Neutron activation and petrographic analysis of selected Late Bronze and Iron Age pottery from Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel

Abstract

Thirteen sherds from the site of Tell es-Safi/Gath (Central Israel) were analyzed by neutron activation; six of these were also analyzed by thin section petrography. These include mostly Late Bronze II and early Iron Age II imports (and possible imports) from Greece or Cyprus, as well as a sherd with a Late Bronze Age Egyptian Hieratic inscription. The details of the results are reported and discussed with their possible archaeological implications.