UCCAW&lTII(0)N~ M TEL DALIT

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RAM GOPHNA

RAMOT PUBLISHING - TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

EXCAVATIONS AT TEL DALIT An Early Bronze Age Walled Town

in Central Israel

By RAM GOPHNA

With the participation of

BRUCE CRESSON

Contributions by

Erich Friedmann, Michal Iron-Lubin , Liora Kolska-Horwitz,

Shlomo Hellwing and Eitan Tchernov, Nili Liphshitz, Rachel Pelta,

Shelley Sadeh and Tsvika Tsuk

ISBN 965-274-225-2

©

All rights Reserved by the Institute of Archaeology

Tel Aviv University

Published by Ramot Publishing House, Tel Aviv University, 1996

CONTENTS

List of Figures (chapters 1-7)

List of Abbreviations

Preface

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1. The Site and its Exploration

1.2. The Site and its Setting

Chapter 2. The Excavations

2.1. The Expedition

2.2. Aims and Methodology

Ram Gophna

Ram Gophna

Bruce C."esson

Chapter 3. Architecture and Stratigraphy Ram Gophna

Bruce Cresson

3.1. Area B

3.2. Area B3

3.3. Area A

3.4. Area C

3.5. The Fortification Wall

3.6 . Discussion Ram Gophna

Chapter 4.

3.6.1. The Layout of the Fortified Site

3.6.2. The Fortification System

3.6.3. Domestic Architecture

3.6.4. The End of the EB 1I Walled Town

at Tel Dalit and the Final Desertion

of the EB Site

The Pottery Assemblages Ram Gophna

Michal Iron-Lubin

4.1. Pottery of Stratum V (EB Ib), Areas A, B

4.1.1 Conclusions - Pottery of Stratum V (EB Ib)

5

7

9

11

18

21

8 1

3

4.2. Pottery of Strata IV -II (EB II), Areas A, B, C

4.2.1 Pottery from Broadroom 115-152, Area B,

Stratum II: A Quantitative Analysis

4.2.2 Conclusions - Pottery of Strata IV -II (EB II)

4.3. Pottery of Stratum I, Area B3

4.4. Pottery Coated with Bitumen

Chapter 5. The Flint Assemblages Erich Friedmann 135

Chapter 6. Small Finds Shelley Sadeh 143

6.1. Cylinder Seals/Beads

6.2. Animal Figurines

6.3. A Bed-Model

6.4. A Macehead

6.5. Stone Rings

6.6. Copper Awls

Chapter 7. Summary and Conclusions Ram Gophna 153

References 163

Special Reports

Chapter 8. A Potter's Wheel Rachel Pelta 171

Chapter 9. Analysis of Botanical Remains Nili Liphschitz 186

Chapter 10. Pattems of Animal Exploitation Liora Kolska-Horwitz

Shlomo Hellwing

Eitan Tchernov 193

Chapter 11. A Note on the Water Supply Tsvika Tsuk 217

4

LIST OF FIGURES (Chapters 1-7)

1. Tel Dalit: General View. Looking South. 2. Tel Dalit: General View. Looking East. 3. Tel Dalil: General Plan: Contours and Excavation Areas. 4. Major EB Sites in Central Israel. 5 . Area B. Looking East (1980). 6. Wall, Postern and Tumulus 2, Looking North. 7. Area B. St. V: Fill on Bedrock. 8. Area B. St. IV, Plan. 9. Area B. End of Excavation, Looking East. 10. Area B. Fortification Wall, Looking Southeast. 11. Area B. Fortification Wall and Postern, Looking North. 12. Area B. Plan of St. III. 13. Area B. St. III, L. 309: "The Curvilinear Building". 14. Area B. St. III, L. 307: Floor. 15. Broadroom 115-152 (1978), Looking East. 16. Area B. Plan of St. lIb. 17. Area B. Plan of St. lIa. 18. Area B. St. lIb, L. 154: Floor, Looking South. 19. Area B. St. lib, L. 152: Floor (Antler of Fallow Deer). 20. Area B. St. I1a, L. 115: Floor. 21. Area B. St. IIa , L. 155: Silo. 22. Area B. Section 1-1. 23. Area B3. 24. Area B3. "Tumulus 2", St. I, Sq. TIl, L. 410, 411. 25. Area B3. "Tumulus 2", St. I, Sq. TIO, L. 412, 415. 26. Area B3. "Tumulus 2", St. I, Sq. TIO, Looking East. 27. Area B3. Sq. T9, St. I-V, Looking North. 28. Area B3. L. 418. 29. Area A. General Plan. 30. Area A. Looking North (1980). 31. Area A. St. V, L. 33: Curved Wall Under Fortification Wall ,

Looking Northeast. 32. Area A. Fortification Wall, Looking South. 33. Area A. L. 15: Entrance to Settlement ("The Gate Area"). 34. Area A. L. 28: Broadroom, Looking Southwest. 35. Area A. Sq. D-E32, L. 63, 68, 71: Pillar Base and Flagstone,

Looking North. 36. Area A. L. 55: W710, W716, W718, Looking North. 37. Area C2. General Plan. 38. Area C2. L. 602, 603. 39. Pottery of Stratum V, Area A.

5

40. Pottery of Stratum V, Area A. 41. Pottery of Stratum V, Area A. 42. Pottery of Stratum V, Area A. 43. Pottery of Stratum V, Area B. 44. Body Sherds of Jars Coated with Lime Wash and Decorated with

Red Stripes. SI. V. 45 . Pottery of Stratum V, Area B3, L. 42l. 46. Pottery of Stratum IV, Area B. 47. Pottery of Stratum III, Area B. 48. Pottery of Strata II, Area B. 49 . Pottery of Stratum II , Area B3. 50. Metallic Ware Platters. Areas A-B, SI. II. 51. Pottery of Area B. The Alleyway. 52 . Pottery of Stratum II. Area A. 53. Unstratified EB /l Pottery of Area A. 54 . Pottery of Stratum [I. Area C. 55. Pottery of Stratum II. Area C. 56 . Area B. Various Finds from Broadroom 115-152. 57 . Area C. Jars . 58. Area C. SI. II, Jar with Pillar Handle. 59. Area C. Holemouth Jar. 60 . Area C. Holemouth Jar. 6 1. Area B. SI. /l a, Chalice. 62. Area B. SI. II , Juglel. 63. Area C. Pithos. 64 . Area B. SI. II , the Broadroom 115-152 Assemblage 65. Pottery from Stratum I. Area B3. 66. Early Bronze III Pottery From Surv.ey (1975). 67. Flint Implements. 68. Flint Implements. 69 . Small Finds. Strata IV-II. 70 . Unstratified Objects. Area A. 71. Bone Cylinder Seals/Beads 72. Animal Figurine. 73. Bed-M odel. 74. Chalcol ithic and EB Sites in the Lower Yarkon-Ayalon Drainage

Ba in . 75 . Abandoned EB II Walled Towns

Tel Dalit. The ] 979 Expedition

Tel Dal il. Aerial photograph - to south (Back cover) (courtesy of Ofek Ltd. )

6

ADA]

BASOR

EI

IE]

LAM

NEAEHL

PEP QSI.

PEQ

RB

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

Eretz- Israel

Israel Exploration Journal

Liverpool Annals of Archaeology and Anthropology

The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in

the Holy Land (1993)

Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly Statement

Palestine Exploration Quarterly; continuation of PEF QSt.

Revue Biblique

7

PREFACE

The excavations at Tel Dalit (1978-1 980) were only a brief

episode of research into a one-period site in central Israel. Unfortunately,

work at the site was terminated before many of the questions raised

during the process of excavation could be clarified, and before a

satisfactory understanding of the history of EB settlement there could be

formed . Most of the areas were barely touched. Nonetheless, as there is

little chance of a renewal of excavations at Tel Dalit in the foreseeable

future, we hope that this brief excavation report will contribute, however

modestly, to our knowledge of the settlement history of the Coastal Plain

of Israel during the Early Bronze Age.

I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to my colleague Prof.

Moshe Kochavi, for many years the director of the Institute of

Archaeology of Tel Aviv University, who, together with me, initiated the

excavation, then made ava ilable to us the facilities of the Aphek

Expedition camp, and even suggested the Hebrew name of the site. Many

thanks to Prof. Bruce Cresson, my co-director throughout our successful

cooperat ion, who provided the financial means through Baylor

University, Texas, without wh ich the excavations could not have taken

place. I also thank Prof. Pirhiya Beck for her kind permission to use the

unpubl ished report on the EB ceramics from Tel Aphek. Special thanks

to Dr. Shelley Sadeh for the English editing, and to Dr. Elliot Braun for

reading the manuscript and offering valuable comments and

observations. Further thanks to Michal Iron-Lubin and Michal Ron who

participated in the processing of the finds, and the technical staff of the

Inst itute of Archaeology: Noami Nadav, Yoseph Kapelyan, Rodicha

Pinchas, Judith Dekel , Ora Paran and Neta Halperin. Warm thanks to my

son Uri for his ass istance in preparing the manuscript fo r print. Aya Darel

of Ramot Publishing helped bring this book to print.

Ram Gophna, Tel Aviv University

August, 1996.

9

empty page

Chapter 1.

INTRODUCTION RAM GOPHNA

1.1 The Site and its Exploration

Tel Daiit (Khirbet Ras ed-Daliya or Ras el-Aqra [Reshumot - Yalqut

ha-Pirsumim No . 1583 (1969) p. 746] - map ref. 147311537) is s ituated

atop a limestone hill which rises to an elevation of 164 m. above sea level,

on the eastern edge of the all uvial plain of the Nahal Ayalon basin. The

general appearance of the site is tri angular, the steep northern slope is

marked by the construction of several agricultural terraces (see Figs . 1-3).

This 40 dunam (4 hectare) s ite is located on the border between the

coastaj plain and the central hill country, at the northernmost ex tension of

the Judean Shephelah. In modern geographical references, Tel Dalit is

located about 20 km. (12 mil es) east-southeast of Tel-Aviv, 6 km . (2.5

mil es) east of Ben Gurion airport. The neares t settlement is Beit

Nehemiah, 1.5 km. (1 mile) west of the si te . The Arabic name Ras ed­

Daliya may suggest a tradition of vini -culture at some point in its history .

Today the hill is characterized by rocky outcrops and covered w ith

sparse, scrubby vegetat ion.

In 1967 Ram Gophna and Yosef Porat identified Tel Dalit as a one­

period si te of the Early Bronze Age. In 1975 Gophna explored the

sur face of the s it e and its surroundings when ev iden ce of a s tone

fo rtifi cation wall around the s ite was noted, and a path along the western

edge of the mound leading up to a saddle-like depress ion at the

northwestern edge of the tell. On the surface of the site itself seven large

mounds of stones were observed, round or elongated . Similar sto ne

mounds comprising the ruins of large buildings characterize other EB

s ites in the hill country such as Ai (et-Tell) (see Fig. 3). These stone

mounds are termed "tumuli " in this report. In addition to the predominant

EB pottery, a scattering of Pers ian-He ll enis tic and Roman-Byzan tine

sherds were found at Tel Dalit, probably indicative of agricultural acti vity

at the site in these later periods.

11

Fig. 1. Tel Dalit. General View, Looking South .

12

Fig. 2. Tel Dalit. General View, Looking East.

13

Fig. 3. Tel Datil. General Plan - Contours and Excavation Areas

The excavations at Tel Dalit were undertaken as part of a Tel Aviv

University Institute of Archaeology regional project during the 1970s

and 1980s aimed at investigating the archaeological history of the basin

of the Ayalon and Yarkon Rivers (Central Coastal Plain). This project

14

included excavati on of the si tes of Aphek (1972-1985) , Izbeth Sarta

(1976-1978), Tel Gerisa (1981-1995) and a survey (1972-1979) of the

"Rosh Ha-ayin" and "Lod" maps (1 :20,000; Maps 78, 80) (Kochavi and

Beit-Arieh 1994; Gophna and Beit-Arieh, forthcoming). Within the

framework of this regional project, the Tel Dalit excavations set out to

investigate one period of settlement in this region, i.e ., the Early Bronze

Age. Tel Dalit is one of a large number of fortified EB sites in Israel

which were not resettled in the following Middle Bronze Age. It is also

the most impress ive among a series of EB si tes known to date on or near

the edge of the central hill country, within the Ayalon-Yarkon drainage

system, which lie between the major EB-MB s ites of Aphek to the north

and Gezer to the south (Gophna 1984) (see Fig. 4; Chap. 7).

1.2 The Site and its Physical Setting

Tel Dalit is located in the Mediterranean zone, at the northwestern

tip of the Judean Shephelah, between Nahal Natuf and Nahal Beit Arif

water courses which join to form a small valley of ca. 2 sq. km ., about

1.5 km. northwest of Tel Dalit. Immediately to the north of the tell lies

one of the main tributaries of Nahal Beit Arif. There is a clear view from

the tell to the Lod Valley in the west.

The northern part of the Shephelah is characterized by Turonian

hard limestone, as opposed to Senonian-Eocenian soft chalk typical of its

southern extensions (Livnat 1971 :39), and forms a karstic landscape

known as the Bi'na Formation. It is generally unfavourable to sedentary

occupation, as the excavation of water cisterns presents a major difficulty.

However, "pockets" of soft chalk (of the 'Ain Setim Formation) are

widespread around the tell (and perhaps beneath the ruins of the Early

Bronze buildings), which probably facilitated the excavation of

unplastered water cisterns (see Chap. 11).

15

..... , . ' .

I "

16

o

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....

· .• f? N .. ~

:: . ,::. " ..

", '"

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. .... . .

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........•.. .. ; ..

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',:

. ,, ',:., "

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. ',-.•. . ? .

';.'

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.'.

Fig. 4. Major EB Sites in Central Israel.

;. : .....

. ...

:': .

' .. ',,', .

. ; . . . '.

The morphology of the northern part of the Shephelah consists of

elongated ridges oriented east-west that slope moderately westward

towards the coastal plain. The dry river beds (wadis) have steep slopes,

becoming narrower and more winding towards the east, forcing the roads

from the coastal plain to the hills to follow the ridges. Tel Dalit is situated

on one of these ridges on the road between Beit Nehemiah and the village

of Qibia.

This region receives a mean annual precipitation of 570 mm . The

mean minimal temperatures vary between 200C in August and 70C In

January, and the mean maximal temperatures vary between 31.90C in

August and l8.20C in January (Israel Meteorological Service).

The present day vegetation of the area is secondary, following the

prolonged impact of man on the environment. The region is

characterized by a Carob-Lentisk association , the trees widely dispersed

with large patches of batha and foxtail shrubs between, and by man-made

forests, mainly of Aleppo pine (Waisel 1984). Archaeobotanical research

indicates that the vegetation which dominated the Shephelah prior to

man's interference was a Kermes Oak-Terebinth association (Liphschitz

and Biger 1990) (see Chap. 9).

There is not a single natural perennial water source in the

immediate environs of the tell. The closest is the small seasonal spring of

En Natuf, situated about 4 km. southeast of Tel Dalit (see Finkelstein

[1993:19] concerning the average distance between a settlement and its

spring in the hill region: 3.3 kms., which he describes as a relatively long

distance) . Although the greater humidity in antiquity would have

produced a water table slightly higher than that of the present day at ca.

20 m. above sea level, it is doubtful if the EB inhabitants of the tell had

the means to reach it (but see Chap. 11).

Cisterns (both those so far identified within the confines of the site,

and others which must be assumed), could have served as intramural

reservoirs (see in detail: Chap. 11).

17

Chapter 2.

THE EXCAVATIONS RAM GOPHNA AND BRUCE CRESSON

2.1 The Expedition

Excavations took place during three four-week seasons: May-June

1978, 1979, 1980, sponsored by the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv

University, and the Institute of Archaeology of Baylor University, Waco,

Texas, and financially supported by Baylor University. The total area

which was excavated reached ca. 725 sq. m. The directors were Ram

Gophna of Tel Aviv University (field director) and Bruce Cresson of

Baylor University. Area supervisors were Lynn Tatum (Area A), Jay

Below (Area B), and in the third season Naomi Toyster (Areas A and C).

The surveyor was Amir Toyster, while Bruce Cresson and Avraham Hal

photographed for the expedition. The administrator was Sh lomo Frank.

Pottery was drawn by Judith Arnold and Yoseph Kapelyan, and maps and

plans were prepared by Ora Paran and Judith DekeL Volunteers from the

US included Joanne Cresson and Bruce Cresson Jr., students of Baylor

University, and an additional 20-25 volunteers in each season. The first

drafts of Chapters 1-3 (Introduction, The Excavations, Architecture and

Stratigraphy) were written in July 1981 by Gophna Cresson, and

updated, revised and reassessed by Gophna prior to publication. All

material was processed during 1992-1995 with the assistance of Michal

Iron-Lubin, Shelley Sadeh and Michal Ron, funded by a grant from The

Israel Science Foundation, administered by The Israel Academy of

Sciences and Humanities (within the research project: "Processes of

Urbanization in Lod Valley during the Early Bronze Age").

18

2.2 Aims and Methodology

II was originally assumed that three brief seasons would provide

enough evidence to reconstruct the occupational history of the site during

the Early Bronze Age, The specific goals of the three-season excavation

were:

1) to establish the stratigraphy of the tell,

2) to investigate the fortification system, especially the segment where a

entryway was assumed to lie,

3) to study domestic architecture.

4) to investigate the composition of the stone mounds (tumuli) on the

summit of the tell and to assign them to their proper stratigraphic

context.

Difficulties in the excavation were obvious from the beginning. Tel

Dalit, immediately to the west of the "Green Line" (the Israeli-Jordanian

West Bank Armstice line from 1949-1967) had been subjected to

extensive military trenching, creating major disturbances to the

stratigraphic integrity of the tell. At the conclusion of the third season

certain stratigraphic problems remained unsolved (especially in Area A),

the lower terraces in the eastern par! of the lell (Area C) had only begun

to be explored, and the drawing of sections in various areas of the

excavations had nOl been completed, It was thought that these problems

would be rectified by a fourth small-scale season at the site,

Unfortunately, in 1980 the tell was included within a closed military area,

and access to the site for further excavation was not permitted,

Some areas of the site are bedrock outcrops (especially in the

centre of the site, eastwards towards the entrance in the northwest, and in

the southwest). Excavation areas were chosen according to two main

considerations: the hypothesized existence of ancient debris, and

proximity 10 the line of the fortification waJ I and the supposed main

entrance to the site,

The excavations were based on 5 m. grid squares, according to the

methodology and procedures of recording and registration used in the

excavations at Tel Aphek (Kochavi and Beck forthcoming). In addition,

19

at Datil all excavated fills were sieved through a 2 mm. mesh. An

attempt to isolate seeds by flotation yielded negligable results.

In general, a multi-disciplinary, environmental/archaeological

approach was applied at Tel Dali! so as to allow for reconstruction of the

geographical and cultural setting. In the first season Areas A1 and

A2 in the northwest part of the tell were opened, while excavation of Area

began in the south. In the second season Area B2 was opened, and in

the third season work commenced in Area B3 (with Tumulus 2). Toward

the end of the third season two small probes (25 sq. m. each) were

opened on two terraces in the eastern parI of the tell, designated Area C.

A survey of the entire surface of the tell area was conducted by the

directors in an attempt to locate cemeteries associated with the site.

Although the slopes of the tell could have been used for such a purpose,

no definite evidence was discerned.

20

Chapter 3.

ARCHITECTURE AND STRATIGRAPHY RAM GOPHNA AND BRUCE CRESSON

3.1 Area B

The excavation undertaken at the southern end of Tel Dalit (Area

B) (Figs. 3; 5-6; 22) proved to be the most fruitful, in both architectural

and ceramic remains, and presents the clearest picture of the stratigraphy

of the site. This part of the excavation was the scene of active excavation

during all three seasons, encompassing 11 squares totalling ca . 275 sq. m.

in area.

In the course of the three digging seasons, Area B was broadened,

and sub-divided into Areas Bl, B2 and B3. However, at the time of

processing the finds for the final report, the sub-areas Bl and B2 were

combined.

A summary of the stratigraphy of Area B may be presented as

follows:

Stratum I - Structural remains in Tumulus (2) (no surviving floors). EB III.

Stratum Ila - Later floor and associated features of Broadroom 115-152.

EBII.

Stratum llb - Early floor and associated features of Broadroom 115-152.

EBII.

Stratum III - Curvilinear building with floor and associated features. EB II.

Stratum IV - Sporadic and much disturbed architectural remains lying

above a fill which was laid to level the area prior to the erection of the

walled town . The architectural elements of this stratum are generally

parallel or perpendicular to the town wall. EB II.

Stralllm V alld "Pre-Stratum V" - Evidence of the earliest known

occupation of the site. In Area B this stratum is without architectural

features except for a levelled fill with architectural remains on bedrock in

Area B3. EB la-b.

21

Fig. 5. Area B. Looking East (1980) .

22

Stratum V

Bedrock was reached In probes of lim ited size In Squares T-6

(4x2 .5 m. ), U-6 (lx2 m.), U-5 (4x2.5 m.), in a trench along the

founda tion of the town wall (W801) in Squares T-4 , U-4, and in Square

T-9 (lx1 m.) (P lan-grid lA) (Loci 350, 353, 360, 362, 367, 370, 372) .

The earliest evidence of human occupation at Tel Dalit in Area B

was recovered from artifact-bear ing debris lying on the uneven bedrock.

Wherever depressions in the bedrock were encountered (outside Tumulus

2 area) an exam ination of the material which filled these depressions led

to the conclusion that there was a deliberate levelling of the site prior to,

and probably in preparation fo r, the erection of the walled town above

this compacted debris. The fill nature of this material is evidenced by the

heavy encrustation on some of the pottery (Fig. 7).

The pottery sam pling here is sufficient to support the conclusion

that there was a se ttl ement which preceded the erection of the fo rti fied

town.

On ly in Area B3 were architectural remains uncovered that could

be ass igned to Stratum V, and even "Pre-Stratum V" (see below Area B3).

Stratum IV

The earliest fortified town at Tel Dalit was erected on the debris of

the Stratum V occupation (Figs . 8-9). The f irst major fea ture of the

Stratum IV town to be noted was the substantial fortification wall. This

fort ificat ion wall (W801) (Figs. 10-11) was exposed in Area B on the

steep s lope just below the southern tip of the tell surface for a distance of

10m. (in Squares T4 , T5 , U4, US). It proceeds in an eas t-west directi on

with a slight northward curve to the west. Its foundation is at an elevation

of 4 .44 m. below point zero of the excavation, and it was preserved to

elevation 2.85 m. Its found ations rest on a thin layer of fill described

above (S tratum V). The foundations, ca . 4 m. wide, consist of "cyclopean"

stones laid directly upon the fill of Stratum V (see above) (Loc. 390).

23

Fig. 6. Wall, Postern and "Tumulus 2", Looking North.

24

Fig. 7. Area B. SI. V: Fill on Bedrock.

25

6

5

26

.... . ...

o

-. .... ,

....

....

T

I '10 Df /0

\ '0

~o

. ... .....

. ....

2m

T

334 340

. ... .....

3.11

.... ..... . . ............. .

Fig, 8, Area B, St. IV, Plan,

u

6

.--

5

u

Fig. 9. Area B. End of Excavation, Looking East.

27

28

,~ .. ,. r .;"

• • 1 • . ,,~ , . " !

i. ! , ,

, .,

f\ .. ,

: ; 1 ,· t " . • ,. I

, I ,

,

, ', .' ; •

Fig, 10. Area B. Fortification Wall , Looking Southeast.

,

The inner face of the wall is built of what may be described as

semi-dressed stones, creating a relatively smooth face. The core of the

wall was constructed of fieldstones. A fill leveling the slope was laid

against the inner face of the town wall in preparation for construction of

the new town.

Near the western baulk of Squares U4 and U5 a postern gate was

uncovered (Fig. 11), blocked on its southern outer side by a single row of

stones ris ing two courses above the floor of the entrance. The earliest

floor level of the passageway through the postern gate lies at 3.94 m.

below zero point (Lac. 331).

Dressed blocks in the lower courses of the postern gate and semi­

dressed stones in both faces of the postern walls provide evidence that it

was an integral part of the original construction of the wall. The width of

the entrance when excavated telescoped from 0.60 m. at the inner face of

the town wall to 0 .25 m. at its outer face, the result of erosion or even

earthquakes subsequent to the desertion of the EB town.

To the north of the town wall there are only sporadic architectural

remains founded on the fill leveling the undulating bedrock which rises

gradually towards the north (Loci 334, 340). The floor level associated

with this stratum lies between 3.75 and 3.50 In. below zero point , Sqs. T6-

U6.

The surviving walls of Stratum IV were generally built parallel or

perpendicular to the town wall. As with all building remains on the site,

only the stone foundations are preserved. It is most probable that above

the stone foundations the walls were constructed of sun-dried mudbrick,

as at most other EB sites in the hi ll country. However, no mudbrick walls

were found in the Tel Dalit excavations. The surviving Stratum IV walls

are as follows:

1. W815 - built against the town wall , perhaps a bench of a dwelling

rather than a wall of a building. It was found standing two courses high

(22 cm.) (Lac. 313, Sq. T5).

2. W816 - lying upon W815 and perpendicular to it. It consists of only

one course (Lac. 337, Sq. T5).

29

Fig. 11. Area B. Fortification Wall and Postern, Looking North.

30

3. W812 - parallel to W816 some 4.5 m. to the east. The western face of

W812 extends to the north in line with the eastern face of the postern

gate. This is a substantial wall 0.85 m. wide, faced with sem i-dressed

stones, with a core of small pebbles. It continued in use through Strata IV,

III , and lIb. It was found standing 50-60 cm. above the levelling fi ll on

which it was fou nded (Loc. 309, Sq. US).

4. W817 - parallel to the town wall and 3 m. north of it. Only its northern

face is partially preserved.

5. W818 - not clearly associated with any of the proposed strata of Area

B, and is, w ith some hesitation, ass igned to Stratum IV. It is a substantial

and well-built wa ll founded on the levelling f ill laid down prior to the

construction of the fortified settl emen t at Tel Dalil. It is of the same

construction as the other walls of Stratum IV - two rows of large, semi ­

dressed stones with a core of small pebbles, and it is to be noted that this

method of construction is different from that of the later strata. The

orientation of this wall is different from that of other walls in all strata in

Area B. It is clear that the floors of Stratum II cover the wall .

Stratum III (Figs. 12-14)

A curvilinear building is the distinguishing architectural feature of

Stratum III. The per imeter walls of this structure are W805 and W803.

