CRASL Projects 2011-2012 Forward
CRASL projects are directed by Dr. Jessie A. Pincus,
of Bar Ilan University and Texas A&M University.
Dr. Jessie A. Pincus looks out over the Kotel in Jerusalem during her summer research 2010
|
- Underground Jerusalem Heritage Trail
Since 2003 we have been working to create a sub-surface map of the Upper City of Jerusalem prior to the Roman Destruction. The initial surveying and extensive GPR work was executed at the Church and Hospital of St. Mary of the Teutonic Knights that sits above the Roman Destruction and at the apex of what was the remains of the historic Upper City.
In the summer 2010 season we added 4 new grids of acquired GPR data at the same level as the Roman destruction of the city in 70 CE. Portions of this area were said to be later utilized during the Byzantine period in the creation of the famous Nea Church. These surveyed areas link to the surrounding archaeological sites and thus sub-surface stratigraphy of the city can be continued. In the summer of 2012 we plan to add more "dots" to our map.
After the city was damaged during the 1967 war, intense archaeological excavation was completed. Many areas were also simply filled in for preservation and will not be further excavated in coming years. A sub-surface underground map of the cavities that many buildings are built upon will aid in the creation of heritage tours delineating the city's destruction by the Romans in 70 CE, as well as aiding in potential prevention of building collapse that people are presently living in on top of the yet unknown cavities they are built upon.
With the enormous increase of tourists to the Old City of Jerusalem in coming years and the historical importance of the sites there will be numerous opportunities for collaborations as this project unfolds.
|
|
- Finding the Lost MIA's of Israel
After many many hours of field and historical research from 2003-2006, working with the MIA office, and considerable financial investment undertaken personally,we were able to resolve a long mystery about the Israeli MIA, and bring peace and honor to the family after many years of wondering. The final end to a young Israeli immigrant in 1948 who fought in the War of Independence was finally determined, with the results approved by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, recognized by the family, and announced to the public on Israel Independence Day, Yom HaAtzma'ut, in 2007.
From the last accounting we were given, there are a total of at least 128 fallen soldiers with no headstones, from the days of early Israel up to the present. Of this number 47 are thought to be in similar geologic circumstances which would have a high probability of being located using geophysical survey techniques, given that we have the means and resources to focus on the task. The stories of all 128 need to be fully researched, documented, and told. The geophysical study for the first has been completed, and a study begun for the second. The memory of these individuals who gave their lives for Israel needs to be recorded; their stories should be a matter of record for their progeny, their families, and for all of us that follow. CRASL is seeking funding to complete this project and welcomes your support.
|
|
Jessie Pincus hefts the GSSI 200 MHz Antenna in 2004 at Tell es-Safi/Gath tracking the ancient siege trench which surrounds the Tell
|
Since 2003 we have worked at Tell es-Safi/Gath bringing high technology techniques
to traditional archaeology. Tracking the siege trench using GPR
provided one of the largest contiguous studies done to date, working
with Dr. Aren Maeir of Bar Ilan University, Archeological Director of the site.
The present archaeological sciences program operated jointly by Bar Ilan University and the Weizmann Institute of Science employed at the site is the only one of its kind in Israel. Here is a picture of the archaeological science field
school as it looks in the excavation area and how it is integrated into the regular field work of the project, courtesy of the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project Weblog.
Weizmann Institute Archaeological Field Laboratory 2010
(photo courtesy of Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project)
|
Tell es-Safi/Gath 2010 summer excavations
high atop the Tell
|
Moving forward in 2010 we will be involved in sub-surface mapping of the Philistine 1st Temple period Lower City using GPR, resistivity, and magnetometry. This site is one of the largest, if not THE largest tell-sites in Israel.
|
|
Megiddo - The Plains of Armageddon in 2010
|
Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley is another of the most written about and strategic Biblical sites in Israel. Recent investigations have expanded into the lower city, a wide stretch of agricultural fields 50 hectares in size, and perfect for archaeogeophysical data acquisition.
Over the next seasons we will aim to locate the walls of Bronze Age homes, expected to be found primarily by the significant amounts of pottery remains collected in surface survey. Additionally, efforts to better understand the agricultural areas and methods used at the site will be made.
