Gezer 2016 - Update Twelve

The Tel Gezer dig officially wrapped, with some exciting and unexpected findings. We are excited about returning to dig further next year, and to discover more about the ancient Canaanites and this heavily fortified city. Until then, we will miss Israel and our archaeology friends!

Gezer 2016 - Update Eleven

 

By Gary D. Myers

Finished. Today we wrapped up the 2016 Tel Gezer Water System Expedition. We removed the last few buckets of dirt and pottery from each of the excavation area and began the clean-up process by 10:30 a.m. yesterday. Today we took final photos of each area, took down the dig tent, and packed all the tools and equipment for storage.

This was a great dig season – with important finds that we cannot mention and new questions to answer. Each year we are inching closer to a firm answer about the date of the water system – the primary question we are looking to answer.

We collected countless pottery sherds, charcoal samples and ancient material items. Much study will take place in the months to come. Databases of pottery information were created and will be studied closely. The pottery evidence is the most important aspect of our research – the pottery will help us determine the date of the system and who built it. Experts in archaeology have developed finely tuned typologies of pottery in Israel – these experts (like Dr. Eli Yannai) can date a piece of pottery within a 100 years or less.

Even with all the research left to close out the books on this season’s dig, before we left the tel today, the directors began planning for next season’s dig.

End of dig updates with Dr. Warner are coming soon. Watch the video below for a walk through our site on a typical work day, and go all the way into the cavern in the water system!

 

Photos and video by Sarah Simon

Gezer 2016 - Update Ten

By Gary D. Myers

You may have noticed that the blog has been less active this dig season and especially less active this last week of the dig. There are several reasons – the addition of a third digging location makes this our busiest dig season at Tel Gezer. More people, more pottery, more contemplation, more paperwork, and more work. The extra work leaves us ready for bed much earlier than usual.

Another reason for the lack of blogs is the complicated and theoretical nature of our work this season. We are trying to answer complicated questions regarding the dating of the water system construction and we are trying understand the relationship between the water system and fields C and D. It was much easier to blog when we were only focused moving dirt from the tunnel. Once we broke through all the fill material in the tunnel several years back, even the discussions of our progress in the water system became more complicated.

The main reason for the lack of blogs is the wonderful season we are having. We have made our best finds to date at the Tel Gezer Water System Expedition. We would love to tell you all about the finds, but we can’t until each has been studied and published.

The team is well and we are trying to finish strong.

Gezer 2016 - Update Nine

 

Felipe Ocampo sifting at the Canaanite Gate.

 

Tsvika Tsuk and Eli Yannai discussing Eli's House.

 

Chet Roden and John Delancey digging at Eli's House.

 

Supplies needed for the dig include...

 

Pottery Washing at the main tent.

 

A view of Karmei Yosef.

Video Updates:

Canaanite Gate

 

Eli's House

 

 

Photos & Videos by Sarah Simon

Gezer 2016 - Update Eight

First video update from week 2 of digging - watch for more from our other areas!