The Archaeozoological Finds From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 79*–81*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Archaeozoological Finds From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 79*–81*), Moshe Sade
'Atiqot
The faunal assemblage from Khirbat el-Thahiriya is mostly domestic, attesting that the main branch of economy at this settlement was sheep/goat herding. The hen/cock category comprises an unusually high percentage of the assemblage, suggesting that these birds also played an important role in the economy of the site. The wild species comprise birds, Trigger fish, fish and mole.
The Coins From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 73–77),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Coins From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 73–77), Robert Kool
'Atiqot
Twenty-six bronze and copper coins were recovered from a large building (a farmhouse or monastery) and an adjacent olive press at Khirbat el-Thahiriya, dating to the Byzantine and Abbasid periods. The earliest datable coin is an isolated stray find of a bronze Hasmonean prutah, minted by Alexander Jannaeus (104–76 BCE). The majority of the coins span a relatively short period, beginning in the fifth–sixth centuries and ending in the mid-eighth century CE.
The Early Islamic Glass Finds From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 57–72),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Early Islamic Glass Finds From Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Pp. 57–72), Ruth E. Jackson-Tal
'Atiqot
The glass vessels unearthed in this excavation represent well-known types of Early Islamic-period tableware—bowls, wineglasses, bottles, jars, a jug, oil lamps, alembics, a spoon and windowpanes—some plain and others decorated in various techniques. The simple vessel shapes and the considerable number of lamp bowls and windowpanes support the identification of this site as a rural public building.
A Building And An Olive Press From The Byzantine–Abbasid Periods At Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Hebrew, Pp. 81–112; English Summary, Pp. 118*–120*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
A Building And An Olive Press From The Byzantine–Abbasid Periods At Khirbat El-Thahiriya (Hebrew, Pp. 81–112; English Summary, Pp. 118*–120*), Elena Kogan-Zehavi, Shulamit Hadad
'Atiqot
Excavations at Khirbat el-Thahiriya exposed a complex consisting of a large building, with an oil press to its northeast and an irrigation system to its west; a refuse heap; and a plastered surface. Also found were a quarry and a juglet dating to Early Bronze Age IB, not related to the other finds. The building (c. 1500 sq m) was partially exposed and three phases were identified, dating to the Byzantine (fifth–mid-seventh centuries CE; Phase 1), Umayyad (650–750 CE; Phase 2) and Abbasid (750–tenth century CE; Phase 3) periods. The three phases of the building were dated by pottery, metal …
The Coins From Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper) (Hebrew, Pp. 77–79; English Summary, P. 117*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Coins From Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper) (Hebrew, Pp. 77–79; English Summary, P. 117*), Helena Sokolov
'Atiqot
Nineteen bronze coins and one silver coin were discovered during the excavations at Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper). The earliest coin dates from the time of Alexander Jannaeus (76–79/80 BCE) and the latest, from the Mamluk period (fourteenth century CE).
The Glass Vessels From Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper) (Pp. 47*–56*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Glass Vessels From Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper) (Pp. 47*–56*), Natalya Katsnelson
'Atiqot
Six hundred seventy-one glass fragments were retrieved from Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper), only one-quarter of them were diagnostic. Most of the vessels were found within the settlement, and date from the Late Roman to the Abbasid periods. Several vessels, dated to the Early Roman and Byzantine periods, were unearthed in burial caves and dwelling caves, north and east of the settlement. There were also sporadic fragments from the Early Roman and Mamluk periods. Most of the vessels are free blown; one bottle is mold-blown; and two bowls are cast. The most common designs are applied trails and pinched decoration. The material …
Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper): Rock-Cut Installations From The Late Hellenistic And Early Roman Periods, And Remains Of A Settlement From The Byzantine And Early Islamic Periods (Hebrew, Pp. 13–75; English Summary, Pp. 112*–116*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Ḥorbat ‘Illin (Upper): Rock-Cut Installations From The Late Hellenistic And Early Roman Periods, And Remains Of A Settlement From The Byzantine And Early Islamic Periods (Hebrew, Pp. 13–75; English Summary, Pp. 112*–116*), Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah
'Atiqot
