DIGS

Border Town Between Judah and Philistia

Khirbet al-Ra‘i is a relatively small site (1.7 hectares) located 3 km west of Tel Lachish at the western edge of the Judean Shephelah, on a hill above the southern bank of the Nahal Lachish. We are focusing on two periods of occupation here:

1. Iron Age IB (12th–11th centuries B.C.E.): In this occupation phase, we have at the site the activities of the Philistines and the Canaanites. The transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age I in the Lachish region represents a drastic change in the settlement pattern, from dense and flourishing urban communities to rather sparse small villages. The site of Khirbet al-Ra‘i now adds a new data for this poorly known era.

2. Iron Age IIA: Judging by its pottery assemblage, this well-built phase is contemporary with the fortified city of Khirbet Qeiyafa. This is now the second settlement in Judah from the time of King David.

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Details

Geographic Location

Judean Shephelah, 3 km west of Lachish

Periods of Occupation

Iron Age I, Iron Age IIA (12th–10th centuries B.C.E.)

Dates of the Dig

Winter: January 26 – February 13, 2020

Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution

3 credits; $120 per credit plus an $80 application fee. Credits awarded by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Accomodations

Ein Zutim Kibbutz

Open For Tours

No

Directors

Contact

Yosef Garfinkel
Institute of Archaeology
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
[email protected]