TEL GEZER EXCAVATIONS 2008 General

TEL GEZER EXCAVATIONS 2008

Directors: Dr. Steven M. Ortiz and Dr. Samuel Wolff

FIELD A: PRELIMINARY FIELD REPORT By Dr. Gary P. Arbino, Field Archaeologist, with Supervisor Contributions

General Introduction

The renewed excavations of Tel Gezer were conducted from June 23, 2008 to July 24, 2008. The team was under the direction of Co-Directors Dr. Samuel Wolff of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Dr. Steven M. Ortiz of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As in 2007, Field A consisted of two areas, one north of the casemate system and one along the casemate system west of the 2006 excavations. This area was under the direct supervision of Dr. Gary Arbino (Marian Eakins Archaeological Museum) as Field Archaeologist. In Field A, a total of 14 squares of 5x5 meters were opened in 2008; An additional 5 squares from previous seasons were re-opened. Thus gives a total of 19 excavated squares in 2008.

South of the casemate a sondage was conducted, extending from the casemate wall system in Y8 south to Y12. Squares Y9 and Y10 were re-opened from previous seasons, while Y11 and Figure 1: 2008 Field A. North is at bottom. Y12 were new excavations. This operation was under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Warner, assisted by Paul Warner. Although a considerable amount of soil was removed, almost all of it was “dump” material from previous excavations.

North of the casemate system the focus of the strategy was to remove the backfill from previous excavations in order to both clarify the plan and dating of the interior buildings and to gain clean contexts for further excavation. In spite of this necessary focus, important stratigraphic and architectural information was gained in 2008. The four supervisors responsible for this large area were Dr. Robin Knauth (D7, D6, C7, F7, F8); Dr. John Strong (Z7, W7, Z6), Leslie Haines (E7, B7, B6, C6), and Marcella Barbosa (A7, A6, Z8).

In sum, 2008 excavation in Field A consisted almost entirely of removal of “modern” debris. Of the 33 excavated non- architectural loci only 10 were “clean” with another 4 possibly so (see Appendix 1). The rather small number of loci excavated for 19 squares results from the Gezer locus numbering system which uses the same numbers for layers or features which extend across and/or between squares.

The table below indicates the phases by squares represented. General alterations to the 2007 Report schema are noted in bold and underlined.

Figure 2: Field A 2008. North is at top. 2

GEZER 2008 PHASING BY SQUARES REPRESENTED

TENTATIVE 2008 FIELD 2008 SQUARES 2007 2007 SQUARES + 2006 2006 FIELD 2006 FIELD PHASE SQUARES DATING PHASE PHASE adjustments

Topsoil Phase 0 All Phase 1 Y7, W8, W9, Y10, C6, Phase 1 Y8, Y9, Z8, Z9, A8, A9, (31001, 31015) D6, E6, Z10, Y8, Y9, Z8, B8, B9, C8, Z9, A8, A9, B8, B9, C9, D8, D9, C8, C9, D8, D9, E8, A9 E8, A9 Modern Phase 1a All Phase 2 Y7, W8, W9, Y10, C6, Phase 2 Y8, Y9, Z8, Z9, A8, A9, D6, E6, Z10, Y8, Y9, Z8, B8, B9, Z9, A8, A9, B8, B9, C8, C9, D8, C8, C9, D8, D9, E8, A9 D9, E8, A9 Pebble fill Phase 1b W7, Z7 Phase Y7, W8, Y8 Phase 2a --- 2a Hellenistic Phase 2 C6, D6, W7, Y7, F7, Z8 and reuse Phase 3 Y8, Z8, Y7, A8, B8 Phase 3 Y8, Z8, A8, B8 evidenced in all squares except Z6 Persian Phase 3 Ceramic only (?) Phase 4 Ceramic only Phase 4 Ceramic only Debris of Phase 4a Z7 [21019, 31012] Phase 5 Y7 ------Phase 4 [21019, 21020, 21073] Destruction: Assyrian? Iron IIB Phase 4b B6, C6, D6, E6, C7, D7, W7, E7, Z8 and Phase 6 C6, D6, E6, C8, Y7, Y8, Phase 5 Y8, Z8, A8, th B8, C8, D8, Rebuild (8 ) reuse evidenced in Z6, A6, Z7, B7, Y9, Z8, A8, B8, C8, D8, E8 E8 Y10, Y11 [[A9 (11059)]] A9 (11056/9) Debris Phase 5a Phase 7 A9 (11070) ------Of Phases [[A9 (11056/9)]] 4&5 Destruction? Iron IIB Phase 5b Z6, A6, B6, C6, Y7, Z7, B7, C7, E7, Z8, Rebuild (9th) A8, B8, C8, and reuse in W8, Y8, D8, E8, F8, W9, Z-E8, Y10, Y11 Destruction: Shishak? Iron IIA: Phase 6a Y11, Z7, E7, F7 Phase 8 Z8, Y8, Y7, W8, Y8, A8, Phase 6 Y8, A8, B8, B9, Casemate B8, B9, C8, C9, D8, D9, C8, C9, D8, Phase E8, E9 D9, [W8 21090, 21095] E8, E9 ------Phase 7: A9 Debris of Phase 8 ------Iron I Destruction Iron IIA: Phase 6b Y10 Phase 9 W8, W9, Y9, Y10, Z9, Phase 8: Iron Y9, Z9, A9 I Retaining A9, B9, C9, D9 diagonal Walls & [21030, 21085, 21088] walls Casemate [[A9 (11070 – construction fill?)]] Construction ------Phase 9: Y9, Z9, A9 Debris of Phase 10 ------LB/Iron I Destruction LB/Iron I Phase 7a Y9, Y10 Phase Y9, Z9, A9, B9, C9, D9, Phase 10: B9, D9, C9, 10 Diagonal Z9, Y9 Debris E9 Walls, & Destruction: [[A9 (11070 – destruction debris?)]] „spine walls” “Siamun”? C9 Jar? “Merneptah”? LB/Iron I Phase 7b Y9 (Pillar base 31071) Phase B9 Install? Z9 W11166? Phase 11: Y9, Z9, A9, 11 Debris of B9, C9, D9, Phase 12 E9 Phase 12: Y9, Z9, A9 Walls and Platform Phase 13: Z9, B9 Wall 11166 & Install 11127

PHASE 1: MODERN

Most of the excavation in 2008 Field A was removal of the backfill from earlier excavations. Every square started from topsoil in 2008 contained this material. We discovered that previous excavators tended to cease digging when they reached the “yellow construction fill” (e.g.: 11138) which underlay the last phase of Iron Age construction (Phase 4). Therefore, in 2008 we used this fill, whenever possible, as the marker for stopping excavation.

