Digs

Revealing Ancient Dislocated Communities

Nestled atop a prominent hill with panoramic views of the coastal plain and modern Tel Aviv lies the captivating site of Tel Hadid/al-Haditha, identified in biblical texts as Hadid (Ezra 2:33; Nehemiah 7:37). Positioned at the crossroads of the coastal plain and central highlands, Tel Hadid holds a rich history spanning over 4000 years. Unveiling a tapestry of historical layers, the site has yielded intriguing evidence of Assyrian occupation and the forced settlement of Babylonian deportees (instead of the Israelites who were forced to leave their homes; 2 Kings 17), whose daily lives are chronicled in cuneiform tablets dating back to the seventh century BCE.

Centuries later, during the conflict with the Seleucids, Simon Thassi fortified Hadid, and the valley below witnessed the clash between opposing forces (1 Maccabees 12:38, 13:13). The strategic significance of Hadid endured through generations, with Vespasian fortifying the town during the Jewish Revolt (c. 66-70 CE), as recounted by Josephus (Wars 4, 9:1). According to rabbinical tradition, Hadid was among the towns fortified in the days of Joshua (Mishna, Arakhin 9:6).

In the early Christian era, Eusebius of Caesarea identified Haditha (Adida in Greek) as the location of Adithaim, a town in the tribal allotment of Judah (Joshua 15:36). The renowned Madaba Map also features a village northwest of Jerusalem labeled “Adiathim that is now Aditha.” However, a different identification emerged in the 13th century through the insights of Isaac HaKohen Ben Moses, also known as Ishtori Haparchi, who traveled extensively across the Holy Land. He proposed that the village of Haditha, situated atop a round hill east of Lydda, corresponds to biblical Hadid.

The last notable occupation of the site was during late Second Temple period and the British Mandate when a village named al-Haditha thrived. Unfortunately, it met its demise during the 1948 War, and the mound has remained uninhabited since then.

Join the Tel Hadid Expedition, a venture delving into these pivotal periods of the site’s history. Since 2018, six areas across the site have undergone excavation under the supervision of an international team of scholars dedicated to unraveling its history and archaeology. Join this collaborative, American–Israeli-led project as they unearth the remnants of the Israelite town, the Babylonian deportee community, the Jewish fortress from the late Second Temple Period, the early Christian settlement, and the Palestinian village that once graced the site. In the afternoons, participants will engage in artifact study sessions, take classes on archaeology and history of the region, and have the opportunity to interact with leading archaeologists from Tel Aviv University and other esteemed academic institutions in Israel, sharing their latest discoveries.

Details

Geographic Location

Coastal Plain, South-Central Israel

Dates of the Dig

June 27 – July 23, 2026

Minimum Stay

1 Week

Application Due

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution

Contact for more details

Accommodations

Team and staff are housed in the excavation accommodation at Neve Shalom. Situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the hotel offers an attractive base for touring Israel, visiting the village, and participating in our program. Entrance to an outdoor swimming pool enjoying a superbly scenic location is complementary. The hotel features rooms that are well-designed, air-conditioned, and spacious, each with a private balcony, ensuite (single private toilet and shower per room), a miniature fridge, and a kettle. Sheets and towels are provided by the accommodation and changed daily (towels) and twice weekly (sheets), while the rooms are also cleaned regularly (twice weekly). All rooms are locked and accessed with a digital key card. There are laundry machines available on premises for team members to use, however suppling their own washing-detergent is recommended. Team members can then dry their clothes on washing lines, an effective method during the height of summer. Food is provided to the team through the project and on-site chef and kitchen, however the provision of fridges in the rooms also allows team members to purchase and keep additional food supplies should they so wish.

Cost

Directors

Contact

Ms. Dana Shraga

[email protected]

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

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Hear from volunteers and students excavating Tel Hadid

Digging In: Tel Hadid