Wall W814 formed the southern end of the house, leaving a 1.5 - 2 m.

all eyway (Loc. 318) separating it from the town wa ll (W801). W814 was

not as well preserved as the other walls of the structure, surviving only one

to three courses in height. All of the walls were constructed of sem i­

dressed stones and are 60-70 cm. in width.

One of the entrances to the curvilinear structure is on the south , in

line with W812 and the postern gate in the town wall. The only remaining

features ins ide the ho use are a flagstone platform in the northwestern

corner and a pillar base in the center. The dimensions of the excavated

portion of the structure are lOx6 m.

31

T

-I-

5

4

o 2m

T

B Plan of St. III. Fig. 12. Area .

32

u

u

I I

I I I I I

6

5

4

Fig. 13. Area B. St. III, L. 309: "The Curvilinear Building".

33

Fig. 14. Area B. St. III, L. 307: Floor.

34

The preserved floor level is at an eleva tion of 3.40-3.50 m. below zero

point. A limited area of the floor was excavated: 4x4 m. in Sq. T6 and a

small portion (2x1 .8 m.) in Sq. U6 (Loci 306, 307; Fig. 14), and thus the

artifacts from this stratum are meager. The possibility is recognized that

this curv ilinear structure ex tended to the north along the lines of W803

and W805, excavated in Sqs. T7 and U7 in a later stratum.

Stratum II (Figs. 5; 15-17).

Two phases, lIa and lIb , were observed in Stratum II. A sunken

broadroom (Broadroo m 115-152), is the most prominent feature of

Stratum II. The st ructure is basically rectangular, 10x5 m., with an

entrance in the long southern wall. Two features of this building are

noteworthy:

1. It lacks benches against the interior wa lls, as are very common in

broadroom buildings of this period (see e.g. Area A) .

2. Three corners are angular, the fourth is rounded . This last fea ture is a

remn ant of the former curvilinear building th at confo rmed to the

orientat ion of the town wall. These feat ures were constant throughout the

two phases of Stratum II.

35

Fig. 15 . Broadroom 115-152 (1978), Looking East.

36

T U

155

152 ~ "I' 6

5

4

o 2m

T u ___ -----'-_ B Plan of St. lIb . Fig. 16. Area .

37

5 5

o 1m

T B Plan of SI. IIa. Fig. 17. Area . u

38

Stratum II, Phase b (Figs. 16; 18-19)

Stratum II, Phase b (lIb) is the stratigraphical enumeration assigned

to the earliest phase of the broadroom of Area B. The perimeter walls of

this structure were WS04 on the north, WS05 on the west , WS02 on the

south, WS03 on the east. WS03 and WS05 were reused from Stratum III,

and there is evidence of repair to WS03. WS02 was a completely new

construction and was provided with a deep, stable foundation. This wall,

cutting off the "apse" of the Stratum III building, transformed the

structure into a completely rectangular broadroom. In the western portion

of the structure (Sq. T6) , is a narrow but well -built partition wall (WSll).

It abuts WS04, and extends to the south, with a slight westward angle, to

within 50 cm. of WS02. Preserved to a height of 50 cm., the wall was

well-founded, having been cut into the earlier stratum (III) . The western

face of the wall exhibits a dressed surface while the eastern face is rather

crude and uneven. In the northwestern corner of the room is a semi­

circular enclosure or "closet" formed by Wall WS13 (Fig. IS). This wall

consists of a double row of stones, two courses in heigh t. To the east of

WSll is a well-built entrance in the southern wall, with a well-demarcated

threshold. The elevated entrance required a step down to the floor some

30 cm . below. In the northeast corner, in the northern wall, there is a

second entrance to the structure. WS04 (the northern wall) is poorly

preserved at this point.

The floor of the broad room of Stratum lIb was excavated only in

Square T6 (4x4), and in a small probe in Sq . U6. It is, however, well­

preserved and produced an interesting array of artifacts. Primarily

represented in Loci 152, 204, and 205 , this thick floor , perceptibly

sloping from north to south, suggests a long period of usage with

continual accumulation and compaction that gradually raised the earthen

floor level.

39

40

..: ,~ .,

\ ,\ .,' . ,'ttl;' "

,~ ,,' ( . " '

€ .,,' I" , . \ . : . .ii '

\ , ~

Fig. 18. Area B. St. lIb, L. 154: Floor, Looking South.

W812 is located in the 2 - 3 m. wide alleyway to the south of the

broad room which separated it from the town wall (W8DI). This wall is

parallel to the eastern edge of the entrance in W8D2. W812, originating in

StratalV -III, was partially reused in Stratum II, but was extended to abut

W8D2 . At its other end W812 abuts the town wall (W8DI) immediately

adjacent to the postern gate, which evidently continued in use in Stratum

lib.

The alleyway was apparently the recipient of debris from the

broadroom and adjacent structures. Much unstratified pottery with heavy

encrustation as well as a heavy accumulation of animal bones were found

here. No floors were uncovered.

The artifact assemblage from the western quadrant of the

broadroom floor suggests domestic use. A nearly-intact antler of a fallow

deer was found lying on the floor at the foot of W811 (Fig. 19). Nearby

were fragments of holemouth jars and a juglet, while to the south and at a

slightly lower elevation was a basalt disc or wheel with clearly-defined

wear patterns on its flattened surface, suggesting identification as a

potter's wheel (see Chap. 8). There were also several hammerstones

associated with this assemblage.

Stratum II Phase a (Figs. 17; 20-21)

The broadroom in its later phase contained a well-preserved floor

with associated installations. This, together with adjacent and related

features and buildings, has been designated Stratum IIa. This stratum was

very likely the last settlement at Tel Dalit utilizing the fortification

wall . The postern gate was apparently blocked up by this time. Evidence

for this includes:

1. The southern entrance to the broadroom was not in use at this time.

2. The alley separating the broadroom wall W8D2 from the town wall

W8DI was filled with debris to a level higher than the floor of the postern.

3. The relative levels of the postern floor and the living surfaces

throughout Stratum IIa in Area B mitigate against contemporary usage.

41

Fig. 19. Area B. St. lIb, L. 152: Floor (Antler of Fallow Deer).

42

Fig. 20. Area B. St. IIa , L. 115: Floor.

43

"

, ,

;

',"

.. '

.... , . ~

. ,

~ , '( . "

. ,

Fig, 21. Area B. SI. IIa, L. 155: Silo,

44

An open area or alleyway 2 - 3 m. wide separated the broadroom

from the town wall W801 on the south. The perimeter walls of this

building (on the south- W802, on the east- W803, on the north- W804,

and on the west- W805 - with a rounded corner to the south) are identical

with those of the broadroom of Stratum lib and are quite well-preserved

at the foundation level except for a 4 m. section at the eastern end of

W804.

No entrance to this house was found in Stratum lIa. It probably lay

at a higher elevation than that to which the walls are presently preserved.

The floor level of Stratum lIa (2.60-2.80 m.) is only slightly below the

top elevation of the remaining walls (2.40 - 2.83 m.).

The floor area of the broadroom (elev. 2.60-2.80 m.) was exposed

across Sqs. T6 and U6, although portions of the perimeter walls reach

into T5, US and S6. The floor was of beaten earth and fairly well­

preserved. Associated with it was a significant ceramic assemblage,

including partially-restorable storage jars and holemouth jars, as well as

an intact chalice and an intact juglet. It should be noted that the floor

slopes slightly but perceptibly from north to south. The interior features

of the broadroom are:

1. A well-built silo in the northeastern corner of the room (Locus 155),

constructed of semi-dressed flagstones. Its base elevation is 3.47 m.; the

highest elevation of its circular perimeter is 2.97 m., its diameter is 0.9 m.

(Fig. 21)

2. An installation in the center of the broadroom of uncertain nature

(Fig. 15). Two parallel walls, W806 and W807 (which are built above and

follow the orientation of W8ll of Stratum lib) run from southwest to

northeast, as if forming the sides of a parallelogram-shaped structure. The

northern and southern ends of the installation are open, with neither wall

extending as far as W802 or W804. There are pillar bases at each end of

these walls. The area of the installation (Locus 115) produced abundant

pottery sherds as well as many large clumps of burnt mudbrick-like

material.

Excavation in Squares T7 and U7 disclosed a northern continuation

45

of this domestic complex with a clearly identifiable floor and a ceramic

assemblage, partially in situ, similar to that of the broadroom. The

elevation of the floor continued the slightl y upward slope to the north.

Northern extensions of W803 and W805 bound this complex on the east

and west repectively. In Square T7 an interior dividing wall (W808) was

revea led. These rooms seem to have been closed on the north by W809.

Unfortunately, a military trench cuts through the area at this point

making furt her definition of the architecture impossib le. It should be

noted that time and manpower considerations necessitated the cessation of

excavation in these squares at this floor level.

To the north of the military trench cutting through Squares T7, U7,

T8, U8 an excavation was carried out in Square T9 (at the base of

Tumulus 2) during the 1980 season (Area B3 - Fig. 23). Although

architectural features of this square are unconnected with the previously

discussed domestic complex in the southern part of Area B , the

orientation and construction of W810 in Area B3 and a related floor with

pottery in situ suggests the likelihood that these features belong to

Stratum lIa. The floor associated with W810, wh ich extends northward, is

well-built of flagstones (see additional notation on stratification of Square

T9 below).

It is perhaps appropriate to note here that in Area C and Area A

(see below), sim ilar ceramics were found just beneath the present surface

of the tell. These may also be associated with Stratum IIa.

Surface evidence both to the east and the west of the domestic

structures of Area B indicates that this excavation has only sampled part

of a much larger domestic area (Fig 22).

46

z

-I

(j1

Fig. 22. Area B. Section 1-1

47

.3.2 Area B3

Stratum I (Figs. 23-26)

The stone mounds on the surface of the tell (tumuli) were created

by the collapse of structures, whether by decay or willful destruction. It is

reasonable to assume that the mantle of stones covering these ruins

resulted from the clearing of stones from the surrounding level areas for

cultivation in later periods. Since these prominent mounds of debris were

not conducive to easy cultivation, they became the repository for stones

gathered from all over the cultivated area on the tell.

Stratum I, tentatively identified only in the southernmost stone

mound (Tumulus 2), which was partially excavated in the 19BO season,

was quite poorly preserved . Squares TIO, TIl provided the only

indications of this stratum.

There were substantial remains of well-built stone walls (WB2l and

WB22 in Square no, and WB23 and WB24 in Square TIl), but no

surviving floors in either of these squares. Approximate (but speculative)

floor levels may be proposed based on the well-preserved foundation of

WB22 in Square TIO. The Stratum I walls are neither parallel nor

perpendicular to the line of the town wall (WBOI). They were founded on

an undulating fill above bedrock, and survive to an impressive height of

1.25 m., considerably more than earlier architecture at Tel Dalit.

The other stone mounds on the surface of Tel Dalit remain

unexcavated except for the base of Tumulus 1 (see Area A). The

hypothesis is set forth that some of these may contain the rema ins of

similar massive structures, probably erected after the fortification wall

ceased to serve its defensive purpose, and that these may represent the

final occupat ion of Tel Dalit during the EB III (see below).

48

T

1.26

11 I

I. 01.

10

9

1.35 1.95

to 2.62

1.05

o<:}::a \) 2.54

2.86 V

2.68

~

--,-----,

- f-

11 I

-

10

-

9

0 --2 m

T 1 ~----;:::;-:-:nAr~B3 Plan. . 23 Area . FIg. .

49

Fig. 24. Area B3. "Tumulus 2". SI. I, Sq. TIl , L. 410,411.

50

Fig. 25. Area B3. "Tumulus 2". St. I, Sq. no, L 412,415.

51

Fig. 26. Area B3. "Tumulus 2". St. I, Sq. TlO, Looking East.

52

The claim that the building whose ruins were discerned within

Tumulus 2 is the latest architectural feature in Area B is supported by the

following evidence:

1. It stands at a higher elevation than any other structure in the area.

2. It has a different orientation from that of all other structures exposed

in Area B.

3. The walls of this structure were founded on a fill above bedrock which

contained EB II material, while the fill above bedrock beneath the

structures elsewhere in Area B contained only EB I material.

4. The sherds found in the debris of the building fall within the horizon

of EB III (Fig. 65).

The Stratigraphy of Square T9 (Figs. 23; 27-28)

This square, at the base of Tumulus 2, was excavated to bedrock. It

is physically separated from Area B and its stratigraphy of Strata II-V, by

a military trench. However, it is possible to suggest correlations with the

strata discussed in the preceding section.

Square T9 contains four occupation levels. For convenience they

are here designated from upper to lower levels as A,B,C,D. Due to the

small size of exposure, two alternative stratigraphical reconstructions can

be presented (Fig. 27).

Level A

It has already been suggested that WS10 with its similar orientation

to the broadroom complex of Area B and its appearance immediately

beneath the surface should be assigned to Stratum IIa. It is perhaps the

remnant of a third compartment of the Area B complex extending to the

north.

In the uppermost level and clearly associated with WS10 is a well­

preserved flagstone floor at an average elevation of 2.60 m., also assigned

to this stratum (Loc. 405).

53

Fig. 27. Area B3. Sq. T9 . St. I-V, Looking North.

54

Fig. 28. Area B3. L. 418.

55

Level B

Beneath this floor in the northwestern part of the square lies a

fragment of a semi-circular wall , W819, reminiscent of W813 in Area B

Stratum lIb. Leaning against this wall on an adjacent floor surface was a

fragment of an holemouth jar.

Level C

Below W819, under 10 cm. of fill, lay a plaster floor which may be

associated with Stratum III or IV (Loc. 418; Fig. 28).

Level D

Beneath this floor and sealed by it, is another stratum represented

by Wall W820 (Loc. 421). At its southwestern extremity this wall seems to

utilize a protruding and deliberately cut segment of bedrock. Adjacent to

this wall and beneath it is a fill of greyish soil containing pottery sherds

representing a levelling of the irregular bedrock for construction. It is

suggested that these features may represent an architectural feature

belonging to Stratum V.

In summary, one suggestion for stratigraphical correlations of

Square T9 with Area B is as follows:

Level A (including W81O) - Stratum IJa.

Level B (including W819) - Stratum lIb or III

Level C (including lime floor) - Stratum III or IV.

Level D (including W820) - Stratum V.

Following re-examination of the pottery from this square, the

possibility arose that some of these features (except W81O) may be

remnants of "Pre-Stratum V" (i.e. EB Ia,), and that in this area (Square

T9) construction began again only in Stratum IJa, when the complex of

the broadrooms was extended (see below Ch . 7: Summary).

56

3.3 Area A ( Figs. 29-3 7)

Area A, s ituated on the north western part of the lower terrace of the

tell , was excavated in a ll three seasons, a lthough in 1979 onl y a sma ll

probe (i n Squares E36, E37 , F36, F37) was pursued (F ig. 30) . S ixteen

squares (on a S-m . grid), i.e. ca. 400 sq. m., were excava ted in Area A in

contrast to e leven squares in Area B. T he excavat ion in Area A ex tends

between C and F on the east- wes t lin e of the gr id and be tween 30 and 37

on the no rth-so uth li ne. S ince th e occupational debris is much shall ower

in this pa rt of the te ll, and th e s tra ti fica tion poorly -preserved, the work

produced few conc lus ive resu lts co ncerning the occupat ional hi s to ry o f

the northwestern part of the s ite .

The re la ti ve ly poor s tate of preservat ion of the rema ins in this area

may be a ttri bu ted in part to the con tou r of the te ll. This terrace was

subjec ted to erosion fro m wi nter rains much more than Area B in the

south . It is characte ri zed by protrusions of bedrock above the present so il

surface o f the te ll. Pl o ug hing and pl anting of the soi l-covered areas in

later pe r iods like ly di s turbed and des troyed some mate ri al. M il itary

trenching in modern times has further dis turbed the occupat iona l deb ri s,

cont r ibut ing an added d imension to the prob lem of locati ng c lear a nd

undi sturbed s tra ti fica ti on.

Pr ior to excava ti on the main fea tures of th e surface area of Area A

were:

1. The terrace, c irc ling from south to north , which curves sharply to the

east and dro ps dow n the s lope of the tell at a pronounced angle (ca. 40").

2. Thi s terrace li ne is interrupted by a cl ea rly-de fin ed sa ddl e at the

te rm inus of the path w hich c irc les up the sou thern and western s ides of

the hil l.

3. Some 1S-20 m. southwest of the saddle, Tumulus 1 is loca ted.

As the stra tig raph y of Area A is less clear than that of Area B, we

will att e mpt to d iscuss thi s occupational sequence in re lati on to th e

stratigraphica l profile of Area B.

57

: 2S

_1- '&' , 1/ 13

9 11

_L 61 I :«656

~ ~~

m

-'-, 525

506

58

20

-:-

-l-

-,-,

-;-

, -,-

:...... _ _ -"'m

Fig. 30. Area A. Looking North (1980).

59

However, due to the eroded state of the area, the stratigraphical

sequence in the northwestern corner of the mound may not present a

complete history of settlement in the EB period.

Stratum V

In spite of the poor state of the architectural remnants of the

settlement, as noted above, the earliest stratum at Tel Dalit is slightly better

preserved in Area A than in Area B, as is the pottery (no encrustation).

Occupational debris lying just above and in pockets in the bedrock, and

containing sherds of the same early ceramic horizon as Area B Stratum V,

was uncovered at several points: beneath the floor of a later broadroom

(Sq. F36, Loc. 26), in pockets in bedrock in Sq. D32 (Loc. 64), and in

Sq . C30 (Loci 74, 75).

Two architectural features In Area A are to be att ributed to

StratumV:

1) In Sq. E32 at elevation 7.30-7.35 was found a small segment (ca. I x 1

m.) of stone pavement (Loc. 68) which, based on related ceramic

materials, is to be assigned to Stratum V.

2) The most significant architectural feature from Area A attributed to

Stratum V, exposed in Sq . E36 and extending into F37, is a 6 m. long

curved segment of a wall with no surviving floor related to it (W702)

(Loc. 33; Fig. 31). This wall rests upon a fill (Loc. 31) and was cut by the

construction of the fortification wall (W701) built on the slope of the

terrace. This building clearly pre-dates the construction of the town wall.

However, in light of the identification of EB la sherds in Area B, it is

possible that W702 dates to "Pre-Stratum V" , i.e. EB la.

60

Fig. 31. Area A. St. V, L. 33: Curved Wall Under Fortification Wall,

Looking Northeast.

61

Strata IV and III

It appears that between the earliest architectural features and pottery

of Area A (almost certainly to be attributed to Stratum V), and the

remains just beneath the present-day surface of the tell (which is

tentatively dated to Stratum II) , there are only hints of intervening

occupations other than the fortification wall (i.e. Strata IV -Ill).

Stratum IV: The Fortification Wall

The fortification wall uncovered in Area A was most likely first

constructed in Stratum IV, as in Area B. Although no physical

connections between the exposed segments of fortification wall in Areas

A and B were made during the excavations, there is strong circumstantial

evidence of their contemporaneity. The fortification wall (W701) which

cut through W702 of the Stratum V curvilinear building was obviously

later. It was encountered some 3-4 m. from the top of the present-day

terrace slope. A 7 m. long segment of this wall (W701) was exposed in

Squares E37 and F37. The inner face, built of semi-dressed stones, was

preserved to a height of 1 m., while the outer face had eroded away or

was otherwise destroyed. The wall here, in excess of 3 m. in width (Fig.

32), is of similar construction to W80I in Area B, although built of

generally smaller stones.

In the passageway into the town itself (in Squares C-033) at least

two phases of use were discerned. Beneath the later path surface in Square

033 (Loc. 15; Fig. 33), a step had been constructed to raise the entrance

level at this point, by cutting a shallow ledge into the bedrock, and laying

a single row of stones above. There was no indication of the temporal

horizon to which this is to be assigned.

In the southern building flanking the entrance to the town (Sqs. Of

E33-32) (see below) a series of two or three pillar bases was uncovered,

partially superimposed.

62

Fig. 32. Area A. Fortification Wall , Looking South.

63

Fig. 33. Area A. L. 15: Entrance to Settlement ("The Gate Area") .

64

These bases were found in Squares D32 and E32 at elevations 7.13

and 7.57. Patches of a very poorly-preserved plaster-like floor were

encountered at the 7.12-7.16 level , and excavation at this elevation

produced EB sherds mixed with Roman-Byzantine sherds. This floor

probably belongs to the latest (Stratum IIa) town occupation. Near the

lower pillar base there was EB II material above fill which contained EB I

sherds.

Except for the fortification wall (W701) (which in Area B existed

continuously throughout Strata IV-IIa), there is no solid evidence of

occupation in Area A during the intervening period between Stratum IV

and Stratum IIa.

Stratum II

There was considerable but often disturbed evidence of the last

town which existied on this lower western terrace of Tel Dalit during the

Early Bronze Age. It can be assigned with certainty to the horizon of

Stratum II from Area B. Over most of the area in those places where

bedrock does not reach or protrude above the surface , remains of EB

occupation were found - architecture and abundant broken pottery,

occasionally found in situ on floors.

Broadroom A2B

The best preserved remains from this stratum were found in Square

F36 (Loc. 28; Fig. 34), with a small extension into F35, comprising part

of a broadroom complex. Bounded by Walls W703, W704 and W705, all

75 cm . in thickness, this room contained a well-preserved floor just above

bedrock. The walls, themselves founded just above bedrock, survive to a

height of only one or two stone courses. No entrance to the broadroom

was discovered. The width of the room, including walls, was 6 m., the

length was indeterminable since the eastern portion had been destroyed

by military trenching. The perimeter walls had low benches built against

their inner faces.

65

Fig. 34. Area A, L. 28. Broadroom, Looking Southwest.

66

Constructed of small stones one course high, the benches extended

50-70 cm. from the inner face of the walls . The floor of this house was

just below the level of the surface of these benches. In the northwest

corner of the house was a semi-circular wall (W706), creating a "closet"

area similar to those seen in Area B. This wall, which stood one course

high and was 30-35 cm. wide, was composed of a double row of small

stones. Fragmen ts of a holemouth jar were found in situ on the floor of

the room (Loc. 28) . A fragmentary wa ll (W707) extended south from

near the middle of the southern wall of the broadroom for a distance of

about 2 m., at which point it was destroyed. There was a small area (1 x 1

m.) paved with flagstones adjacent to and related to this wal l (Loc. 7) .

The orientation of this domestic complex in relation to the

fortification wall (only 1.8 m. north of the northwest corner of the house)

suggests that while these two features may have been in simul taneous

usage, they were constructed in different strata.

The Western Passageway (" Gate ")

Southwest of this broadroom lay the entrance to this area of Tel

Dalit, and probably the primary entrance to the entire site. The path

ascending the hill ends in a saddle-like depression through the lip of this

northwest terrace, providing the easiest point of access to the tell. The

entrance to the site was exposed in Squares D33 and E33 (Loc. 15; Fig.

32) . Although the excavation did not uncover the rela tionship between

the fortification wall of either Area A or Area B and this entrance - i.e. ,

no structures in the nature of a "gate" complex were exposed, it was

nevertheless concluded that this was indeed the entrance to the site . No

other location could be considered a reasonable candidate for a main

entrance or gate.

The entrance was flanked on the north and south by bui ldings of

parallel orientat ion, of the same general orientat ion as the broadroom of

Square F36 (see above). The bui lding on the south is bounded by Wall

W710 (a longside the entrance), W709 on the west, and W711 on the east.

67

The surviving fragment of W708 may be all that remains of the

northern wall of the building. These walls are about 75 cm. thick and

stand one to two courses high. The approximate size of the building is

therefore 2.5-3 m. wide, 7.5-8 m. long. The western extent rested upon a

bedrock outcrop. The building (Loc. 13), and especially its northern

extremity , were so badly disturbed by military trenching that

stratigraphical conclusions are impossible.

A 5 x 2.5 m. area was excavated immediately to the east of this

building in Square E34. Although no architectural remains were

uncovered, sherds of domestic-type pottery were found in situ on a

poorly-preserved floor surface (Loc. 20). This fact, as well as the nature

of the other pottery found in this near-surface level , suggest a domestic

nature for the complex extending north and south from the entrance.

Locus 20 presents datable evidence for the abandonment of the site at the

end of Stratum IIa.

A building complex, probably also domestic, was partially exposed

to the south of the entrance. Wall W712, which flanks the entrance on the

south , was similar in orientation, size, and construction to W710, though

not as well-preserved . The building was bounded on the west by W713

and on the south by W714. The east wall remains unknown. Wall W713 is

up to 90 cm. thick and extends to the south, continuing as part of an

adjacent room or building of the same complex . The room flanking the

entrance to the south is 5 m. wide from north to south. Its other

dimensions are unknown. The pottery from a fragmentary floor (Loc.

68; Fig. 35) with a pillar base can be related primarily to this structure,

although some intrusion of surface sherds was probably caused by later

agricultural activity at the site.

Wall W713 continued south approximately along the baulk line

between Squares 031 and C31. Two additional rooms of this domestic

complex lay to the east and west of this wall. Their dimensions are

unknown. Despite significant disturbance, there is sufficient evidence

from a floor with ceramic material (Loc. 506) to conclude that this room

reflects domestic occupation in Stratum lla.

68

Fig . 35. Area A. Sq. D-E32, L. 63, 68, 71:Pillar Base and Flagstone,

Looking North.

69

An alley 2.5 m. wide separates this building complex from yet

another building (probably complex) to the south. From this alley were

recovered materials from the horizon of Stratum IIa. This alley is

bounded by Walls W714 on the north and W717 on the south. The room

or building uncovered in Squares C30 and D30 (Walls W718 on the west,

W717 on the north with possible dividing walls W719 and W720) has the

same orientation as other Stratum IIa architecture of Area A. It is

probably a broadroom, with a bench built against the inner face of W718.

The same picture of disturbed stratigraphy appearing in most of the area

was found here as well , but with sufficient architectural and ceramic

material (Loc. 60) to suggest assignment to Stratum IIa.

Above Walls W718 and W717 , on and immediately beneath the

surface, were found remnants of Wall W716 (Loc. 55 ; Fig. 36). Its

orientation is different from that of any other architectural feature of

Area A. Only its northern face could be clarified. There were only

fragmentary hints of its southern face, pointing to an approximate

thickness of 80-85 cm. All that can be stated about the date of W716 is

that it belongs to an occupation later than Stratum IIa.

In Squares D34 and D35 , within the area of the building

immediately to the north of the supposed passageway , some evidence of

the existence of two superimposed floors were encountered during the

course of excavation. Unfortunately, the disturbance by military

trenching at this point (Loc. 13) was so severe that it was impossible to

expose and follow these spotty surfaces sufficiently to establish with

certainty this superimposed stratigraphy.

