Tel Gezer

Four seasons of excavations were conducted at Tel Gezer in the summers of 2006-2009 (License Nos. G-48/2006, G-56/2007, G-57/2008, G-51/2009; map ref. 19248/64073). The excavations were undertaken by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Israel Antiquities Authority; additional support was recieved from a consortium of institutions: Ashland Theological Seminary, Marian Eakins Archaeological Collection, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Lancaster Bible College, Lycoming College, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The excavations were directed by S. Ortiz and S. Wolff, with the assistance of G. Arbino and E. Braun (field supervision; Braun, 2007-2008 seasons), E. Mitchell (Gezer regional survey, 2007-2009), T. Hofecker (administration), D. Cole (volunteer coordination), A. Applebaum (conservation and registration, 2007 season), H. Reichstadt (conservation, 2008-2009 seasons), J. Rosenberg (surveying and drafting), G. Arbino (field photography, 2006-2007 seasons) and S. Wolff (field photography, 2008-2009 seasons), Sky Balloon company (aerial photography, 2006-2007 seasons) and Skyview (aerial photography, 2008-2009 seasons), D. Pride (computer specialist), J. Harrison (registration, 2008-2009 seasons), D. Hofecker (pottery registration, 2006 season), E. Shaposnick (logistics), T. Asamain (field conservation/restoration, 2008 season) and A. Yogev (field conservation/restoration, 2009 season), O. Shorr (pottery restoration, 2007-2008 seasons) and M. and J. Ben-Arie (pottery restoration, 2009 season), R. Vinitsky (metallurgical laboratory) and C. Amit (studio photography). Additional assistance was provided by L. Kolska Horwitz (faunal assemblage); O. Marder (flint assemblage); B. Brandl, S. Münger and T. Ornan (glyptics); R. Kletter (figurines and weights); K. Miller (numismatics); P. Mountjoy (Mycenaean pottery); R. Merrillees (Cypriot pottery); and G. Finkielsztejn (stamped Rhodian amphora handles). Support was also provided by a team from Tel Aviv University (I. Finkelstein and S. Weiner, principle investigators), sponsored by the European Research Council. The excavations, located within the Tel Gezer National Park, received the cooperation of the National Parks Authority (T. Tzuk, head of archaeological branch and O. Harari, regional inspector) and support from Qibbuz Gezer, Pinat Shorashim and the Karmē Yosef Community Association. The project, affiliated with the American Schools of Oriental Research, received assistance from S. Gitin, Director of the Albright Institute. The expedition was housed at the Newe Shalom Guest House.