon and Its Environs: Studies of the Southern Coastal Plain and the Judean Foothills, 2020
Tel Burna is a multi-period site located in the Shephelah. The Late Bronze Age was one of the two... more Tel Burna is a multi-period site located in the Shephelah. The Late Bronze
Age was one of the two main periods during which the site was inhabited. In this paper, we will present the various finds dating to this period, focusing on the public building that was discovered on its western side. The building and the finds provide a window into the cult practice of the period, which reflected the international relationship and the character of the material culture of the people of the Land of Israel in the Late Bronze Age.
Journal of the History, Archaeology and Heritage of Lod 8, 2022
The list of returnees in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 contains the names of many settlements. Many bibli... more The list of returnees in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7
contains the names of many settlements. Many
biblical scholars have previously discussed the
essence of the list, and tried to deduce from it the
borders of the Province of Yehud in the Persian
period, or in later periods. The list includes
settlements that were within the borders of the
allotment of Benjamin, with the exception of three
sites: Lod, Hadid and Ono, which are located far to
the west, in the area attributed to the Ephraimites.
Their inclusion in this list raised many questions
in the past, especially in light of the currently
accepted perception that the Province of Yehud
had not expanded to these areas.
However, the key to solving this research question
lies in understanding the settlement activity,
and not necessarily the political processes that
took place in the region during the Persian
period. In recent years, new information has
accumulated from surveys and archeological
excavations conducted in the area. Analysis of the
archaeological data shows that the list of returnees
reflects the development of settlement north of
Jerusalem during the Persian period, in the area of
the land of Benjamin.
Except for Jericho, no sites were mentioned in
the eastern desert, as all Iron Age settlements
in this area ceased to exist after the Babylonian
conquest. The settlements in the central Highland
region, mentioned in the list, represent the
occurrence of sites that were not abandoned
following the Babylonian conquest, and the sites
in western Benjamin represent a wave of new
settlements, founded during the Persian period.
Although Lod, Hadid and Ono were outside the
borders of the Benjaminite allotment during the
Iron Age, it seems that during the Persian period
the Benjaminite settlement expanded westward,
to these towns. This expansion was bordered on
the north by farmsteads, which had been settled
by foreign exiles during the Neo-Assyrian period.
Although this area was probably outside the
political boundaries of the Province of Yehud, the
authors of the list referred to the area as an integral
part of the territory of the Benjamin families.
Archaeological Excavations and Research Studies in Southern Israel, 2022
Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both s... more Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both sides of Naḥal Guvrin in the western Shephelah. At Tel Burna, excavations have revealed a prominent casemate fortification wall that encloses the site’s summit and is confidently dated to the Iron Age II. It was established at the early stages of the Iron Age II and was apparently used for several centuries, albeit with some changes.
Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation
has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
In the Highland's Depth, Sep 2021
A system of pits recently discovered in Khirbet el-Hammam in northern Samaria apparently meets th... more A system of pits recently discovered in Khirbet el-Hammam in northern Samaria apparently meets the accepted definition of “Gibeon pits”. These pits, used to store wine in the late Iron Age and early Persian period, are evidence of a developed local agriculture and of the site’s centrality. The location and identification of these pits in connection to other remains from Khirbet el-Hammam may shed new light on the size and centrality of the city during the Iron Age.
in the Highland's Depth, May 2021
The Artabba fortress, a site until recently unknown, is located at the summit of a high hill; its... more The Artabba fortress, a site until recently unknown, is located at the summit of a high hill; its monumental remains were exposed by chance during development work carried out by residents of the nearby village of Deir Abu Mash’al. The remains included fortifications, architectural elements, five huge cisterns, ritual baths and storage pits, as well as various rock cuttings and numerous potsherds from the Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. These finds, especially the fortifications and the impressive water-supply system, are the principal features of sites in the Judean Desert and the settled areas of the country where there were fortresses from the Second Temple period. The archaeological finds, in conjunction with geographical and historical information, make it possible to date the fortress to the time from the reign of Simeon the Hasmonean to the end of Herod’s reign. The discovery of the Artabba fortress sheds light on the history of settlement in northern Judea in the Second...
