Digging @ Ashkelon: Post 1

My time in Ashkelon has been going well. I am currently digging in Grid 38 of the Tel dealing with Iron 1A material. I am learning a ton about judging soil and tracing floors in the Philistine home we are working in. I’ve learned much about Philistine architecture during my time so far as well as general archaeological technique.

The primary tools for archaeology are a trowel, a pick, a piteesh, and a turia, as well as a brush and dust pan. The team I am working with is incredibly knowledgeable with students from Harvard, Wheaton, Penn State, UW Madison, UC Berkley, and Princeton. I am humbled with the intelligence and diligence with which the team works. They have patiently explained and reexplained techniques to me.

I’ve been working on two primary activities so far. First, I worked to locate the floor of the home we are working in for the phase 20 occupation. This is one of the earliest of the Philistine occupation of Ashkelon. Remember, the Philistines were part of the Sea People invasion throughout the Levantine coast and into Egypt. Their presence is attested in the Medinet Habu relief. There are wearing feathered headdresses and are using Bronze and Iron weaponry. The Philistines are believed to have originated from Greek Peninsulas. Egypt repelled the Sea People invasion and allowed the Philistines to settle along the Levantine coast. There they thrived in the rich coastal soil and functioned as the bane to the hill dwelling Israelites. The common home we are excavating is from the time period of early occupation in 12th century BCE. My task of locating a floor was truly difficult in picking my way through several layers until the beaten, earth floor was located. It can sometimes be identified by flat laying pottery sherds (flat because they are on the floor of the level), a horizontal tree root growing, and a white residue indicating foliage. Our excavation director assisted me in locating this floor and I worked to find it from there tracing it throughout my day.

A highlight was my find of a tiny, deity amulet used to ward off evil spirits from children. This amulet piece has two holes in its ears so that it can be strung and worn as a necklace. This was the second found in this location, and I was able to display this stunning, accidental find to my team members (who helped me learn what is was) and the acclaimed Dr. Lawerence Stager. (pictured above)

My second activity has been tracing the platform of a sherd hearth. This would be used to heat food in the household. It is interesting in that it is located near a large column. The hearth was found, and I spent the day following ash remains and sherds until the corners and ends of the platform became apparent. I then worked to lower surrounding fill to the same phase 20 floor level. While I certainly cannot claim to be an expert nor the true impetus of these great finds, I can say that I am an eager student who is learning every moment from the field archaeologists around me.