A notable feature of the backfill is the “pebbly-pottery fill.” This is dominated by large amounts of small pebbles, mixed in with some very fine, soft, silty gray soil, larger cobbles and small boulders on the bottom of the fill, with pottery from all phases of Gezer‟s occupational history scattered throughout. As one typically observes with archaeological dump, the larger stones and broken pieces of pottery have accumulated toward the bottom.

In three places we left the so-called “pebbly-pottery fill” unexcavated: W7 (south) and W8 (north); Z7 (center). This deep fill represents Macalister‟s backfill and has been found in W8, Y8, W7, Y7, and Y6. A shallow layer of this type of material was also found in the “dump” that extended down slope and southward from the main wall system in W9, Y9, Y10 and Y11. It is also present in several squares in Field B.

Figure 3: Field A west. The red outlines the In A8, 31047 might be an addition portion of this deep fill. It appeared extent of the deep "pebbly-pottery fill”; the to be a surface which was trenched by later excavations and the trench blue shows where it yet remains. Note also backfilled (31039). Further excavating revealed that this “surface” was the dashed line in A6; 31047 is to the left of some 80cm deep and looked similar to the “pebbly-pottery” fill. Since this line. this was not excavated in 2008, the issue remains unresolved. The connection of this material to material in Z6 also remains unexcavated.

As a general comment relating to the disturbances caused by modern/previous archaeological excavation, it MUST be understood that much of the stratigraphic discussion and subsequent phasing in this Report is done on the basis of physical relationships between architectural elements, rather than on “clean loci” associated with them. It is expected that in future seasons, as excavation proceeds below the level of previous excavations and below the walls left by them that we will be able to add more specific pottery-related data to these analyses.

PHASE 2: HELLENISTIC

It is becoming more clear that much of the architecture in Field A was reused during the Hellenistic period, with new construction largely built along earlier lines. An overlay of Macalister‟s plan on the Gezer 2008 plan indicates this. Assuming that the majority of the architecture uncovered and removed by Macalister was Hellenistic (given the later history of the site and other excavator‟s findings), a fairly substantial group of buildings in Field A emerges in this period. With the addition of the architecture from Field B and Fields III and VII (HUC), the evidence points to a strongly fortified Hellenistic citadel, such as that described in 1 Maccabees.

Part of this evidence includes the main wall Figure 4. Phase 2. Bright yellow indicates new construction. Light yellow indicates reuse. system itself. Outlined yellow shows an overlay of Macalister's plan. Rebuilding of this wall in Phase 2 can be seen in Y8, where a reinforcing section was added (W11055). Behind this reinforcement a small square “room” perhaps a “tower” was unearthed (W31031, W31032, and W31034, and the one in the eastern balk, W31052). The four walls were integrated with each other, clearly forming a room. Wall W31031, on the west, is made up of a single row of large stones, averaging .6 meters in diameter. This wall differs significantly from the other three walls, in that it only consists of one row of stones, whereas the other three have two or more, and its stones are therefore so much larger than the other three walls‟ stones. It is postulated that this wall was an outer wall of the structure that was built here and was likely founded in the previous phase of construction (Phase 4). In addition, there appears to be a stone missing from the southern end of W31031, as indicated by the socle stones that remain. Wall W31032 is located on the southern side of the room, and is built with two courses of stones. Wall W31034 makes up the northern side Figure 5. Y7 showing the room or tower. Note that the walls are of the room, and as it moved away from the floating above a deep fill and that under the fill below the east wall northern balk, revealing more of the width of the (30152) there is another phase of construction (Phase 5) . wall, it appeared to be very thick, perhaps four courses in width. This may be deceiving, however, since the extra courses may be another structure, such as a stone surface, abutting a two course wall. Not enough of this construction has been exposed to clarify the structure. The east wall in the structure is W31052, also consisting of two courses. Its top row has apparently been lost, perhaps being robbed out in modern times by archaeological 5

investigation. The same activity most likely caused the trench cut into this wall on the northern end. The alignment of this unit fits well with the Hellenistic alignment from Field B (note the Hellenistic walls in Y5 in fig. 4).

Renewed excavation in Z8 confirmed that Wall W11101 was rebuilt in Phase 2 and Wall W11102 was added abutting W11100 forming a small room (Room E) which dates to this period (See 2007 Report, p. 5).

Figure 6: W11102 and W11100 in Z8 looking NE. Note the lower level of W11100 (left) and the kurkar-type fill under W11102.

Closer examination of the northern E-W walls in C6 and D6 revealed that they comprise multiple phases: the latest of which is Phase 2. These walls (W21091, W21058), while using stones from the earlier phases are also above the earlier phases (W21092, W21083, W21057); set on a soil layer (ca 10cm) (see figs 9 and 10).

Figure 7. Squares B6-7, C6-7, D6-7, E6-7

Because the later walls were set on a soil construction fill, there is some question regarding whether the cobble/flagstone surface (S21082/S21059 – unified when the balks were removed) continued in use. Part of what was understood to be wall stones of W21083 in C6 in 2007 now seems to be a continuation of the cobble surface. Figure 8. Dark Yellow indicates new Phase 2 construction.

Figure 9. C6: Surface S21082 running under W21091 separated by ca. 10cm of soil, illustrating two phases; looking north. Stones of “silo” 21084 can be seen at top left also floating above the surface.

Figure 10. C6: Surface S21082 running under W31062; looking SW.