JSRS, 2015
Khirbet el-Qutt is located on top of a hill in the South Samaria region, one km south of Lubban e... more Khirbet el-Qutt is located on top of a hill in the South Samaria region,
one km south of Lubban es-Sharqia and north of Ma῾ale-Levonah. The
hill is surrounded by steep slopes in all directions except the southern
side, and it overlooks the Lebonah Valley and the ancient road that
crosses it from the west. These geographical conditions enabled the
establishment of a fortified settlement on this hill during numerous
periods. The site was surveyed in the past by several scholars who
described remains of buildings, cisterns, underground complexes,
burial caves, ritual baths and pottery from the Iron Age to the Early
Muslim periods.
The authors of this paper surveyed the site in November 2014, as
part of the ‘New South Samaria Survey’ on behalf of the Bar-Ilan
Institute of Archaeology and the Staff Officer for Archaeology in
Judea and Samaria. In this paper we present the result of our survey,
with an emphasis on the remains of the Jewish settlement from the
end of the Second Temple times to the Bar-Kokhba revolt, ritual
baths, an underground hiding complex with pottery shards of jars
and cooking pots that are common in other Bar-Kokhba complexes, a
series of large reservoirs that resemble in their shape and size the large
reservoirs from the Hellenistic–Herodian fortresses and a Necropolis with 17 burial caves, 11 of them with niches (Kokhim) and one with
fragments of ossuaries. In addition to these elements, we collected a
large amount of pottery from the Early Roman period (20% of all the
pottery collected).
Historically, we attribute Khirbet el-Qutt to the ῾Akraba District,
one of the northern districts of Judah in the Early Roman period. Due
to the toponym of the site and its location, Zeev Safrai identified the
site with Kafr Liqitiya, mentioned in historical sources as one of the
places where Hadrian placed Roman troops at the end of the Bar-
Kokhba revolt. This proposal is in line with the geographical and
archaeological data on the site, in particular its location overlooking
the main road from Judah to the Galilee.
The results of this survey join the data from previous archaeological
surveys that indicate a dense rural settlement in South Samaria in the
Early Roman period, the peak years of this region’s history.
במעבה ההר ו, 2016
חורבת אל-קט שוכנת בראש גבעה כקילומטר מדרום לכפר א-לובן שרקיה ומצפון ליישוב מעלה לבונה בדרום השומר... more חורבת אל-קט שוכנת בראש גבעה כקילומטר מדרום לכפר א-לובן שרקיה ומצפון ליישוב
מעלה לבונה בדרום השומרון. גבעת האתר מוקפת מדרונות תלולים פרט לצד דרום וחולשת ממערב על עמק לבונה ועל דרך ההר העוברת בו. נתונים אלו אפשרו קיומו של יישוב מבוצר במשך תקופות רבות. האתר נסקר בעבר בידי סוקרים שונים, והם מסרו על שרידי מבנים, בורות, חללים תת-קרקעיים, מערות קבורה, מקוואות טהרה וחרסים החל מתקופת הברזל ועד התקופה המוסלמית הקדומה.
האתר נסקר בידי כותבי שורות אלו בנובמבר 2014 במסגרת 'סקר דרום השומרון'.
במאמר זה נציג את ממצאי הסקר בדגש על שרידי היישוב היהודי משלהי ימי הבית השני ועד מרד בר-כוכבא. בין השרידים ראויים לציון: מקוואות טהרה, מערכת מסתור חצובה בסלע ובתוכה שברי קנקנים וכלי בישול הנפוצים במכלולים מימי מרד בר-כוכבא, סדרת בורות מים גדולים המזכירים בצורתם ובגודלם את הבורות במבצרים החשמונאיים-הרודיאניים וכן נקרופוליס הכולל שמונה עשרה מערות קבורה, מתוכן שתיים עשרה בעלות כוכים, ובאחת מהן התגלו שברי גלוסקמאות. נוסף על אלו נאספו שברי כלי חרס רבים מן התקופה הרומית הקדומה )כ 20%- מסך כל החרסים שנאספו(.
מבחינה היסטורית השתייך היישוב בחורבת אל-קט לפלך עקרבה, ממחוזותיה הצפוניים
של יהודה בתקופה הרומית הקדומה. לאור שמו של האתר ומיקומו במרחב, הציע זאב
ספראי לזהות במקום את כפר לקיטיא, אחד המקומות שבהם הושיב הקיסר הדריינוס
חיילים רומאיים בסוף מרד בר-כוכבא. הצעה זו עולה בקנה אחד עם הנתונים הגאוגרפיים והארכאולוגיים ובעיקר שליטתו של האתר על הדרך המרכזית שהובילה מיהודה לגליל.