A salvage excavation conducted at Ḥorbat ‘Illin, on a hilltop in the Judean Shephelah, revealed the remains of burial caves, cisterns and underground installations. These were quarried out and used in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods (first century BCE–second century CE), suggesting the existence of a nearby settlement from the Second Temple period that has not been excavated. Some of the installations were in use in later periods, as shown by pottery finds from the Byzantine, Umayyad and Mamluk periods. The main excavated areas were located in the center of the western slope (c. 4000 sq m), revealing the …
The Coins From A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 35*–46*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Coins From A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 35*–46*), Robert Kool
'Atiqot
Fifty-seven bronze coins were found in several structures, installations and tombs at El-Qabu. Fifty-three of the coins, including a hoard of twenty-three bronzes, were identified. With the exception of two Hellenistic and three early Roman specimens, as well as a single Byzantine nummus (first half of the sixth century), all the isolated coins fall between the second half of the second century and the reign of Maximinian Herculius (286–305 CE). Among the early coins is a rare flan with a trapezoidal section, probably originating in Jerusalem. Another interesting and rare early find is a lead token minted under the Roman …
The Glass Finds From A Roman Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 29*–34*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Glass Finds From A Roman Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 29*–34*), Natalya Katsnelson
'Atiqot
The site at El-Qabu yielded a small amount of glass finds, consisting of 48 fragments, of which 14 were chosen for illustration and discussion. The material was found in a very poor state of preservation; no complete vessels were discovered and none was restored. The color, fabric quality and milky weathering are characteristic of glass finds from the second–fourth centuries CE; however, finds of this glass are quite rare in the region. The assemblage of vessels consists of bowls, beakers and bottles. One adorned body fragment of a flask was found, as well as an elaborately decorated bracelet and a …
A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Hebrew, Pp. 1–12; English Summary, P. 111*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Hebrew, Pp. 1–12; English Summary, P. 111*), Ofer Sion
'Atiqot
El-Qabu is a farmstead where wine was produced in the Roman period (second half of the second to the third centuries CE). Buildings arranged around a courtyard, winepresses, tabuns and vaulted tombs were exposed. Storage jars were inserted into the floors of two of the rooms—a phenomenon that was noted at other sites in the coastal plain and the Negev during the Roman and Byzantine periods, probably attesting to the function of the rooms as storerooms. Based on the latest coin (286–305 CE) recovered from the excavation, the site was abandoned at the end of the third or the beginning …
The Pottery And Stone Objects From A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 21*–28*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Pottery And Stone Objects From A Roman-Period Farmstead At El-Qabu, South Of Ashqelon (Pp. 21*–28*), Yehudah Rapuano
'Atiqot
The ceramic finds from the site at El-Qabu comprise for the most part locally manufactured vessels, along with a few imported wares. The repertoire includes plain-ware utilitarian vessels produced on the southern coastal plain along with imported examples of Eastern Terra Sigillata Ware (ESA) and two foreign amphorae. The pottery is exceptionally homogeneous, ranging in date from the second century to the late third and possibly the very beginning of the fourth century CE. Among the finds were a figurine (of mourning Isis?) and a disc-lamp, decorated with what was probably an erotic scene. These pagan themes seem to give …
Khirbat Za‘Kuka: An Iron Age I Site Between Jerusalem And Bethlehem (Pp. 1*–20*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Khirbat Za‘Kuka: An Iron Age I Site Between Jerusalem And Bethlehem (Pp. 1*–20*), Emanuel Eisenberg
'Atiqot
Salvage excavations at the site exposed a pillared house, characteristic of Iron Age I settlements in the Central Hill Country. The finds indicate that the ground floor of the building was used for storage, food processing and other daily activities and the residential space was probably on the second floor. A round oil press was unearthed in the western part of the building. It is a simple, domestic installation, typical of Iron Age I. Two bell-shaped pits, hollowed in the bedrock, were apparently used to store agricultural products. Seven cisterns recorded at the site probably belonged to the settlement and …
Mi‘Ilya: Evidence Of An Early Crusader Settlement (Pp. 63*–76*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Mi‘Ilya: Evidence Of An Early Crusader Settlement (Pp. 63*–76*), Edna J. Stern
'Atiqot
A salvage excavation carried out on the upper hill of the village of Mi‘iliya exposed remains from the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Crusader period. Fifty-six diagnostic sherds, dating to the Crusader period, were found in a pit. Most of them represent local Crusader types, with a few belonging to imported types. The chronological range of the Crusader-period pottery dates from the mid-twelfth to the early thirteenth centuries CE.
