DIGS

The Site Where History and Legend Converge

Tel Dan is one of the most important sites in the ancient Near East and for biblical archaeology in particular. Situated at the base of snow-capped Mount Hermon on the headwaters of the Jordan, Dan has been an important settlement from the Neolithic period (ca. 5000 B.C.E.) through the early modern period.

Archaeological highlights include massive Early Bronze Age fortifications (ca. 2900–2200 B.C.E.), the earliest preserved mudbrick arched gate in the world (ca. 1900–1500 B.C.E.), a spectacular Mycenaean tomb from the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1500–1200 B.C.E.), an early Iron Age I agrarian settlement that some associate with the Israelites (ca. 1200–1000 B.C.E.), major fortifications and an Israelite temple—perhaps where Jeroboam’s golden calf once stood (1 Kings 12)—from the Iron Age II (ca. 1000–700 B.C.E.), and various figurines, statues, and inscriptions from the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Perhaps the most famous find from Tel Dan is a stela, likely commissioned by Hazael of Aram sometime in the ninth century B.C.E., identifying a Judahite king from the “house of David” and thus providing the only extra-biblical reference to the famed King David from the Bible.

Details

Geographic Location

Golan, Northern Israel.

Dates of the Dig

June 12 - July 8, 2022

Minimum Stay

2 Weeks

Application Due

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution

3 credits are offered by Hebrew Union College. Price is to be determined.

Cost

Directors

Contact

Jonathan Greer

[email protected]

Phone: +972 (620)-3257

To learn how you can get involved, visit their website.