ממצאים אלו מצטרפים לנתונים רבים שעלו מסקרים קודמים ומהסקר הנוכחי. כולם
מצביעים על התיישבות כפרית צפופה מאוד באזור דרום השומרון )צפון יהודה( בשלהי ימי הבית השני, שהייתה תקופת שיא בתולדות האזור.
מחקרי יהודה ושומרון, 2016
מערת הנמרים היא מערה קרסטית גדולה הנמצאת בגדה הצפונית של ואדי סמיה שבדרום־ מזרח השומרון. המערה תו... more מערת הנמרים היא מערה קרסטית גדולה הנמצאת בגדה הצפונית של ואדי סמיה שבדרום־
מזרח השומרון. המערה תועדה ונסקרה בקיץ 5102 בידי צוות 'סקר דרום השומרון' מטעם
המכון לארכיאולוגיה של אוניברסיטת בר־אילן וקמ"ט ארכיאולוגיה ביהודה ושומרון
ובשיתוף המרכז לחקר מערות )מלח"ם( באוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים. במהלך הסקר
התגלו במערה ממצאים מתקופות שונות, ביניהן תקופת הברונזה התיכונה, הברזל,
הפרסית, ההלניסטית, הרומית והממלוכית. במאמר זה מוצגים הממצאים משלהי התקופה
הפרסית, מהתקופה ההלניסטית ומימי מרידות היהודים ברומאים. נראה כי אופייה של
המערה )גישה נוחה, פתח נסתר ומבנה מסועף הכולל מעברים צרים המובילים לאגפים
פנימיים( וכן קרבתה לעין סמיה השופע ולעמק סמיה הפורה שהיה מיושב במרבית
התקופות, משכו אליה פליטים ומורדים במשך תקופות רבות. המכלולים המרכזיים
שנתגלו במערה מתוארכים לשלהי התקופה הפרסית, לתקופה ההלניסטית ולימי מרידות
היהודים ברומאים. ממצאים אלו מצטרפים לעדויות ההיסטוריות ולממצאים מתקופות
אלו שפורסמו זה מכבר ממערות קרסטיות באזור דרום מדבר שומרון וצפון מדבר יהודה.
ממצאים אלו מלמדים על שומרונים שמצאו מקלט במערות האזור בשלהי התקופה
הפרסית, על יהודים שנמלטו לאזור במהלך התקופה החשמונאית ועל יהודים שמצאו
מקלט במערות האזור מפני חרב הרומאים, בעיקר בימי מרד בר־כוכבא.
Proceedings of the 5th “Broadening Horizons” Conference (Udine 5-8 June 2017), vol. 2: Imperial Connections: Interactions and Expansion from Assyria to the Roman Period, 2020
The history of Samaria under Neo-Assyrian rule is usually a part of the general description of th... more The history of Samaria under Neo-Assyrian rule is usually a part of the general description of the land of Israel and the Levant. From these descriptions it seems that the expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the region of Samaria is well documented in the various historical and archaeological sources of this period. Numerous studies were carried out about the historical and archaeological aspects of this period in the land of Israel. Nevertheless, much of this research dealt with Judah, and only few researches were conducted on the Samaria region. These studies described the Samaria region as a whole unit, and did not distinguish between sub-units within Samaria. In this paper I will examine the history of the Samaria region after the Neo-Assyrian conquest, the organization of the Assyrian administration, and the extent of its influence in various areas within this region, considering updated data from archaeological surveys and excavations.
