Megiddo 2005 Overview

Final Report of the Yadin Expedition at Megiddo
Anabel Zarzecki-Peleg

This grant will be for the publication of the final report entitled: The Excavations of the Yadin Expedition at Megiddo. Tel Megiddo is a key site for biblical archaeology research. His intrinsically essentialness derives from his central status in the past and from the rich material discovered at the site, specially during the excavations conducted by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago in the twenties and thirties. His strategic position, by the exit of Wadi ‘Arah (modern Nahal ‘Iron) at the Jezreel Valley (Israel), and two permanent springs at the bottom and to the north of the Tell, made available the continuous settlement of Megiddo for long periods. The many sources referring to Megiddo, including the Egyptian and biblical ones, are a good testimony to his high position.

The Hebrew University Expedition, conducted by late Prof. Yigael Yadin made four short seasons in 1960, 1966, 1967 and 1971/72, and few additional inspections in 1975. The main work concentrated at the northeast of the Tell (M/12-13 and L-K/12-14 squares according to the Oriental Institute grid) where a monumental public building – “Palace 6000” – was exposed. Yadin’s expedition excavated Area C as well – strata VIIA to VIA, close to Gallery 629, southwest of the Tell. The main object of this trench was to check the stratigraphic connection between Gallery 629 and the surroundings, and to get more specific data, in order to date the Gallery and all the Water Supply System. The expedition also made inspections at the bottom of the mound, close to the spring cave entrance, and to the pedestrian steps 2153, outside the Iron Age outer city gate. The major purpose of the renewed excavations at Megiddo by Yadin’s expedition was to clarify the problematic character of the city fortifications by the time of the United Monarchy. It was risen by Albright and Wright criticism to Chicago’s conclusions of strata V and IV. Megiddo didn’t fit with Hazor and Gezer examples, to which Yadin ascribed a six-chamber gate together with a casemate city wall to King Solomon. The results of this excavation were successful and significant for comprehending the history of Megiddo and other contemporary sites in northern Israel, even if they didn’t meet Yadin’s expectations.

The applicant has recently submitted her Ph.D. dissertation written under the supervision of Prof. Amihai Mazar: Tel Megiddo during the Iron I and IIA-IIB Age. The Excavations of the Yadin Expedition at Megiddo and their Contribution for Comprehending the History of this Site and other Contemporary Sites in Northern Israel. The Ph.D dissertation includes 330 pages double-spaced (in Hebrew). This manuscript needs to be revised, translated and edited for the final report in digital form. The pottery plates (43 assemblage plates and 20 typology plates) should be prepared according to publication request for camera-ready and the description plates to be completed. Selected pottery must be photographed, including pottery groups from 6000 Palace (stratum VA-IVB) and other assemblages (from stratum VIA). 22 detailed and schematic plans and 10 sections must be prepared according to publication request, as well as 5 tables and graphs. A descriptive section of the small finds, including the treasure from stratum VIA, must be written and translated, drawn and photographed. This will be ready for the publisher two years from the time the grant received. The Final report will be published in the series Qedem Reports of the Hebrew University in cooperation with the Israel Exploration Society.