DIGS

Explore Ancient Hannathon

Tell el-Badawiya is among the largest complex tell-sites in northern Israel, dating from the Bronze and Iron Ages. It is strategically located on the ancient route that connects the Hauran and the Akko Plain and known in more recent times as the Darb el-Hawarna. The site is unanimously identified as the location of ancient Hannathon/Ḫinatuna, mentioned in the Amarna Letters (EA 8 and 245), the royal annals of Tiglath-Pileser III (Ann. 18, Line 5), and the Hebrew Bible (Joshua 19:14).

Despite its favorable characteristics, Tell el-Badawiya/Hannathon remained unexplored for many years and was visited infrequently by early travelers. A field survey carried out at the site in the mid-1970s revealed its long settlement history, stretching from the fifth millennium to recent times.

The Tell el-Badawiya/Hannathon Archaeological Project (TBH-AP) aims to explore the history and material culture of the site in the Bronze and Iron Ages, with a special focus on processes of collapse, resilience, and regeneration of human activity. In the upcoming season, we will continue exploring possible remains of a fortress/administrative center established at the site’s summit in the Persian Period, as well as the gateway area in the east and the lower settlement.

Details

Geographic Location

Central Galilee, Israel

Dates of the Dig

July 19 – August 14, 2025

Minimum Stay

2 Weeks

Application Due

Monday, July 21, 2025

Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution

Up to 4 credits are available from the Ben Gurion University. Contact for more details.

Accommodations

Team members will stay at Kibbutz Hannathon, a beautiful settlement in the Beth-Netopha Valley, only a few minutes away from Tell el-Badawiya/Hannathon. All the rooms are fully air-conditioned and have a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available. During regular working days, three meals are provided (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Vegetarian dishes are available. A grocery store and swimming pool are located a short-walking distance from the accommodation.

Cost

Directors

Contact

Dr. Assaf Kleiman

[email protected]

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