חידושים בארכיאולוגיה של ירושלים וסביבותיה, 2019
החפירות שנערכו לאחרונה באזור מעיין הגיחון שבעיר דוד ערערו את המוסכמות שהיו מקובלות בעבר במחקר של ... more החפירות שנערכו לאחרונה באזור מעיין הגיחון שבעיר דוד ערערו את המוסכמות שהיו מקובלות בעבר במחקר של ירושלים הקדומה. תאריכי פחמן 14 שנלקחו ממגדל המעיין מלמדים כי הביצורים שסביב המעיין, שבעבר ייוחסו לתקופת הברונזה התיכונה, נבנו בשלהי המאה התשיעית לפסה"נ או שרק חוזקו מחדש בתקופה זו. לאור המידע הארכיאולוגי החדש, נבחן מחדש את המידע מהמקורות המקראיים על אודות המדרונות המזרחיים של עיר דוד בתקופת ממלכת יהודה, ונציע לזהות את מגדל המעיין עם "בית מילוא" (מלכים ב יב, כ), שבו, על-פי התיאור, נרצח יואש מלך יהודה בשנת 796 לפסה"נ. נראה כי אזור ה"מילוא" היה האזור המשמעותי בירושלים בתקופות עבר, וכן אחת מנקודת התורפה של ירושלים בשלהי המאה התשיעית לפסה"נ ובראשית המאה השמינית לפסה"נ, וכי הבנייה או הביצור מחדש של מגדל המעיין בתקופה זו משקפים את הצורך בהגנת ושיקום ירושלים מפני תקיפה אפשרית של הארמים. ייתכן אף שהרצח של יואש דווקא בבית מילוא, משקף את ההתנגדות לגישתו התקיפה של יואש כנגד חזאל מלך ארם
במעבה ההר קובץ תשיעי, 2019
Journal of Biblical Literature, 2021
The identification of the biblical מלוא (millôʾ; Millo) in Jerusalem (e.g., 2 Sam 5:9) has long b... more The identification of the biblical מלוא (millôʾ; Millo) in Jerusalem (e.g., 2 Sam 5:9) has long been debated. Considering recent archaeological investigations in the vicinity of the Gihon Spring in the city of David, this paper argues that the Millo and the related בית מלוא (“house of Millo,” 2 Kgs 12:21) should be connected with the fortifications that surrounded the Gihon Spring—the primary water source for Bronze and Iron Age Jerusalem.
B. Hensel (ed.), The History of the Jacob Cycle (Genesis 25–35) Recent Research on the Compilation, the Redaction, and the Reception of the Biblical Narrative and Its Historical and Cultural Contexts, 2021
A historical-geographical and archaeological study of the location of the sanctuary of Bethel in ... more A historical-geographical and archaeological study of the location of the sanctuary of Bethel in Iron Age Northern Kingdom of Israel
Israel Numismatic Research, 2022
In this article we present 27 coins that were discovered recently in el-Janab cave (‘Usarin cave)... more In this article we present 27 coins that were discovered recently in el-Janab cave (‘Usarin cave), a large karstic cave located south of Nablus. These coins, together with pottery and other finds, represent three periods in which the cave was probably used as a hiding place: the late Persian–early Hellenistic period, the Early Roman period and the late Ayyūbid–early Mamlūk period.
Quaternary International , 2022
Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several m... more Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several micromorphological studies, contributing to the differentiation of anthropogenic remains from long-term natural sedimentation, occurring post-abandonment. This paper discusses how the study of sedimentary processes and chemical compositions of sediments can be used within the context of an ongoing archaeological project, and how they can contribute to archaeological, historical and geomorphological interpretations. Sedimentary processes were studied implementing POSL, granulometry and PXRF as part of the archaeological research at Tel Burna, Israel. Focusing on the area along the northwestern fortification walls (Area B2), data was collected from multiple strata inside and outside the casemate fortifications dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age.The gradual increase of OSL values obtained inside the casemate wall, indicate accumulation of sediment during a long period of time. Whereas similar values along the entire profile outside the casemate wall indicate sediment accumulation in one-time event. This might be related to defensive preparations, allegedly in response to advances made by Sennacherib's army in 701 BCE. In addition, results from the PXRF studies demonstrated correlation between human activities and the Cu, P, K, Zn, Mn values. Specifically, it was found that as K content increased from younger to older periods, it can be used as a pseudo-dating element. Ca content decreased as sampling descended from the tell's surface, suggesting its origin in long-term aeolian processes. The results show that the use of POSL and PXRF on archaeological contexts are useful for determining sedimentary processes. Furthermore, chemical content enabled pseudo-dating of strata and facilitated the distinction between natural and anthropogenic processes in archaeological sites and landscape.
