Abstract

In April 2023, a trial excavation was conducted at Gush Halav (Permit No. A-9490/2023; Map ref. 241702/770293, 241574/770025), prior to the laying of a sewage line. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the Peleg-Hagalil corporation, was directed by A. Kleiner, with the assistance of Y. Yaakobi (administration) and Y. Tzur (district inspector, scientific consultation). The excavation was conducted inside an olive grove, at the bottom of the northwestern slope of the Gush Halav hill. A surface of the natural rock slightly sloped westward was exposed, on top of which was a thick layer of alluvium (0.6–1.2 m). Inside it was a large amount of Hellenistic, late Roman and late Ottoman pottery. Several fieldstones were found on the rock, seemingly not in their original location. The finds are compatible with the findings of many previous excavations in the western valley. The scattering of the pottery fragments is consistent with the residential layers of Tel Gush Halav, which mostly drift down the western slope to the fertile valley and to the olive grove. Hewn caves were identified in the area, some of which are branched and deep, that seem to have been used for burial.

Keywords

Hellenistic, Late Roman, Late Ottoman, Pottery

License Number

A-9490/2023

Excavation Date

2023

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