Location & Identification
Tell Qashish (or Tell Qasis) is located on the northern bank of the Nahal Kishon, near a bend in the stream that encloses the site on two sides. The elongated mound, covering approximately 2.5 acres, is situated strategically near one of the Kishon fords and close to Jokneam, just 2 km away. The site has been proposed as the possible location of the ancient city of Dabbesheth (Joshua 19:11) and was mentioned as number 112 on the list of Thutmose III.
History
- Early Bronze Age: The site has well-built houses from this period, with some structures having rounded corners on the outside and rectilinear on the inside. The ceramic assemblage includes pithoi with bow rims, hole-mouth jars, and gray-burnished ware.
- Middle Bronze Age: The fortification system includes a city wall with a rectangular tower attached to its inner face. A complex of rooms and a courtyard were also found inside the city wall.
- Late Bronze Age: This period had three main strata and several substrata. The settlement was destroyed by fire twice during this time and was unfortified towards the end of the Late Bronze Age.
- Iron Age : Represented by building remains and special vessels not intended for daily use. The Iron Age III settlement is represented by isolated building remains and contemporary pottery.
- Persian Period: The site’s last clearly defined occupation strata date to this period, with significant building remains uncovered.
History of Excavations
Excavations at Tell Qashish tool place from 1978 to 1987 and were conducted under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Exploration Society. Directed by A. Ben-Tor, the excavations were part of the Jokneam Regional Project.
Important Findings
- Early Bronze Age I: The earliest settlement remains at Tell Qashish date to this period, with buildings founded directly on bedrock.
- Middle Bronze Age II: The city wall and associated structures typical of Middle Bronze Age settlements were discovered.
- Late Bronze Age: Finds included storage jars found in the courtyard of a house.
- Iron Age II: Notable finds include a pit with special vessels and a globular jug decorated in the black-on-red style.
Persian Period: A (fortified?) farmhouse was discovered, with thick walls of very large stones.
Sources
Stern, Ephraim-New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land 4-Israel Exploration Society (1993)
Biblical Hiking map