קדמוניות Qadminiyot, 2018
במעבה ההר In the Highland's Depth, 2015
'Atiqot, 2023
Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attent... more Burna's prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attention since at least the nineteenth century CE. An analysis of the archaeological data collected during ongoing excavations at the tell indicates that these fortifications were built in the late tenth or early ninth century BCE. The fortification of this Judahite stronghold, located on the border with Philistia, remained in use for the next 200 years. Recently, evidence has come to light of a massive undertaking to reinforce and strengthen the western side of the casemate wall in the late eighth century BCE. The authors identify these activities as part of the preparations made to defend the city from Sennacherib's campaign in the region. The site was subsequently re-inhabited, but the fortifications seem to have gone out of use during the last stage of the occupation at the end of the Iron Age.
Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology, 2022
El-Janab Cave (‘Usarin Cave) is a large karst system located about 11 km south of Shechem (Nablus... more El-Janab Cave (‘Usarin Cave) is a large karst system located about 11 km south of Shechem (Nablus) in Central Samaria. It comprises a series of large chambers connected by narrow passages that developed as a hypogenic cave in Upper-Cenomanian dolomite. During 2017–2018, we mapped and surveyed the cave, retrieving archaeological finds from various periods, including the Late Chalcolithic, early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age I, Iron Age II, Persian, early Hellenistic, Early Roman, Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. It seems that the cave’s geographical and morphological features—its location in an open but settled landscape and its complex structure of passages leading to spacious chambers—attracted distinct human activities in several periods. In some phases, it was used as a refuge in turbulent times. In this paper, we present the archeological assemblages from the cave and discuss their interpretation and association with the history of the area.
Ashkelon and Its Environs: Studies of the Southern Coastal Plain and the Judean Foothills, 2020
Tel Burna is a multi-period site located in the Shephelah. The Late Bronze Age was one of the two... more Tel Burna is a multi-period site located in the Shephelah. The Late Bronze
Age was one of the two main periods during which the site was inhabited. In this paper, we will present the various finds dating to this period, focusing on the public building that was discovered on its western side. The building and the finds provide a window into the cult practice of the period, which reflected the international relationship and the character of the material culture of the people of the Land of Israel in the Late Bronze Age.
Journal of the History, Archaeology and Heritage of Lod 8, 2022
The list of returnees in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 contains the names of many settlements. Many bibli... more The list of returnees in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7
contains the names of many settlements. Many
biblical scholars have previously discussed the
essence of the list, and tried to deduce from it the
borders of the Province of Yehud in the Persian
period, or in later periods. The list includes
settlements that were within the borders of the
allotment of Benjamin, with the exception of three
sites: Lod, Hadid and Ono, which are located far to
the west, in the area attributed to the Ephraimites.
Their inclusion in this list raised many questions
in the past, especially in light of the currently
accepted perception that the Province of Yehud
had not expanded to these areas.
However, the key to solving this research question
lies in understanding the settlement activity,
and not necessarily the political processes that
took place in the region during the Persian
period. In recent years, new information has
accumulated from surveys and archeological
excavations conducted in the area. Analysis of the
archaeological data shows that the list of returnees
reflects the development of settlement north of
Jerusalem during the Persian period, in the area of
the land of Benjamin.
Except for Jericho, no sites were mentioned in
the eastern desert, as all Iron Age settlements
in this area ceased to exist after the Babylonian
conquest. The settlements in the central Highland
region, mentioned in the list, represent the
occurrence of sites that were not abandoned
following the Babylonian conquest, and the sites
in western Benjamin represent a wave of new
settlements, founded during the Persian period.
Although Lod, Hadid and Ono were outside the
borders of the Benjaminite allotment during the
Iron Age, it seems that during the Persian period
the Benjaminite settlement expanded westward,
to these towns. This expansion was bordered on
the north by farmsteads, which had been settled
by foreign exiles during the Neo-Assyrian period.
Although this area was probably outside the
political boundaries of the Province of Yehud, the
authors of the list referred to the area as an integral
part of the territory of the Benjamin families.
Archaeological Excavations and Research Studies in Southern Israel, 2022
Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both s... more Tel Burna—widely identified as biblical Libnah—and Khirbet el-‘Atar, c. 2 km north, occupy both sides of Naḥal Guvrin in the western Shephelah. At Tel Burna, excavations have revealed a prominent casemate fortification wall that encloses the site’s summit and is confidently dated to the Iron Age II. It was established at the early stages of the Iron Age II and was apparently used for several centuries, albeit with some changes.
