Digs

Israel's Gateway to the Aramean World

This imposing tell is located at the meeting point of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, a region that reflects the ancient border between the Kingdom of Israel, the Phoenician city-states, and the Aramean Kingdom in the Iron Age. It is strategically positioned between Dan and Hazor, with breathtaking views of the fertile Hula Valley and the majestic Hermon Mountain. This cultural and historical crossroads affords a unique opportunity to uncover remains that shed new and important light on the biblical past, cultural and economic exchange, and urban interaction during the second and first millennia BCE.

In the Bible, Abel Beth Maacah figures prominently in 2 Samuel 20:14–22 when Sheba son of Bichri took refuge there after calling for a revolt against King David. Joab’s negotiations with the “wise woman” of the city, perhaps a local oracle, resulted in Sheba’s beheading. The Bible also describes the city as conquered by Ben Hadad of Aram-Damascus (1 Kings 15:20) and by the Assyrian Tiglath-pileser III in 733/732 BCE (2 Kings 15:29).

Since the first season in 2013, the excavations have uncovered an Iron Age administrative complex, unique cultic areas, and buildings from the time of the Judges through the first century of the Divided Monarchy. Significant remains, including fortifications and infant jar burials from the Middle Bronze Age have also been exposed. At the top of the mound is a mighty citadel dated to the time of the Kingdom of Israel. Inside one of the rooms of this building was an exquisite small faience head of a bearded man, displayed today in the Israel Museum, that some think could have belonged to a biblical king or elite male. Among the 60+ jars found in a huge ninth-century BCE storehouse, one bears the Yahwistic name “Benayo” written in ink.

In the 2026 season, we will continue to excavate these fascinating Iron Age II contexts, with the goal of exploring whether the city was part of the Israelite Kingdom and if so, when? We will also continue to look for the city gate and uncover more of the unique Iron Age I administrative and cultic complex in Area A that was violently destroyed in the tenth century BCE.

We add that this is one of the only digs in Israel directed solely by women, whom we like to call “wise women,” in the spirit of the biblical story of Abel Beth Maacah!

Details

Geographic Location

Upper Galiliee, Northern Israel

Dates of the Dig

June 28 – July 17, 2026

Minimum Stay

1 week

Application Due

Monday, June 15, 2026

Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution

Up to 4 credits / TBA / The Rothberg School of International Students, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Accommodations

Accommodations are at Kibbutz Kfar Szold, a 15 minute drive from the site, in units for 3-4 people, including a shower/bathroom, kitchenette, and private porch. The units are air-conditioned, fully serviced (linens, towels, cleaning), with free Wifi. Limited amount of double and single rooms are available. Three kosher meals a day are provided, breakfast is eaten on the site during the work week and in the dining room on the weekends.

The kibbutz has a pool and a spring, a convenience store, a pub, and is accessible by public transportation.

Cost

Directors

Contact

Nava Panitz-Cohen

[email protected]

To learn how you can get involved, visit their website and check them out on Facebook.