1. The Tel Burna Archaeological Project
Debi Cassuto, Amit Dagan, Itzhaq Shai, Joe Uziel
Tel Burna is located in the Judean Shephelah along the northern banks of Wadi Guvrin, just north of Lachish. The results of the pre-excavation survey conducted in 2009 show that the site was established in the Early Bronze Age, and intensively occupied during the Middle Bronze, Late Bronze and the Iron Ages. Despite its clear tell-like form and prominent fortification remains, Tel Burna had never been excavated. Our first season of excavation, in 2010, focused on the summit and revealed several archaeological layers dating to the span of the Iron Age II: exposing sections of the site's massive fortifications, several walls (possible casemates), floors with Iron Age II whole vessels and five silos.
Tel Burna has been identified with the biblical Libnah mentioned in the conquests of Joshua (Josh. 10: 29-30), and later allotted to the tribe of Levites (Josh. 21: 13), indicating it’s status as a border town. The Book of Kings (Kings II 8: 22) tells us that the city of Libnah rebelled against the Judean kings in the 9th century BCE, and that later, King Josiah married a woman from Libnah, most likely an attempt on his part to strengthen ties with the city and possibly with the entire region. Whether or not one accepts that Libnah was located at Tel Burna, evidence from the survey and excavation seasons clearly verifies that the site was home to a prominent Judean city in biblical times.
The summit is defined by the distinct remains of fortification walls that have been visible for at least 50 years, when they were noted by Y. Aharoni and R. Amiran in their survey of the Shephelah. The remains of this fortification system, which includes at least two walls, can be securely dated to the Iron Age, as it is cut by a 7th-6th century BCE silo. It is possible that these walls represent two different fortifications, dating to different periods, or more likely not, as we have encountered what is either a casemate wall, or an outer revetment wall for the upper city wall. Further exposure of these walls will be part of the focus of future excavations with the intent of fully understanding the fortifications of the city.
During the course of our first excavation season we uncovered a series of silos dispersed throughout the excavated areas. The silos, which seem to date to the terminal phases of the Iron Age, provide us with an opportunity to study the economy of the Late Iron Age Shephelah. Planned projects associated with the excavation of the silos include wet sieving for micro-fauna, and floatation in order to collect archaeobotanical remains.
A primary target of The Tel Burna Archaeological Project is a focus on outreach, integrating community and educational projects. In addition to volunteers from all over the world, we have opened up the dig to anyone who wishes to experience archaeology first-hand. This past season, altogether, over 100 volunteers ranging in ages from 8 to 90 joined us in the field. We have also established educational programs within local institutions conducted throughout the school year, in order to bring archaeology to the public through field work and interaction.
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Check out the blog at telburna.wordpress.com