A river was once in this area and can be detected through geophysical means. Occupation near river and stream sites can point to previous ecological patterns of the area that are in keeping with Dr. Matthew Adams, the chief investigator's goals to understand and preserve the economic structure of the Bronze period site as modern construction continues into the future.
Jezreel Valley Aerial View from the West
Our work here is part of the JVRP - Jezreel Valley Regional Project.
Click Here for details on the December 2010 Winter Season Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Study. We're following up
results of the anomalies found there, this summer! Click for more this summer's work.
|
|
Tell el-Hesi
|
This is the site of an Islamic period khan or caravanserai (way-station). Khans of this period functioned as way-points along the trade routes and would offer nightly shelter and a place to buy supplies for travelers. The chief archaeologists of the project suspect certain sub-surface features under the soil, among other features yet to be further investigated.
There are many possibilities that can stem from this site south of Qiryat Gat due to its large size and occupation into modern periods.
Click for Summer 2011 Summeily GPR Study and Depth Slice Animation
|
|
- Avdat, The Hidden Roman City
This will be a monumental study of archaeological geophysics in Israel. Avdat was first established in the 1st c. BCE as a Nabatean center along the ancient spice route (see www.avdat.org). Settlement continued until late in the Byzantine to Early Islamic periods.
It is known that the Roman 10th Legion was based at Avdat for a significant period of time.
Byzantine Wine Press at Avdat seen in 2010
|
The huge wine press at Avdat is a testament to the socio-economic culture
wielded by the Byzantine churches extending over the wide range of
agricultural terraces in the valley. Dr. Pincus spent many years
doing hydrological studies in the region for her doctoral thesis.
Working with Dr. Peter Fabian of Ben Gurion University we plan
to open new areas of archaeological research in the coming seasons,
beginning with non-invasive GPR studies.
A World Heritage Site since 2007, Avdat holds many undiscovered
mysteries.
|
|
Ancient agricultural terraces at Horvat Halukim in 2010
|
Horvat Halukim is a site located near Sde Boker, Israel, characterized by agricultural terraces and human occupation since the Chalcolithic period. Special attention will be developed in identifying layers of metal slag left from the human activities on site.
Already the focus of many scientific and bioarchaeological studies over the last decade by Dr. Hendrik Bruins of Ben Gurion University, this large area holds much opportunity for further study. As desertification spreads across the world efforts to better understand how we can see sub-surface features in desert soils is a worthwhile effort.
|
|
This very deep system reaches down to the water table by a 7 meter round shaft and a 45 meter sloping tunnel. Originally this system was dated to the Late Bronze Age (1500-1200 B.C.), but the more recent excavator Dever dates it to Iron II (1000-600 B.C.) based on parallels with systems at Hazor, Megiddo and Gibeon. Well known Israeli archaeologist Ronny Reich sees a parallel with Warren's Shaft, which he now dates to 1800 B.C.
One of the 3 most famous and powerful Biblical period sites in Israel, currently investigation at the site is focusing on the water system that is similar to the water system in ancient Jerusalem. GPR survey of the area above and outside the water system will show the extent of the open cavity so excavation may continue in future seasons.
The Solomonic Gate at Gezer was the third Solomonic Gate discovered. Combined with the discoveries of the Solomonic Gates at Megiddo in the 1930's and Hazor in the 1950's, the discovery of the city gate of Gezer completed the first proof of a biblical passage in history with rocks on the ground.
|
Tel Gezer ancient water system
|
|
|
|
- Yodefat: Galilean 1st c. CE site
Yodefat in the Galilee
|
This site was destroyed by the Romans and abandoned in 67 CE, thus preserving the type of life of the middle to lower class hard-working families of the 1st c. CE. This was one of the first towns to be destroyed in the first Jewish Revolt and from which Flavius Josephus, the ancient historian, was captured. Further research activities at the site can lead us to a better understanding of the economy and way of life of 1st c. CE Jews of the Galilee.
Yodefat is the famous site of the Roman siege on Josephus Flavius and his Galilean army in 67AD. This photo is from the north, where the Roman General Vespesian
set up his HQ during the siege.
|
|
Support Our Projects!
|
|