In addition to the step cut into the bedrock (previously assigned to

an earlier stratum) there were also features identifiable as door sockets

uncovered in this area. Some were stones lying on the surface, others were

cut into bedrock. Perhaps these are indications of an ancient closure of

the entrance. The latest surface of the passageway was of beaten earth,

lying above and sloping over the step previously mentioned. This surface,

badly eroded, lay some 25 cm. above bedrock (Loc. 15) (see below Ch.

3.5: The Fortification Wall).

70

.- 1". • I

.j . ...::-~ . ,,, ." .~~. / ,

t ....

Fig, 36, Area A, L. 55, W710, W716, W718, Looking North,

.( . \ '.:: ,I

· ', " I,

"

.... ..... " , , , .

71

3.4 Area C (Figs. 37-38).

Two small probes in Area C were initiated in the last days of the

third season of the Tel Dalit excavations (2.5 x 2.5 m.), one on each of

the two lower eastern terraces of the tell. The purpose of these probes was

to determine, if possible, the extent of the occupation of the site to the

east. Both probes yielded positive results.

u'

602

21 21

603

o 1m

u' Fig. 37. Area C2. General Plan.

72

Fig. 38. Area C2, L. 602, 603.

73

In the upper terrace (Cl), no architectural remains were encountered, but

there was sufficient artifact presence and density to conclude that this

terrace was included within the occupied area of Tel Dalit in the Early

Bronze Age.

The results of the probe on the second, lower, terrace (C2) (Square

21) were more substantial. Beginning some 15 cm. beneath the surface, a

wall was encountered with abundant pottery remains on either side (Fig.

38). This wall (W901), only one stone (30-40 cm.) in width, cut across the

square diagonally from southeast to northwest. This discovery presents

reasonable evidence that this terrace was also included in the area of the

town, and most likely within the fortified city (see below discussion of the

town wall). The abundance and nature of the ceramic assemblage indicate

the likelihood that this is part of a storeroom or at least part of a domestic

complex. The evidence from Area C, lying just beneath the surface,

together with the ceramic typology, suggest the poss ibilty that the

occupation level identified in Area 8 as Stratum IIa was also present here.

3.5 The Fortification Wall (Figs. 6; 10; 32).

Two widely separated segments of a fortification wall around Tel

Dalit were exposed in the course of the three seasons of excavation.

Details concerning the features of each individual segment are presented

in the discussion of their respective areas. 80th segments of the wall ,

W801 and W701, were constructed entirely of stone. It is impossible to

determine the nature of the superstructure of this wall - whether of stone

or mudbrick. The presence of tumbled stones down the slope of the tell,

including boulders such as were found in parts of the surviving wall

foundation, plus the abundance of stone in the area, suggest an entirely

stone wall rather than mud brick on a stone foundation. There is no

indication of the original height of the wall.

It has been concluded that these wall segments are part of the

fortification system of the site constructed during Stratum IV. It has been

noted that there is a difference in the orientation of succeeding

74

architecture vis-a-vis the wall segments in Areas A and B. The hypothesis

that Area A and its terrace were outside the fortification wall at the time

the Area B segment was constructed was explored by careful surface

examination. However, no indication of the line of a wall with a smaller

circumference, enclosing only the topmost elevation of the tell, could be

found. In Area B, Stratum lIa appears to be more a remodelling of

Stratum lIb than a major rebuilding.

Two important problems concerning the fortification wall of Tel

Dalit remain unsolved: 1) where was the line of the fortification wall on

the east? 2) what was the nature of the fortifications at the northwestern

point of entry into the ancient fortified town?

Concerning the eastern line of fortification, it may be noted that

while excavation in Area C established that the two lower terraces to the

east were occupied, whether these were or were not within the line of the

fortification wall remains an open question. Only further excavation

could clarify these questions.

Concerning the question of a fortified entrance or gate on the

northwestern side of the site, it must be pointed out that the entrance

described in Area A is the only logical place to look for such an

installation.

In light of the two poorly-preserved buildings on either side of the

passageway, buildings that probably represent the last period of use of the

fortifications (Stratum lIa) , we may suggest that at the time the

fortifications were built (Stratum IV), the passageway was defended by

massive constructions, that were not preserved, [as observed at other EB

sites such as Kh. ez-Zeraqon (Mittmann & Moawiyah 1994), Mitham

Leviah (Kochavi 1994), or Tell el-Far'ah (N) (de Miroschedji 1993)] .

75

3.6 DISCUSSION Ram Gophna

3.6.1. The Layout of the Fortified Site

It is difficult to so more than speculate about the functional division

of the various areas within the fortified EB II site of Tel Dalit due to the

limited area exposed. One may say, however, that the southern area (B)

and the eastern terrace (Area C) were possibly devoted to domestic

functions. The large mounds of stones ("tumuli") may comprise the ruins

of public buildings (un less attributed to Stratum I).

While it seems likely that the main entrance to the town was located

in the northwestern part of the city, posterns like the one in Area B may

have existed at other points along the town wall's perimeter (Kempinski

1978:33).

Of the fortified EB II sites that have been excavated, only Arad

provides a c lear example of a pre-planned layout (although most of the

areas exposed are late EB II - [Stratum II]) (Amiran 1978). Another

example of a fortified EB II town is Tell el-Far'ah (North). Unlike at

Arad, only a small part of the town was exposed and we lack the overall

layout of the fortification system in the EB II (de Miroschedji 1993).

At other fortified EB towns such as 'Ai (Callaway

1980), Yarmuth (de Miroschedj i 1988), Bab edh-Dhrah (Rast & Schaub

1980; Schaub 1993) and Kh. Ez-Zeraqon (Moawiyah & Mittmann 1994)

(where substantial areas of the town were excavated), most of the remains

exposed are from the EB III. Thus, Arad, Tell el-Fara'h (North), to a

lesser degree Aphek and Me'ona (Kochavi 1989:29; Braun 1996), and

most recently Tell Abu Al-Kharaz (Fischer 1993; 1994), remain the only

EB II sites, other than Tel Dalit, relevant to our discuss ion .

76

3.6.2. The Fortification System

At Tel Dalit only two small areas along the line of the fo rtification

wall were exposed. We cannot reconstruct the full outline of the wall, nor

do we have any indication of towers, bastions etc.

The wall's construction. It was suggested above that the fortification

wall of Tel Dalit was built entirely of stone, and that no mudbrick

superstructure was used . If so, the wall of Tel Dalit belongs to the group

of EB II stone walls which includes those at 'A i (Callaway 1972; 1980),

Megiddo (Loud 1948), Arad (Amiran et al. 1978) and Me'ona (Braun

1996). It should be noted that there may have been a mudbrick

superstructure that was entirely eroded away .

Based on the two segments of the fortification wall exposed, no

evidence of any additions, repairs, or widening of the wall was found.

This state of affairs is similar to that at Arad, Aphek and Me'ona, and may

be characteristic of certain fortified EB II s ites where occupation didn't

continue into EB III, as most of the evidence of widen ing and add itions to

town walis comes from EB II-III sites like Jericho (Kenyon 1981),

Megiddo (Loud 1948) and Beth-Yerah (Meisler et al. 1952). It seems that

at sites like Tel Dalit and Tel Arad, towns that ceased to exist already by

the end of EB II, there was st ill no need to make any improvements to

the wall.

The postern. The postern gate excavated in Area B at Tel Dalit

indicates that the fortification wall was constructed in segments, with the

postern placed at the join between two such segments.

This type of construction, with intermi ttent ly-pl aced posterns, are a

fairly well known phenomenon at other fortified EB towns, such as Arad

(Amiran et al. 1978), Megiddo (Loud 1948), 'Ai (Callaway 1972; 1980)

and Kh. Ez-Zeraqon (Moawiyah & Mittmann 1994).

The width of the wall. The wall excavated at Tel Dalit is ca. 4 m.

wide in Area B. In Area A the width is unknown due to erosion (a lthough

it exceeds 3 m.). Compared to the width of town walls at other fortified

EB II sites (from 1.1 m. at Jericho to 5.6 m. at Yarmuth) (Kenyon 1981;

77

de Miroschedji 1988), EB II Tel Dalit seems to have had a

proportionately massive wall for a site of its size. EB II sites with

fortification walls of this proportion were usually larger sites, as at 'Ai

(Callaway 1972; 1980) where occupation continued into EB Ill .

Date of the wall's construction. The stratigraphic and ceramic

evidence from Area B suggests that the fortification system at Tel Dalit

was constructed some time at the beginning of EB II, above the

deliberately leveled ruins of an unwalled EB Ib settlement (Stratum V).

Thus, the erection of the fortified site of Tel Dalit in the EB II places it

within the group of sites including Megiddo, Arad, H. Mahruq and

probably Me'ona (Braun 1966), which were fortified in early EB II, rather

than as early as EB Ib, as at 'Ai (Callaway 1972; 1980), Tell el-Far'ah (N.)

(de Yaux and Steve 1947; 1948), Aphek (Kochavi & Beck, forthcoming),

and Beth-Yerah (Getsov, forthcoming) .

3.6.3. Domestic Architecture

In Stratum Y, Area A, Squares E 36-37, the southern part of a

curvilinear house was encountered - W702. This type of building was

common in early EB I throughout the country (Beth-Shean [Fitzgerald

1934], Megiddo [Engberg & Shipton 1934: Fig. 2], Meser [Dothan

1959], Yiftahel [Braun 1989], Assawir [Yanai 1995] , and continued into

late EB I in the north of the country (i.e. Kabri [Scheftelowitz and

Peilstocker 1990], Qiryat Ata [Golani 1993]), and perhaps also in the

central region (i.e. Lod, west of Tel Dalit [Kaplan 1977]). It is also

possible that this curvilinear house is a remnant of a building from an EB

la "Pre-Stratum Y" horizon, as was indicated in Area B3.

In Square F 35-36 the western part of Broadroom A28 of Stratum

II was unearthed, with stone benches on the three inner sides. This type of

broadroom is very typical among domestic buildings during EB II in

Israel (Ben-Tor 1992). This room and the structure in Area B (see below)

are a small contribution to the meagre evidence for EB II domestic

architecture unearthed so far in the central coastal plain (see also Kochavi

1975).

78

In Area B3 Stratum V (EB I), only a segment of a curvilinear wall

was distinguished (WS20, Square T9), which can be compared w ith the

curvilinear house in Area A (W702). Both instances of curvilinear

domestic architecture can be firmly dated to the EB I, perhaps indicating

the possibility of an early EB I (EB Ja) settlement at the site (see also

discussion of jars in Chapter 4).

The earliest EB II domestic architecture in Area B, in Stratum IV,

consists of small rectilinear wall segments datable to the first fortified

settlement. In Stratum III the remnants of what seems to be a large

curvilinear building, or perhaps the courtyard of an as-yet undefined

building complex (WS03, WS05, WS14) were uncovered.

The broadroom exposed in Area B (Broadroom 115-152), with its

two sub-phases, is a typical EB II dwelling, as indicated also by its

contents.

79

3.6.4. The End of the EB II Walled Town at Tel Datit and the Final Desertion of the EB Site.

The evidence from Tel Dalit indicates that the Stratum II fortified

town was peacefully abandoned sometime during EB II, as were other

contemporary sites such as Aphek, Tell el-Fara'h (N), Me'ona, and Tel

Kinrot (Fritz 1993).

In the excavation in Area B3 remains of a building were exposed

(in Tumulus 2), the orientation of which was not in line with the town

wall. Among the pottery sherds retrieved from the fill covering this

building were a number of EB III sherds. Therefore, it is suggested that

this building phase, designated Stratum I , may date to EB III.' This

latest occupation at Tel Dalit, which post-dates the EB II fortified town, is

also indicated by a few EB III sherds collected during our survey and

encountered during the excavation - mostly in Area A (see Fig. 66).

These were identified only during the processing of the material during

the 1990s. This pottery from Tumulus 2 in Area B3, and the scattered

sherds , indicate that sometime during EB III the s ite was reoccupied for a

short period as an open site.

• This suggestion follows a recent re-eva luation of the pottery finds, and is

opposed to the preliminary observations published in Gophna 1993.

80

Chapter 4.

THE POTTERY ASSEMBLAGES RAM GOPHNA AND MICHAL IRON-LUBIN

Introductory Remarks

None of the EB I pottery was found in direct connection with

architectural features stratigraphically assigned to Stratum V. Only a

small amount of vessels could be definitely assigned to either Stratum !II

or IV, the bulk of the material belonging to Stratum n. Therefore the

pottery of Strata IV -II, dated to EB II, is discussed as a single ceramic

assemblage. The small quantity of pottery from Stratum is assigned to

EB III.

The entire repertoire from Broadroom 115-152 in Area B, of

Stratum II, was quantitatively analysed. When absolute numbers are given,

they represent rim sherds only. Rim sherds with varying diameters were

considered as belonging to different vessels, while those with identical

diameters, which together equalled the circumference of one vessel, were

counted as one. Comparisons and descriptions of individual vessels

accompany the pottery figures.

References in Figures:

Ai 1949: Callaway 1972.

Ai 1980: Callaway 1980.

Arad: Amiran et al. 1978.

Azor: Perrot 1961.

Far'ah: de Vaux and Steve 1947, 1948, 1955, 1961.

Gezer 1l: Dever 1972.

Jericho I: Kenyon 1960.

Jericho Ill: Kenyon 1980.

Jericho IV: Kenyon and Holland 1982.

Jericho V: Kenyon and Holland 1983.

81

Yarmuth: de Miroschedji 1988.

In the summary of the pouery assemblages we did not distinguish

between the different excavation areas.

4.1 Pottery of Stratum V (EB I), Areas A, B (Figs. 39-45).

BOWLS

1) Small Bowls

Two types of small bowls were discerned:

a) small hemispherical bowls (Fig. 39:2. 4)

b) small shallow bowls (Fig. 39:1, 3)

Most of these small bowls served as lamps, as evidenced by a line of

soot on the rim. They were handmade, except for the rim where

indications of use of a lOurneHe can be discerned (see Arad: Amiran et a1.

1978:42ff).

2) Deep Bowls (Fig. 39;7-11)

These bowls have a profiled rim, with heavy, well-burnished slip

(Fig. 39:7-9, 12-14). The two bowls in Fig. 39:10-11 have knobs. No. 11

resembles vessels of the EB II carinated bowl family (see below), but is

handmade and has a thicker wall.

3) Carinated Bowls (Figs. 39:5, 6, 14; 43:1; 6:1)

Although the general shape is similar to the small metallic-ware

carinated bowls of EB II, these bowls were made by a different technique:

non-metallic ware containing grits, low-temperature firing, thick walls, a

smooth carination, and a tall rim above the carination. Fragments of nine

bowls were recovered.

However, three fragments of small metallic-ware bowl family

(Fig. 43:2, 3), were also found in Stratum V (Loc. 350: fill below floor).

82

,

'0

"

"

Fig. 39.

> ('I

,D,7

•

"

o

83

Fig_ 39. Pottery of Stratum V. Area A

No. Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisolls

1 Bowl 64 1344/1 red c1ay-25yr5/6 Far'ah 1947: \6-

(lamp) small grits. medium- H!; 1948: Fig. 5:23;

fired, red slip, burnished, 1955: Fig. I

soot on rim, period I

2. Bowl 74 138212 reddish -yellow -5 yr618, Arad: PI. SL IV

(lamp) grey core, small grits,

poorly-fired, soot on rim

3. Bowl 525 51561 light reddish-brown - Far'ah 1947:559; Fig.

5yr6/4, well, fired, soot 5:23; Arad: PI. 7:6, Sl-

on rim. IV

4. Bowl 525 5156/8 reddish- ye Ilow·5 yr 7/6 Far'ah 1947:559; Fig.

5:22; Arad: PI. 7: 12,

St. IV; Ai 1972: Fig_

16:10, 12, Ph. II

5_ Bowl 55 1325/2 pale yellow-2.5y8/4, Ai 1980: Fig. 68: 12.

medium-fired. Phase III

6_ Bowl 64 1313/2 reddiSh·yellow-7.5yr7/6. Far'ah 1947: Fig_ 4: 1,

(lamp) small white grits, soot EB I; 1948: Fig 5:27

on rim,

7. Bowl 525 5156/3 reddish- yellow -7 .5yr8/6, Far'ah 1952:581; Fig_

brown slip 12:14 (Tomb 14)

S. Bowl 525 515617 pale brown, J OyrR!3, see No.7

reddish·brown slip.

9. Bowl 525 5142/2 light reddish-brown- see No.7

5yr6/3, burnished line

near rim j red Slip.

84

Fig. 39. Pottery of Stratum V. Area A (cant.)

No. Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

JI}. Bowl 74 139311 pink-7.5yr814, smail Azor:77; 40;17,

white grits lnstallacion C; Jericho

V: Fig. 13:29

11. Bowl 55 13241 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6. Far'ah 1948: Fig.

grey core, small while Eneo. Sup.; Jericho

grits. 1960: Fig. 23:1-4

12. Bowl 75 1394/1 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6. Ai 1949: PI.

well-fired, heavy red LXXXV/l289; Jericho

slip, burnished. V: Fig. 138:30

13. Shallow 55 1352/l rodd ish-yellow ·5yr6/6, Ai 1972: Figs.

pl."er/ small white grits, red 16:27,28; 17:3, Phase

bowl slip, burnished, soot on II; Far'all 1947: Fig. 4:8;

(lamp) rim. no slip; Arad: PI. 8:5,

SI. IV

14. Bowl 525 5156ilO reddish-yellow.7.57/6, Far'ah 1961 :580; Fig.

small black grils, pink 3:38

slip, burnished.

85

Summary

The bowl assemblage from Tel Dalit Stratum V is typical to all

regions of the country from the EB Ib onwards. It resembles those of Tell

el-Far'ah (N) Period I, Aphek Stratum VIII, Arad Stratum IV (Amiran et

al. 1978), and Ai Phase II.

JARS The jars from this stratum were divided into three types (following

Arad: Amiran et al. 1978).

1) Small Jars

Undecorated , with a short splayed rim and no neck . Seven

examples were counted (Figs. 40:10; 45:3). A few jars are red-slipped

(Figs. 40:6-8; 45 :5).

0)

•

/ 1--' "

) \ " ,- d '-.

" "

( ~) " , .

,.

Fig. 40.

86

, -:~~ VI, -J ~ Y' ,

)"t3 I "

r .. :~ -- :.!.

\~ I I "

~' '''

•

-,

.

f' y "

Fig. 40. Pottery of Stratum V. Area A

No. Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1 Krater 74 1383{l reddlsh·yellow·5yr7/6. Ai 1980: PI. 91:15.

small grits, poorly· fired. Phase V

white lime wash,

2 Jugle( 68 1357/4 reddish·yellow·5yr716, AI 1972: Fig. ]7:21,

well-fired, vertical? Phase II

burnishing. heavy slip.

3. Amphor- 63 1309/1 reddish- yellow-5yr7/6 Ai J 949: PI. LX/765;

iskos Ai 1980: Fig. 92:28,

Phase V

4. Amphor· 524 51491l very pale brown·1OyrS/3. Jericho IV: Fig. 93:4,

iskos medjum~fired, painted. without painting

5. Tiny 524 5.14912 red-2.5yr416, many small Mad: PI. 45:29;

hole· black grils, medium·fired, Jericho V: Fig. 60:33

mouth incised mark before firing.

jar

6. Jar 68 135712 redd ish· ye !low·5 yr7 /6, Ai 1972: Fig. 17:20,

grey corc1 many medium, Phase II, white slip

while grits, poorly-fired,

red slip.

7. Jar 525 515619 red dish -ye Ilow-5 yr 7/6, Ai 1972: 17:21,

wel1~fired! red~brown Phase II; Mad: PI.

slip, powdery surface. 12:7. $1. IV, no slip

8. Jar 64 UOOIl red d ish-yellow -5 yr7 /6, Farah 1948 Fig.

poorly-fired, many big 6:1·2

grey grils. red

87

Fig, 40, Pottery of Stratum y, Area A (conI.)

No, Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

9, Jar 525 5156/ll pale brown-!Oyr8/4, Ai 1972: Fig, 17: 19,

white I ime wash, Phase 11; Far'ah 196]:

Fig,3:6

!O, Jar 68 1357/3 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Jericho IV:

little white grits, Fig, 37: 8, PU

11, Jar 525 5156/2 reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6,

well-fired, Arad: PI. 12:10, SL IV

12, Jar 535 5177/3 pink-5yr7/3, grits Arad: PI. 12: 11, SL IV

13. Jar 63 1314/1 pinkish-grey-5yr7/2,

many small white grits,

a few red grits, greyish

slip,

14 Jar 517712 reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6, Far'ah 1961: Fig,

many medium grits. 3:6-7, period J

white lime wash, sandy

clay,

15, Jar 1325/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, '

(frag,) painted, basaltic sand

16, Jar 525 5156/4 very pale brown-l0yr8/4,

big grits, red slip,

17, Jug? 26 1 I reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

(frag,) many grits, red slip,

soot on base,

88

2) Medium-sized Jars

Ledge handles, lime wash (Figs. 40:9, 14, 45:3), some with lattice­

painted strips (Figs. 43:5; 44). Three examples were counted.

3) Necked Jars (Figs. 40:7-8; 43:4)

This type can be divided into two sub-types according to height: a)

up to 40 cm.; b) ca. 50 cm. Both have a thickened or ring-like rim with

plastic decoration and red slip. Some have ledge handles. The larger jars

(Sub-type b) have a lime wash. Nine jars were counted, six of which are

red-slipped.

A jar with a short inverted neck should be mentioned, which may

be of slightly earlier date (EB Ia) (Fig. 45:5) (cf. Afula: Sukenik et a!.

1948: Figs. 2:5 EB la; 2:4).

Summary

The jar assemblage of Stratum V includes a few types found in

Arad Stratum IV, Ai Phase II, Tel.1 el-Far'ah Period I, and Jericho Phase

PU/EB l. No evidence of pithoi from this period was recovered. Red slips

and lime washes were commonly used. A single example of a vessel,

probably a krater, is illustrated in Fig. 40: 1.

HOLEMOUTH JARS (Fig. 41)

The holemouth jars of Stratum V can be divided into two types:

1) Simple holemouth jars, usually slipped, with a thickened rim (Fig.

41 :5). Noteworthy are vessels decorated with grain-wash (Fig. 41 :4).

2) Holemouth jars with a slight ridge near the rim, slipped red to black,

are slightly more open than Type I (Figs. 41:1, 3, 8; 43:6). To these we

can add the example decorated with incision (Fig. 41:14), and another

with knobs which represent an EB Ia tradition (Fig. 45:6). The former

probably represents a "Pre-Stratum V" occupation at Tel Dalil (see Chap.

3.2-3).

89

, /':., (;:;;:01'-"·' ....... /- ........ ~.. , ,

. ,

•

/ t -- >:' 1 - CO> R

•

I U , 9

'0 "

II \ / I '. , " "

•• . ~ 1..\..-- --

Fig. 41.

90

Fig. 41. Pottery of stratum V. Area A

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Holemouth 26 1127/3 very pale brown· Far'ah 1947: Fig. 3:5

Jar lOyr8!4. dark brown

slip, plastic band decor.

2. Holemouth 535 5177/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

jar grey core, many big

grits, dark reddish-brown

slip.

3. Holemouth 68 1 reddish·yellow-7.5yr8!6, Far'ah )961:

jar big grits, reddish-brown Fig. 3:10, period [

slip.

4. Holemouth 525 5142/1 reddish· yellow-5yr7/6,

pr many small grits, brown

slip, grain-wash.

5. Holemouth 125711 rcddish-yel low-5yr7 /6,

red slip, red painted band

inside.

6. Holemouth 75 1395/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7 16, Gezer !I: PI. 4:9,

Jar grey core, many small EB 1947:

and big black grits, red

slip.

7. Holemouth 66 1337/1 reddish-yellow·S yr7/6, Far'ah 1948: Fig.

Jar many big white grits, 5: 1 Eneo. Sup.;

red slip? Jericho V: Fig. 85:4

8. Holemouth 62 1327/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6-

Jar outside, brown-

7.5yr5/2-inside, Many

dark grits, brown slip.

91

Fig. 41. Pottery of stratum V. Area A (cant.)

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

9. Holemouth 64 131311 very pale brown- Ai 1972: Fig. 19:19;

Jar lOyr8!3, many medium, Gezer II: PI. 4:9;

white grits, no slip. Far'ah 1948: Fig.

5:1, Eneo. Sup.

10. Holemouth 525 5156/6 reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6,

Jar many grits, powdery

clay.

11. Holemouth 26 112711 reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6,

Jar many white grits, lime

wash.

13. Holemouth 535 5177/4 reddish-yellow-5 yr7/6, Far'ah 1947:

Jar grey core, many grey Fig. 5:8, with slip

grits.

14. Holemouth 63 130811 yellowish -red-5yr5/6,

many grits, incised mark

before firing.

92

Summary

Most of the holemouth jars of Stratum V belong to Type 2, The

assemblage resembles that of Tell el-Far'ah (N) Period I, Jericho Phase

PU, Ai Phase II, and Arad Stratum IV, There is a hint of a "Pre-Stratum

V" (EB la) presence at Tel Datit (Fig. 45:6 - cf. Awr: Perrot, 1961: Fig.

40:17; 41:17; Affula: Sukenik et at. 1948: PI. 1II:8).

VARIA

Also found were one amphoriskos (Fig, 40:4) and two juglets, one

(Fig. 40:2) poorly preserved, the other (Fig, 45:2) with a high loop

handle.

Fig. 42, Pottery of Stratum V. Area A

No. Type Locus Reg, No. Description

1. Jar ledge handle 525 reddish- yellow-Syr7 /6,

many small grils, dark reddish-

brown slip,

2. Jar ledge handle 60 1364/1 reddish-yellow-Syr7/6,

many small grils,

93

Fig. 43 . Pottery of Stratum V. Area B

t Or J ~cc~·- S~9~' =.y:;;J

v II

1. Carinated 350

bowl

2. Carinated 350

bowl

3. Carinated 350

bowl

4. Pithos 309

5. Jar 309

6. Holemouth 309

pr

7. Holemouth 367

Jar

8. Jar ledge

handle

94

367

,

'<:] .1 , ,

3158/1

3162/1

3151/1

3046/2

3046/3

3046/1

3172/ 1

3173/ 1

•

•

reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6,

small grits, well-fired,

red slip, burnished, soot

on rim.

reddish-brown-5yr5/4,

well-fired, burnished.

yellowish-red-5 yr5/6,

well-fired.

reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Far'ah 1948: Fig.

many big grits, slip. 6:1, with slip;

Jericho V: Fig. 49:8,

PUIEB

reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: PI. 11:16;

many grits, lime

wash, red painted

pattern.

light reddish-brown-

5yr6/4, many small

and big grits.

very pale brown­

JOyr8/4, small black

grits, red slip.