Agricultural And Industrial Installations And Burial Caves From The Roman And Byzantine Periods At Zur Yig’Al (Hebrew, Pp. 123–144; English Summary, Pp. 90*–91*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Agricultural And Industrial Installations And Burial Caves From The Roman And Byzantine Periods At Zur Yig’Al (Hebrew, Pp. 123–144; English Summary, Pp. 90*–91*), Etan Ayalon
'Atiqot
A survey and trial excavations were carried out in preparation for the establishment of the Zur Yig’al settlement in the Sharon plain. Sixteen winepresses of various sizes were identified in the survey, some paved with white mosaics and equipped with screw presses. Also recorded were thirteen cisterns, seven towers, five burial caves, two cist tombs, six limekilns, cupmarks, piles of small stones, rock cuttings, natural caves, many agricultural terraces and some unidentifiable installations. The area seems to have been used as marginal agricultural land, worked for a relatively short period of time by one or more of the nearby settlements, …
An Umayyad-Period Aqueduct For The Irrigation Of Farmland South Of Ramla (Hebrew, Pp. 145–152; English Summary, Pp. 92*–93*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
An Umayyad-Period Aqueduct For The Irrigation Of Farmland South Of Ramla (Hebrew, Pp. 145–152; English Summary, Pp. 92*–93*), Oren Shmueli
'Atiqot
A 150 m long section of an aqueduct was exposed approximately 100 m south of Ramla. The aqueduct is U-shaped, with three layers of plaster and traces of travertine. One covering stone was preserved in situ. Within the plaster mixture lining the aqueduct were sherds of Gaza-type jars, dating to the sixth–seventh centuries CE. Pottery vessels from the fill inside the aqueduct were attributed mostly to its final phase of use, during the eighth century CE. The excavated section appears to have been part of the aqueduct’s water conduit system, built at the beginning of the Umayyad period. It may …
Remains Of A Glass Industry And Glass Finds From Ḥorbat Biz‘A (Pp. 49*–62*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Remains Of A Glass Industry And Glass Finds From Ḥorbat Biz‘A (Pp. 49*–62*), Yael Gorin-Rosen
'Atiqot
A salvage excavation at Ḥorbat Biz‘a yielded the remains of a glass industry and large quantities of glass finds, dating from the Early Roman–Byzantine periods. This report illuminates the large-scale glass activity that once characterized the region. The glass-industry remains were attributed to two production stages, primary and secondary, as attested by the glazed mudbricks, raw-glass chunks, glass drops and blowing wasters (moils). The variety of vessel types, as well as the quality of their fabrics and workmanship, point to them being a branch of the local economy.
The Pottery From Ḥorbat Biz‘A (Pp. 33*–47*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Pottery From Ḥorbat Biz‘A (Pp. 33*–47*), Peter Gendelman
'Atiqot
A salvage excavation on the outskirts of Ḥorbat Biz‘a uncovered a large quantity of pottery from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The pottery was ascribed to three well-dated ceramic assemblages, in correlation with the stratigraphy at the site: first–early second centuries CE; Late Roman period (late third–fourth centuries CE); and Byzantine period (until the late sixth–seventh centuries CE). All three assemblages present a small number of fine tableware and cooking wares, and a large quantity of storage vessels, pointing to the industrial nature of the site.
The Industrial Area Of Ḥorbat Biz‘A In The Roman And Byzantine Periods (With A Contribution By Donald T. Ariel) (Hebrew, Pp. 113–122; English Summary, P. 89*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Industrial Area Of Ḥorbat Biz‘A In The Roman And Byzantine Periods (With A Contribution By Donald T. Ariel) (Hebrew, Pp. 113–122; English Summary, P. 89*), Uzi ‘Ad
'Atiqot
On the western slopes of Ḥorbat Biz‘a, three areas (A–C) were excavated, uncovering architectural remains and fills dating to three phases, from the Early Roman period to the end of the Byzantine–beginning of the Umayyad periods. In Area A, the remains of a finely-constructed wall from the Early Roman period were revealed, possibly belonging to a mausoleum. From the Late Roman period, working surfaces of tamped earth and a square plastered installation were discovered, as well as the remains of a building. A large refuse pit, dating to the end of the Byzantine–beginning of the Umayyad periods, yielded fragments of …
A Stone Seal From The Alone Abba Oil Press (Hebrew, Pp. 83–85; English Summary, P. 87),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
A Stone Seal From The Alone Abba Oil Press (Hebrew, Pp. 83–85; English Summary, P. 87), David Amit
'Atiqot
A rectangular stone seal, made of soft limestone, was found during excavations in the Alone Abba oil press. A rectangular double frame delimits the design on the face of the seal, a rendering of a dove with an olive branch. This motif indicates a connection between the seal and the oil press, representing the olive oil produced in the oil press. As the seal was found in a pre-Christian context, it was almost certainly Jewish.
Ashqelon (Al-Nabi Hussein): Evidence For The Burial Of Jews, Christians And Pagans In A Late Roman-Period Burial Ground (Hebrew, Pp. 87–111; English Summary, P. 88*),
2025
Israel Antiquities Authority
Ashqelon (Al-Nabi Hussein): Evidence For The Burial Of Jews, Christians And Pagans In A Late Roman-Period Burial Ground (Hebrew, Pp. 87–111; English Summary, P. 88*), Shlomo Kol-Ya’Akov, Yoav Farhi
'Atiqot
At the al-Nabi Hussein site in Ashqelon, three areas were excavated (A–C), exposing four tombs and a pit. One square tomb in Area A comprised two burial chambers, each containing a primary-burial skeleton. The meager finds included pottery, a glass bottle and metal objects. Two additional tombs (I, II) and a plastered pit were exposed in Area B. Tomb I was the richest in finds, including pottery vessels and oil lamps, glass and carnelian artifacts, metal objects and three fourth-century CE coins. The pit was plastered, its floor made of marble slabs with a pottery vessel in its center. It …