Previous surveys at Khirbat el-‘Atar indicated that this site was also occupied during the Iron Age II, and its topography is similar to that of Tel Burna. In November 2020, a highresolution survey was conducted at Khirbat el-‘Atar to better determine the periods of occupation at the site, explore the nature of its enclosed summit, and conduct a preliminary comparison with the Tel Burna excavations. Although no excavation
has been held at Khirbat el-‘Atar, the survey’s results allow us to produce an initial exploratory reconstruction of the site’s occupational sequences during the Iron Age II and enrich our understanding of the geopolitical changes in the region.
In the Highland's Depth, Sep 2021
A system of pits recently discovered in Khirbet el-Hammam in northern Samaria apparently meets th... more A system of pits recently discovered in Khirbet el-Hammam in northern Samaria apparently meets the accepted definition of “Gibeon pits”. These pits, used to store wine in the late Iron Age and early Persian period, are evidence of a developed local agriculture and of the site’s centrality. The location and identification of these pits in connection to other remains from Khirbet el-Hammam may shed new light on the size and centrality of the city during the Iron Age.
in the Highland's Depth, May 2021
The Artabba fortress, a site until recently unknown, is located at the summit of a high hill; its... more The Artabba fortress, a site until recently unknown, is located at the summit of a high hill; its monumental remains were exposed by chance during development work carried out by residents of the nearby village of Deir Abu Mash’al. The remains included fortifications, architectural elements, five huge cisterns, ritual baths and storage pits, as well as various rock cuttings and numerous potsherds from the Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. These finds, especially the fortifications and the impressive water-supply system, are the principal features of sites in the Judean Desert and the settled areas of the country where there were fortresses from the Second Temple period. The archaeological finds, in conjunction with geographical and historical information, make it possible to date the fortress to the time from the reign of Simeon the Hasmonean to the end of Herod’s reign. The discovery of the Artabba fortress sheds light on the history of settlement in northern Judea in the Second...
JSRS, 2015
Khirbet el-Qutt is located on top of a hill in the South Samaria region, one km south of Lubban e... more Khirbet el-Qutt is located on top of a hill in the South Samaria region,
one km south of Lubban es-Sharqia and north of Ma῾ale-Levonah. The
hill is surrounded by steep slopes in all directions except the southern
side, and it overlooks the Lebonah Valley and the ancient road that
crosses it from the west. These geographical conditions enabled the
establishment of a fortified settlement on this hill during numerous
periods. The site was surveyed in the past by several scholars who
described remains of buildings, cisterns, underground complexes,
burial caves, ritual baths and pottery from the Iron Age to the Early
Muslim periods.
The authors of this paper surveyed the site in November 2014, as
part of the ‘New South Samaria Survey’ on behalf of the Bar-Ilan
Institute of Archaeology and the Staff Officer for Archaeology in
Judea and Samaria. In this paper we present the result of our survey,
with an emphasis on the remains of the Jewish settlement from the
end of the Second Temple times to the Bar-Kokhba revolt, ritual
baths, an underground hiding complex with pottery shards of jars
and cooking pots that are common in other Bar-Kokhba complexes, a
series of large reservoirs that resemble in their shape and size the large
reservoirs from the Hellenistic–Herodian fortresses and a Necropolis with 17 burial caves, 11 of them with niches (Kokhim) and one with
fragments of ossuaries. In addition to these elements, we collected a
large amount of pottery from the Early Roman period (20% of all the
pottery collected).
Historically, we attribute Khirbet el-Qutt to the ῾Akraba District,
one of the northern districts of Judah in the Early Roman period. Due
to the toponym of the site and its location, Zeev Safrai identified the
site with Kafr Liqitiya, mentioned in historical sources as one of the
places where Hadrian placed Roman troops at the end of the Bar-
Kokhba revolt. This proposal is in line with the geographical and
archaeological data on the site, in particular its location overlooking
the main road from Judah to the Galilee.
The results of this survey join the data from previous archaeological
surveys that indicate a dense rural settlement in South Samaria in the
Early Roman period, the peak years of this region’s history.