Seger 1988: PI. 5: I,

Cave J .3A; Jericho

V: Fig. 14:7, PU

reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6,

many black grits, red slip

, I

\ -

Fig. 44. Body Sherds of Jars Coated with Lime Wash and Decorated with

Red Strips. Stratum v.

(. n (1. ,

/ • / """""--"F==

9

Fig. 45.

95

Fig. 45. Pottery of Stratum Y, Area B3, L. 421

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Bowl 421 4072/7 very pale brown-

10yr8/ , red slip, powdery clay.

2 . Juglet 421 4072/3 grey-5yrS/I, many

small grits, poorly-

fired.

3 . Jar 421 4072/6 reddish-yellow-5 yr7 /6, Arad: PI. 12:17, many grits, lime wash. SI. IV; Gezer ll:

P. 5:17; Ai 1972:

Fig. \7:209, Phase II

4 . Jar 421 4072/7a pink-5yrS/4. Ai 1972: Fig. 17:12,

Phase II

5. Jar 421 4072/5 reddish-yellow-5 yr7 /6, Arad: PI. 9:4, 51. IV many grits, red slip,

burnished.

6. Hole- 421 4072/1 very pale brown- Far'ah 1961: Fig.

mouth jar IOyrS/3, many black 3:12, period 1; Azor: grits, band of incised Fig. 40:17

herringbone, conical

knobs below rim.

7. Hole- 421 4072/8 very pale brown- see No.6. Jericho

mouth jar lOyr8/3, conical V: Fig. 63:3, PUlES

knob below rim.

8. Hole- 421 4036/1 pink-5yr7/6, many Ai 19S0: Fig. 65:18, mouth jar big and small white 19; Gophna 1974:

grits. PI. 10:14 (pit)

9 . Hole- 42] 4072/4 very pale brown-

IOyr8/3, big grits.

10. Jar ledge 421 4072/4 very pale brown-

handle IOyr8/3

96

4.1.1 Conclusions - Pottery of Stratum V (EB Ib)

The pottery of Stratum V can be considered typical of what is

commonly designated "late EB I", i.e. EB Ib, assemblages, mainly in

central Israel, exemplified by Tell el-Far'ah (N), Aphek, Gezer, Ai and

Jericho (see map Fig. 4). These assemblages contain what may be

considered both "northern" and, "southern" lale EB I ceramic features.

The characteristic vessels of EB 1 Tel Datil are the slipped, ridged

holemouth jar (Fig. 41 :3), and the grain-washed holemouth jar (Fig.

41:4). Both are indicative of a "northern EB I" pottery tradition. However,

jars with white lime wash and painted red stripes (Fig. 43:5), and the

lattice-painted amphoriskoi (Fig. 40:4), represent the "southern EB I"

pottery tradition,

The Stratum V assemblage also includes some indications of

intrusive, EB la pottery, which may imply that the site was already

inhabited at the very beginning of the Early Bronze Age ("Pre-Stratum

V" phase).

4.2 Pottery of Strata IV·II (EB II) • Areas A, B, C

The EB II pottery of Strata IV -II is discussed as a single

assemblage, although the pottery figures are arranged according to areas

of excavation. This was necessary since in Area B only a small amount of

pollery was retrieved from Strata III-IV (Figs. 46-47), while in Area A no

architectural remains were discerned in Strata III-IV. The bulk of the

pottery originates from Stratum II (Figs. 48-64). In Area B most of the

material comes from two floors of Broadroom 115-152, Stratum II (see

below The Quantitative Analysis, 4.2.1).

Immediately beneath the surface in Area C, a wall (W901) oriented

southeast to northwest was uncovered. At floor level on both sides of the

wall many vessels were found, of which some were restorable. This

assemblage matches the EB II repertoire of Areas B and A, including

bowls, lamps, jugs, amphoriskoi, jars, pithoi, and holemouth jars (Figs. 54-

55; 60-64).

97

Fig. 46. Pottery of Stratum IV. Area B

, )

•

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1 . Carinated 334 3092/1

bowl (lamp)

2. Carinated 334 3095/1 bowl (lamp)

3. Amphoriskos 334 3094/2

4. Amphoriskos 334 309411

5. Amphoriskos 334 3094/3

6. Juglel 302 304111

7. Krater 340 309611

8. Jug 3095/2

98

red-2.5yr5/6, hand- Ai 1972: Fig. 44:8, burnished, soot on rim. Phase V; Fig. 35:

18-23, Phase IV

reddish-bro\VlJ- see No.1 2.5yr5/4, soot on rim.

reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, Ai 1980: Fig. grey core, many grits. 68:29, Phase III

reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, many small black grits.

reddish-yellow-7.5yr8/6 Ai 1972: Fig. 43:3, Phase IV; Fig. 45:9, Phase V; Ai 1949: PI. LXXVII!

reddish-yellow-7.5yr8/6 Ai 1980: Fig. 62: 13,

Phase !II

reddish-yellow-5yr6/6, grey core, many grits, poorly-fired.

reddish-yellow-7 .5yr7/6, many big white grits, soot on edge of broken body.

Jericho IV:

79:7,9; Gezer II: PI. 8:10, St. 11

Fig. 47. Pottery of Stratum III. Area B

" <::C:S 1/

. ~ ~ ~

" ,w \:. -l .. 7 " " , -

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

l. Wide 306 3006/1 very pale brown- Ai 1972: Fig. 36:7-8,

platter/ bowl 10yr8/4, red sl i p. Phase IV; Ai 1980:

Fig. 68:13. Phase III ;

Fig. 110: 12,

Phase IV

2. Jug 219 2200/1 reddish-yellow· Arad: Pis. 26:2;

7.5yr7/6, grey core, 27:14, St. II

many grits, reddish-

brown slip, burnished.

3. Jug 307 3018/1 reddish- ye Ilow-5yr6/6, Arad: PI. 14:32,

many small grits, St. III

vertical burnishing,

red slip.

4. Bowl 307 3009/1 red-2.5yr5/6, well- Ai 1980: Fig. 62:2,

fired, irregular radial Phase III ; Arad: Pis.

horizontal burnishing. 13:41; 52: 12, St. III;

Beck 1985: Fig. 4:7

99

Fig. 48.

'C:::: i....., \Z2! -:;I ,

\: I 7 Q® -. j 5 •

'7 \R9-- 1 · 1 , •

~ ([J cd 0V (510) ~, B 9 10 11 12 13

" ,-

,.

100

" 1 - f11 \ 1& I '7

~ " '~ _ _ _ '20

Fig. 48. Pottery of Stratum I!. Area B

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Lamp 152 2054/1 grey-5yr5/1, many Arad: PI. 22: 17-21,

bowl grits, soot on rim. St. II

2. Carinated 106 31/1 yellowish -red-5 yr5/6, Ai 1972: Fig.

bowl wheel-burnished. 44:6,3, Phase V;

Fig. 35:19-22,

Phase IV

3. Bowl 109 48/1 reddish-brown-5yr5/4,

well-fired, Sool on rim.

4. Carinated 139 2033/1 Ai 1972: Fig. 44:6,3,

bowl Phase V; Fig. 35:18,

Phase IV

5. Bowl 152 2054/2 reddish-yellow-5yr7/8,

(lamp) soot on rim.

6. Bowl 106 34/1 red-2.5yr5/6, burnished.

7. Bowl 106 31/2 reddish-yeJlow-5yr6/S, Ai 1972: Fig. 36:7,

many grits, light Phase IV

red slip.

8. Bowl 105 36/1 reddish-yellow- Ai 1972: Fig. 56:21,

on foot 5yr7/6, lime wash. Phase V; Ai 1949:

Pl. LXXVII

9. lugle! 152 2080/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 56:22,

lime wash. Phase V; Arad: PI.

26:23, St. II

10. lugle! lOS 44/1 a reddish- yellow-5yr7/3. Ai 1972: Fig. 56:22,

Phase V

11. Jugle! 102 - 4411 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

103 powdery surface, red

slip.

101

Fig. 48. Pottery of Stratum II. Area B (cont.)

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

12. Bowl 106 31/1 I igh! reddish-brown-

(lamp) 5yr6/4, horizontal burnishing, sool on rim.

13. Jar (frag.) 108 44/2 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1980: Fig. 88:26,

lime wash, plastic Phase IV decm.

14. Amphoris- 115 72/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: PI. 30:15, kos lime wash. 16, St. !I-lII

15. Small jar 114 6311 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

many big grits, grey core.

16. Jar 115 64/1 red-2.5yr4/6, dark grits, incised decoration before firing. Basaltic sand.

17. Medium- 115 70/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 46:13, sized jar many grils, lime wash. Phase V; Fig. 63:1-

7; 87:23, Phase IV;

Far'ah 1948: Fig. 8:3; Arad: Fig. 15:1, SI. Ill; 32:3, St. II

18. Hole- 106 45/1 reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, mouth jar many grey grits, incised

mark before firing.

19. Hole- 152 2079/1 light reddish-brown-5yr6/4, mouth many big white grits, cooking pot semi-circular ring-like

attachment.

20. Pithos 139 2036/1 reddish-yellow-S yr7/8, Yarmuth: Pl. 29:5, 162 2111/1 many big grey grits. EB lila

102

Fig. 49. Pottery of Stratum II. Area B3

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Carinated 405 4023/1 reddish-yellow-7.5yr8/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 44:7,

bowl grey core, many small Phase V

grits, poorly-fired, lime

wash.

2. Pillar 405 4032/1 reddish yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: PI. 37:1, St. II

handle jar many big grits.

3. Jar 405 4032i2 reddish-yellow-7.Syr7/6, Ai 1980 Fig. 88:26, many medium-sized Phase I V; Fig. grits, plastic decoration. 139:34, Phase VII

4. Jar ledge 405 4032/3 light grey-! Oyr7/2, Arad: PI. 36:4,

handle many small grits, Sl. II

grey core.

S. Base with 405 4018/1 reddish-yellow-Syr7i6,

round hole many grey grits, lime

wash.

103

Fig. 50. Metallic Ware Platters. Areas A, .=.8"-., .::.s.;;.tr.::..at.;;.u_m ___ IIIl=====~

G ,,! ii- - ~ L,( "',,-------lIF E I "'

i :.- '''i/ . I ':':1 '~ 0_ .L, .•• •

~ ( U -n= -= .)

~ ... t~=-=11 •

" ~. ( C7 I )

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

l. Platter 9 1034/3 reddish-brown-5yr5/3, Yarmuth: PI. 23:24 , surface black grits, well-fired, burnished, EB II;

inDer lime wash . Ai 1980: Fig.

126:24, Phase VII

2. Platter 106 39/3 reddish·yeUow-5yr6/8, Yarmuth: PI. 25:15, wheel-made. burnished, EB II

3. Platter 106 33/1 light red-2.5yr6/8, Yarmuth: PI. 23:22,

many grits, red slip, EB" burnished.

4. Platter 311 3026/1 light red-lOr6/8, grey Yarmuth: PI. 23:22,

core, small grits. burnished, EB II

5. Platter 111 54/5 reddish-brown,

2.5yr5/4, grey core,

small grits.

6. Platter 73/1/2 red-2.5yr5/8, grey core, surface burnished.

7 . Platter 73/1 / 1 light red-2.5yr6/8, surface horizontal burnish.

104

Fig. 51. EB II Pottery of Area B .

•

, ! II ,

•

" ~ .

- --No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Jug 314 3032/1 reddish-yellow-5yr6/8, Arad: Fig. 26: 1,

grey core, red slip, St. 11

vertical burnishing.

2. Juglet 369 318511 miniature iuglet, Yarmuth: PI. 47:6;

reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: PI. 25:38 ,

lime wash. St. II

3. Small 111 54/2 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

hole-mouth lime wash , painted.

iar

4. Hole-mouth 111 54/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6,

iar outer face grey, many grits,

incised mark.

5. Hole-mouth 313 306011 reddish-yellow-5yr 7/6,

iar many grits, lime wash.

6 . Hole-mouth 345 3108/1 very pale brown- Yarmuth : PI. 22:1.

iar lOyr7/3, painted below EB II; Jericho V:

plastic decoration. Fig. 142:27; Gezer II : PI. 8:1-3, SI. II

7 . Hole-mouth 352 313311 reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, Yarmuth: PI. 20:

iar lime wash . 11-12, EB II

105

Fig. 52. Pottery of Stratum II. Area A

II

106

•

,

( I \ e r I' f ~~~iu'

" f""-'*"~-

. . ,

10

i " 1 2 G . .J,,... I J

- -

Fig. 53.

107

Fig. 53. Unstratified EB II Pottery. Area A

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description

1. Carinated 5 1022/1 reddish-brown-SyrS/4, burnished, soot on rim. bowl (lamp)

2. Carinated 3 1009/3 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6, reddish-grey slip. bowl (lamp)

3. Platter 3 1005/1 very pale brown-IOyr7/4, many small black grits, red slip.

4. Bowl 51 1254/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, grey core, many white grits, powdery clay.

5. Platter 14 1062/1 pale yellow-2.5y8/4, over-fired.

6. Bowl 10 108311 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6. many small grits.

7. Bowl 52 1255/1 reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, many white grits, red slip, powdery clay.

8. Jar 3 1009/1 very pale brown-l0yr8/3. grey core, many grits, lime wash.

9. Jar 3 100912 reddish-yellow-Syr716, pinkish grey-7.5yr6/2, many grits.

J O. Holemouth 10 1049/1 very pale brown-J Oy17 /4, many dark grits.

Jar

11. Jar 11 1043/1 reddish-yellow-Syr7/6, grey core, many small grits, plastic decoration.

12. Jug handle 3 102511 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, many grits, red slip.

13. Jar handle 500 5000/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/8, many grits. incision.

108

CI;IiiI'

T! \

'0

"

Fig. 54.

""'_ 7 ,

,

, - --

\

;

"

I i

-,

"

109

Fig. 54. Pottery of Stratum II. Area C

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons 1. Bowl (lamp) 600 6001/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: PI. 22:19, S1.

grey core, many big Il; Yarmuth: PI. white grits, 5001 on 21 :2; 25: 1, EB II nm.

2. Bowl (lamp) 602 6013/1 yellowish-red-5yr5/6, Yarmuth: PI. 25:2 sao I on rim.

3. Lamp 603 6016/1 redd ish -brown -5 yr5/ 4, Arad: PI. 22:40, S1. well-fired, impressed Jl; Yarmuth: PI. area on rim, 23:1,EBII

4. Platter 600 6007/3 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. burnished, red slip. 36:1, Phase IV

5. Amphori- 603 600511 reddish-yellow-7yr7/8, Arad: PI. 30:17, skos small grits. SI. II

6. Cup (bowl) 600 6007/2 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6, Arad: PI. 24:22, well-fired. 24, SI II

7. Small 603 6010/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7 /6, Arad: PI. 24:35, vessel grey core) white grits, 51. II

poorly-fired.

8. Jug 603 6018/1 pinkish-grey-7.5yr6/2, Ai 1980: Fig. 87:18, many while grils. Phase IV; Ai 1949:

PI. LXXVIII

9. Jar 603 6015/1 reddish-yellow- Ai 1980: Fig. 111: 7.5yr7/6, 35, Phase VI many big grey grits.

10. Small jar 602 6013/5 reddish-yellow-5yr7/8, Arad: PI. 28:7-10; two handles - one 100:(" St. II decoralive, one loop handle on lower body.

11. Jar 603 6017/1 pinkish-grey-7.5)'r7/2, Arad: PI. 17:4, 51. many big white grits. IlI; 32:1, SI. 11; Ai

1980: Fig. 93:4, Phase V

12. Jar 602 6004/1 redd ish-yellow-5 yr7 /6, AraJ: PI. 16:2, 51. many brown grits. III; 15:15

13. Pithos 602 6013/4 reddish- yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 53:14, bands of rope Phase V; Arad: PI. decoration. 39:1-2; 40:2, 51. 11

110

Fig. 54. Pottery of Stratum II. Area C No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons L Bowl (lamp) 600 600111 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad; PI. 22; 19, SI.

grey core, many big II; Yarmuth: PI. white grits, soot on 21:2; 25;1, EB II nrn.

2. Bowl (lamp) 602 6013/1 yellowish-red-5yr5/6, Yarmuth: PI. 25;2 soot on rim.

3. Lamp 603 601611 reddish-brown-5yr5/4, Arad; PI. 22:40, St. well-fired, impressed II; Yarmuth; PI. area on rim. 23;1, EB II

4. Platter 600 6007/3 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972; Fig. burnished, red slip. 36; I. Phase IV

5. Amphori- 603 6005/1 reddish-yellow-7yr7/8, Arad: Pl. 30:17, skos small grits. S1. II

6. Cup (bowl) 600 600712 reddish-yellow-5yr6/6, Arad: PI. 24:22, well-fired. 24, S1. II

7. Small 603 6010/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arad: Pl. 24:35, vessel grey core, white grits, St. II

poorly-fired.

S. lug 603 6018/1 pinkish-grey-7.5yr6/2, Ai 1980: Fig. 87: 18, many white grits. Phase IV; Ai 1949:

PI. LXXVm

9. Jar 603 6015/1 reddish-yellow- Ai 1980: Fig. 111: 7.5yr7/6, 35, Phase VI many big grey grils.

10. Small jar 602 6013/5 reddish-yellow-5yr7/S, Arad: PI. 28:7-10; two handles one 100:6, St. !l decorative, one loop handle on lower body.

11. Jar 603 6017/l pinkish-grey-7.5yr7/2, Arad: PI. SI. many big white grits. Ill; 32: 1. St. ll; Ai

1980: Fig. 93:4, Phase V

12. Jar 602 6004/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Arau: PI. 16:2, St. many brown grits. Ill; 15

13. Pithos 602 6013/4 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 53:14, bands of rope Phase V; Arad: PI. decoration. 40:2, St. II

110

1

4

Fig. 55.

. ' " ., - - 6

( \

\ 2

\ 3

~:"""--, ' .

111

Fig. 55. Pottery of Stratum n. Area C

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons

1. Pillar 602 6014/1 reddish·yellow-5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 42:16,

handle jar grits, medium-fired, Phase IV; Ai 1980:

Fig. 63: 10, Phase

III; Arad: Pl. 37:1,

SI. II

2, Holemouth 601, 600211 reddish·yellow·5yr7/6.

Jar 602

603

3, Holemouth 602 601312 reddish-yellow·5yr7 /6. YarmUlh: PI. 22:8,

jar many black grits. EB 1I

4. Holemouth 602 6013/3 reddish·yellow-Syr7/6, Yarmllth: PI.

jar dark grits, 44;12, EB [[

S. Bowl krater 600 6007/1 reddish·yellow-Syr7/6, Arad: PI. 42;13,

rope decoration. 14, SI. II; 52:23,

SI. I; Ai 1980:

Fig. 91:16, Phase V

6. Holemouth 601 601311 reddish·yellow-Syr7/6.

jar

112

Fig. 56. Area B. Various Finds from Broadroom 115-152.

113

,

Fig. 57. Area C. Jars.

114

"

, [ I j.,

Fig. 58. Area C St. II. Jar with Pillar Handle.

115

Fig, 59, Area C. Holemoulh Jar.

116

Fig. 60. Area C. HoJemouth Jar.

117

-115

Fig. 61. Area B. St. IIa. Chalice.

118

- cm~

Fig. 62. Area B. St. II. Juglet.

119

Fig. 63. Area C. Pithos.

120

o o

Fig. 64. Area B. SI. II. The Broadroom 115-152 Assemblage.

121

BOWLS

1. Small Bowls (Figs. 48:1,5, 12; 54:1-2).

A few small globular bowls were found at Tel Dalil, mosl of which

served as lamps. They were handmade, unslipped and unburnished.

2. EB II Small Metallic-ware Bowl Family (Beck 1985)

A tolal of 95 examples were recovered.

The vessels are of metallic ware - a very fine brownish red clay

("Terra-rosa" clay), containing a small amount of grits. The body of the

vessel was handmade, the rims were finished on a toumene. The body was

usually horizontally burnished, externally and internally, but sometimes

exhibits a criss-cross pattern.

All the types of the family noted by Beck were present (Beck

1985):

1. a) Carinated bowls (Figs. 46:1-2; 48:2, 4; 49:1). Seventy-five

examples.

b) Carinated bowls with lug handles (Figs. 46:2; 48:4). Six

examples.

It is possible that many, if not aU, of the carinated bowls

originally had lug handles.

2. Deep bowls or "goblets" (Reg. No. 404811). Four examples.

3. a) Shallow bowls with inverted rim. Three examples.

b) Bowls with flattened, in-turned or straight rim (Fig. 47:4).

Six examples.

4. Lamp-bowl (Fig. 54:3). One example.

Summary

It seems that while the beginnings of the EB II Small Metallic-ware

Bowl Family are in the regional ceramic tradition of the EB I, the main

characteristics were shaped during the EB II.

Towards the end of EB II a carinated bowl of non-metallic ware

appears in the Tel DaHt repertoire, but no typological distinctions could

be discerned due to the small number of vessels recovered (Fig. 10:1) (cf.

Arad: Amiran et aL 1978: PL52:13; Yarmulh: de Miroschedji 1988:

P1.41:1 ).

122

3. Platters (Figs. 50; 53:3; 54:4)

a) Twenty-three examples were found. Thick-rimmed profile, thick

overall red-brown slip, burnished inside and out (Fig. 53:3).

b) Metallic platters (Fig. 50). Eight examples were found. Well-fired.

The form was achieved by bending the open form so as to fashion a wall

at a right angle to the shallow concave vessel. Some examples are slipped

and burnished (Fig. 50:3). Marks of a tournette can be discerned on rims.

The metallic platters form an homogenous group that was not locally

produced. Petrographic analysis indicates that they were imported from

the north, from pottery production centres in southern Lebanon (Goren

1992). The metallic ware platters of Tel DaHt do not belong to the same

type identified at Arad.

There is no doubt that the metallic ware platters and other vessels of

this ware found at Tel Dalit all date to EB II. In light of the recent

excavations at Beth Yerah (N. Getzov: 1996), and research by R.

Greenberg, it appears that the distribution of the metallic ware from

Lebanon decreased sharply during EB III, with the exception of pithoi

which were still imported into northern Palestine (Greenberg: 1996).

4. Miscellaneous Bowls

Rim profiles are triangular, with upper surface horizontal (Figs.

47:1; 48:6, 7), or thickened inside and out (Fig. 53:4-6). Red slip is

common in this group, and some of the vessels show horizontal

burnishing.

JARS (Figs. 56-57)

Thirty-three jars were found representing five different types:

1) Small Jars

Seven examples were found. They have a short splayed rim with a

mouth diameter of between 6-14 cm. This group includes jars with no

neck or shorl neck.

123

2) Medium-sized Jars (Fig. 48:17)

Five examples were found. They have a splayed rim, and the

diameter of the mouth opening is 18 em. One exceptional example (Fig.

48:16) was made of clay containing basaltic sand.

3) Necked Jars (Fig. 54:11-13)

Thirteen examples were found. They have ledge handles, and heavy

lime wash. Knobs were also found. A number of rim variants occur:

a) Splayed rim (Fig. 54:13)

b). Splayed folded rim (Fig. 54:9)

(cf. Arad: Amiran et ai. 1978: Pis. 15:15; 16:1; 31; 32; 37)

c) A few pillar-handle jars are present in the assemblage (Figs. 49:2;

55:1; 58). In Jar Types 1, 2 and 3 lime wash was very common.

4) Pithoi (Figs. 48:20; 54: 13; 63)

Eight examples were found. They have a tall, splayed neck, and a

folded rim well-attached to vessel wall. The diameter of the mouth

opening is 22 cm. One or more bands of plastic (rope) decoration are

present (Fig. 48:20).

Summary

The jar assemblage of Strata IV-II includes types known from Ai

Phases IV-V, Tell el-Far'ah (N) Pedods 3-4, and Arad Strata Ill-I!. Pithoi,

absent in the assemblage of Stratum V (EB I), appear in Strata IV -II (EB

II).

HOLEMOUTH JARS

As we cannot separate, typologically, the holemouth jars of Strata

IIr-IV from those of Stratum II, we discuss holemomh jars from these

strata as a single assemblage in 4.2.1: Pottery from Broadroom 115-152,

Stratum II (see also Figs. 56-57; 59; 60).

A number of rims of holemouth jars and/or kraters with plastic

bands below the rim were found in both Areas A and B (Fig. 51 7;

52:3, 4; 53:10; 55:5). As only rims were found, their definite shape

cannot be determined. Unfortunately this type, so common in the survey

124

material at the site, was not found in any clearly stratified context (e.g.

floor), However, this characteristic EB II-III vessel is also very common at

other excavations in the centre of the country, e,g. Ai (Callaway 1980:

Fig. 91; 114; 137) and Jericho (Kenyon and Holland 1983: Fig. 141-

146), and even at Arad in the south, where its antecedents can be claearly

discerned in the EB I (Amiran et al. 1978: PIs. 8 [Stratum IV]; 20

[Stratum III-EB II]; 47; 51 [Stratum II]), At Ai and Jericho no intact

vessel was found, The excavators at Ai included this type with the

Holemouth Jars category, while at Jericho it was sometimes differentiated

as a "Holemoulh Bowl" (Kenyon and Holland 1983: Figs. 71-74). From

the above-mentioned excavation reports it is clear that this vessel type was

very common during EB II-III.

JUGS

A few jugs of the "Abydos family" appear in the assemblage in

Area B (Fig. 47:2-3) bearing thick, burnished red slip, two degenerate

handles and one strap handle. A jug from Area C was tempered with

many large grits, and was neither slipped nor burnished (Fig. 54:8).

JUGLETS

Handmade juglets with no slip or burnish appear in Stratum IV-II.

They have one loop handle and a round or flattened base (Fig. 48:9,10).

One jugJet is red- slipped and has a pointed base (Fig. 48: 11). One

miniature juglet was also found (Fig, 51:2).

AMPHORISKOI

A number of small and medium-sized amphoriskoi were found

(Figs. 46:4-5; 48: 14; 54:5). The small ones are globular, made of a gritty

fabric neither slipped nor burnished, The medium-sized amphoriskoi

have a flat base, a globular body, thin walls, and lack both slip and

burnish.

125

4.2.1 Pottery From Broadroom 115-152, Area B, Stratum II:

A Quantitative Analysis

During excavation of Broadroom 115-152 two floors were

discerned: Phases lIb and Ha, upon which were found intact vessels, as

well as shattered but complete vessels which were later restored, and many

sherds belonging to unrestorable vessels, The ceramic assemblages from

these two floors are identicaL

Quantitative Analysis

(including complete and incomplete vessels of Stratum II only)

BOWLS, Twenty-two examples were found.

