Last dig updates, and now Jaffa!

With the dig at Gezer officially finished, now I am staying in Jaffa with my dad and sister, who came in yesterday. Later this week we will meet up with the group from Hebrew Union (Chelsea's school) and stay in Jerusalem. I don't think I'm going to want to leave Jaffa! I could live here - it's so nice, right by the Mediterranean and an ideal location in so many ways. It's a nice historic town in a new city, great weather and views.

Scroll down for photos & final dig videos!

 

In Jaffa overlooking the Med!

 

Jaffa views of the Med & Tel Aviv...

 

Jaffa Port in the background

 

Museum commemorating the 6-day war Jaffa victory

 

And, the hipster photos...

 

This one has to win the hipster award...

 

At Canada Park

 

Archaeology at Canada Park

 

I showed my dad & Chelsea what we did at Gezer. Here's the calendar.

 

Missing the Canaanite Gate after seeing it filled in!

  

 The site at Gezer & Karmei Yosef in the background.

 

Our temporary residence in Jaffa has excellent views!!! 

Now, for the final videos from the dig:

Tunnel Update:

 

Eli's House Update:

 

Canaanite Gate Update:

 

Final Dig Day - and a tour of the tunnel!

Today we finished clean up and final photos at the site. A little sad, but exciting because this has been the best season for Tel Gezer (so I hear). Information about findings will come as it is published, and I'll still be posting some more video updates in the days to come, so stay tuned!

Watch the video below for a journey through our work areas, into the tunnel and the cavern!

Last night we ate at Asi's house, which was fantastic!

Nearing the end (this year)...

Today was our last full dig day at Gezer. Asi rigged my ion onto a hard hat and I tried out filming the cave - I'm going to do it again tomorrow! Then I can put something together. The cavern is pretty small and dark, so I'll have to see if I can get some more light next time! Many archaeologists are coming to visit our site, which is exciting. A middle school field trip came by yesterday and I learned a Hebrew song from some new friends! There has been some excitement today, but we must start cleaning up to leave tomorrow. I'll post more on the dig when we're actually finished, but for now here are a few photos!

 

Last night's Jaffa views!

 

Gezer standing stones

 

The tunnel!

The third week begins

Last weekend we traveled again; Friday we went to Herodium followed by Jerusalem. We were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the City of David by none other than Eli Shukron, who excavated the site and made many significant finds throughout his long career. He found the gold bell that belonged to the robe of the High Priest. We walked through Hezekiah's Tunnel, one of my absolute favorite places to explore. We also walked through the old city again.

Saturday we visited the Israel Museum, which has the best exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls; I also enjoyed the section of the museum that has four reconstructed synagogues from around the world, as well as a whole Jewish exhibit with items from festivals (a TON of Menorahs from around the world, for instance), and a Jewish life exhibit. I saw some others as well.

Today began the last week of our dig at Tel Gezer (but I'm still in Israel for 2 weeks after this). It is going well, although the winch broke today so the tunnel had to end a little early on lifting bags out of the hole. Videos from the end of last week are being posted, so those will be included in the blog with all the archaeological details!

Happy Yom Yerushalayim!

 

Underground tunnels at Herodium.

 

 

 

Under the city of David with our tour guide, Eli.

 

 

Hezekiah's Tunnel

 

With Eli Shukron.

 

IDF Celebrations.

 

The Jewish Quarter in the Old City.

 

The Shrine of the Book.

 

Temple in the Jerusalem Model.

 

One of the synagogues in the exhibit.

 

A typical sighting at Tel Gezer!

 

The sifter for the tunnel.

Two (of three) Video Updates:

Digging & Touring & Photos!

Since my last post, we have continued our dig at Tel Gezer. I have remained at the gate for most of the time - it's interesting to see the progression! It's so interesting to observe the archaeologists asking questions and discussing possible answers as we continue to discover what's under our feet. Knowing that it's not just dirt, but pottery and flint used by ancient people, is pretty amazing. We have also watched a couple of pottery readings, which have also been interesting - Eli can tell by looking at a shard when the pottery was from. There's also the puzzle aspect, trying to find pieces that fit together. We also find bones (including camel and horse teeth), flint, and other items. The other areas are just as interesting as the gate. The water tunnel is 15+ stories deep!

Last weekend we traveled to some sites, all of which I've been to before but I got some great photos; I've been really wanting to return to some of the sites since my last trip here. Sites we visited included Caesarea, the church of the beatitudes, Capernaum, the Dead Sea, Masada, and Qumran.

 

 

Masada Views

 

The water cistern at Masada is MASSIVE (but not as massive as Gezer's!!!)

 

Overlooking Cave 4, where Dead Sea Scrolls were found, at Qumran

 

Masada

 

Swimming (well, floating) in the Dead Sea!

 

More Masada views

 

We climbed up to Cave 11, where some fragments were found.

 

Caesarea amphitheater

 

Caesarea Aqueduct

 

Capernaum Synagogue

 

Sea of Galillee from the church of the Beatitudes

 

Gate Area of the Excavation

 

Pottery Readings!

 

Excellent view of Modi'in from Gezer.

 

Sifting for items.

 

Our crane operator Asi, who makes great coffee.

 

Dr. Cole, Eli, and Tsvika reading pottery.

 

Dig friends Jonathan, Sara, Autumn and Savannah