The east-half “silo” (21084, already excavated by Dever) phased with the 8th century rebuild in 2007 (2007 Report pp. 8-9) appears now to be a later intrusion and may not be associated with the surface (S21082). Although it appears to be built into Phase 4 surface in the south side of the arc, at the north end its stones appear to float above the surface (Figs 9 and 12). When the Macalister plan of the west half of the “silo” (Fig. 12) is consulted it seems reasonable that the unit is later than the surface. From the thickness of the wall represented on that plan, as well as the wall abutting it and extending into it, it also appears that this unit is something other than a silo. A Hellenistic kiln has been proposed, owing to stratigraphy and the abundance of “bubble ware” and slag in the nearby fills. Figure 11. C6: East side of "silo" 21084 as it “abuts” surface S21082. W21091 is at the top of the photo.

In F7 a partial circular installation poked up on the last day of sweeping. This was not given a number and most likely is a Hellenistic intrusion. It may be similar to the installation in Field B W4. It awaits excavation.

Figure 12. Macalister Plan

The defensive mantle in W9, Y9, Y10, Y11 (31044, 11063, 21043) seems to have continued in use in Phase 2 given the Hellenistic pottery found on its surface and within the stones (e.g.: Rhodian handles). Of course this means that the retaining system also continued as well as the Phase 6 wall line (W11183). That the wall continued is evident from the rebuild (W11155, W21077) placed on top of W11183 and W11101.

PHASE 3: PERSIAN

To date excavations have uncovered no architectural remains from the Persian Period. However, within the backfill debris a vast amount of Persian pottery has been recovered in all three seasons.

Two debris loci in Z7 (also in Y7 in 2007) have been startigraphically phased between Phases 4 and 2 (L21019 and L31012). L21019 consists of yellow mudbrick destruction debris, with large sherds of broken pottery included throughout. It sat on top of the cobble stone surface, S21071, in the southwestern corner of the west and south balks of Z7 (see Fig. 13). Last year, the cobblestone surface was associated with the Iron Age II (8th century) rebuild (cf. 2007 Field A Report, p. 7-13, especially pages 10-13). One pottery bucket, PB31123, was excavated from the locus, which again held large sherds of Iron Age II pottery, but also a large piece of a mortarium from the Persian times, perhaps Figure 13. Y7/Z7 showing debris locus 21019 atop the cobble surface (S21071) of the final rebuild. calling into some question earlier conclusions about the dating of this locus.

PHASE 4: IRON IIB

As noted in previous reports, a major reconstruction of the structures in Field A in the Iron IIB period is evident from the extant remains. Materials unearthed and examined in 2008, however, have shed new light on the phasing, extent and design of this building project.

Figure 14. Gezer 2008 Phase 4. Dark red indicates new construction while lighter red shows reuse.

Eastern Administration Building A: This tripartite building with pillars and cobbled side aisles was described in detail in the 2007 Report. Given the newer understandings of the Phase 2 rebuilds of this building, some modifications have been incorporated. The plans published by both Dever (HUC) and Macalister may now be modified according to this new information (see Phase 5, below for the specific rationale). Figure 15 shows an overlay of Dever‟s plan on the material from current excavations.

Dever‟s “Palace 8000” plan (1984/1990, Figure 16) seems to incorporate both the material he excavated as well as walls from Macalister‟s plans (see Fig. 12). Yet a comparison between these plans and the material in the ground poses some questions regarding some of the walls he indicates he excavated.

Between Dever‟s “Guardrooms” (at the far right of Figure 15, Figure 16) and the east wall of the easternmost administrative structure (Building A/Palace 8000) there seems to be a courtyard (Dever‟s room 7). Yet within this “space” there are the partial remains of two additional rows of north- south walls in F8 (W31067, W31066, and their unnumbered extensions northward). W31067 (west balk of F8) seems to be on Figure 15. Gezer 2008 Phase 4 with Dever Palace 8000 (modified) overlay. Dever‟s “Palace10000” plan, extending between the casemate and the “basin” in what would be the west edge of F6 (forming the west wall of Dever‟s Room 7; also dated by current excavations to the casemate phase, Phase 6). Excavations in F7, however, revealed no wall stones where they were plotted on Dever‟s plan. Since almost all other wall sections indicated on the plans as excavated by Dever (solid black) are still extant, there is a question regarding the accuracy of this wall section. The wall line to the east of this wall (W31066, east balk of F8), is not on either of Dever‟s plans (although its center section may appear on Macalister‟s plan; east balk of F7), although it clearly was visible to and excavated by Dever‟s crew. There are several wall systems in this area which need careful phasing; especially now that there is an additional phase between the casemate (Phase 6) and the final Iron Age rebuild (Phase 4). All of this calls for careful excavation of this “courtyard” to determine its exact relationship in linking the gate complex and the Eastern Administrative Building A (Palace 8000), and their earlier counterparts.

Finally, some of the material drawn as “excavated” (solid black) on Dever‟s plans must be questioned. One wall section was already discussed above. Additionally, the center section of W11146 (E8)/21055(E6) – the east wall of Building Figure 16. Dever's Palace 8000 plan. A – is noted in solid black on the plans (while W11146 itself, which was clearly previously excavated – see 2006 Report – and visible is not), yet current excavations do not indicate any stones in this line, much less the solid corner Dever‟s plan indicates.

Similarly, there is no indication at all that the south “pillar wall” (W21099, C7) ever extended west of the pillar base in C7, although Dever has this drawn in solid black (Figure 17). Figure 17. W21099 at its west end in C7.

Western wall. Since the Silo/Kiln (21084) is to be dated to Phase 2 (see above), it seems reasonable that the northwest wall of this administrative building should be W11144 -- rather than W11085 as on Dever‟s plan (see Figures 15 and 16). Given its inclusion on Macalister‟s plan, W11144 was certainly rebuilt in this phase; it is integrated into and at the same level as W11082 (see 2006 Report). Because of earlier excavations any direct connection between W11144 and the north wall of this building has been permanently lost. The connection is based on the structure of the building and the depth of the wall. Excavations in C7 reveal that W11144 is a deeply founded wall, apparently serving as a terrace wall (see below, Phase 5). All that said, Macalister‟s plan shows no connection, thus the reconstruction must at present at least remain tentative.