1) EB II Small Metallic-ware Family. Twenty-one examples:

Carinated bowls (Type La), 10 examples,

Rounded and carinated with pierced lug handle (Type Lb). Two

examples (Fig. 48:3-4).

Subtle carination - Five examples,

Shallow with inverted rim (Type 3). Three examples (Fig. 47:4).

Lamp (Type 4), One example (Fig. 54:3).

2) Pedestal Bowl (Chalice) (Fig. 48:8; 61). One example.

JUGS. Five examples were found:

1) flat base, no slip or burnish. Four examples.

2) red-slipped and burnished. One example.

126

JUG LETS, Six examples were found:

1) pear-shaped, red-slipped, Four examples (Fig, 48:11),

2) rounded body, round base, loop handle attached to the rim, Two

examples (Figs, 48:9; 62).

AMPHORISKOS. (Fig, 48:14).

JARS. 14 examples were found:

1) Medium-sized (Type 2). Five examples.

2) Jars with everted rim, folded outwards, gritty ware (Type 3.b). Three

examples.

3) Pillar-handle jar (Type 3.c). One example (Fig. 49:2),

4) Pithoi (Type 4). Three examples (Fig, 48:20).

5) Spouted jars. Two examples.

HOLEMOUTH JARS

The holemouth jar assemblage, conslstmg of 31 rims and two

complete vessels, comprises 40% of the vessel assemblage from

Broadroom 115-152.

The holemouth jars were divided into three types (cf. Arad: Amiran

et al. 1978:48-49):

1) Holemouth cooking pots. Only a single example was identified as a

cooking pot (Fig. 48:19). it is notable for its thin, rounded walls,

thickened rim, and very gritty ware. Mouth diameter is 8 em.

2) Medium-sized holemouth jars. This jar has an elongated, egg-shaped

body, sometimes with rope decoration, wide flat base, rim thickened

and folded inwards with various profiles: round, square, folded

creating a gutter on the inside of the vessel. The ware is usually grey

and well-fired, containing small grits. Mouth diameter measures

127

between 16-18 cm. This type comprises the majority of the

holemouth jars.

3) Holemouth pilhoi . Height ca. 50 cm., mouth diameter 20-22 cm.

Summary - Holemoulh Jars from Broadroom 115-152 Stratum 11 (EB

/I)

The holemouth jar assemblage is homogenous, rims either rounded

or thickened forming a gutter at the juncture of rim and inner body wall.

Rope decoration is common near the rim, and examples with this

decoration are usually covered with lime wash.

Summary and Conclusions· Broadroom 115-152 (Fig. 64)

The rich ceramic assemblage from Broadroom 115-152 contains

various jars, holemouth jars, bowls, lamps, juglets and a pedestal bowl

(chalice). Also found in the house were a potter's wheel, a fallow deer

horn, a quem and pestles, and flint assemblages (Fig. 56).

The quantitative analysis of the ceramic assemblage indicates that

the holemouth jars comprise ca. 40% of the assemblage, followed by

bowls, then jars, juglets and jugs. The assemblage represents the domestic

utensils of a typical dwelling of the EB n, similar, for example, to those

known from Arad **. A similar assemblage was recovered from Area C,

although it displays less variety (Fig. 57).

**

128

It should be noted that the ceramic assemblage of Broadroom 115-

152 comprises only part of the pottery in use in the complex thaI

consisted of at least three rooms of sim Bar The broadroom was

close to the town wall, and it seems that it was used for a number of

different functions including various small industries (e.g. the

"butChery" where the failow deer horn was found) and a storage

facility (the silo).

4.2.2 Conclusions - Pottery of Strata IV-II (EB II)

The ceramic assemblages of Strata IV and III are limited, and thus

discussed together with that of Stratum II. However, a number of chrono­

stratigraphic observations can be made. The EB II small metallic-ware

bowls definitely began to appear as early as Stratum IV and continued

inro Strata III-II. Also present in Stratum IV were jugs and amphoriskoi.

A bowl type with flattened, in-turned rim (Fig. 47:4) (Beck's Type 3)

originates in Stratum HI, as do two "Abydos-type" jugs (Fig. 47:2-3).

The ceramic assemblage of StralUm II is much more varied,

presenting a comprehensive picture of the final fortified phase of the EB

II settlement, as exemplified by the two assemblages recovered in Areas B

and C

As is the case with the EB I assemblage, the EB II assemblage of Tel

Dalit has strong connections with the EB ceramic traditions of central

Israel (where "northern" and "southern" traditions are intermingled), as

seen to the north of Tel Dali! al Aphek and Tell el-Far ah (N), at Ai to the

east, and al Gezer and Yarmuth to the south. This tradition seems to be a

direct continuation from the EB I as can be seen in the typology of jars

and pithoi, and the application of lime-wash.

Most of the ceramic comparisons were found at Ai, in particular Ai

Phases III-V, located 30 km. east of Tel Dalit (see map Fig. 4), .

Unfortunately, fewer comparisons are found at Gezer, located only ca. 13

km. to the south, due to the limited amount of EB material unearthed

during the American excavations (Phases 12-11 in Field I, Phase 4 in

Field V). Ceramic comparisons are also found at Tel Yarmuth, located

further south. Valuable comparisons were also found at more distant

Arad in the northern Negev, mainly with Tel Dali! Stratum II, which

enables us to date Stratum II to no later than EB 11

Stratum II lacks certain types characteristic of the EB III

assemblage such as the lattice-burnished metallic-ware platters, jugs with

elongated bases, and Khirbet Kerak ware.

129

4.3 Pottery of Stratum 1. Area B3 (Fig. 65)

During the excavation in Area B3 remains of a large building were

discovered within "Tumulus 2." The different orientation of the structure

in relation to the broadroom of Area B and the fortification wall suggests

that it may have been constructed in a later period, following the

abandonment of the Stratum II fortified settlement (see Chap 3.2). No

floors were discerned for this building, however, a number of sherds were

discovered without clear context, albeit within the accumulation of stones

and soil that covered these architectural remains. Some of these sherds

(Loci 404, 410, 412) (Fig. 65) - bowls, jars and holemouth jars, can be

dated to EB Ill.

In Area A, among the unstratified pottery sherds, some bowls are

paralleled at EB III Ai (e.g. bowls with sharply inturned rims, hallmark

of Phase VII) (Callaway 1980: 191, 127-130).

130

1

\U 7 7 4

6

9

Fig. 65.

131

Fig. 65: Pottery of Stratum I. Area 83

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons 1. Bowl 412 4064/1 reddish-yellow-7.Syr7/6,

well-fired, burnished, red/pink slip.

2. Bowl 412 4044/1 light brown-7.5yr6/4, Ai 1972: Fig. 60:22; many small grits, red 63:22, Phase VI; Ai slip, outside band of 1980: Fig. 129:23, red slip drips down. Phase VII

3. Bowl 404 4022/1 pinkish-grey-7 .Syr6/2, Ai 1980: Fig. big white grits, red 109:24; 130:3, slip, burnished. Phase VII

(~ Hole-mouth 410 4029/ 1 reddish-yeUow-Syr7/6, Ai 172: Fig. 62:17,

jar grey core, grey grits. Phase VI

~ Hole-mouth 412 40S9/ 1 pink-7.5yr7/6, plastic Yarmuth: PI. 22:1,

iar decoration on rim. surface; Jericho V: Fig . 142:27; Ai 1972: Fig . 63:22, Phase VI

It Jar 404 4013/1 reddish-yellow-Syr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig . 61 :21; white grits, lime wash . Ai 1980: Fig.

111 :28, Phase VI

S Jar 404 4027/1 reddish-yellow-7.Syr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 61:22, powdery clay. Phase VI; Ai 1980:

Fig. 92:29, Phase V

8. Jar 404 4022/2 pink-7.Syr7/6, white Ai 1980: Fig. gri ts , powdery clay. 132:1S , Phase VII;

Fig. 111 :36-38, Phase VI

9. Jar 404 4007/1 reddish-yellow-7.5yr7/6, Ai 1972: Fig. 61 :22, powdery clay. Phase VI; Ai 1980:

Fig . 92:29, Phase V; 131:37, 40, Phas VII ; Yarmuth: PI. 29:S, EB lIla

132

Fig. 66. Early Bronze III Pottery from Survey (1975)

'\

\ ( ~ .. T J1 (

) , -- , !~ ,. -, '{ ,

" ---' • "--- _ ._~ _ _ O<"

No.Type Description Comparisons

1. Jar reddish-yelIow-5yr7/8. lime wash. Ai. 1980: Fig. 87:20. Phase

rv

2. Jar light grey-10yr7/2. small and big Ai 1972: 45:16. Phase V;

grits. Yarmuth: PI. 39:13; 45:20.

EB llJa-b

3. Jar light grey-l0yr7/2. big and small see Fig. 11 :5. SI. I

grits.

4. Jar reddish-yeliow-5yr7/8. many grits. see Fig. 11:4. SI. I

5. Bow l many grey grits. burnished inside

and on rim. slipped inside.

Ai 1980:191; Figs. 127-130.

Phase VII

6 . Holemoulh reddish-yeliow-5yr7/6. reddish-yeliow see Fig. 11 :6. SI. I

jar core. a few white grits. plastic

decoration on rim.

7. Plaller

(frag.)

yeliow-1 Oyr8/6. yeliow core. a

few grits. crisscross burnishing

pallern.

Yarmuth: Pis. 28; 30; 33; 42;

43. EB lIIa-b

133

4.4 Pottery Coated with Bitumen

About a dozen sherds of Jars and holemouth jars coated with

bitumen (some inside and some outside the vessel), were found in both

Areas A and B. The sherds were distributed throughout the various strata

(II-V).

The observation was corroborated by chemical analysis of two

coated sherds. Lumps of bitumen were also found, four of which were

analyzed. The chemical analyses, carried out by Mrs. Rosa Kopel at the

chemical laboratory of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv

University, indicate that the source of the bitumen was the Dead Sea,

based on the relatively high percentage of sulphur in the samples.

At Arad, from the EB J-ll strata (IV-I), both bitumen-coated

pOllery and lumps of bitumen from the Dead Sea have been uncovered

(Amiran et aJ. 1978:58; :Nissenbaum 1984).

134

Chapter 5.

THE FLINT ASSEMBLAGES ERICH FRIEDMANN

During the three seasons of excavation at Tel Dalit sieving was

carried out in all areas, and all flint pieces collected. Despite the modest

size of the excavated area, the flint assemblage represents a complete

Early Bronze flint tool kit from Israel, and is thus an important

contribution to lithic studies.

Table 1: The General Components of the Lithic Industry

Canaanean blades 4 1.0 %

Broken Canaanean blades 224 56.6 %

Canaanean sickle blades 46 11.5 %

Broken Canaanean sickle blades 21 5.2 %

Tabular flint scrapers 17 4.7 %

Drills, borers and awls 5 1.3%

Burins 9 2.3 %

Notched pieces 7 1.8 %

End scrapers 8 1.6 %

Retouched blades 10 2.5 %

Retouched flakes 44 11.0 %

395.0 99.5 %

Cores 771 9.2%

Debitage 5482 65.8 %

Debris 2085 25.0 %

8338 100.0 %

135

The flint tool assemblage of Tel Dalit can be grouped into three

main industries (after Rosen 1989): 1) Canaanean blade industry; 2)

Tabular flint scraper industry; 3) Various tools (ad hoc elements).

At the time of processing of the excavated material, special

attention was given to finds from Broadroom 115·152 in Area B in an

attempt to discern the function of areas based on tool types.

Table 2: The Relative Percentages of Tool Groups According to Areas

Tool Area A % Area % Are. B3 % Area C % Total %

Cannannean 150 62 61 54 13 40 2 50 228 57.S

blades

Canaanean 35 14 22 19 12 40 67 16.7

sickle

blades

Tabular flint 12 5 3 2 19 4.7

Various 45 188 28 25 6 18 2 50 81 20.6

242 114 33 4 395 99.5

Description of Tools

Canaanean Blades and Sickle Blades. These were found in all the

excavated areas, and comprise aimosl 75% of the 1001 assemblage; mas!

of Ihem were broken (see Table 1). They were not made on local flint,

and no Canaanean blade cores were found at the site. Two types of sickle

blades can be discerned: long blades (ca. 10 em. or longer) (Fig.1 :3),

probably best defined as reaping knives, and short sickle blade segments

which were inserted into a sickle haft. These were finely retouched on the

back and sometimes on the ventral face, and gloss is seen clearly on both

sides. (Fig.1 :4). The average dimensions of (complete) blade segments

from Tel Dalit are 4.84 em. length, 1.95 em. width, 0.55 thick. Most of

136

the Canaanean blades have a trapezoidal section (Neuville 1930) (Table

3).

It should be noted that a single crescent-shaped sickle blade was found in

Broadroom 115-152 (Fig.l:2).

Table 3: Canaanean Blades and Sickle Blades According to Sections

Trapezoidal

Triangular

251

44

295

Table 4: Sickle Gloss on Working Edges

Tool

Canaanean blade

Broken Canaanean blades

Canaanean sickle blades

Broken Canaanean sickle blades

Total

4

224

56

21

109

85.0 %

14.9 %

99.9 %

With Gloss

1

70

24

14

295

Canaanean sickle blades and fragments are identified as such

according to shape and retouch, when they can be identified with near

certainty as having belonged to a complete sickle that was hafted with a

handle. Other fragments J;II ust remain within the category of broken

Canaanean blades, even if they may possibly have been unretouched

sickle blades. This distinction has not been previously emphasized.

137

Tabular Flint Tools. An important group of flint tools is that of scrapers

and other various items made from tabular flint (Fig.l:l; 2:8). Most of

the material is broken, therefore it is hard to classify. All the bases are

thick and faceted, and the bulb of percussion is prominent. The tabular

flint is of high quality, dark brownish-grey in colour.

Various. The tools in this category include drills, borers (Fig.2:1), awls,

burins (Fig.2:2), notches (Fig.2:6), scrapers (Fig.2:3,4) and various

retouched pieces (Fig.2:5). These miscellaneous (ad hoc) tools,

comprising ca. 14% of the assemblage, were made of poorer quality local

flint, as evidenced by the abundance of waste material at the site: cores

(Fig.2:7), small flakes, chips (see Table 2). They are of simple technique,

domestically manufactured and manifest various kinds of retouch, rough

on larger flakes, perpendicular on blade lets and small flakes.

Worth mentioning is a round flint implement, ca. 11 cm. in

diameter and 2 kg. in weight, found on a floor in broad room 115-152 in

Area B together with hammerstones and a potter's wheel (Loc 204). It is

scarred on all sides by irregular knapping. Close examination reveals the

scars were not a result of flaking for the producation of ad hoc flake

tools, but rather in order to form a ball-shaped heavy tool.

138

,cr~

err" n )1

ill) 5 ~ ____ :o=

\J'. ~.j , , ','

No. l:.ul! Locus

1 Tabular flint scraper 10

2 Crescentic- shaped sickle blade 200

3 Canaanite sickle blade 117

4 Canaani Ie sickl e blade 6

5 Sickle blade surface

6 Canaanite blade 152

7 Canaanite blade 58

me

Reg. No.

1049/2

2102/1

1020/1

2093/1

1326/1

139

Fig. 68. Flint Implements.

n.' u No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

140

VI , ,

=

7

Im!i

Borer

Burin

Scraper

Notch

Scraper

Scraper?

Tabular flint scraper

Core

,

•

Locus Reg. No.

1088/1

3 1005/2

10 1030/1

2 1007/1

7 1028/1

148 2047/2

51 1254/2

15 1057/1

Discussion

The raw material of the Canaanean blades, like that of the tabular

flint scrapers, is not of local origin, and some may have been made from

the same material as that of the tabular scrapers, apparently imported

from the south (Schick 1978:62; Rosen 1989:202). The rest of the tools

were manufactured locally, as evidenced by the abundance of waste

material (see Table 1). Most of the cores at Tel Dalit are small and of bad

quality.

The two types of Canaanean blades found at Tel Dalit are the long

reaping knife, and the blunted blade segments that were inserted into a

sickle haft. The Canaanean sickle blade is well known throughou t Israel

during the Early Bronze Age (Rosen 1983; 1989). The average

dimensions of EB Canaanean sickle blade segments are: width 1.5-3 cm.,

length 4-6 cm., and thickness .5 mm. (Rosen 1989:206). This fits well

with the average measurements of sickle blades from Tel Dalil.

The crescent-shaped sickle blade from Broadroom 115-152 is a

type recognized recently at sites in the arid zones - Negev and Sinai. Its

appearance here may indicate that this type was also used sporadically at

EB sites to the north of the arid regions (Haiman 1986; 1990:163; Fig.

18). Its existence is perhaps also indicated at EB Arad (Schick 1978:Fig.

85:2; 86:10).

The general components of the flint tool assemblage from Tel Dalit

are typical of other EB flint assemblages from sites north of the Beer­

sheva Valley (e.g., Tel Yarmuth, Jericho, Arad), comprising Canaanean

blades, tabular flint scrapers and various "ad hoc" tools. However, the

relative quantities within the Tel DaHt assemblage, which is a sieved EB

flint assemblage, vary to certain degrees. At Tel Dalit Canaanean blades

make up ca. 75% of the assemblage, whereas this category is usually no

more than 25% (Rosen 1989:213), somewhat higher at Gamla (Olami

1989:115). On the other hand, ad hoc tools at Tel Dalit comprise ca.

14%, while at other sites they dominate the assemblages, ca. 70%

(ibid.:211). This discrepancy can not be explained merely as the result of

141

inadequate recovery techniques, which would be expected to produce

opposite results (Le., relatively more Canaanean blades). This relative

quantitative breakdown is consistent in both excavated areas of Tel Dalit,

A and B (see Table 2). It should be noted that within Broadroom 115-

152 in Area B, the quantity of complete sickle blades is remarkably high

(91 %), indicating that the sickles themselves were stored within the

domestic structure.

Another difference is the great abundance of raw material and

waste at Tel DaHt (see Table 1 - 8338 pieces), in contrast to the relatively

small amount of locally-produced tools (83). This discrepancy can

definitely be attributed to the recovery technique.

Tabular scrapers comprise 4.7% of the assemblage, corresponding

with a general trend of less than 7% of the assemblage (ibid:214) in EB

sites north of Arad. Tabular flint scrapers were imported from the south -

the arid zones of the Negev and Sinai, where they were much more

common within the flint assemblages (e.g., Beit-Arieh 1981; Rosen

1991). In the southern sites the Canaanean blade is almost unknown,

Arad being the southernmost extent of the Canaanean technology. This

radical difference is due to the lack of agricultural potential in the arid

zones, as well as cultural differences (Rosen 1989:214).

Acknowledgement

We thank llana Mosel who began the work of processing the lithic finds

from Tel Dalil.

142

Chapter 6.

SMALL FINDS SHELLEY SADEH

6.1 Cylinder Seals/Beads

Two bone cylindrical bead-like objects, possibly to be identified as

cylinder seals, were found at Tel Dalil. They are of squat shape. one from

Area B (Broadroom 115-152) lillie more than 1 em. high (Fig. 69:5), the

second, from Area A, less than 2 cm. high (Fig 70:2). The shorter one

bears an incised band of diagonal lines, the longer a band of herringbone

design.

A number of parallels to these objects can be found from sites in

Israel and Jordan. At Jericho a similar object - labelled "possibly a seal",

made of bone with an incised herringbone band, originated from an EB

II context (Kenyon 1960:Tomb A127, p. 91, Pl. 27:4), however it is

longer than our example (3.3 cm.). From Tel Dan cylinder seal

impressions dated to the EB II-Ill (Biran 1994: Fig. 19) include patterns

of lines and herringbones, alongside nets, waves and representational

(animal) designs. This lends weight to the suggestion that the objects

from Tel Dalit were indeed used as seals. From Megiddo also comes a

bone example bearing a herringbone design (Loud 1948: PI. 160:1);

from Bab edh-Dhra, Jordan a bone example with a net design (Schaub

and Rast 1989:465, 474; Fig. 270) and from Gezer a less similar example,

with a design of irregular lines (Maca lister 1912:PI. XXVlIl:21). Another

example, about 3 cm long, was found at Tell Abu al-Kharaz in Jordan, in

an EB II context (Fischer 1993: Fig. 12:11; PI. 111:59).

The cylinder seal from Tel Dalit fits into a general type of seals

known from the north to the south of the country in the EB Il-Ill. In

Ben-Tar's (1968) grouping of EB cylinder seal types, the herringbone

design is designated 5b, that with irregular lines as 5c. Such motifs, as well

as the "squat" shape, appear in the Jemdet Nasr period of Mesopotamia

(e.g. Buchanan 1966:4; No. 68).

143

( (] • , ,

-o,··-~ . ~. .

, ,

" 8· -'0 "

Fig. 69.

144

Fig. 69. Small Finds. Strata IV-II

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons 1. Ring 600 6006/1 chalk. Area C

2. Ring 601 6003/1 basal t. Area C

3. Ring'! 405 4018/2 chalk. Area B3

4. Figurine surface

5. Bead 107 40/2 bone, incised band of diagonal lines, Area B, S1. II

6, Bed model 306 3107/1 very pale brown-lOyr7/4, grey core, few grits, lime slip, Area B, SI. IlL

7. Grinding 305 3005/2 limestone, Area B, SI. III slone

8, Potter's 204 2182/1 basalt. Area B, SI. II wheel

9, Grinding 305 3005/1 limestone. Area B, SI. IV stone

10, Mortar 334 3079/1 limestone. Area B, SI. IV

11. Bead 202 2110/1 chalk. Area B, SI. II

12. Spindle 174 2271/1 reddish-yellow-5yr7/6. Arad; PI. 120;10-16, Whorl S1. IV-I

145

3

o

( 10 , 5

i 0

o

• , • • 10 o J~ .. -----.-

® @ CD 00

" U J:'.<~. -_._-- .. -

Fig. 70.

146

Fig. 70. Unstratified Objects. Area A

No.Type Locus Reg. No. Description Comparisons 1. Zoomorphic 1 1016/1 clay, reddish-yellow- Yarmuth: Pi. 46:4

figurine 5yr7/6.

2. Bead 9 1050/1 bone, incised herringbone decoration.

3. Zoomorphic surface 1002/1 clay, reddish-yellow-5yr7/6, figurine many big grits.

4. Ring 537 5188/1 basalt Arad: PI. 123:4, St. II

5. Ring 537 5188/2 chalk

6. Ring 14 1052/1 basalt

7. Stopper 26 1099/1 chalk

8. Awl 30 1108/? copper

9. Awl 507 50091: copper

10. Awl 27 110217 copper

11. 29 1121/1 Comelian

12. Bead 62 1290/1 Cornelian

13. Macehead 15 1084/1 chalk

14. Bowl 506 5044/1 basalt (chalice?)

15. Bowl 52 12256/1 basalt, incised with (chalice?) herringbone pattern.

147

Fig. 71. Bone Cylinder Seals - Beads.

6.2 Animal Figurines (Figs. 69:4; 70:1, 3)

Six figurines of baked clay ca. 3-5 cm. high, representing

undistinguishable quadripeds, were found in the excavation at Tel Dalit,

two from the domestic building - Broadroom 115-152 in Area B, the

others from the surface of the tell. Such figurines are ubiquitous at EB II­

m sites (as well as during other periods) , i.e. Arad (Amiran et aJ.

1978:54; PI. 117), Tel Dan (Biran 1994:41 ; Fig.17), Jericho (Ken yon

1960:Tomb D1 2, Fig. 40:1), Tel Yarmuth (de Miroschedji 1988: PI. 46).

These figurines ma y have been simple toys, or may have had a

cultic significance (Biran 1994:43).

148

1 •

Fig. 72. Animal Figurine.

6.3 A Bed-Model (Fig. 69:6)

A fragment of a "bed-model" was found in the domestic building

Broadroom 115-152 in Area B Stratum 1lI (L. 306). It is made of beige

clay with a grey core, and measures 4.5 cm. x 3.3 cm. along the

remaining outer edges. The broken stump of a leg emerges from below

the intact corner. Unfortunately, the original shape of the bed, whether

square or rectangular, cannot be determined. The slightly sunken surface

of the "bed" is covered with irregularly pierced holes.

A number of bed-models have been uncovered in Israel (see Beck's

[1993] re-assessment of the subject), most of which are square, a few

rectangular (Gezer, fragment from Ai), all but one made of clay and

149

similarly designed. Some of the models bear a carefully incised criss­

cross pattern on the bed surface, clearly representing a woven mat,

whereas others bear rows of puncture holes. Our example from Tel Dalit

has careless, irregular punctures. It may be that the punctures are an

abbreviated representation of the bed mat, or represent some other

bedding material.

Fig. 73. Bed-Model.

Most of the bed-models from Israel apparently originate from EB

III contexts, with the possible exception of that from Gezer (Ben-Tor

1968:134) and our example, which is definitely of EB II date, and

therefore one of the earliest examples. The bed-models from Israel bear a

striking similarity to those of Mesopotamia, where they had a definite

cultic association. However, bed-models seem to have appeared first In

Israel (Beck 1993:34), and they reach their height of popularity In

Mesopotamia at a time when they have already disappeared in Israel.

A number of suggestions as to the significance and purpose of the

bed-models have been suggested over the years. De Cree (1987-

1988: 11 0) suggested they represen t votive beds offered by prostitutes to

150

a temple goddess. However, as a number of the models in Israel have

been found in non-temple contexts, and at Tel Dalit and Leviah in

domestic buildings, Beck has suggested that the square beds are model

birth-stools, part of a woman's "kit" of amulets (Beck 1993:38).

6.4 Macehead (Fig. 70: 13)

A single piriform macehead of hard limestone measuring 6.3 cm.,

was found on the surface in Area A. The central hole was drilled from the

bottom. Piriform is the most common shape of maceheads from EB II-III

contexts, although spherical examples are also known (Ben-Tor 1968:53),

therefore shape is apparently not of chronological significance. However,

at Arad the two examples from Stratum IV (EB Ib) are piriform, one

made of soft chalk, the other of hard limestone, while those of Stratum II

are spherical. Unfortunately, none were found from Stratum III, therefore

it is unknown if at this stage the two types existed contemporaneously. A

piriform example from Jericho (Tomb F2) is made of alabaster.