במעבה ההר ו, 2016
חורבת אל-קט שוכנת בראש גבעה כקילומטר מדרום לכפר א-לובן שרקיה ומצפון ליישוב מעלה לבונה בדרום השומר... more חורבת אל-קט שוכנת בראש גבעה כקילומטר מדרום לכפר א-לובן שרקיה ומצפון ליישוב
מעלה לבונה בדרום השומרון. גבעת האתר מוקפת מדרונות תלולים פרט לצד דרום וחולשת ממערב על עמק לבונה ועל דרך ההר העוברת בו. נתונים אלו אפשרו קיומו של יישוב מבוצר במשך תקופות רבות. האתר נסקר בעבר בידי סוקרים שונים, והם מסרו על שרידי מבנים, בורות, חללים תת-קרקעיים, מערות קבורה, מקוואות טהרה וחרסים החל מתקופת הברזל ועד התקופה המוסלמית הקדומה.
האתר נסקר בידי כותבי שורות אלו בנובמבר 2014 במסגרת 'סקר דרום השומרון'.
במאמר זה נציג את ממצאי הסקר בדגש על שרידי היישוב היהודי משלהי ימי הבית השני ועד מרד בר-כוכבא. בין השרידים ראויים לציון: מקוואות טהרה, מערכת מסתור חצובה בסלע ובתוכה שברי קנקנים וכלי בישול הנפוצים במכלולים מימי מרד בר-כוכבא, סדרת בורות מים גדולים המזכירים בצורתם ובגודלם את הבורות במבצרים החשמונאיים-הרודיאניים וכן נקרופוליס הכולל שמונה עשרה מערות קבורה, מתוכן שתיים עשרה בעלות כוכים, ובאחת מהן התגלו שברי גלוסקמאות. נוסף על אלו נאספו שברי כלי חרס רבים מן התקופה הרומית הקדומה )כ 20%- מסך כל החרסים שנאספו(.
מבחינה היסטורית השתייך היישוב בחורבת אל-קט לפלך עקרבה, ממחוזותיה הצפוניים
של יהודה בתקופה הרומית הקדומה. לאור שמו של האתר ומיקומו במרחב, הציע זאב
ספראי לזהות במקום את כפר לקיטיא, אחד המקומות שבהם הושיב הקיסר הדריינוס
חיילים רומאיים בסוף מרד בר-כוכבא. הצעה זו עולה בקנה אחד עם הנתונים הגאוגרפיים והארכאולוגיים ובעיקר שליטתו של האתר על הדרך המרכזית שהובילה מיהודה לגליל.
ממצאים אלו מצטרפים לנתונים רבים שעלו מסקרים קודמים ומהסקר הנוכחי. כולם
מצביעים על התיישבות כפרית צפופה מאוד באזור דרום השומרון )צפון יהודה( בשלהי ימי הבית השני, שהייתה תקופת שיא בתולדות האזור.
מחקרי יהודה ושומרון, 2016
מערת הנמרים היא מערה קרסטית גדולה הנמצאת בגדה הצפונית של ואדי סמיה שבדרום־ מזרח השומרון. המערה תו... more מערת הנמרים היא מערה קרסטית גדולה הנמצאת בגדה הצפונית של ואדי סמיה שבדרום־
מזרח השומרון. המערה תועדה ונסקרה בקיץ 5102 בידי צוות 'סקר דרום השומרון' מטעם
המכון לארכיאולוגיה של אוניברסיטת בר־אילן וקמ"ט ארכיאולוגיה ביהודה ושומרון
ובשיתוף המרכז לחקר מערות )מלח"ם( באוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים. במהלך הסקר
התגלו במערה ממצאים מתקופות שונות, ביניהן תקופת הברונזה התיכונה, הברזל,
הפרסית, ההלניסטית, הרומית והממלוכית. במאמר זה מוצגים הממצאים משלהי התקופה
הפרסית, מהתקופה ההלניסטית ומימי מרידות היהודים ברומאים. נראה כי אופייה של
המערה )גישה נוחה, פתח נסתר ומבנה מסועף הכולל מעברים צרים המובילים לאגפים
פנימיים( וכן קרבתה לעין סמיה השופע ולעמק סמיה הפורה שהיה מיושב במרבית
התקופות, משכו אליה פליטים ומורדים במשך תקופות רבות. המכלולים המרכזיים
שנתגלו במערה מתוארכים לשלהי התקופה הפרסית, לתקופה ההלניסטית ולימי מרידות
היהודים ברומאים. ממצאים אלו מצטרפים לעדויות ההיסטוריות ולממצאים מתקופות
אלו שפורסמו זה מכבר ממערות קרסטיות באזור דרום מדבר שומרון וצפון מדבר יהודה.