Northern wall. Closer examination of the northern E-W walls in C6 and D6 revealed that they comprise multiple phases: the latest of which is Phase 2 (see above). Part of what was seen as „wall stones‟ in C6 (W21083) now seems to be a northward continuation of the cobble surface (S21082/S21059/21053). If this is the case, the width of the northern cobbled aisle room of this building is wider than that of the southern cobbled aisle room by almost a half meter. The northern wall system (W21092/21091/21083/21057/21058) extends westward past the point where W11144 would have intersected. About 2 meters further west along this line in B6 is a square pillar base. This isolated unit is founded below the below the assumed foundation level (as yet unexcavated) of the Phase 4 walls of the northern wall system of Building A and tops out at 215.60, which is the same elevation as the large stones of W31041 in A6/B6, and lower than W31069 in Z6 (215.80); thus indicating concurrent usage. Because this pillar base is so similar in size and construction to those bases in the pillar walls of Building A (W21200, W21099) it is reasonable to assume that this base was founded in the same phase as those walls (which is Phase 4, although there still remains some question whether they were founded in Phase 5, see below). It appears that the northern walls of Building A continued westward while the Phase 5 NE-SW wall system continued in use, perhaps forming a triangular intersection. In addition, the upper section of the eastern extent, at least, of the Phase 5 NE-SW wall system (W31041/W21093) extends under (or at least into) the Phase 4 cobble surface (S21082) and may continue northeast through C6. This nexus of multi-phase walls, later intrusions (silo/kiln), surfaces and angles, coupled with earlier excavation trenching makes the northwest corner of Building A difficult to reconstruct; Macalister‟s plan shows an oddly angled corner but its exact location is questionable. Further excavation is necessary if more solid conclusions are to be made. Excavation of this wall system will provide confirmation of the exact nature of the materials in C6/A6. 2009 excavations will focus on this area.

The north east corner is also troublesome as there is no “corner” and W21055 appears to continue northward from the E-W northern wall system. Although there does seem to be a break between W21058 and W21055 in the northern wall, neither Macalister‟s nor Dever‟s plans indicate an entry at this point. Given current excavations and Dever‟s plan, the only entry into the building seems to have been from the north (balk between C6 and D6).

Central Administrative Building B: Clearly walls W11144 and W11100 remained in use during this phase. It is thus reasonable to postulate that the basic structure of Building B also was reused from Phase 5. The interior of the building is somewhat more difficult to reconstruct, given that very little Phase 4 construction was uncovered.

Because of the new understanding of a Phase 5 building program, it is now possible to assign the rebuild of W11170 (B8, 2006) to this phase. It is unclear how much of the East-West wall system (W11158/W11146/W11170, in A8 and B8) was rebuilt in this phase, but there is some evidence in B8 (W11085‟s rebuilds abutting this line) that at least the east section was rebuilt.

In the north of this building, the angled retaining wall system (W31069/W31041/W21093/W31042) from the previous phase appears to have continued in use as Figure 18. Building B in green box. evidenced by the extant levels of the stones which are level with and above (215.80, 215.60) the levels of the 10

cobbled surface (S21082, 215.00) in Building A (215.6 for W31041and 215.00 for S21082). There is some question regarding this owing to the odd wall connections in B6/C6 discussed above. It may be that the extant height is the height truncated by the Phase 4 builders and the Phase 4 surface would have rested atop this elevation (especially given the slope of the area). The small silo in B6 (31061) may have continued into this phase, or may be original to this phase, but there is no evidence for that. The rooms indicated by Macalister‟s plan may have been founded in this phase, but there is no evidence to support that.

North of Building B: The Phase 5 NE-SW wall system continued in use in Phase 4. The bin (31049), seems to have gone out of use, although its pottery (31046) was dated “Late Iron II.” No other architecture was unearthed in A6 and B6 and the Macalister plan is extremely confusing (confused?) in this area. Future excavation is planned for Z5-E5 and should help clarify this area. As discussed above (Phase 1), in A8, 31047 might be a surface of this phase (or Phase 5). Since this was not excavated in 2008, the issue remains unresolved. The connection of this material to material in Z6 also remains unexcavated.

Western Building C: This building was described in great detail in the 2007 Report. Most of the material found therein remains accurate, but with the excavation of Z7 and Z6 more data is now available.

Wall W11100 (founded in Phase 5) forms the west side of a large (ca 8m x 10m) building bounded on the west by a North-South wall system in Y7/Y8 which jogs (W21017/W21103/W11056/W21079; see 2007 Report pp. 10-12). In the center of this space is an additional North-South wall abutting W11083: W21077 (the rebuild of W11101). The cobble surface (S21071) with silo (21072) extends east from W21017 and was cut both east and south by modern trenching, especially deep to the east (Z7). Given that there was clean destruction debris on this cobble surface (21019, but note that there was one sizable “mort” fragment in the 2008 excavation of this material, see above, Phase 3) above this it is clear that there was no East-West wall connecting wall W21103 with W11101/21077; Macalister seems to have drawn his “catwalk” (the destruction debris he left unexcavated) as a wall.

The extent of W11101 cannot be determined due to modern trenching; it may have extended across into Z6 to connect with W31069. Similarly, the “contents” of the space between W11101 Figure 19. Building C, in green box and W21079 (Y8), discussed as a possible “tower” in the 2007 Report, must remain conjectural. The northern side of this Building may be the continuation of the angled wall system (W31069), but since the exact nature of this system is not determined, it too remains conjecture.

West of Building C a cobble surface(?) (21102) similar to that of Building C appears to abut the west side of W21017, but is limited owing to modern trenching (see fig. 14 of the 2007 Report). W31031 (W7) may also have been founded in this phase.

Fortifications: W11083 was built in this phase. This is clearly indicated by the yellow construction fill in Y8 which is under all walls in the square showing them to be a unit in phase (see 2007 Report). The socle system of Phase 6 was not reused in all areas (but may be seen by the smaller stones in A8) and it is unclear how closely this new wall (rebuild) followed the original wall line. There is still some question regarding the exact extent of W11083 to the east, and how much of the earlier wall remains. At some places it seems that the original socles seem to still remain, while at others there is only the yellow construction fill. West of W11083 the socle system (W21029) is exposed (by earlier excavations, 2007). The mantle and retaining system of the earlier phases was reused in this phase.