6.5 Stone Rings (Figs. 69:1-2j 70:4-6)

Twelve stone rings (7 complete,S partial) were found at Tel Dalit in

Areas A, Band C, five of basalt, seven of limestone. They range in size

from ca. 3 1/2 to 5 cm. in diameter. Such rings have been found at many

EB sites (e.g. Jericho: Kenyon and Holland 1982: PI, 254, 256-7;

Megiddo: Guy 1938: PI, 76; Arad: Amiran et al. 1978: PI. 76; Ai:

Callaway 1972:157, Fig, 42:39; 1980:124, Fig. 84), and their function is

unclear - 100m weights or spindle whorls. Some of them are similar to the

later spherical type of macehead, such as the example in Fig. 69:3,

However, this chalk ring is unlikely to have been a macehead due to the

soft material, and may have been a drill grasp (Sebanne: pers. comm.),At

Arad a distinction between maceheads and rings is noted according 10 the

151

straightness of the piercing (Ami ran et al. 1978:52). At Arad they were

often found in pairs, and a pair, of unequal size, was also found at Tel

DaHt - Baskets 51881-51882, Loc. 537A, Area A (Fig. 70:4-5).

6.6 Copper Awls (Fig. 70:8)

One complete example was found, straight, measuring 10.5 cm.

long, 0.6 cm. at mid-point. It is unusual in that the upper, working part,

has a round section, while the lower part has a square section which

probably was inserted into a handle (Shalev 1992:116). Two partial awls,

one straight and one curved, have square sections. Similar copper awls

from EB contexts, both straight and curved with square sections, can be

seen, for example, from Tel Yarmuth (de Miroschedji 1988: PI. 48:15-

16), Jericho (Kenyon and Holland 1982: Fig. 229:2-3), EB II Arad Strata

II-III (Amiran et al. 1978:55; PI. 70-71; I1an and Sebbane 1989) and

Nabi Salah in the Sinai (Beit-Arieh 1974: PI. 29:2-3).

152

Chapter 7.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: TEL DALIT AND ITS EARLY BRONZE AGE CULTURAL AND TERRITORIAL SETTING

RAM GOPHNA

Sixteen years have elapsed since the unexpected interruption of the

excavations at Tel Dali!. Meanwhile, some important reports of

excavations of Early Bronze Age sites conducted in the 19608, 19708 and

19805 have been published, including Jericho (Kenyon 1981 ; Kenyon

and Holland 1982; 1983), Gezer (Seger 1988), Bab edh-Dhra (Shaub and

Rast 1989), Tel Halif (Seger 1990), 'En Besor (Gophna 1995a).

Excavations have been renewed at other large sites, e.g. Yarmuth (de

Miroschcdji 1988), Tel Beth Shan (Mazar 1994), Tel Megiado (Ussishkin

1994) and most recently at Beth Yerah (Getzov 1996). Furthermore, new

excavations have taken place at smaller sites, many dating to I, e.g.

En Shadud (Braun 1985), Iphtahel (Braun 1994), Palmahim (Braun

1992) and Tel Esur (Yanai 1995). In the central coastal plain there have

been salvage excavations of EB I sites, e.g. Shoham (Nadelman 1995)

and Azor (Golani and van den Brink, forthcoming), which have direct

bearing on the history of settlement of Tel Dal it and its environment

during the Early Bronze Age I. In Jordan as well, excavations at

important EB sites have been carried out, and preliminary and ful!

excavation reports have been published, including Jawa (Betts 1991), Tell

Urn Hammad (BellS 1992), Tell esh-Shuna North (Baird and Philip

1994), Kh. ez-Zeraqon (Ibrahim and Mittmann 1994) and Tell es­

Saidiyeh (Tubb and Dorrell 1994; 1996). In addition, a number of

comprehensive as well as partial syntheses of the Early Bronze Age have

been published by Richard (1987), Esse (1991), Stager (1992), Ben-Tor

(1992), Joffe (1993) and Gophna (1995a). This abundance of field work

and publications of the lasl 16 years must be taken into consideration

when we come to summarize the small-scale excavation at Tel Dalit and

153

evaluate its contribution to the knowledge of EB culture in the southern

Levant from the perspective of the mid-90s.

When presenting the results of the excavations at Tel Datit we must

again mention the fourth and final season which was planned but not

realized, and thus prevented us from attempting to solve certain problems

which were not clarified during the first three short seasons: 1) The

outline of the fortification wa II on the east, as well as the terminations of

the wall on either side of the supposed gate area in the northwestern part

of the site. 2) Certain section drawings in Area A and a general section of

the entire tell connecting Areas A and B were badly needed.

The general outline of the settlement history of Tel DaHl which

emerged from our excavation can be presented in chart form as follows:

Stratum

"Pre-Stratum V"

Phase

Stratum V

Stratum IV-II

Stratum I

Period

Early EB I

(EB la)

Late EB I

(EB Ib)

EB II

EB III

Settlement Pattern

An open site at the onset of the Early Bronze

Age of which only indications were discerned

in Area B3.

An extensive open village whose size is

impossible to estimate.

A fortified town during EB II.

Scallerings of sherds on the surface of the tell

and in the fill of "Tumulus 2", indicate the

existence of a small open site dating some­

time within EB III.'

• No Intermediate Bronze Age sherds have turned up at Tel Dali!.

However, most recently a small settlement of that period has been

discovered 600 m. west of the Tel (Yekutieli et al. pers. comm. 1996).

154

No Chalcolithic selliement was discerned. In light of the

discoveries in the last decade of the Chalcolithic settlement system and

cemeteries that existed west of Tel DaHl: Shoham, Yehud, Kafr Ana, Ben

Shemen (Fig. 74) (Nadelman 1994; Van den Brink and Gophna 1995;

Shmueli 1995; Gophna and Edelstein 1996; Perrot and Ladiray 1980), it

is evident that the first settlement at Tel DaHt was established at the very

beginning of the EB 1. This represents the beginning of a new, post­

Chalcolithic settlement system in this region of the Central Coastal Plain.

Since the abandonment of the fortified EB II town, after some 400

years of existence, the archaeological landscape of Tel DaHt has survived

almost unchanged as a testament to Ihis fortified town whose life ceased

ca. 4700 years ago.

155

N. YOfkon

• T. Gerisa • 7·. Bnei Beraq Tel Aviv

•••• Givataim

• Khiriya

Azar •• 'I-

. -tvo/- Ona • . 0"

.Yehud

T. Lad.

. aT. Boreket . ... ..... •• IShohom

O~T. DAUT .. EI-Hubban

Ben She men •• ~ ..

Polmoh,m

;

Mizpeh Madiim

LB. I

LB. II

• LB. III o Sk m - -

.-0 T. Gimza

40T. Gezer

Fig. 74. Chalcolithic and EB Sites in the Lower Yarkon-Ayalon Drainage

Basin

156

Material Culture, Subsistence and Economy

The EB I-II ceramic repertoires from Tel DaHl present a picture of

an intermingling of both northern and southern ceramic elements, which

makes it difficult to attribute our site 10 either one of these traditions (see

Chap. 4). It seems appropriate at this stage of research \0 regard the Tel

Dalil assemblages, from a regional point of view, as representing a "grey"

area between the north and south, where sub-cultural spheres met and

intersected. This of course fits the geographical situation - and thus the

term we use here "Central Coastal Plain" has both a geographical as well

as a cultural meaning. This concept of a "central" region can also be

extended to include the major sites of Ai in the central highlands, and

Jericho, in the lower Jordan Valley. in other words, the Central Coastal

Plain is only part of a larger "intermediate" cultural region during the EB

I -II,

The finds from Tel DaHt reveal that the inhabitants of both the

open, EB I site and the fortified EB II town were engaged in mixed

farming in this heartland of the Mediterranean Zone. The high

percentage of Canaanite sickle blades (75%) in the lith assemblage

gathered in excavation Areas A and B (Chap. 5), and especially the

complete sickle blades found in Broadroom J 15-152 (91% of the

assemblage from this room), testify to the importance of cereals and

pulses in the economy of the inhabitants of Tel DaHt. The abundance of

charred olive stones and olive wood found in the excavations is evidence

of the cultivation of olive trees (see Chap, 9),

From the archae020010gical analysis (Chap. 10) it appears that the

inhabitants of Tel Dalit raised mainly sheep and goats, as well as cattle,

pigs, donkeys and dogs, and hunted a variety of wild game, e.g. gazelle

and fowl. The remains of fish bones (probably from dried fish), may

indicate inter-site trade connections with sites such as Aphek on the

Yarkon River, or siles further west. Such inter-regional trade connections

are also indicated by certain pottery vessels originating in the north, i.e,

the metallic platters (Fig. 50), and a number of vessels containing basaltic

sand (Figs, 40:15; 48:16) (Goren 1992), certain flint blades (Chap. 5),

157

bitumen (Chap. 4.4) and copper and basalt artifacts.

The population size of Tel DaHt can be estimated, based on the

coefficient of 20-25 persons per 1000 m2, as 800-1000 persons (see

Gophna and Portugali 1988). If we reduce the overall area of the tell by

the areas which are today barren of settlement debris (ca. 5000 m2), it is

possible to estimate the size of the EB Il population more exactly as

between 700-875 persons.

According to the model elaborated by Gophna and others (Gophna

et a1. 1986-1987: 80; Table 3), the estimated area of agricultural

exploitation is 0.75 hectare per capita, thus the population of Tel Dalit

needed at least 525 hectares of agricultural land. Past ural land is

estimated at 1.5 hectares per capita, therefore Tel Dalit utilized ca. 1050

hectares of pasturage. Thus ,Tel Dalit's total agricultural impact on its

surrounding environment covered some 1575 hectares (15.75 km.2).

Tel Dalit: A Model Of Settlement, Urbanization and Shifting Urban

Landscapes During the Early Bronze Age

The medium-sized, fortified EB II town of Tel Dalit (covering ca. 4

hectares), was situated between two contemporary larger towns (covering

ca. 10 hectares each), Aphek to the north and Gezer to the south, which,

like Tel Dalit, were deserted before the advent of EB Ill. However, unlike

Aphek and Gezer, Tel Dalit is also one of a large group of EB II towns

whose ruins are found in most regions of lsrael and Jordan, which were

not resettled in MB II, and some of which were never resettled. The

history of settlement at Tel Dalit seems to represent another countrywide

phenomenon, stretching from Meona in the Upper Galilee to Arad in the

northern Negev, of sites which flourished in the EB II, and were then

abandoned and not refortified or resettled during EB III (Fig. 75). This

phenomenon of relatively short-lived fortified towns, therefore, can well

be designated the first urban sub-phase in the long history of the

urbanization process during the Early Bronze Age of Palestine. However,

it should be noted that large, open, unfortified EB II sites also met a

similar fate, e.g. Qiryat Ala (Golani 1993).

158

.Meona

--> - _ . - - . -" .. . _-- - _. "

_ ... -_ . -c=.. _ _ ~ ____ _

-- .. ---~ - . _._-- -

-- - .---- -----------

Tel Kinrot

• Mizpeh Zevulun

Tell Abu el~araz

Tell el-Fara. Tell es-Saidiyeh

• Kh. el-Mokhruk •

• Tel Aphek

• Tel Boreqet • Tel Dolit

.Tel Gezer

Tel Arad.

'1..0 ___ ~_~30km.

Fig. 75. Abandoned EB II Walled Towns.

159

As mentioned above, Tel Dalit was one of a number of EB sites

which were situated within the ecological niche between Aphek and Gezer

(see Chap. 1.2), three of which were fortified, urban-like settlements

during EB II: Tel DaJiI, Tel Bareqet and probably also Tel Gimzo. It

appears that EB II Tel Dalit dominated a territory stretching between

Aphek and Gimzo, with a smaller fortified EB II satellite town, Tel

Bareqet, located 4 km. to the north (Gophna 1989). This type of political

entity with a hierarchical system of settlements is sometimes termed a

"peer polity" (see Finkelstein 1995:48; Renfrew 1986).

The history of settlement at Tel Dalit, as revealed in the excavations,

demonstrates the first severe settlement crisis already at the end of EB I, a

crisis also evident at other sites in the Central Coastal Plain, e.g. Shoham

(North), Lod and Azor (Gophna 1989; Portugali and Gophna 1993; but

see also Finkelstein 1995). However, the beginning of the urbanization

process at Tel Dalit seems very similar to that revealed at Arad: levelling

of the late EB I open settlement and the subsequent construction of a new,

planned fortified town on its debris. At EB Il Arad there was a substantial

reduction in the area of the fortified town compared to the area of the

earlier EB I open settlement (Portugali and Gophna 1993:181).

Unfortunately at Tel Da!it it is impossible to estimate the difference

between the extent of the EB I open site and that of the II fortified

town. According to data unearthed at Aphek to the north, it seems that

this site was already fortified at the end of EB I (Kochavi 1993). At

Gezer, on the other hand, until today no EB fortification wall has been

detected, and thus here also the extent of the site in the EB I as compared

to the EB II cannot be determined.

The final abandonment of these fortified towns in the EB ll, unlike

Ai to the east which was refortified in the EB Ill, exemplifies a model of

arrested development of tlourishing EB II fortified towns which is now

evident throughout Israel. As a result of the data from excavations at Tel

Dalit, Aphek and Gezer it is now apparent that there was a severe

settlement crisis during the EB Il, part of a more general phenomenon

already known from Tell el-Farah (N) in Samaria and Arad in the

160

northern Negev (Kempinski 1978), and observed more recently

throughout the Samarian hill country (Zertal 1993), in the northern

regions of the country (e.g. Meona in the Upper Galilee [Braun 1996]),

and also in the Middle Jordan Valley (e.g. Tell Abu al-Kharaz [Fischer

1993; 1994) (see map Fig. 75).

As at Tel Dalit, also at Aphek and Gezer, meagre pottery evidence

was found of a negligable occupation in EB III. It appears that during EB

III the centre of population and settlement in the Central Coastal Plain

may have shifted to Tel Gimzo (Gophna 1989).

As mentioned above, it is now clear that the crisis and desertion

which took place at Tel DaHt sometime during the EB II represents a

countrywide phenomenon of abandonment of walled towns as well as

open sites during this period, and thus the question must be posed: what

was the cause of this abandonment of flourishing EB II settlements over

vast areas of the country? Furthermore, what were the dynamics of the

process which resulted in certain sites surviving and continuing to flourish

into EB III, e.g. Hazar, Dan, Beth-Yerah, Ai, Jericho, Yarmuth, and Tel

Erani; and new fortified towns to spring up during the EB III, e.g. Leviah

(Kochavi 1994), Kh. ez-Zeraqon, Tel Hesi, Tel Halif and others? (Gophna

1995a: 275-276).

In the light of a recent meticulous analysis of the urbanization

process throughout the Early Bronze Age,· it is becoming more and

more apparent that the process of establishment of fortified towns, and

their temporary or complete abandonment, continued throughout this

long period. Furthermore, it appears that regional or countrywide

settlement crises such as those discerned at the end of EB ! and during EB

II (as described above), continued into the EB !II (e.g. Tel Halif and Tel

Hesi) (Seger 1989). Thus, we are still far from restoring the intricate

patterns of shifting EB urban landscapes, demographic fluctuations and

shifting population centers in any given phase, which would in turn aid us

in reconstructing the political-territorial divisions of the country.

161

Eventually, such reconstructions will enable a revision of the sub­

phasing of the long EB urban period, and relieve us of the legacy of

Wright's traditional dual phasing (EB II-II) (Gophna 1995a:275-275). It

would appear that the combination of spatial and stratigraphical analyses

of the urban settlements of each phase, and their ceramic sequences, may

indeed lead us to the realization of this goal

("this analysis was carried out during an MA seminar held at Tel Aviv

University in 1996, directed by Ram Gophna)

162

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Joffe, A.H. 1993. Settlement and Society in the Early Bronze Age I and

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170

SPECIAL REPORTS

Chapter 8.

A POTTER'S WHEEL FROM TEL DALIT* RACHEL PELTA

In the excavations at Tel Dali! a pierced disc of basalt stone was

found. We believe that this stone may have been one of the two parts of a

potter's wheel.

''The ancient potter's wheel was comprised of a set of two round

stone discs, carefully worked and shaped to each otheL The upper disc of

the two was fitled with a central pivot, the lower disc had a socket in its

centre in which the pivot could revolve when lightly tipped by hand.

Sometimes the socket hole pierced right through the lower disc. It is

unclear why this was done, and further investigation is needed" (Amiran

1963:20).

The stone from Tel Dalit is pierced right through (Fig. 1-2; Chap.

6: Fig.69:8). The examination of this stone may enable us to understand

the function of other such stones which have already been uncovered at

EB sites in Israel.

• I gratefully acknowledge the generous help I received from Mrs

Uza Zevulun and Mrs Yael Olnik, of the Eretz Israel Museum (Tel Aviv),

who granted me access 10 the exhibits and collections of the museum,

gave advice on the written sources and were unstinting in their comments

on the subject of ancient pOllers' wheels, and the object from Tel Dalil. I

also wish to thank Prof. Ram Gophna, Dr. Yitzhak Beit-Arieh, Prof.

Aharon Horowitz, Mrs. Esti Yadin, Mrs. Yehudit Dekel, Mrs. Shlomit

Averbuch, Mrs. Michal Iron-Lubin, and especially Mrs. Shula Adar and

Ms. Michal Ron. My thanks also to Mr. Avraham Pelta for his help with

the photographs, and finally to the staff of the Archaeological Library of

Tel Aviv University.

The writer is the chief pottery restorer at the Institute of

Archaeology, Tel Aviv University, and a ceramic sculptor.

171

.. 115

.. Fig. 1. Potter's Wheel. Upper Face.

172

cm~

Fig. 2. Potter's WheeL Lower Face.

173

Potter's wheels of one type or another have been found in

excavations throughout the ancient Near East. However, the earliest

ceramics (Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods) were not thrown on the

wheel but were either built on mats (as proved by the mat impressions

found on their bases) or were formed with the aid of a tournelte, or slow

wheel (see Fig. 3:a below), which could be rotated but not spun (Amiran

1963: 15-30). The fast potter's wheel has been in use in this country since

the Middle Bronze Age, through the Iron Age, Persian and Hellenistic

periods, up to the present day. Archaeological evidence of potters' wheels

has been found in situ in the excavations of various local sites such as

Jericho, Megiddo, Gezer, Lachish and Hazor (Amiran 1963:21). This

common potter's wheel, with a small conical pivot, is known as the

"Canaanite-Israelite" type (Amiran 1971: Photos 9,10,12; Wood 1990:

Figs. 1,2; Rice 1984:107-111) (Fig. 3:c below).

Olher types of potters' wheels were used in different cultures and

periods. The early Egyptian wheel of the 3rd millennium B.C.E. was

distinguished mainly by a long cylindrical pivot or spindle (Fig. 3:b)

(Childe 1954: Fig. 132; Hodges 1970: Fig. 53). From the Minoan period

in Greece and from the Uruk period in Mesopotamia pOllers' wheels with

baked clay discs are known (Childe 1954: 199). Developed pivots are

found in Israel from the Byzantine period onwards, at sites such as

Mefalsim (Amiran 1963:21) (Fig. 3:d).

174

c

11

a

I I

d

b

I I

.

[WJ e

Fig. 3: Schematic vertical sections showing the principle of a) a

lournelle; b) Egyptian hand potter's wheel; c) Canaanite­

Israelite bearing; d) Byzantine bearing; e) elemen!ric

combination of kick-wheel.

175

The Structure of the Potter's Wheel

The palter's wheel is basically composed of two distinct parts, and is

based on the principle of rotation.

Technological improvements, especially in the bearings (turning

mechanism) of these instruments, made it possible to advance from the

partial rotation of the tournette to the fuil and continous rotation of the

fast potter's wheel (Figs. 3a-e) (Leach 1940: 63-73; Rice 1987: 132-135;

Childe 1954; Sinopoli 1991 :21).

The lower part, or base, needs to be heavy and fixed (permanently

or temporarily) in one place, so that it will not move or vibrate excessively

when the device is operated. This lower part sometimes consists of several

elements which have been securely joined (by cementing, or by pressure

adhesion). The upper part is the actual rotating element. It can also

consist of several separate elements joined together. Some kind of surface

(usually a wooden board of ca. 60 ems. diameter) is affixed, on which is

placed the lump of clay to be worked into a vesseL

The upper and lower parts of the wheel are pivoted or socketed to

create rotation. It is reasonable to assume that the concave, or socketed,

part was on the bottom, and held liquid which facilitated acceleration, The

application of outside force to the upper part results either in partial

rotary motion (slow wheel or tournette) or in continuous rotary motion

(genuine potter's wheel or fast wheel).

The earliest type, without pivot, used the partial rotation of a

movable base (wooden board, stone slab, mat), and from this developed

the tournelte, and the pivoted turn-table, A further development is

represented by the kick-wheel (Leeuw 1984:21), which, by most accounts,

was introduced only in the Hellenistic period (Leeuw 1984:200; Hodges

1970: Fig. 175), although Childe argued that the Canaanite-Israelite type

could also have been adapted for kick operation (Childe 1954:202).

An important source for knowledge of the potter's wheel is

ethnographic studies of tribal societies. These have demonstrated that

quite primitive devices (wooden board, stone slab, etc.) can produce

176

symmetrically-shaped vessels (Leeuw 1984: 195-197). Examples of this

may be cited from India (Rice 1987: Fig. 5,3), Yemen (Posey 1994),

Denmark (Amiran 1963: Photo 8), Lake Victoria region (Hodges 1970:

Fig. 31), Northern Nigeria (ibid: Fig. 31) and Crete (Eshbal & Kimhi

1989). Moreover, if a vessel was not totally smoothed after its completion,

the marks on its surface can often indicate the nature of the device used

in its production.

The Object from Tel Dalit (Figs. 1-2; Chap. 6: Fig. 69:8)

The object from Tel Dalit bears evidence of having been carved on

all sides, and is roughly symmetrical. A hole was bored in its centre. The

object is round and narrow: weight: 1.1 kg., diameter: 13-14 cm.,

thickness: varying 2-4 cm. On one side the object is flat and smooth,

almost shiny. In one area is a circular, highly-polished band, 1 em. wide.

Evidently this band resulted from continual frictional contact with an

opposed unknown surface, presumably another stone object.

The reverse side of the object is dome-shaped. A large pari of the

surface of this side is covered by a chalk-like incrustration. The hole in

the centre of the object is not of equal diameter along all its length. It

descends funnel-like from the dome-shaped side (diameter 4-5 em.)

down two-thirds of the object's thickness (diameter 2 em.); from this

narrowest point the hole broadens again until it emerges on the flat side

of the object (diameter 3 em). Except for a faint mark at its narrowest

point (see below), there are no indications of rotational movement within

the hole.

A number of examples of early potters' wheels, usually termed

tournettes by the excavators, have been reported from EB strata: Meser

EB I (Dothan 1959:28), Arad (Amiran 1987: PI. 77), and Megiddo EB

II-III (Loud 1948: PI. 268:13). A number of similar objects have been

recorded but unfortunately not illustrated. The description of an object

from Megiddo Stage IV (EB I) is strikingly similar to our example: a

pierced disc measuring 19x5 em., biconically-pierced, with "glassy wear"

177

on one side (Engberg and Shipton 1934:40). Another such object is

mentioned from EB I Tell el-Far'ah (N) (de Vaux and Steve 1947:405),

and also from Beit Yerakh EB I (Maisler et a1. 1952: ). Another similar

object was found from the Chalcolithic Period at Tel Halif (Jacobs and

Borowski 1992:69), as well as from the Intermediate Bronze Age at Nahal

Alexander (Dar 1977:16; PI. 4). Compared to the Canaanite-Israelite

potter's wheel, these perforated disc-shaped objects are both smaller and

flatter.

The nature of the object (disc-shaped, domed, pierced) together

with the shiny band on its flat surface (testifying to a corresponding

missing element), inspired me to make some experimental negative

elements (from baked clay, fired to 9000) which I used in tests of a

theoretical and practical nature (see Figs. 4-7). The experiments were not

made on the original stone.

I rejected the possibility that the object could have been a

grindstone, as it does not correspond to the ancien t concept of such an

object, or to actual archaeological finds (Amiran 1956: 46-49). Neither

could it have been the socket stone of a door-hinge, since it would have

been a fully revolving door (Le., turning in a 3600 circle) or have been

positioned in the centre of a threshold. Thus, I at first concluded that the

object here discussed was the socket stone of a potter's wheeL The object

shows traces of rotational movement on its flat surface, however, there are

no traces of such within the socket hole itself. This would indicate that no

rotational movement occured within the socket hole; and, to my mind, the

faint signs of frictional contact discernable within the "socket" hole were

caused by pressure exerted when a pivot was fixed there.

In other words, this "socket" part, once it had a separate vertical

element implanted, was converted into the pivoted part of a potter's wheel,

of which the corresponding socket part was missing. The accompanying

photos present a reconstruction of the complete potter's wheel and the

principle of its operation, with the recovered object from Dalit

constituting a type of spindle (i.e., a wooden spindle implanted in the

tapered hole, which was then throughly doused with water so that it

178

swelled up and became immovably wedged), and which could be easily

changed when damaged. Therefore, this is not the socket part of a potter's

wheel, but the spindle or pivot!

In conclusion, the reconstruction of the potter's wheel from Tel

Dalit enables us to view it and similiar objects found at other EB sites, and

even from earlier and later strata, as representing a type of slow potters'

wheel, or tournette. It was the forerunner of the Canaanite-Israelite fast

wheel, introduced into our area in the Middle Bronze Age.

The following sequence of photographs illustrates the process of a

minimalist reconstruction of how the stone from Tel Dalit could have

comprised the upper part of an elaborated tournette or slow potter's

wheel, in supposition that the missing opposite frictional surface was also

made of stone. The parts used in the reconstruction are made of baked

clay. The photos were taken by Rachel and Avraham Pelta.

179

Fig. 4. Lower (stationary) socket stone and upper (rotating) disc (the

stone from Tel Datil). The wooden spindle is implanted into the upper

stone. On lhe upper disc one could balance a horizontal working surface.

180

Fig. 5. (The original perforated stone disc is on the right). A wooden

spindle or pivot was affixed in the "socket" hole. A lump of wet clay was

used to affix a round wooden board to the upper surface of the rotating

disc. This was then aligned over the lower stationary "socket".

181

Fig. 6. Opening and raising a vessel from a small lump of clay centered

on working surface (the reconstructed polter's wheel in action).

182

Fig. 7. Building of a vessel on the tournette by method of coiling.

Modelling and smoothing the vessel is made possible by rotating the

turn-table.

183

REFERENCES

Amiran, R. 1956. The Millstones and the Potter's Wheel. EI 4: 46-49.

(Hebrew).

Amiran, R. 1963. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Jerusalem - Ramal

Gan (Hebrew),

Amiran, R, 1967, Quem and Potter Wheels. EI 4:46-49 (Hebrew).

