Gezer Dig Day Three Update

By Gary D. Myers

Today we reached full operational capacity at all three of our excavation areas. We are actively excavating in the water system (Fields A and B), in the buildings near the gate (Field C), and at the Canaanite gate (Field D). Exciting things are happening at each of the locations.

Though today ended on a high note, it started very slow. One of our drivers (this blogger) lost the keys to one of our vans. Quickly we figured out that the keys were lost while I was blogging in the lobby at Neve Shalom. The only problem is that the lobby does not open until 7 a.m. So instead of leaving at 6 a.m., one group did not get to leave until after 7 a.m. The slow start was accentuated by rain, of all things. I have spent many days in Israel and can remember a light rain only a few times. Three or four times there were significant showers. Between rain showers, the teams took starting measurements at the above ground fields and completed the water system sandbagging of the water system before lunch. After our lunch break, each area was able to begin excavating.

The water system team removed 19 bags of material. The water system and the two other fields generated enough pottery for us to start our daily task of washing pottery.

 

Dr. Dan Warner, Tsvika Tsuk and Eli Yannai talking about the excavation.

 

Sifting to find artifacts.

 

Field C excavations.

 

Brad Biddy at Field C. Sorry for calling you Bruce, Brad.

 

Dr. Chet Roden at Field C.

 

Mrs. Renee Roden recording dig details at Field C.