W11101 was reused from the previous phase but its southern end (where it had presumably connected to the earlier wall) now shows that the “gap” betweenW11100 and the new W11183 was filled in with smaller stones.

Figure 20. W11100 abutting W11083 (right). Looking east.

It seems that the southern end of W11100 was rebuilt and integrated into the new wall seen in the new construction Figure 21. W11101 at W11083 (left) showing the rebuild. abutting the new wall at the same founding levels as Looking west W11083.

PHASE 5: IRON IIB

This phase was not previously known to excavators and does not appear in previous reports. It existence was discovered through a small patch of cobble surface in E7, which was left unexcavated by previous excavations. It is tentatively dated to the 9th century.

Figure 22. Phase 5. New construction in dark green, reuse in lighter green.

In E7 cobble surface (S31050) runs under W11146, (the eastern wall of Building A) indicating that there was a phase between the “8th century rebuild” phase and the “10th century casemate phase”. This realization enabled a fresh look at several walls that seemed to have multiple phases. This is especially true with architecture from 2006 where multiple phases were postulated. It may also assist in understanding the apparent multiple wall systems in C6-E6 (2007) as well as the issues raised in the “courtyard” (F6, F7, F8) discussion above.

Figure 23. Cobble surface (S31050) running under Phase 4 wall (W11146) in E7. Note W 21099 in upper right.

The architecture of this phase was set atop destruction debris. This debris (as yet unexcavated by current excavations) can be seen in several areas previously uncovered. Its thickness grades from rather shallow and thin southward, closer to the fortification wall system (illustrated by the relationship between W31067 [F8] and Figure 24. Cobble surface (S31050) running under Phase 4 S31050 [E7] as well as that between W11158 and wall (W11146). Note boulder of W21099 (right), founded below the level of the cobbles. W11100 [A8]) to quite thick to the north (illustrated by the relationship of the basin in F6 to the later walls in E6 and that between W31030 [D7] and later wall W21200).

Eastern Administrative Building A: It is difficult to outline the shape of this building in Phase 5; from available evidence, it does not seem to have existed (unless the “pillar walls” are to be dated to this phase (see below)). Where the Phase 4 building has its eastern wall (W11146), there is a cobble surface in Phase 5 (S31050) whose extent is now lost (Figs. 23, 24). Extending eastward, in E8, the remains of what appears to be a contemporary short wall (W31065) runs south of this surface. This wall lines up with what appears to be another short wall further east (W31068). The apparent founding levels (W31065 = 214.00; W31068 = 213.75), even accounting for the natural slope, call for caution in assigning them as the same wall. That said, these are both the same distance from the casemate (W11081), and are the same distance from the main casemate as the system in B8-Z9, it is possible that there was at one time a narrow parallel wall system 2 meters inside of the casemate. The founding of such a system would be most likely be dated to Phase 6.

There is still some question regarding whether the “pillar walls” (W21200, W21099) were founded in this Phase. The eastern-most large stone (pillar base?) of W21099 in E7 is founded (213.9) just below the level of the cobble surface (S31050, 214.0), and is not resting atop cobbles (fig. 24). This may indicate either that the stone was contemporarily built with S31050 or that the cobbles were later dug out to place it. Given that the area was previously excavated, certainty is not possible. Looking at the founding of the other sections of this wall in D7 and C7 it seems that the foundations for these stones for this wall were dug down below the current surface (Figs. 17, 25). In addition, the “construction yellow” fill (which we are assigning to the Phase 4 construction) was found below and associated with the foundations of these wall Figure 25. Pillar Wall 21099 in D7. Note the systems, at least as far as we have yet excavated them. The remains foundation stones that the pillar base is resting of a short earlier wall (W11142, C8) likely to be dated to Phase 5, upon indicating the depth of founding. run under the foundations of W21099, adding more evidence for a 13

Phase 4 dating of the “pillar walls”. Finally, the fact that the extant stones of this wall system are “level” with the Phase 4 cobble surfaces (S11027 [C8], S21082 [C6]), seems to argue strongly for a Phase 4 founding of these walls as part of the Eastern Administrative Building A. Stratigraphic evidence from W21200 also indicate a Phase 4 foundation

Thus the only wall of later Building A that can be clearly traced to this phase is the western side (W11144). W11144 continues into C7 and was most likely founded in Phase 5 as a deep wide wall that most likely served as a terrace wall. Any connection between this wall north into C6 has been severed by earlier excavation and is now lost. There may be additional walls under the later northern walls of Building A (C6, D6), but this has not yet been excavated below Phase 4.

W11144 is parallel to W11100 (Z6, Z7, Z8), also founded in this phase. These two walls form a terrace system to ease and level the grade which slopes down from the west to the east into the saddle in which the Phase 6 gate complex was built.

Central Administrative Building B: Previously excavated east-west wall system W11158, W11146, W11170 (A8, B8) appears to have been founded in Phase 6 and rebuilt in Phase 5. Because W11158 runs under retaining/terrace wall W11100 (Z7, Z8) the foundation of this major NS retaining wall should be placed after the casemate phase (Phase 6) and thus in Phase 5.

Between W11144 and W11100 is a 10m wide area. Within this area are two N-S wall systems; it is possible that this area – bounded on the south by the casemate (rebuilt in Phase 4, W11083 – see Reports from 2006 and 2007) and on the north by the SW-NE system uncovered in A6 and B6 in 2008 – forms a large (ca 10m x 10m) building with two or three north-south magazine style rooms. Figure 26. W11144 in C7 into C8 showing the depth of its foundations and its width. The two NS walls between W11144 (C7, C8) and W11100 appear to Note its rebuild at the level of W11083 seen have been at top left corner founded in Phase 5 (and reused/rebuilt in all subsequent phases). Wall W11085 (B8) is a single stone-wide wall that appears to connect with walls W31028/W31063, although no stones in the southern half of B7 were found. Support for connection may be found in Macalister‟s plan which appears to show a unified wall in his “Hellenistic” phase. Wall W11044 is a two-row wall 3m west of W11085. Macalister‟s plan indicates that W11044 also continued northward, but no evidence for this has been excavated by the current team and nothing is present on Dever‟s published plans.

