The Tel Nagila Publication Project
Joe Uziel and Aren Maeir

Tel Nagila is a multi-period site situated on the western bank of Nahal Shiqma in the southern coastal plain (Map Reference 127.101), approximately 28 kilometers east of modern-day Gaza and 6 kilometers south of Tell el-Hesi. Its location in the southern coastal plain led scholars such as W.F. Albright to believe that the site should be identified with ancient Gath of the Philistines, however this proved to be incorrect in light of the excavations, as no Iron Age I finds were uncovered. The site was excavated for two seasons in 1962 and 1963, under the direction of Ruth Amiran and Avraham Eitan, on behalf of the (now defunct) Institute for Mediterranean Studies in Jerusalem. Five excavation areas were opened, and fourteen strata assigned, from the Chalcolithic to the Mamluk period.

The most intensive occupation occurred during the Middle Bronze Age IIB-C period, when a fortified city occupied the site. A section excavated on the northeast side of the tell revealed an elaborate rampart system made up of an earthen embankment with a mudbrick wall perched atop it. Various layers of earth and crushed chalk were laid against the wall to form a glacis. The mudbrick wall was found to continue above this glacis and a mudbrick tower was integrated into it. At the bottom of the embankment, a fosse surrounded the site—probably the source of the embankment itself. Trial soundings showed that the site was not confined to within the fortifications during this period and may have been larger than the four hectares of the actual mound.

Four to five strata dating to the MBIIB-C were unearthed at the center of the mound, including a residential quarter and parts of two public buildings. The plan of the settlement reveals systematic planning of the residential quarter along a series of parallel streets, with other streets intersecting at right angles. The finds include pottery (including tens of complete vessels), a number of scarabs, ostrich eggshells used as vessels, metal objects and a unique ceramic zoomorphic vessel. Of particular interest is a sherd with a fragmentary, two-line Proto-Canaanite inscription.

Two rock-cut tombs were found south of the tell, near the riverbank. The first is a small tomb dating to the Early Bronze Age II or III. The second dates to the MBIIB-C and is made up of three chambers containing the remains of 50 individuals, 150 pottery vessels, Egyptian alabaster and faience vessels, 48 scarabs and bronze objects.