Amiran, R. et al. 1978. Early Arad. I The Chalcolithic Settlement and

Early Bronze Age City. First-Fifth Seasons of Excavations 1962-

1966. Jerusalem.

Amiran, R And Shenhav, D, 1984. Experiments with an Ancient Potter's

WheeL In: Rice, M. Pots and Potters, Los Angeles: 107·111.

Childe, V.G, Holmyard, EJ. and Hall, A.R. 1954, Rotary Motion. In:

Singer. History of Technology, London: 187-215.

Dar, S. 1977, Ancient Settlements in 'Emeq Hepher. Ma'abarot. (Hebrew),

Dothan, M, 1959. Excavation at Meser. IE] 9: 13·29.

Engberg, RM, and Shipton, G.M, 1934. Notes on the ChalcoUthic and

Early Bronze Age Pottery of Megiddo, Chicago.

Eshbal, Land Kimhi R, 1989. A Visit to Terpessano (Crete) to the Potter's

Family Theodorakis. Pottery 9:4-8 (Hebrew),

Hodges, H. 1970. Technology in the Ancient World. England.

Jacobs, P.F. and Borowski, O. 1993. Tel Halif 1992, IEJ 43: 69 (Notes

and News). Krouse, RA. 1984, Modelling the Making of POlS: An

Ethnoarchaeological Approach. In: Van der Leeuw, S.E. (Ed,) The

Many Dimensions of Pottery. Amsterdam: 615-699.

Leach, B. 1940. A Potter's Book. London,

Leeuw, S,E, Van deL (Ed), 1984. The Many Dimensions of Pottery,

Amsterdam,

Loner!, H.W, 1984. Types of Potters' Wheels and the Spread of the

Spindle Wheel in Germany. In: Van der Leeuw. S.E, The Many

Dimensions of Pottery. Amsterdam: 205-230.

Loud, G. 1948. Megiddo I/. Chicago.

Maisler, B. Stekelis, M. and Avi-Yonah, M, 1952. The Excavations at Beth

184

Yerah (Khirbe el-Kerak) 1944-1946, IE] 2: 165-173.

Posey, S. 1994. Yemeni Pottery. London.

Reich, R. 1992, Building Materials and Architectural Elements in Ancient

Israel. In: Kempinski, A. and Reich, R. The Architecture of Ancient

Israel. Jerusalem,

Rice, M. 1987. Pottery Analysis. Chicago and London.

Sinopoli, C.M. 1991. Approaches to Archaeological Ceramics. New

York.

de Vaux, R. and Steve, a.p, 1947, La Premiere Campagne de Foui11es A

Tell el-Far'ah Pres Naplouse, Rapport preliminaire. RB 54: 394-

589.

Wood RG. 1990. The Sociology of Pottery in Ancient Palestine. England

185

Chapter 9

ANALYSIS OF BOTANICAL REMAINS FROM TEL DALIT NIL[ LIPHSCHITZ

Tel Dalit, dating to the Early Bronze Age, is located in the Judean­

Sa marian foothills east of Beit Nehemia. The present vegetational

landscape at the area is secondary, the outcome of man's impact on the

natural vegetation and interference with the environment throughout the

ages. Reconstruction of the original, native vegetational landscape is

possible only via archaeobotanical analysis of wood remains collected

during the excavations.

During the three seasons of excavation botanical remains including

charred pieces of wood and carbonized seeds were collected. Samples of

1-1.5 cubic cm. each were taken from the charred wood for botanical

analysis. The samples were treated in absolute alcohol, celloidin solution

and 55 C parrafin. Blocks were made in paraffin, and 10-15 cm. thick

sections - cross, longitudinal, tangential and radial - were made in a

rotary microtome. The identification of the woody species was based on

the comparison of the three dimensional structure of the wood as revealed

in these sections, with reference sections prepared from live trees of

identified species. Identification of seeds was made morphologically by

comparison with modern-day fruits and seeds.

The botanical analysis of the charred pieces of wood (Table 1)

shows that eight samples (out of 12, 66.6%) were of Quercus calliprinos

(Kermes oak), three pieces (25%) were of Olea europaea (Olive), and a

single sample was of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine).

Forty-two of forty-three seed samples were charred olive stones

found in a domestic area, and one sample included Vetch seeds (Vicia

sp.) (Table 2).

Dendroarchaeological research carried out for the last twenty years

(Liphschitz, 1986, 1988, 1992) enables the comparison of findings from

Tel Dalit with those findings of other Early Bronze Age sites located in

186

the Mediterranean zone. Despite the small amount of archaeobotanical

findings from Tel Dalit, they can contribute to our knowledge of the

vegetaional landscape of the region during the Early Bronze Age.

Dendroarchaeological research at three Early Bronze Age sites in

the Central Coastal Plain, Shoham, Tel Aphek and Tel Gerisa, indicates

that the wood remains were mainly of Quercus calliprinos, Pistacia

palaestina (Terebinth) and Olea europa ea. Dendroarchaeological

investigatiqns carried out further south in the higher Judean Shephela , at

Tel Yarrnuth, and in the Southern Coastal Plain at Tel Erani , present the

same results. Even at a greater distance to the north, in Esdraelon Valley,

research at Tel Taanach and Tel Qashish has revealed the same arboreal

composition (Table 3).

The main fruit remains found at these sites were olive stones. A few

seeds of Vetch (Tel Dalit, Tel Erani, Tel Yarmuth, Tel Qashish), wheat

(Tel Erani, Tel Yarmuth), lentil (Tel Erani, Tel Yarrnuth) and grapes (Tel

Yarmuth) were also collected.

The findings show that the arboreal vegetation of these Early

Bronze Age sites was characterized by Quercus callipr/nos (Kerrnes oak),

Pistacia palaestina (Terebinth) and Olea europaea (Olive).

The dominance of the native Quercus callipr/nos - Pistacia

palaestina association in the Mediterranean territory during antiquity has

already been demonstrated in numerous dendroarcheological research

projects carried out for the last two decades (Liphschitz & Biger, 1990).

This association characterized the Mediterranean region until the

destruction of the arboreal cover of Israel during the Early Arab period.

On the other hand, intensive cultivation of Olea europaea, which is a

typical Mediterranean tree species, probably began in the Early Bronze

Age (Liphschitz et al. 1991). The olive remains from that time could,

therefore, have originated from either wild or cultivated specimens.

The Early Bronze Age vegetational landscape of Tel Dalil was

therefore composed of the primary arboreal association of Kermes oak

and Terebinth, mixed with wild and cultivated olive trees. The great

abundance of olive stones suggests that olives were part of the diet. A

187

single piece of Aleppo pine was also found at the site, but this species was

very rare during ancient times (Liphschitz et aL 1987-9).

TABLE 1: Location of wood remnants at Tel DaHl

Area Locus Basket Species

B 205 2122 Quercus calliprinos

B 205 2102 Quercus calliprino

B 404 4017 Quercus calliprino

A 26 1099 Olea europaea

A 24 1096 Olea europaea

A 515 5098 Olea europaea

A 503 5112 Olea europaea

B 339 3089 Olea europaea

B 403 4021 Olea europaea

B 410 4042 Olea europaea

B 415 4048 Olea europaea

A 515 5110 Pinus halepensis

188

TABLE 2: a) Location of olive stones at Tel DaHL Area B (n=42). LoCIlS Basket 138 2012 138 2015 152 2056 152 2067 152 2094 155 2060 155 2065 155 2075 157 2017 158 2085 162 11 204 2126 204 2168 204 2177 204 2182 204 2184 204 2189 204 2190 207 2137 210 2141 210 2150 210 2154 301 3008 301 3022 302 3002 302 3041 300 3000 320 3038 320 3065 330 3062 334 3079 337 3104 337 3087 340 3109 341 3010 358 3161 173 2291 174 2307 ] 8] 2302 206 2133 208 2140

189

TABLE 2b) Location of Vetch (Vida sp.) seeds. Area B.

Locus Basket

339 3089

TABLE 3: Wood remains from Early Bronze Age excavations in the

Mediterranean Zone (Liphschitz 1986-8; 1995-6).

Site Quercus Pistacia Olea Others

calliprinos palaeslina europaea

DaHl 3 8 1

Shoham 8 10 105 15

Aphek 2 1 8

Gerisa 1 1

Erani 3 25 37 5

Yarmuth 11 28 5

Taanach 5

Qashish 3 13 6

TOlal 31 78 194 26

* Other species found: Quercus ithaburensis, CeralOnia.

siliqua, Pinus halepensis.

Total no.

12

141 *

11

2

70 •• 69 *** 5

32

342

* • Other species found: Tamarix aphylla, Acacia raddiana.

••• Other species found: Cupressus sempervirens,

Tamarix aphylla, Crataegus azarolus,

190

REFERENCES

Liphschitz, N., 1986. Overview on the dendrochronology and

dendroarchaeology in Israel. Dendrochronologia 4:37-58.

Liphschitz, N" 1986, 1987. Dendroarchaeological Investigations: Tel

Qashish, Mimeographed reports No, 144, 163, Institute of

Archaeology, Tel Aviv University. (Hebrew).

Liphschitz, N" 1987, 1990. Dendroarchaeological Investigations: Tel

Erani. Mimeographed reports No. ]56, 190. Institute of

Archaeology, Tel Aviv University, (Hebrew).

Liphschitz, N., 1988. DendroarchaeoJogical Investigations: Tel Yarmuth.

Mimeographed reports No. 159, Institute of Archaeology, Tel

Aviv University. (Hebrew).

Liphschitz, N., 1988. Dendroarchaeologicallnvestigations: Tel Gerisa.

Mimeographed reports No. 174. Institute of Archaeology, Tel

Aviv University, (Hebrew).

Liphschitz, N., 1988. Dendrochronological and dendroarchaeologicai

Investigations in Israel as a means

vegetation and climate. PACT

146.

for the reconstruction of past

(Wood and Archaeology):

Liphschitz, N., 1992. Levant trees and tree products. Bulletin of Sumerian

Agriculture 6:33-46.

Liphschitz, N., 1995-6. DendroarchaeoJogicallnvestigations: Shoham.

Mimeographed reports Nos. 262, 264, 274, 276, 280. Institute of

Archaeology, Tel Aviv University. (Hebrew).

Liphschitz, N. & G. Biger, 1990. Dominance of Quercus calliprinos

(Kermes oak) Pistacia palaestina (Terebinth) association in the

Mediterranean territory of Eretz Israel during antiquity. Journal of

Vegetation Science 1 :67 -70.

Liphschitz, N., Biger, G. & Z. Mendel, 1987-9. Did Aleppo pine (Pinus

halepensis) cover the mountains of Eretz Israel during antiquity,

Israel - People and Land 5-6: 141-150 (Hebrew),

Liphschitz, N., Gophna, R, Hartman, M. & G. Biger, 1991. Beginning of

191

192

Olive (Olea europaea) cultivation in the Old World. Journal of

Archaeological Science 18:441-453.

Chapter 10.

PATTERNS OF ANIMAL EXPLOITATION AT EARLY BRONZE AGE TEL DALIT

L10RA KOLSKA HORWITZ, SHLOMO HELLWING AND EITAN

TCHERNOV

INTRODUCTION

Tel DaHt is a small mound situated in the foothills of the Sa marian

hill country. The earliest occupation excavated at the site was that of an

unwalJed, terminal Early Bronze (EB lB) town (Stratum V). Subsequently,

at the onset of the Early Bronze Age II period, the earlier occupation was

leveled and a new, fortified town built on the same location (Strata IV -II).

The final settlement was an unwalled Early Bronze III village (Stratum I).

A general description of the Early Bronze Age fauna from both Tel

Datit and Tel Aphek has been published by Hellwing and Gophna

(1984). However, in that report no breakdown was made of the species

from the different Early Bronze Age strata at Tel Dalil. The purpose of

the current report is then threefold: to furnish detailed information

concerning animal husbandry and hunting practices during the different

Early Bronze Age strata; to investigate patterns of spatial distribution of

faunal remains at the site; and to assess the faunal assemblage from Tel

Dalit in the light of data available from other contemporaneous sites in

the southern Levant.

METHODOLOGY

This report is based on faunal identifications made by E. Tchernov

from the first season's material and those made by S. Hellwing from the

second and third seasons' material. Species representation was calculated

for each stratum separately, and then for each Early Bronze phase (Table

1, Fig. 1). The assemblage was analysed using both counts of the total

193

number of identifiable bones per species (N), as well as by estimates of

the minimum number of individuals per species (MNI). These estimates

were based on the highest number of a bone element present for anyone

side (right and left), where proximal and distal epiphyses were counted

separately, as were fused and unfused bones.

Sheep and goats were distinguished by calculating

the condylar index for metapodials and other morphological criteria

outlined by Boessneck (1969). Where the metrical or morphological

criteria did not permit separation, sheep and goats were placed in a

combined "ovicaprine" category. Aging of the ovicaprine remains was

carried out using dental attrition scores (Payne 1973) and bone fusion

rates (Silver 1969). For cattle, aging was based on bone fusion and tooth

eruption stages as given in Grigson (1982), while for gazelle, aging was

based on Davis (1980). The representation of the different anatomical

elements followed the division into five categories as given in Horwitz and

Tchernov (1989).

TABLE 1: Excavation Areas, Strata and Periods in Which Faunal Remains

Were Recovered

Strata Period

I EB III

HI

II EB II

III EB II

III-IV EB"

IV EB II

V EB Ib

194

A

X

B

X

X

X

X

X

Area

Tumulus

X

X

X

X

c

X

80

40

201UiI8i~~ 1-1 -27

N-816

o N-228 S /G COW PIG HIPPO AZ DEERDONK FOX DOG M.CE BIRD FISH

_ EB IB ~E8 1\ 0 EB III

ST ATA v IV-II

Fig. 1. Breakdown of Early Bronze Age Fauna by Period.

RESULTS

I SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Three areas were excavated at the site: Area A in the northwest part

of the mound, Area B in the southern part , and Area C in the eastern part

of the site. The vast majority of the animal remains are derived from Area

B. Bone preservation was poor throughout the site, and sieving was

carried out to maximize retrieval.

In order to assess whether the animal bones recovered from the

different excavated areas and strata at Tel Dalit reflect variations in

activities, architecture and period, a detailed breakdown of the faunal

remains was undertaken. All remains were noted by Area, stratum and

depositional context in order to examine this question.

195

AREA A In Area A material was recovered only from Strata 11Illl and V.

Stratum II

Stratum II comprised remains of houses, including part of a

broadroom with benches along one wall [L28J. The remains included 56

ovicaprine bones (MNI= 2 goats and 1 sheep/goat), 18 cattle bones

(MNI= 2), 1 donkey bone and 1 unidentifiable fragment.

Stratum V

Animal bones in Stratum V were recovered from a round structure

and pockets of deposit that lay on the bedrock [L26, 53, 55, 60, 63, 64,

67, 74, 75, 524, 525]. A total of 129 bones were derived from this stratum

of which 30 were unidentifiable fragments. Diagnostic bones included:

80 ovicaprine bones (MNI= 1 sheep and 2 sheep/goats), 9 cattle bones

(MNI= 1), 5 mountain gazelle bones (MNI= 1) and 1 bone each of roe

deer, pig, dog, bird and fish. Age breakdown for the 3 ovicaprines (based

on MNI counts) indicates that at least one of the ovicaprines was aged less

than 2 years old, while another was older than 2 years old. The gazelle

remains are those of an adult animal. Two of the ovicaprine hones exhibit

cut marks: a distal humerus and a distal tibia whose shaft had been

removed.

SUMMARY AREA A

Area A contained only a small assemblage of animal bones,

primarily derived from fills within the EB IB or II structures. Bones

from this area were very poorly preserved due to erosion (Gophna 1993).

Ovicaprines predominate in both strata, followed by cattle. For both

ovicaprines and cattle all bodyparts are represented, in almost equal

numbers. Despite the small size of the EB IB assemblage, a wide range of

species is represented, although in low frequencies. Both fish and pig are

only represented in Area A.

196

AREA B

With the exception of Stratum I, all strata are represented here.

Stratum II

Remains of a broadroom (115-152), lying adjacent to the city wall,

were found in this stratum. It included living floors, storage areas and

installations. Two occupation phases of the broadroom were identified

(lla and lib).

A) Stratum Ila - the later occupation phase:

A lolal of 473 bones were recovered here; unidentifiable bone

fragments and 178 identifiable ones. These faunal remains were

recovered from three different contexts:

(1) The broadroom [LI03, 107-109, 112, 114, 115, 131, 138]

contained the remains of 101 animal bones of which only 1 was

unidentifiable. The remaining bones represented the remains of

ovicaprines (N=80), cattle (N=12), mountain gazelle and hippopotamus

(N=2 respectively), dog (N=3) and pig (N=1). The MNI for ovicaprines

was 3 and for cattle 1. The hippopotamus bones recovered here (a

metacarpal and a 1st phalanx), are the only ones found at the sile.

(2) An alleyway situated to the south of the broad room separating

it from the city wall [LlOl, 106, 111, 117, 165, 167] yielded 61

identifiable bones and a single unidentifiable fragment. Species

represented included: ovicaprines (N=45), cattle (N",ll), mountain

gazelle (N=1), pig (N=2), donkey and fish (N=l respectively). The MNI

for ovicaprines was 2 and for all other species 1 each. One ovicaprine

meta podia I had been Cllt off midshaft.

(3) An area to the north of the broad room containing remnants of

walls of another structure [Ll35, 200, 201, 203, 206, 211, 212] was

relatively poor in bone remains and only 41 were recovered. Of these, 28

were unidentifiable fragments. The diagnostic material included

ovicaprines (N=lO), cattle (N=2) and mountain gazelle (N=1).

197

In addition, bones were recovered from general fills in Ihis stratum

[LIB, 130, 134, 207). They included 13 unidentifiable fragments as

well as 2 bones of ovicaprines and cattle respectively.

There is little difference in the quantity of bone, species or

anatomical elements represented in the alleyway assemblage as compared

to that from the fill inside the room (Fig. 2). It is, however ,interesting to

note that the majority of the bones from inside the room were derived

from wall deposits rather than from the floors. This suggests that they

may represent incidental inclusions in the wall fili rather than debris

clearance from within the house, If this is correct, then the adjacent

alleyway probably served as the main debris disposal area for the house.

80

6(;

!

20

ST R. 1 v STi" 1:1

_ ALLEy

Fig, 2, Relative Frequencies of Unidentified Bone Fragments from the

Alleyway and Adjacent Structures (Area B).

B) Stratum IIb - the earlier occupation phase

A total of 266 bones were recovered from this stratum of which

190 were unidentifiable fragments while the remaining 76 were

diagnostic to species. Animal bones from this phase were derived from

two contexts:

198

(1) A broadroom, which in turn may be sub-divided into three different

com partmen ts

(a) western: L143, 147, 152, 159

(b) middle: L139, 142, 145, 146, 156, 204, 210

(c) eastern: L153-155, 157, 160, 205, 213, 219

The broadroom yielded 182 unidentifiable fragments and 68

identifiable ones. The latter included ovicaprines (N= 52), cattle (N= 9),

mountain gazelle (N= 3) and fallow deer (N= 4). The bones were

recovered from all three compartments of the structure, with a slightly

higher density of bone in the middle one. The western compartment

contained 19 identifiable bones and 56 fragments; the eastern

compartment 17 identifiable bones and 50 unidentifiable fragments,

many of which were burnt; the middle compartment contained 76

unidentifiable fragments and 32 identifiable bones. MNI estimates for

the broad room as a whole are ovicaprines 3 that included 2 animals aged

less than 2 years old and 1 aged 3 1/2 years or older. Other species

included cattle (MNI=1) and gazelle (MNI = 2), of which one was an

adult male and the other a juvenile.

All three compartments contained the same range of species, and

these were represented in similar quantities. Consequently, the fauna do

not indicate the presence of spatial differentiation in activities between the

compartments. An interesting feature was the presence of a complete,

naturally shed antler of a fallow deer on the floor of the western

compartment [L152] and an additional fragment of the same antler in the

eastern one [L219]. Both the antler and the fragment were burnt, while

the fragment in L219 had also been cut.

(2) The general area outside the broad room [L148-150] produced

15 unidentifiable bone fragments and 8 identifiable bones; ovicaprines

(N=7) and roe deer (N=l).

Stratumlll

In Area B no marked differences in species representation were

observed between the two occupation phases of Stratum II (Fig. 3), or

199

between the alley and structure (Fig. 2). The majority of bones belonging

to this stratum were recovered from the alleyway rather than from within

the structure (271 bones from the alleyway as opposed to 68 from within

the structure). Moreover, the majority of these were unidentifiable

fragments (Fig. 3). This suggests that the alleyway may have served as the

main disposal area for the adjacent structures.

--~. • • •

CATTLE

PIC

.IPP ·

I I DEER

I OUID

DOG

'--_---'-__ -'-, _~__ _l _. ___ . _ _ 1 FISH

' 0 :·~n " _ [ 8 II '; G.~ r!3 III)

1\ )-'1 1:: :\ . -- ()

Fig. 3. Comparison of Species Represented in the Two Occupation Phases

of the Broadroom (SL II) (Area B).

The 360 animal bones (224 unidentified fragments and 136

diagnostic bones) recovered from this stratum are derived from three

different contexts:

(1) A large structure lU12, 315, 321, 303, 305, 308] th at

contained 28 identifiable bones. These included ovicaprines (N=24),

catlle (N=2) and mountain gazelle (N=2) as well as 7 unidentifiable

fragments. At least 2 ovicaprines were represented of which 1 was aged

less than 2 years old, and the other older than 3 1/2 years.

An additional 33 bones were recovered from an installation within

this structure [L320). These included 3 ovicaprine bones (MNI = 1 adult

sheep), and 5 catlle bones. The remaining 25 bones were unidentified

fragments.

200

(2) A narrow alleyway lying to the south of the structure, between

it and the city wall [L300-302, 314, 316, 318, 323, 325]. Here a large

number of bones were found that included 172 unidentifiable fragments

and 99 diagnostic bones. Species represented included 70 bones of

ovicaprines (MNI = 1 sheep; 1 goat; 3 sheep/goat). Of these 5

ovicaprines, at least 2 were aged less than 2 years old, and another 2 were

aged between 2-3 years old. Additional species included: 22 bones of

cattle (MNI := 2 of which 1 was aged older than 3 1/2 years), 4 bones of

fallow deer (MNI = 1), and I bone each of mountain gazelle ( MNI 1

immature animal aged less than l6 months), donkey and dog.

(3) General contexts from outside the structure [L326] produced

21 bones, of which only 1 was identifiable to species - an ovicaprine.

Strata Ill·IV

Bones in these strata are derived from three contexts:

(1) A small assemblage of bones derived from general fills [L357-359].

They included 10 unidentified fragments and 12 ovicaprine bones (MNI

= 1 sheep aged between 3-3 1/2 years old; 1 sheep/goat aged less than 2

years old), 2 cattle bones (MNI = 1) and 1 bone of mountain gazelle.

(2) Another 5 bones are derived from the postern in the fortification

wall [L343]. They include 2 ovicaprine bones, 1 cattle bone and 2

unidentifiable fragments.

(3) In addition, a small assemblage of 53 bones from within the

structure [L330] contains 8 ovicaprine bones (MNI = 1 sheep), 1 cattle

bone and 44 unidentifiable fragments.

Stratum IV

Stratum IV is represented by remains recovered from three

different contexts:

(1) The well-preserved stone fortification wall [L168, 177, 182,

331] produced 17 ovicaprine bones (MNI=1 sheep; 1 sheep/goat), cattle

(N=3) and one each of red deer and donkey . In addition, there are 25

unidentifiable fragments.

201

(2) Remains of a structure, probably a house [L334, 340], and the

storage installations found within this structure [L333, 339, 341, 353].

This assemblage contained 25 ovicaprine bones (MNI= 1 goat aged over

3 1/2 years old; 1 sheep/goat), cattle bones (N=5), 1 mountain gazelle

bone and 59 unidentifiable fragments. The only modified bone was a

cattle metatarsal which had cut marks on its proximal end.

The storage facility within the structure contained 34 ovicaprine

bones (MNI= 2 sheep, 1 aged 2-3, the other older than 3 1/2 years; 1

sheep/goat aged less than 2 years old), In addition there are bones of

cattle (N = 1) and an unidentified bird (N= 1) as well as 115

unidentifiable fragments.

(3) An alleyway situated between the structure and the city wall

contained a sizable bone assemblage with ovicaprines (N=63), cattle (N=

22), donkey (N=2), one each of red deer, fallow deer and gazelle, as well

as 108 unidentifiable fragments.

The MNI estimate for ovicaprines from the alleyway is 3, including

at least two sheep (metacarpal index 69.9; metatarsal index 65), The age

breakdown for these ovicaprines is: 1 animal aged less than 2 years old

and 2 animals aged 2-3 years. The MNI for cattle was 1, representing an

adult aged over 4 years.

Compared to the bone assemblage from the structure (N = 90),

those from the alleyway and the storage facility both contained sizable

amounts of bone (N = 198 and 151 respectively). The majority of the

bones found in the storage facility and structure were unidentifiable

fragments, while almost equal amounts of identifiable and non­

identifiable material were found in the alleyway (Fig. 2). This pattern is

the opposite to that found for the same localities in Stratum III. It is

possible that the storage facility may have been used for rubbish disposal

within the structure.

Strata II·IV

A small assemblage of bones that may belong to either Stratum II

or IV, was found in the alleyway south of the structure. This collection

202

includes 100 ovicaprine bones (MNI '" 4). The age breakdown for these

4 ovicaprines is: one animal aged 3-4 years old, 2 aged less than 2 years

old and 1 aged between 1-2 years old. Other species represented included

16 cattle bones (MNI :: 1 aged at least 4 years old), 2 donkey bones

(MNI= 1) and one bone each of mountain gazelle, red deer and fox.

There are also 36 unidentified fragments. One ovicaprine metacarpal has

cut marks on its shaft.

Stratum V

Altogether 317 bones were recovered from this stratum; 122

identifiable bones and 195 non-identifiable fragments. These bones were

found in three contexts:

(1) A general fill above bedrock [U81, 183, 309, 360, 362, 367,

372] which contained bones of ovicaprines (N=21), cattle (N=6),

mountain gazelle (N=2), donkey (N=l) and 34 unidentified fragments.

(2) Fill from beneath the Stratum IV structure [L350] which

yielded 31 ovicaprine bones (MNI= 2 one aged less than 2 years old), 8

cattle bones (MNI= 2) and mountain gazelle bones (N=2). A total of

113 unidentifiable fragments were also found.