In the northern part of this building there seems to have been a stone lined silo (31061); it can be stratigraphically dated to this phase, but its contents and the top of it were previously excavated. Figure 27. Phase 6 architecture showing Building B in red The northern edge of this building is most likely found in box. squares Z6, A6 and B6. In these squares is an angled retaining wall system which extends SW to NE (W31041/W21093, W31042, W31069). This wall system, which is formed of stepped terracing/retaining walls each one course wide, angles N-E from an intersection with W11100 in Z6 until it disappears under Phase 4 surface S21082. From the lowest excavated section of its lowest course (214.7) to the top of the extant stones of the upper course (215.6) is almost a meter. This seems to have been a retaining 14

wall, and from the extant elevations of its stones it was clearly reused in subsequent phases. From the same intersection with W11100 (also functioning as a retaining wall), the walls system extends N-W (S31069). North of this wall system there may be the remains of a surface S31047 at 215.25 (A6), but the area was trenched earlier making identification not presently possible (see Phase 1 above). Against the north side of W31041 is set a stone lined bin (31049). The excavated contents were Late Iron II, indicating either founding or reuse in Phase 4.

Western Administrative Building C: west of W11100 there are several pieces of walls and a room.

In Z7, east-west Wall W31018 is a single row construction, which is integrated into W11100 and corners with W11101(founded in this phase as only a single row wide). Thus, a Phase 5 room is formed by W11100, W31018, W11101, and the casemate system (now represented by the later wall W11083). The easternmost stone of W31018 may form a threshold, given its lower elevation (215.10).

North of this room are three short walls (W31019, W31027, W31024). The nature and function of these cannot be determined owing to both incomplete excavation and earlier trenching activities. Accounting for the slight upward slope to the north, W31018, W31019, and W31027 are at roughly the same founding level, 215.20, 215.23, and 215.30, respectively, and should be considered as elements of the same construction. (It is also possible that one may be from a different phase, especially in light of the narrow space between W31019 and W31027). An additional one-row wall section in Z7 (west balk) may connect with W31019, but later trenching has obliterated any connection that may have existed.

In addition, W31069, found north in Z6, parallels these three walls, and is also at roughly the same founding elevation, 215.07, and likely forms the northern wall of this building. W11100 is integrated with W31069 (see photo DSC_0976), and is abutted by W31019, and should also be associated with this construction, forming the northeast corner of this building.

Figure 28. Phase 5 showing Building C in red box. Almost in line with W31018 and extending west is another wall system from this phase: W31073, W21074, W31070. W31074 (south of W31073) may also be part of this system, but that is quite unclear.

Fortifications: Given that W11083 is to be seen as a Phase 4 wall, it is unknown what wall system existed in this area (W8, Y8, Z8, A8) in Phase 5. Since the N-S walls which run perpendicular either abut or nearly abut W11083, it seems reasonable that the wall line was much the same (at least the inner face). The Phase 6 mantle and retaining wall system remained in use.

The re-phasing necessary to accommodate Phase 5, will require the re-phasing of some earlier excavated material, most notably the destruction debris in A9. Since W11083 is clearly understood to be a product of Phase 4, the destruction upon which it rests in A9 (11059/11056) can be dated to a destruction of the Phase 6 wall at this point either post-Phase 5 or post-Phase 6. The pottery from these loci (although minimal and problematically recovered) indicates an LB/11th/10th date, while 11170‟s pottery dates to LB/Iron I (Phase 7). This would seem to push the destruction of the original casemate to a time prior to Phase 5, but then this would seem to leave a gap in the wall for as much as 100 years. In addition, W11066, part of the Phase 6 retaining system would also need to be a rebuild as 15

it sits atop the destruction “surface” (11056). This will probably not be fully understood without removal of W11083 in this area.

W11083

11059

W11066 S11056

11070

Figure 29: Photo 20060704_1550 showing the destruction layer in A9 (2006).

PHASE 6a: IRON IIA (Casemate)

Very little of this phase was actually excavated in 2008. The reader is pointed to the 2007 and 2006 Reports for details on this phase and Phase 6b (its construction).

Figure 30. Phase 6 (a and b), new construction in dark blue.

Inside the casemate, walls W31065 (E8), W31068, W31067, W31066 (all F8) should be dated to this Phase, along with some of the walls east (Dever excavations). Two small sections of walls, previously uncovered by Dever, should be dated to this phase. W31030 (E7) extends southward from beneath the later pillar wall of Administrative Building A. This illustrates that the plan of this area was significantly different between Phase 6 and Phase 5/4. Another small section of what appears to be a northward continuation of W11144 (C7) may indicate that W11144 was originally founded in Phase 6, but only further excavation (or publication of the results of the later Dever excavations) will allow for a conclusion.

Previously excavated system W11158, W11146, W11170 (A8, B8) appears to have been founded in this phase, and from that, it can be seen that retaining wall W11100 (Z7, Z8) was founded later and was not initially part of the casemate phase.

Whether W11142 (C8) should be dated to Phase 6 or Phase 5 cannot be determined at present.

In the western squares, very little of Phase 6 has been uncovered. Much of what was previously dated to the casemate phase should be redated to Phase 5. Only W21101 (Y8) should remain dated to phase 6. In addition, wall W31025 (Y7) also belongs to this phase. It is possible, given the elevation of the NW corner stones of the intersection of W11101 and W31018 (215.20) that there is a Phase 6 wall below the Phase 5 ones. Given that the easternmost stone of W31018 also is at this level (215.10), may indicate and earlier phase or a threshold stone.

PHASE 6b: Construction and Backfill

The interpretation of the retaining system discussed in the 2007 Report remains largely the same, except for further insights regarding its foundation and the conclusion that all diagonal walls are a part of this system and that it appears that the spine walls (W21097, W11133, W11168, W11157) may line up with the outer casemate but are not casemate; the casemate system ending in B9 at W11091. The other major discovery in 2008, was what appears to be an additional section of this mantle in Y11 (31044). This stone glacis, is comprised of large stones whose angle comports well with the upper extent of the mantel. It seems that a cut (31054 in Y10) was made between 11163 and 31044, (perhaps to remove a wall section?) most likely by Macalister, given the makeup of the dump material in Y11, but requires further excavation (see Fig. 31).

