EXCAVATIONS AT TEL BETH-SHEAN 1989–1996 VOLUME II

This volume is the second in the series of final reports on the Beth-Shean Valley Archaeological Project, directed by Amihai Mazar on behalf of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 1989. The current volume presents the results of the excavation of the Middle Bronze Age II and Late Bronze Age I–IIA strata at Tel Beth-Shean (17th to 14th centuries BCE). Most of the finds were uncovered in Area R, where the excavations of the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania exposed, during the years 1925–1927, a series of four temples, the earliest of them dating to the 14th century BCE (Level IX). The renewed excavations provide one of the best stratigraphic sequences for the mid-second millennium BCE in the Levant. The architectural remains include parts of the Middle Bronze Age II town and a previously unknown temple dated to the Late Bronze Age I. They also provide new insights into the development of the Level IX sanctuary. This volume contains in-depth discussions of the stratigraphy, the architecture, the rich pottery assemblages and a wealth of other finds by nineteen experts.

752 pages, 172 line drawings, 79 pottery plates, 401 photographs and CD with tables and selected color photographs; cloth binding.

Orders: Israel Exploration Society, POB 7041, Jerualsm Israel 91070.

Fax 97226247772; E-mail: ies@vms.huji.ac.il

Internet: http://israerlexplorationsociety.huji.ac.il

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1. Introduction and Overview - A. Mazar and R. Mullins

Chapter 2. Reflections on Levels XI, X and IX of the University Museum Excavations - R. Mullins

Chapter 3. Area R: The Stratigraphy and Architecture of the Middle and Late Bronze Ages: Strata R-5–R-1 - R. Mullins and A. Mazar

3.I. The Middle Bronze Age II (Strata R-5–R-3)

3.II. The Late Bronze Age IA (Stratum R-2)

3.III. The Late Bronze Age IB–IIA (Stratum R-1)

Appendix 3.1: Note on the Middle Bronze Age Burials in Area M - A. Mazar

Appendix 3.2: Interpretation of the Stratigraphic Sections - R. Mullins

Chapter 4. The Middle Bronze Age II Pottery - A. Maeir

Chapter 5. The Late Bronze Age Pottery - R. Mullins

Chapter 6. Provenience Studies

Chapter 6A. The Petrography of the Late Bronze Age Pottery - A. Cohen-Weinberger

Chapter 6B. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Selected Pottery from Tel Beth-Shean and the Central Jordan Valley - A. Maeir and J. Yellin

Chapter 7. Figurative Art and Glyptics

Chapter 7A. Ceramic Figurines and Zoomorphic Vessels, a Painted Sherd and Various Cylinder Seals - A. Mazar

Chapter 7B. Two Middle Bronze Age Cylinder Seals - D. Collon

Chapter 8. Canaanite and Egyptian Scarabs from Area R - B. Brandl

Chapter 9. The Metal Objects

Chapter 9A. The Metal Objects: Catalogue and Discussion - N. Yahalom-Mack

Chapter 9B. Chemical Analysis of Metal Objects - N. Yahalom-Mack, S. Shilstein and S. Shalev

Chapter 10. The Stone Vessels - C. Clamer

Chapter 11. Groundstone Tools and Objects - N. Yahalom-Mack

Chapter 12. The Textile Industry - N. Yahalom-Mack

Appendix 12.1: A Note on the Late Bronze Age Textile Industry - A.Yasur-Landau

Chapter 13. Various Finds

Chapter 13A. Clay, Stone, Faience, Bone and Ivory Objects - N. Yahalom-Mack and A. Mazar

Chapter 13B. A Hieratic Sign - S. Wimmer

Chapter 14. The Flint Assemblages of Areas R, P, S, N, and Q - R. Bankirer and O.Marder

Chapter 15. Botanical Remains

Chapter 15A. Beth-Shean as a Trade Center for Crops in the Bronze Age: Botanical and Entomological Evidence - O. Simchoni, M.E. Kislev and Y. Melamed

Chapter 15B. Identification of Wood Remains from Area R - U. Baruch

Chapter 16. Interpretation of the Radiocarbon Dates from Area R - A. Mazar

Index of Finds by Loci - Compiled by M. Schiffer

CD with tables and selected color photographs - compiled by N. Applbaum