Working in a Cave

Yesterday we began our dig at Gezer, a major archeological site going back to the Bronze Age and earlier.

Canaanite area at Tel Gezer. Canaanite house under tarp, Gate to left, the tower is to the right of the bridge.

We are working in an area which that was developed during the Canaanite period.

The water project is the large hole in front

Dr. Warner, who has been working at Gezer for more than a dozen summers walked us around the site pointing out different areas. He pointed out various features of the site. One area was the Canaanite Gate with its massive entrance and mud bricks.

The Canaanite Gate at Gezer

Another area he highlighted was a massive tower for the protection of the city. The base of the tower is at least 45’ by 55’ in area. The tower probably stood 40’ tall with an additional mud brick structure above that.

The remains of the huge tower at Gezer

During a 150 year period of peace, the Canaanite cities launched aggressive building programs. City walls became massive, with large gates and watchtowers. Other projects were also undertaken.

Canaanite Tower from above

One of these was the huge water project.

The inside of the tunnel with hand carved arches above

The hand carved tunnel goes 180 feet under the ground, and then laterally.  

The team cleaning the steps of the Tunnel

My project the first two days is to clean steps. After 4,000 years without maid service, needless to say, they are a bit dirty. The pigeons and bats who live in the cave also leave reminders of their presence.

Safety features included the ladder and the hand rope

As we cleaned the steps, we learned that various critters live in the cave. We heard the singing of pigeons, who fluttered in and out of the cave. We met some of their offspring.

Young pigeons waiting for food

The singing of the doves was accompanied by music from the bats who roosted overhead. We cleaned out high quality fertilizer, which was a byproduct of both the doves and the bats.

Bats hanging in a ceiling creavice

We also met millipedes, slugs, various kinds of beetles and rolly-pollies.

The visitor with a hundred feet

There is a Canaanite period house which was built between the city walls and the water project, which retains (after 4,000) walls which remain standing almost the original height

The Canaanite House

The city also contains a Solomonic era gate,

The city gate with water drainage in the middle

And an 8th century BC house.

Typical four room Semetic House of the 8th Century

We have a team of about 25 people working in two areas at Gezer and one area at Tel Hadid.