Given the discovery of the Phase 7 Pillar Base (31071, see below) and the assumption of architecture it indicates, it now seems that the Phase 6 wall system realigned the previous wall system; moving it northward by at least three meters. It also seems clear that the Phase 6 builders raised the level of the base of the wall, through the retaining system, by almost 2 meters; most likely to obtain a more smooth rise upslope.

Figure 31. Section from Y7 through Y12 indicating the slope of the mantle. Note the placement and level of the LB/Iron I Pillar Base (31071) in Y9.

The addition of the retaining system and the down slope mantle/revetment may have significantly changed the earlier southern slope of the tel in this area. This mantle (31044, 11063, 21043) extended down slope at least to midway through Y11, some 13 meters from the wall and over 6 meters down (216 – 209.50m). The E-W extent of this mantle also requires future excavation, but seems to angle northeast toward the wall system at an angle which would connect it approximately where the transition from casemate to single wall line seems to be. While the socle system in W8 is extant, it is difficult to tell (without excavating W11083) how exactly the earlier wall system functioned. It is reasonable to postulate that the purpose for this mantle was to not only cover over the retaining wall system but also to provide defensive structure. Because there is no evidence for the casemate structure extended this far west, there was a need in this area and not necessarily further east where there is/was a casemate system. It also seems reasonable that the casemate ended at W11091 (in B9) and the mantle extended from that corner (W11087/W11091) outward down slope to the southwest until it connected with the extant mantle in Y11 (note the angle of the mantle's south edge in 31044).

The LB/Iron I material found in 11131(Y9) and 11156 (A9) was seen as backfill in 2007 (see Report). The retaining system rests atop earlier strata and the spaces in the system were backfilled with this material. The question remains as to whether this material is the same as that of the material upon which the retaining system was founded or represents another phase.

A major question remains regarding the material upon which the rib walls are constructed in Z9, A9 and B9. This material is clearly below the backfill (11056; see fig. 29) and yet above the LB/IronI material represented by the pillar base (31071) and that south of walls W11166, W11157 and W11087. In Y9 the backfill is directly on top of the LB destruction debris into which were founded rib walls W11140 and W11061). Notice that the material in which the store jar (11026 in C9) was sunk seemed different from that above it and below W11087. Thus it may be necessary to posit a construction fill in C9, B9, A9 and Z9 as part of the builders‟ attempts to make the slope more smooth for their new wall system. This would account for the difference between what is seen in Y9 and A/B9 and compare with reports that the gate system was founded on a deep fill. This material may be from the same strata as the 11131/11056 backfill, but there is not enough excavated evidence to posit this with any certainty.

PHASE 7: LB/IRON I

The pillar base in Y9 (31071) surrounded by clean LB/Iron I debris (not backfill) indicates two things. First it clearly places the foundation of the retaining wall system on top of the destruction debris of the LB/Iron I city. As seen in Figure 32, these walls are not dug into the debris and yet are surrounded by it. Because the debris is indistinguishable from the material which backfilled the retaining space (11131) construction and backfill must have occurred contemporaneously. This indicates a time shortly after the destruction of the building in which the pillar base was a part for the construction of the retaining system.

Second the pillar base indicates a large building outside of the later (Phase 6) wall line. Since the level of this base (213.7) has been reached eastward in Z9 and A9 with no evidence of massive walls, and there is limited distance to the current (Phase 6) tel slope, it seems that either the building extended southward and the LB slope was significantly altered by Phase 6 activities, or it extends northward and westward (see Fig. 31). A large boulder under rib wall W11140 may be part of this structure.

A test was made through the mantle (31058, where the stones appeared to have already been removed, in Y9) and clean LB/Iron I material was found to the southern balk line of Y9 providing further evidence that the retaining wall system and the mantle were all constructed as a unit.

Figure 32. Pillar base 31071 in Y9 between fill 11131 and W11133 with W11161 at top.

PHASE 8: MB?

In the “cut” of the mantle in Y10 (31054/31060) the pottery, although minimal indicated an MB dating. There was evidence of a thick (ca 3cm) layer of plaster. This does not seem to be a living surface, but may be a remnant of an earlier fortification system. Too little of this has been excavated to make firm conclusions.

That said, if the mantle dates to the Phase 6 (10th), and if, as the section seems to indicate, the mantle 11063 does actually connect with the Y11 revetment/mantle 31044, then the material beneath the mantle system must be pre- Iron IIa (10th). What was found in the material just above the "plaster" in fill 31060 was one basket of MB pottery. This material comes from what would be a deep cut at least 1 meter below the level of the stones which made up the mantle and were subsequently removed. Thus the MB pottery phase has no direct temporal relationship to the mantle itself except that it is below and earlier.

GEZER 2008 LOCUS NUMBER ASSIGNMENT SHEET: FIELD A Green = modern backfill; Red = clean loci; Blue = architecture

