A New lmlk Jar Handle from Hirbet Qila

Abstract

The first season (August 7th – September 7th 2014) of a joint project of archaeological surveys and excavations at Hirbet Qila was undertaken by Birzeit University, the Palestinian Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, and Montpellier University 1 . In search for archaeological remains and in order to carry out a site-assessment study for the destruction at the site , two areas were chosen for excavations. Area A is located on the western part of the top of the hill. Three squares (5 * 5m each) were opened in Sector 14 in Area A. Area B was set on the southeastern slope of the hill and contained 4 squares (5 * 5m each). After excavating in Square 1 in Area A, the data gained from that square indicated that the area served for food production or was part of an industrial area. A grain silo, part of a wine press and grinding mortars have been uncovered here in addition to twenty loom weights found scattered in the fill. In Area B a section of 20m of the city wall as well as a rectangular tower (5 4m) were unearthed. The preliminary investigation of the material from the survey and the excavations at the site date the material to the Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Iron Age II as well as to the Classic and Islamic periods.