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Site Maps |
| Area AA
Area AA contains the deepest probe on Tell Abil (Abila) and therefore gives us a picture of the oldest stratified material fount at the excavation. It indicates that the occupation of Abila dates back to at least the Early Bronze Age. The occupational history probably goes back even further into antiquity, as indicated by the substantial quantity of Chalcolithic sherds that have been discovered mixed in with Early Bronze pottery in Area AA. The surface sherding of the site in 1980 also revealed Neolithic sherds, which may indicate settlement even in this early period. 
 (click on images to enlarge)
A fair amount of Iron Age remains have also been uncovered in this area, as attested by Iron Age ceramics. Most impressive was the discovery of two Iron Age burial jars. Meticulous treatment of these burial jars revealed disarticulated bones, possibly suggesting that the deceased had been set out to dessicate prior to their interment. One set of bones belonged to an adult male and the other was that of a child, possible around seven years of age. Another interesting and heretofore unknown feature of Area AA is a water channel that was first exposed in 1990. It appears that the water channel drained to the west, toward the church. The channel was a part of a large water catchment system, presumably constructed during the Byzantine period to channel water to a cistern or storage vault under the church building. A slanted water through, which seems to be connected with the water channel, has remained a puzzle to excavators. Whether it was built contemporaneous with the water channel or added later, and what its exact function was awaits further excavation. Early and Late Byzantine, Hellenistic, and some Late Roman period potsherds have been found in adjacent layers. |
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| © 2003. Abila Archaeologoical Project. All images are property of the Abila Archaeological Project.
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