Number Staff SQ Description Pot SQ PH Date PH Opnd 31001 All Topsoil - 0 6-23 31002 MB A7 Fill Below Topsoil -- modern probe M 1 6-24 31003 JS Z7 Modern trench – merge w/31001 M 0 6-24 31004 PW Y11 Fill – Mac/HUC ----- merge w/others M 1 6-24 31005 JS W7Z7 Fill – Mc PebPottry M 1 6-25 31006 RK D7 Fill below topsoil M 1 6-25 31007 LH E7 Fill below topsoil M+ Iron 1? 6-25 31008 * JS Z7 Fill below topsoil + rocks (Mac) M 1 6-25 31009 JS Z7 Fill – soft material NW (=31005) M 1 6-26 31010 PW Y11 Fill NW corner --- merge into 31004 M 1 6-28 31011 * MB/JS A7Z7 Rock Tumble w/ mudbrick debris M + Iron 1 6-30 below (west A7; east Z7 above W11100) 31012 JS Z7 Fill – Yellow in N (above level of 10/9 6-29 cobbles S21071; =?21019; (iron) Hell not=11138 ) – destruction debris (contam?) 31013 PW Y11 Fill below 31004 ---- merge into M 1 7-1 31004 31014 RK D7 Stones and Fill in SW corner Iron II 1 7-1 31015 ALL All Clean up in all old squares - 0 7-1 31016 PW Y11 Fill NE corner --- merge into 31004 M 1 7-1 31017 Unassigned - - - 31018 JS Z7 Wall E-W: Southern (perp to 11090) - 7-1 31019 JS Z7 Wall E-W: Northern (perp to 11090) - 7-1 31020 MB A7 Debris: Mudbrick below stones 11/10 7-2 (combine w/31011?) 31021 MB Z8 Fill(?): Chalky material (=?11138) 10/9 7-3 ?????? 31022 RK C7 Fill below topsoil M 1 7-3 31023 LH B7 Fill below topsoil 10/9 + M 1? 7-3 31024 JS Z7 Wall – in N of balk (below cobbles) - 7-3 31025 JS Z7 Wall – NS along W balk - 7-3 31026 JS W7 Fill below topsoil M 1 7-8 31027 JS Z7 Wall – E-W north of 31019 - 7-8 31028 LH C7 Wall – NS west (=11084?) - 7-8 31029 LH C7 Wall – EW perp to 31028 (north) - 7-8 31030 LH E7 Wall – in balk (E7/D7), in trench - 7-8 31031 JS W7 Wall – NS in W of Sq - 2 7-8 31032 JS W7 Wall – EW in S of Sq - 2 7-8 31033 JS W7 Fill West of W31031 M 7-8 31034 JS W7 Wall – EW in N of square - 2 7-8 31035 PW Y7 Fill: Brown flatish (above M 2?? 7-8 Rev31044) 31036 JS W7 Fill in S of Sq M 1 7-9 31037 LH B6 Fill below topsoil M 1 7-9 31038 PW Y9 Fill/Debris in Retaining wall space 11/10 e 7-9 31039 MB A6 Fill below topsoil in N of Sq M 1 7-9 31040 RK F7 Fill below topsoil 10th (M) 1 7-10 31041 LH/M B6/A6 Wall – EW (upper one row = - 7-10 B W21093) 20

31042 LH/M B6/A6 Wall – EW (lower two row terrace - 7-10 B wall) 31043 PW Y11 Fill above and within Rev31044 M 2? 7-10 (31045) 31044 PW Y11 Revetment (cf to 11063) - 7-10 31045 PW Y11 Fill S of Rev31044 --- merge M 2? 7-11 w/31043 31046 MB A6 Bin Contents Lte IronII 7-11 31047 MB A7 Possible Surface (unexcavated) - 7-14 31048 RK F8 Fill below topsoil Iron 1 7-14 31049 MB A6 Bin - 7-14 31050 LH E7 Cobble Surf - 7-14 31051 PW Y9 Destruction Debris/Fill below FL of LBII e 7-16 11133 31052 JS W7 N/S wall in east balk - 2 7-16 31053 PW Y10 Fill below 31015 cleanup MB 7-17 (east/lower) (1bskt) 31054 PW Y10 Chalk layer (unexcavated) - 7-17 31055 LH C6 Fill below topsoil Per/Hel 7-19 31056 RK D6 Fill below topsoil M 1 7-19 31057 MB A7 Corrected: fill in east (not 31008) M 1 31058 PW Y10 „Section‟ thru Revetment 11063 (N) LB 7-20 31059 PW Y10 „Section‟ thru Rev 11063 (S) M/ 7-20 Contam 31060 PW Y10 Fill north of 31054 MB (1 bskt) 31061 LH B6 Bin (previously excavated; Dever) - 31062 GPA C6 Wall above cobbles (parallel to - W21200) 31063 LH B6 N-S Wall (NW corner) =?W31028 - 31064 LH E7 Socles for W11146 - 31065 LH E7 W-E three-stone wall in N balk - 31066 RK F8 N-S wall abutting casemate in E balk - 31067 RK F8 N-S wall abutting casemate in W - balk 31068 RK F8 E-W wall in N balk - 31069 JS Z6 E-W wall (intersecting W31042, - W11100) 31070 JS W7 N-S wall below W31052 (corners - with W21074) 31071 PW Y9 Pillar Base (unexcavated) - e 31072 RK F8 Robber trench for W31066 - (unexcavated) 31073 GPA/ Y7 E-W two row wall S of Silo 21072; - JS below 21019 at same level as cobbles 21071 (unexcavated) 31074 GPA Y7/Y8 Straight line of stones S of W31073 - (unexcavated) 31075 Unassigned 31076 Unassigned 31077 Unassigned 31078 Unassigned 31079 Unassigned 31080 Unassigned

PREVIOUS LOCI USED

W11082 RK/LH CDE8 Wall (EW) parallel to Casemate - W11083 RK F8 Wall: Casemate north - W11085 LH C7 Wall (NS) --- new number in C7 - W11086 RK C7 Wall (NS) – above W11144 W11100 MB/JS Z7A7 Wall (NS) – along balk - W11101 JS Z7 Wall (NS) in S Balk - 11132 PW Y9 Fill in revetment space (not used) 7-LB W11133 PW Y9 Wall S of revetment space - 11138 All F7 Yellow Construction Fill Iron II RK (D7 =11029C8,11094D8, 11020D8 LH ref) =31012?, 31021? W11140 PW Y9 Wall E of revetment space - W11144 RK D7 Wall (NS) west in “8000” - W11146 LH E7 Wall (NS) east in “8000” - 11163 PW Y10 Revetment/Glacis/Mantle (31053, 31058, 3105 --- 31044?) W11161 PW Y9 Wall W of revetment space - 21019 JS Z7 Dest deb above cobbles S21071 Iron + ? Mort W21057 RK C6 North wall – added to in balk S21071 JS Z7 Cobble Surface - W21099 LH/RK CDE7 Pillar Wall S - W21103 JS Z7 Wall (EW) S of Bin 21072: Possible - Continue as 31073 W21200 LH/RK CDE7 Pillar Wall N -

Clean Loci: 31012; 31020; 31021; 31038; 31046; 31051; 31058; 31060; 21019; 11138 Possible Clean Loci: 31007; 31011; 31023; 31043/45 22