(3) Fill from the alleyway lying on the bedrock [LI80, 184, 187,

351, 361, 366, 370] contained 37 ovicaprine bones (MNI :: 3 including 1

embryo and 2 animals older than 3 years), 10 cattle bones (MNI:: 1

adult), mountain gazelle bones (N=3), 1 bird bone and 48 unidentifiable

fragments. Two modified bones, both of ovicaprines, were found here: a

distal scapula that was burnt and a metapodial fragment that exhibited cut

marks near the distal end.

The faunal remains from the three different contexts in this stratum

are very similar in density of bones, species and bodypart representation.

203

SUMMARY AREA B The majority of faunal remains at the site were recovered in this

area (ca. 90%), specifically from Stratum II. The faunal assemblage from

this area is derived from a large broadroom with at least two building

phases and storage facilities, an alleyway adjacent to this structure, a

section of the fortification wall and sundry fills outside the structure and

alleyway.

In all strata, ovicaprines were the most common species followed by

callIe. Three additional domestic species were represented in this area:

donkey, dog and pig, as well as a wide range of wild animals: mountain

gazelle, three species of deer (red, fallow and roe deer), hippopotamus,

red fox, fish and birds. Unfortunately, the remains of the latter two taxa

were not identifiable as to species. Remains of donkey and deer are only

represented in Area B.

Comparison between the material recovered from inside the

structure and that from the alleyway, revealed that there were no

consistent differences between them in the range of species represented or

their age and bodypart composition. There was a slight tendency for

more unidentified bone fragments to be found in the alleyway than on

the floors inside the structures suggesting that the former may have

served as a primary refuse disposal area for the broadroom. However, this

pattern was not consistent. Similarly, modifications to bones, such as

burning and/or cut marks, were rare in all contexts.

204

TABLE 2: Faunal Remains by Strata

Stratum Strattun I Stratum JIJJ Stratum II Stratum III

N % N % N % N %

Ovicaprines 3 75 17 74 211 76 98 72

Cattle I 25 5 22 41 15 29 21.25

Pig 3 I

Hippopotamus 2 0.75

Gazelle 10 3.5 3 2.25

Red Deer

Fallow Deer 4 1.5 4 3

Roe Deer 1 0.3

Donkey I 0.3 1 0.75

RedFox

Dog 3 1 I 0.75

Rodent 1 4 1 0.3

Bird 1 0.3

Fish

Total 4 23 278 136

StratLUl1 Stratum Stratum

IIIIII MV IIIJIV

N % N % N %

56 75 100 83 22 81

18 24 16 13 4 15

1 I I 4

I I

I I

2 2

I I

75 121 27

Stratum IV Stratum V

N % N %

139 78 176 77

31 17 33 14

I 0.5

I 0.5 12 5

2 I.l

I 0.6

1 0.5

4 2.2 I 0.5

1 0.5

1 0.6 2 1.5

1 0.5

179 228

l£)

o N

TABLE 3: Breakdown for the St. IIa-b Phases of Occupation in Area B

SI. na St. IIb

N % N %

Ovicaprines 137 77 59 78

Cattle 27 15 9 12

Pig 3 2

Hippopotamus 2 1

Gazelle 4 2 3 4

Fallow Deer 4 5

Roe Deer 1 1

Donkey 1 0.5

Red Fox

Dog 3 2

Rodent

Bird

Fish 1 0.5

Total 178 100 76 100

AREA B3 AND "TUMULUS 2" • to the north of Area B

Stratum I [L412] - was represented by remains of a stone wall. Only 4

bones were found here, of which 3 were identified as ovicaprine and 1 as

cattle.

Stratum I-II - was represented by 23 bones [L408, 416]. Species

identified included: 17 ovicaprine bones, 5 callie and 1 rodent bone. The

rodent may be a more recent intrusive element.

206

Stratum II - the faunal remains included 12 ovicaprine bones (MNI= 1

sheep, 1 sheep/goat aged less than 2 years old), 2 cattle bones (MNI '" 1),

3 bones of mountain gazelle (MNI =1), 1 bird bone and 10

unidentifiable fragments [L405, 409-411].

Stratum V - only 7 ovicaprine bones were recovered [L413, 421],

representing an MNI of 1 sheep and 1 sheep/goat.

SUMMARY: AREA B3 Very few bones were recovered from this area, most of which are

probably the result of accidental inclusions from earth fill as borne out

by the presence of a rodent bone, probably modern. Once again the same

dominant species were represented here as in other parts of the site, but

the assemblage was limited in range, probably dueto the small sample

size.

AREA C

In the two test squares (CI and C2) excavated here [L600, 601],

only remains of Stratum II were found (in Sq. C2), possibly a storeroom

of a dwelling [L601]. Bones of both ovicaprines and cattle were found

here (3 bones each), as well as 9 unidentifiable bone fragments.

II CHRONOLOGY

Table 1 provides a detailed list of species identified at Tel DaHl.

Although 8 species of wild animals are represented as compared to only 6

domestic species, the domestic mammals predominate numerically, as well

as in terms of their meat contribution. Examination of the relative

numbers of animals present in the different phases of the Early Bronze

207

Age (Fig. 1) shows that not only was a similar range of species exploited,

but also that their relative frequencies were similar. As can be expected,

the larger sample (EB II) contains a slightly broader range of species.

In all three areas excavated at the site, and in all phases of the Early

Bronze Age, ovicaprines were the most abundant species (over 70% of all

identified species) followed by cattle (Fig. 1). Indeed, the ratio of

ovicaprines to cattle in all periods was about 4:1. However, due to their

larger size and higher body weight cattle probably contributed more meat

to the overall diet than ovicaprines. More sheep than goats appear to have

been kept at the site (20 sheep to 3 goats).

Other species were poorly represented in the assemblage. It is

interesting to note that pigs are poorly represented at the site (a total of 4

bones; 1 from the EB IB and 3 from the EB II). As these remains are

scanty, it is impossible to ascertain whether these remains belong to wild

or domesticated animals. Hesse (1990) has suggested that the relative

abundance of domesticated pigs at archaeological sites in Israel may be

the result of a complex set of features that include environmental factors,

specifically the availability of water; ideology such as food taboos; and

the nature of the settlement, such as degree of sedentism. Although Tel

Dalit lies close to the Ayalon River and its tributaries, water is not readily

found in the vicinity of the site, It has been suggested (Gophna 1989;

here Chap. 11) that water was obtained from cisterns or wells dug into

the earth at places where the water table is high (I.e. river beds). The low

frequency of pigs, may be directly related to the scarcity of water at the

site. Similarly the high frequency of sheep and goats at the site, animals

less dependent upon standing water, may be a fUrther indication of an

economic adaptation to the environmental conditions prevalent at the site.

The EB IB and EB II assemblages were large enough to facilitate a

detailed breakdown of bodyparts. For ovicaprines, no significant

differences were found between the different strata making up the EB II

assemblage (Fig. 4). Similarly, between periods, no marked differences

were found for either ovicaprines or callie in bone element representation,

although some variation is present. In the EB IB period, cattle were

208

represented by a slightly higher number of cranial, feet and trunk

elements relative to limb bones, while in the EB II period all elements

were represented in similar proportions (Fig. 5). This may however be

ascribed to differences in sample size rather than butcHery or

consumption activities.

24 15

3 TR IV STP r~l

12

TPt; r,; .<

' 2

Fig. 4. Comparison of Ovicaprian Bodyparts Between EBII Strata .

FORELIMB 27

HI NDLIMB 24

EB IB

SHEEP/GOAT

FEET 10.5

E8 Ii

Fig. 5. Bodypart Breakdown for Ovicaprians by Period.

FEE ' lG

For ovicaprines, bodyparts were similarly represented in the EB IB

and EB II periods (Fig. 6). In both periods, feet and trunk remains were

poorly represented while limb and cranial remains were well represented.

This suggests that most of the bones represent consumption refuse rather

than primary (butchery) refuse (Hellwing and Gophna 1984). This

finding accords well with the fact that most of the remains are derived

from domestic structures and their immediate environs. It is probable that

the other body parts, usually discarded during slaughter and primary

209

butchery of the animals , were disposed of in the middens and refuse

dumps away from the habitation areas.

FORELIMB 125

1 RUNI~ 15

EB IB

CATTLE

cB il

Fig. 6. Bodypart Breakdown for Cattle by Period.

Further inferences concerning the manner of animal utilization can

be obtained from the age profiles for ovicaprines. For the EB IB and EB

II, slaughter profiles were constructed using both bone fusion stages and

dental attrition scores (Fig. 7).

% FIRST MOLAR 50

40

? /'

30 / 20

10

\ .;---.~ o~----~--~.~~~_/'_~-~~_//_~~·~-~_/--0-12 12 -24 24 -36 35-48 48- 72

MOI\ITHS - EB II -+- EB 18

Fig. 7. Ageing of Ovicaprians Based on Dental Attrition Stages (Payne

1973) for Lower First Molars.

210

For both the EB IB and EB II periods, the age data indicates that

some 65% of the animals were slaughtered while less than 2 years old.

Only 35% of the animals were slaughtered aged more than 3 years old.

Based on the data presented in Payne (1973), the selective cull of animals

aged less than 2 years old, as found at Tel Datit, usually reflects the

slaughter of surplus, immature rams for mea! exploitation. Those in the

0-12 month range also include mortality from natural causes following

birth. In contrast, the majority of ewes are maintained into adulthood as

sources of milk, wool and for reproduction. The high frequency of

juvenile animals in the cull profile from Tel Datit, coupled with the

presence of some 35% adults, indicates an economy where ovicaprines

were bred and selectively slaughtered at the sile rather than supplied to

the site through a market system.

The sample of cattle bones that could be aged was too smaJJ to

facilitate the creation of a cull profile. However, the majority of all cattle

remains belongs to fully adult animals aged 4 years old or more. These

cull patterns indicate that both ovicaprines and cattle were primarily

exploited for their secondary products (milk, wool from ovicaprines), and

in the case of cattle as a source of labour and transport.

Based on the data presented here, it may be concluded that despite

changes in the size, nature and demography of the settlement during the

Early Bronze Age (Gophna 1989), the animal economy at Tel Dalit did

not undergo any marked change. It continued to be based on ovicaprine

herding, with animals, specially ewes, exploited for their milk, while

surplus males provided meat. Low numbers of cattle were kept and were

probably primarily exploited for transport and labour as indicated by the

facl that most were adults when slaughtered. The other pack animal, the

donkey, is represented, but in low numbers. The keeping of pigs, if those

at the site were indeed domesticated, may have been limited by the

availability of water at the site. Wild animals such as gazelle, deer and fox

served as supplementary sources of food as well as other products such as

skins. Aquatic resources - fish and hippopotamus· indicate exploitation

of riverine resources situated some distance from the site, either through

211

trade or expeditions from the site. Similarly, the pig and three deer

species, all of whom inhabit woods or thickets, may originate from areas

outside the immediate vicinity of the site (but see Chap. 9).

III) INTER-SITE COMPARISONS

In order to place the Tel Dalit assemblage in its larger Early Bronze

Age context, the data were compared to those derived from

contemporaneous sites in the southern Levant (see Horwitz and Tchernov

1989 for a detailed review of data published until then, plus subsequent

publications Hellwing 1988-89; Wapnish and Hesse 1991; Zeder 1990;

Grigson 1995)

Sheep and goats served as the mainstay of Early Bronze Age

economies throughout the southern Levant, with a preference for sheep

over goats in the Mediterranean zone. In the Jordan Valley and Negev

desert, sheep and goats were represented in almost equal amounts, while

in the Sinai Peninsula, goats predominated (Horwitz and Tchernov 1989,

Grigson 1995). The purpose of ovicaprine herding varied among sites,

with some sites concentrating on meat exploitation (Tel Halif I), and

others on milk and wool production (e.g. Arad, Tel Yarmuth, Tel Dallt).

At several sites, cattle were an equal if not major source of animal

protein (Grigson 1995). Furthermore, they appear to have served not

only as a source of food (meat, milk) and skins, but also as the primary

animal used in agriculture - for ploughing, carrying and pulling loads

(Grigson 1995). Donkeys, and possibly also horses (Grigson 1993), are

represented in almost all Early Bronze Age sites from this region. The

equids may have been used in agriculture, however based on the

numerous depictions of donkeys as beasts of burden (Ovadia 1992), and

the absence of camels in Ihis period, it has been assumed that this was

their main task. It has been suggested that they may have been used to

transport metals from Transjordan and Egypt to the southern Levant

(Grigson 1995).

212

The number of pigs appears to vary considerably between sites.

Horwitz and Tchernov (1989) suggested that a north-south gradient

existed in the southern Levant, with few pigs in the arid south, and more

in the north. Grigson (1995) has further qualified this pattern by

including all dry areas, such as the foothills and mountains of the

southern Levant. However, the Early Bronze Age level at Tel Halif, on the

desert margin, have produced a large quantity of pig remains, as has the

Early Bronze III levels at Numeira, on the southern Ghor of the Dead

Sea. These findings suggest that a more complex set of factors, other than

climatic ones, need to be considered. A possible explanation may be the

differences in the size and hence role of the sites (Hesse 1990).

Dogs are present at most sites, although in low numbers. Similarly,

wild species are poorly represented in most assemblages, usually

comprising less than 10% (Horwitz and Tchernov 1989). It is possible

that inadequate techniques of bone recovery during excavation coupled

with small sample sizes, have served to deflate their numbers. However,

this trend is so wide spread that it appears to reflect a genuine

phenomenon, namely, that wild animals played a minor role in the Early

Bronze Age economies.

In terms of species representation there are no indications of

chronological changes in the faunal record of the Early Bronze Age at

Tel Dalil. Similarly, at Tel Yarmuth the faunal assemblage (data based on

bone counts) shows little change over time (Davis 1988), although

estimates of meat weight indicate a shift from a cattle dominated

economy in the EB II to one dominated by ovicaprines in the EB III

(Grigson 1995). In contrast, the data from the Early Bronze Age

assemblage from Tel Halif (based on bone counts), clearly reflects

change over time. At Tel Halif, the Early Bronze Age levels differ

markedly from each other in terms of species diversity, the ratio of

ovicaprines to cattle, the ratio of sheep to goats and their cull profiles.

The contrast between these sites may be ascribed to the larger sample

sizes recovered at Tel Halif; the nature of the settlment at each site, or the

fact that Tel Halif, lying on the less stable desert margin, perhaps provides

213

a more subtle barometer of changing environmental and social climates

than Tel Dalit, situated as it is in the Mediterranean heartland.

Unfortunately, few sites have been analysed by period, thus these findings

await further investigation.

214

REFERENCES

Boessneck, J. (1969) Osteological differences between sheep (Ovis aries

Linne) and goats (Capra hircus Linne). In: D.Brothwell and E.S.

Higgs (eds.) Science in Archaeology. London: 331-358.

Davis, S.l. 1980. A Note on the Dental and Skeletal Ontogeny of Gazella.

Israel Journal oJ Zoology 20: 129-134.

Davis, S. J. 1988. The Mammal Bones. In: P. de Miroschedji (ed)

Yarmouth 1. Editions Recherche sur les civilisations. Paris: 143-

149.

Gophna, R. 1989. From Village to Town in the Lod Valley: A Case

Study. In: P. de Miroschedji (ed) L'Urbanisation de la Palestine a

I'age du Bronze ancien. (BAR International Series 527). Oxford:

97-107.

Gophna, R. 1993. Tel Dahl. NEAEHL I : 318-320.

Grigson, C. 1982. Sex and age determination of some bones and teeth of

domestic cattle: Review of the literature. In: B. Wilson, C. Grigson

and S. Payne (eds.). Ageing and Sexing Animal Bones Jrom

Archaeological Sites Oxford: 7- 25.

Grigson, C. 1993. The Earliest Domestic Horses in the Levant 'I - New

Finds from the Fourth Millennium of the Negev. Journal oJ

Archaeological Science 20: 645-655.

Grigson, C. 1995. Plough and Pasture in the Early Economy of the

Southern Levant In: Levy (ed) The Archaeology oJ Society in

the Holy Land. Leicester: -268.

Hellwing, S. 1988-1989. Faunal Remains from the Early Bronze and Late

Bronze Ages at Tel Kinrol. Tel-Aviv 15-16: 212-220.

Hellwing, S. and Gophna, R. 1984. The Animal Remains from the Early

and Middle Bronze Ages at Tel Aphek and Tel Daht: A

Comparative Study. Tel-Aviv 11: 48-59.

Hesse, B. 1990. Pig Lovers and Pig Haters: Patterns of Palestinian Pork

Production. Journal oJ Ethnobiology 10: 195 -225.

Horwitz, L.K and Tchernov, 1989. Animal Exploitation in the Early

215

Bronze Age of the Southern Levant - An Overview. In: P. de

Miroschedji (ed). L'Urbanisation de la Palestine a l'age du Bronze

ancien. Oxford: 279-296.

Ovadia, E. 1992. The Domestication of the Ass and Pack Transport by

Animals: A Case of Technological Change. In: O. Bar-Yosef and A.

Khazanov (eds). Pastoralism in the Levant. Monographs in World

Archaeology No. 10: 19-27.

Payne, S. 1973. Kill-off Patterns of Sheep and Goats: The Mandibles

from Asvan Kale. Anatolian Studies 23: 281-303.

Silver, I.A. 1969. The Ageing of Domestic Animals. In: D. BrothwelJ and

E.S. Higgs (eds.) Science ill Archaeology. London: 283-302.

Wapnish, P. and Hesse, B. 1991. Faunal Remains from Tel Dan:

Perspectives on Animal Production at a Village, Urban and Ritual

Center. Archaeozoologia 4: 9-86.

Zeder, M.A. 1990. Animal Exploitation at Tell Halif. In: J.D. Seger et al.

216

The Bronze Age Settlement at Tell HaUf' Phase II Excavations,

J 983·J 987. BASOR Supplement 26:24-32.

Chapter 11

A NOTE ON THE WATER SUPPLY OF TEL DALIT

TSVlKA TSUK

Tel DaHt is situated in an area characterized by Turonian hard

limestone of the B'ina Formation, with scatlered cavities or pockets of

"Nari" soft chalk from the Senonian Ain Setim Formation (Livnat

1971).The site itself was established on one of the few hills in this region

with a relatively large number of pockets of Nari chalk.

One km. west of the tell, where the hill country ends, stretches the

valley formed by the Natuf and Nevalath Streams, which is part of the

large flat Lod Valley. The elevation of the valley is 60-70 m. above sea

level, while the elevation of Tel Datit is ca. 165 m. a.bs.1.

The Water Supply

Cisterns

On the tell there are two discernable cisterns, one of which had been

blocked in the past with stones. The other was still open. Two other later

cisterns were discovered during the excavations and their contents were

not investigated at the time, and they are now indiscernable. The cistern

that was open was investigated by the author.· It was hewn into the soft

chalk, with an irregular opening 1 m. in diameter. The shaft slopes

steeply to the north and terminates at a depth of 2.2 m., opening onto the

hollow of the cistern. The cistern is rectangular with a barrel-shaped

ceiling. The dimensions of the cistern are 2.6x2.0 m.

(*The investigation was carried out on Feb. 23, 1996 with Ram Gophna

and Dwr Artzi.).

217

Chisel marks are discernable on walls and ceiling and in some

places it seems that small niches were hewn into the walls, mainly in the

southwest and northwest corners. In the southeast wall there is a ledge in

the rock below which is a hollow hewn downward in a southward

direction.

The soft white chalk into which the cistern was hewn is porous,

friable monomineralic (calcite) carbonate rock. In contrast to limestone,

the chalk is distinguished by its high porosity and low impermeability. It

is comprised of a profusion of tiny shells of two main types of micro­

organisms: coccoliths and foraminifera. The coccoliths, the dominant

group in the chalk mass (70-75% by weight), are tiny calcareous plates

(1-2 microns in size), borne on the surfaces of marine algae. The

foraminifera (25-30%), are one-celled, calcareous micro-organisms

(average 100 microns in size).

The chalk is composed, mineralogically, of the stable low­

magnesian calcite whereas the limestone consists of aragonite and high­

magnesian calcite. The latter two minerals are both unstable and undergo

diagenetic processes (solution and recrystallization) which harden the

limestone and decrease its porosity.

Although the chalk is highly porous (ca. 40%), its small pores

prevent water flow and this explains its low permeability and its capability

to hold water in excavated cisterns (Flexer 1992).*

Thus the Nar! chalk has the perfect qualities for a water cistern: 1)

the quarrying is fast and easy; 2) the impermeability saves the to

plaster - a tiresome and time-consuming task.

The editor would like to thank Prof. Flexer for his kind assistance in

translating into scientific English the discussion on chalk taken from his

book in Hebrew (1992).

218

According to the properties of the chalk and the data from

Mareshah, it is probable that the installation found at Tel Dalit was used as

a water cistern. The other similar installalions identified at the site were

also probably water cisterns but this cannot be proven without further

excavation.

There is no doubt that the people of EB Tel Dalit made use of a

water source inside the settlement as well. Examples known to us of water

collection and storage systems from the Early Bronze Age from Meser

(Dothan 1957:127-128; 1959:13-29), Arad (Rosenan 1978), Ai

(Callaway 1993:39-45) and Jawa (Helms 1981: Ch, 9; 77) further support

this claim,

The location of the fortified EB town on a hill where chalk pockets

are found, would seem to indicate that the site was chosen for settlement

due also to the ease of quarrying cisterns,

Wells

At a distance of 1.5 km. to the southwest and northwest of Tel Dalit

lie the valleys of Natuf and Nevalath. We assume that in this area wells

were dug during the Early Bronze Age to serve as an additional water

supply, perhaps even the main source in time of peace. This hypothesis is

based on:

1) the hydrological and technological knowledge to utilize the high

water table by digging wells already existed, Examples of wells are known

from early sites such as Atlit Yam, where a well was uncovered which

dates to the 71h millennium B.CE. ( Galili et al. 1993:2; 133-157), and at

Kh, Abu Hof, where a well was exposed from the Chalcolithic Period (4th

millennium B.CE,) (Alan 1988:85-86). In his study of the Samarian hill

country, Zerlal found that the local inhabitants of today call a certain type

of spring "Nab'a" (1992:32; 46-49), This designation, in his opinion,

indicates an artificial water source that was formed by digging into a

water-bearing strata and thus releasing the water onto the surface, Such

springs are sometimes situated at the foot of a fortified EB site, and Zerta I

claims they were man-made water sources created in a similar way to

219

digging a welL Although real wells from the Early Bronze Age have not

yet been identified, according to the evidence mentioned above, there is

no doubt that they were used.

2) Even if the installations at Tel Dalit are proven to have been

cisterns, their capacity is still uncertain, and there still existed the need for

other water sources, such as wells, outside the site.

The Potential for Water Storage at Tel Dalit

According to the area of the site, the population of Tel Daht during

the Early Bronze Age is estimated between 700-875 inhabitants.

According to the data suggested by Brawer (1977:382, note 15), in his

research on the traditional Arab village, and by Dar in his research on

ancient settlements in the Samarian Hills (1986:98-99), it appears that the

required quantity of water per person averaged 3.5 cU.m. Therefore, the

annual water consumption of Tel Dalit was ca. 2,750 cU.m. (3.5x800)

(see eh. 7). The area of Tel DaHl is about 4 hectares, i.e 40,000 sq.m. The

collection of run water is ca. half Ihe area of the site, and half the annual

precipitation, which is ca. 532 mm., or 0.532 m. Therefore, it was

possible to collect from the Tel Dalit area 5320 cU.m. (0.532

m.xO.5x40,OOOxO.5). Thus, the water collection potential is greater than

the consumption requirements.

From the studies of Frumkin (1992:]64-169) and others, it seems

that throughout the Early Bronze Age a more humid climate prevailed in

Palestine. The level of the Dead was much higher than today, and the

water table in the coastal plain was higher, as was annual precipitation. It

is quite plausible that during that time there were also summer rains and

greater cloud cover. So, it is probable that the summers were milder and

the population did nOt need such a large amount of stored water.

220

Summary

The water sources of Tel Dalit may be reconstructed based on the

environmental conditions of the site, It seems that the location of the site

on a hill with chalk pockets enabled the quarrying of water cisterns within

the confines of the fortified site *. Making use of their first hand knowledge of the surrounding

landscape, and their hydrological and technological know-how, the

people of the Early Bronze were able to dig shallow wells at a

distance of ca, 1.5 km. from their settlement due to the higher water

table, It seems possible that the population of Tel Dalit used we.ll water for

domestic use in times of peace, and in times of danger and insecuri ty

relied on water stored in cisterns within the fortified walls,

This was first suggested by Mr. Amir Toyster.

221

References

Alon, D. 1988. The Spatial Distribution of Chalcolithic Settlements in the

Southern Shefela. In: E. Stern and D. Urman (eds.). Man and

Environment in the Southern Shefeta. Ramal-Gan: 84-88 (Hebrew).

Brawer, M. 1977. Village Sprawl and Village Pattern in Judea and

Samaria. In: A. Shmueli, D. Grossman and R. Zeevy. Judea and

Samaria, Studies in Settlement Geography, Part II. Tel Aviv

(Hebrew).

Callaway, J.A, 1993. Ai. NEAEHL I: 39-45.

Dar, S, 1986, Landscape and Pattern: An Archaeological Survey of

Samaria, 800 BCE - 636 BCE. 1-2 (BARIIS 308). Oxford,

Dothan, M. 1957. Excavations at Meser, 1956, Preliminary Report on the

First Season, IEJ 7:217-228.

Dothan, M. 1959. Excavations at Meser, 1957, Preliminary Report on the

Second Season. IEJ 9:13-29.

Flexer, A 1992. Geology Principles and Processes. Jerusalem: 153-154

(Hebrew).

Frumkin, A. 1992, The Karst System of the Mount Sedom Salt Diapir.

(Ph,D Thesis), The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, (Hebrew. English

summary).

Galili, E. et al. 1993. Atlit-Yam: A Prehistoric Site on Ihe Sea Floor off

the Israeli Coast. Journal of Field Archaeology 20:2, 133-157.

Helms, S.W. 1981. Jawa: Lost City of the Black Desert, London and New

York: 69-80.

Livnat, A, 1971. The Geology of the North-western Foothills of the

Judean Hill Country (the Area of Abud, Qibia and Rantis).

Geological Survey of Israel, Report No. 172 (Hebrew).

Rosenan, N, 1978, A Note on the Water Storage and Size of Population.

In: R. Amiran et a1. Early Arad I. Jerusalem: 14.

Rosenan, N, and Harkovitz, R. 1969, The Climate of the Basin. In: S,

Marton (ed), The Western Nahal Ayalon Basin. Tel Aviv: 49-55

(Hebrew).

222

Zenal, A. 1992. The lvfenasseh Hill Country - the Shechem Syncline.

Aviv (Hebrew).

223

A Q

224