The Early Bronze Age Remains at Tell eṣ-Ṣāfi/Gath: An Interim Report

Abstract

Several Early Bronze Age levels have been exposed at Tell eṣ-Ṣāfi/Gath since 2004. This report describes the results of the excavation of the EB III domestic neighbourhood on the eastern part of the site, in Area E. Its layout was common to other Early Bronze urban centres, including small, multiroom houses with a courtyard, and in a few cases also a small storage room. Occupants had access to local and long distance trade and exotic goods, used various administrative recording methods, and sacrificed valuable animals. These results are discussed in conjunction with other Early Bronze finds from the site, both from the surface survey and from excavations in other areas. Based on these data, we discuss the role of Early Bronze Age Tell eṣ-Ṣāafi/Gath from a regional perspective. The results of the excavation suggest that the site was an important EB III political and economic centre in the district.