ממצאים אלו מלמדים על שומרונים שמצאו מקלט במערות האזור בשלהי התקופה
הפרסית, על יהודים שנמלטו לאזור במהלך התקופה החשמונאית ועל יהודים שמצאו
מקלט במערות האזור מפני חרב הרומאים, בעיקר בימי מרד בר־כוכבא.
Proceedings of the 5th “Broadening Horizons” Conference (Udine 5-8 June 2017), vol. 2: Imperial Connections: Interactions and Expansion from Assyria to the Roman Period, 2020
The history of Samaria under Neo-Assyrian rule is usually a part of the general description of th... more The history of Samaria under Neo-Assyrian rule is usually a part of the general description of the land of Israel and the Levant. From these descriptions it seems that the expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the region of Samaria is well documented in the various historical and archaeological sources of this period. Numerous studies were carried out about the historical and archaeological aspects of this period in the land of Israel. Nevertheless, much of this research dealt with Judah, and only few researches were conducted on the Samaria region. These studies described the Samaria region as a whole unit, and did not distinguish between sub-units within Samaria. In this paper I will examine the history of the Samaria region after the Neo-Assyrian conquest, the organization of the Assyrian administration, and the extent of its influence in various areas within this region, considering updated data from archaeological surveys and excavations.
חידושים בארכיאולוגיה של ירושלים וסביבותיה, 2019
החפירות שנערכו לאחרונה באזור מעיין הגיחון שבעיר דוד ערערו את המוסכמות שהיו מקובלות בעבר במחקר של ... more החפירות שנערכו לאחרונה באזור מעיין הגיחון שבעיר דוד ערערו את המוסכמות שהיו מקובלות בעבר במחקר של ירושלים הקדומה. תאריכי פחמן 14 שנלקחו ממגדל המעיין מלמדים כי הביצורים שסביב המעיין, שבעבר ייוחסו לתקופת הברונזה התיכונה, נבנו בשלהי המאה התשיעית לפסה"נ או שרק חוזקו מחדש בתקופה זו. לאור המידע הארכיאולוגי החדש, נבחן מחדש את המידע מהמקורות המקראיים על אודות המדרונות המזרחיים של עיר דוד בתקופת ממלכת יהודה, ונציע לזהות את מגדל המעיין עם "בית מילוא" (מלכים ב יב, כ), שבו, על-פי התיאור, נרצח יואש מלך יהודה בשנת 796 לפסה"נ. נראה כי אזור ה"מילוא" היה האזור המשמעותי בירושלים בתקופות עבר, וכן אחת מנקודת התורפה של ירושלים בשלהי המאה התשיעית לפסה"נ ובראשית המאה השמינית לפסה"נ, וכי הבנייה או הביצור מחדש של מגדל המעיין בתקופה זו משקפים את הצורך בהגנת ושיקום ירושלים מפני תקיפה אפשרית של הארמים. ייתכן אף שהרצח של יואש דווקא בבית מילוא, משקף את ההתנגדות לגישתו התקיפה של יואש כנגד חזאל מלך ארם
במעבה ההר קובץ תשיעי, 2019
There are three instances of toponyms based on לבנ (Hebrew – “white”) in the Bible. These include... more There are three instances of toponyms based on לבנ (Hebrew – “white”) in the Bible. These include Libnah/Laban of the wilderness Sinai wanderings (Num. 33:20; Deut. 1:1), Lebonah of Ephraim (Judg. 21:19), and Libnah of the Judean Shephelah (e.g. Josh. 10:29-31). Notably, the latter two are possibly preserved in Arabic toponyms from 19th century Palestine. These toponyms were recorded with varying spellings in such cartographic projects as the Van De Velde’s Map of the Holy Land (1858), Warren’s unpublished Reconnaissance of the Plain of Philistia (1867), and Conder and Kitchener’s Survey of Western Palestine (1890). Using these and other cartographic sources as a foundation for our discussion, we will analyze the etymology and site identifications of Lebonah of Ephraim and Libnah of the Shephelah in connection with their occurrences in the various post-biblical sources with the purpose of understanding the linguistic development of the לבנ toponyms from the biblical period to pre-modern times.