Israel Exploration Society
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Excavations at Tel Beth-Shean 1989–1996
Volume I
FROM THE LATE BRONZE AGE IIB TO THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
AMIHAI MAZAR
With Contributions by
N. Amitai-Preiss, N. Applbaum, D.T. Ariel, B. Arubas, E. Ayalon, U. Baruch,
D.E. Bar-Yosef Mayer, A.J. Boas, B. Brandl, E. Buzaglo, I. Carmi, P.J. Cowie,
A. Erlich, Y. Goren, L. Habas, S. Hadad, L. Kolska Horwitz, B.L. Johnson,
A. Karasik, E. Khamis, M.E. Kislev, M.A.S. Martin, R.A. Mullins, T. Ornan,
N. Panitz-Cohen, O. Peleg, D. Segal, O. Shamir, O. Simchoni, M. Schiffer,
U. Smilansky, J.S. Smith, E. Steinbach, A. Sumaka’i Fink, N. Yahalom-Mack

Orders: Israel Exploration Society, POB 7041, Jerualsm Israel 91070.
Fax 97226247772; E-mail: ies@vms.huji.ac.il
Internet: http://israerlexplorationsociety.huji.ac.il
CONTENTS
PART
ONE: INTRODUCTION AND SYNTHESIS
Chapter 1. Introduction: The Hebrew
University Excavations at Tel Beth-Shean A. Mazar and R.A. Mullins
Chapter
2. Beth-Shean from the Late Bronze Age IIB to the Medieval Period: A Summary A.
Mazar
Appendix 1: Excursus: The Impact of Town Planning at Scythopolis on the
Topography of Tel Beth-Shean: A New Understanding of Its Fortifications and
Status B. Arubas
PART TWO: AREA Q: BUILDING 1500 (THE
“GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCY”) AND EARLIER STRUCTURES
Chapter 3. Area Q:
Stratigraphy and Architecture A. Mazar
Lists of Loci and Walls
Chapter 4.
The Non-Egyptian Pottery from Area Q A. Mazar
Appendix 1: Area Q Sherd Count
A. Mazar and M.A.S. Martin
Plates 1–5: Pottery from Area Q
Chapter 5. The
Egyptianized Pottery Assemblage from Area Q M.A.S. Martin
Chapter 6. Various
Finds from Area Q
Chapter 6A. Clay, Bone, Stone, and Metal Objects N.
Yahalom-Mack and A. Mazar
Chapter 6B. A Lapis Lazuli Scarab B. Brandl
PART THREE: THE IRON AGE II TO THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD: STRATIGRAPHY AND
ARCHITECTURE
Chapter 7. Area S: The Stratigraphy and Architecture of
the Iron Age IIA and Later Structures A. Mazar and N. Panitz-Cohen
Lists of
Loci and Walls
Chapter 8. Area P: Stratigraphy and Architecture
Chapter
8A. Description of Stratigraphy and Architecture A. Mazar and A. Sumaka’i Fink
Chapter 8B. Analysis of Stratum P-7 Building 28636 A. Mazar
Lists of
Loci and Walls
Chapter 9. Area G: Stratigraphy and Architecture N. Applbaum
and A. Mazar
Chapter 10. Area L: Stratigraphy and Architecture N. Applbaum
and A. Mazar
Lists of Loci and Walls
Chapter 11. Stratigraphy and
Architecture of Areas H and T
Chapter 11A. Area H: Stratigraphy and
Architecture A. Mazar
Chapter 11B. Area T: Stratigraphy and Architecture
R.A. Mullins and A. Mazar
PART FOUR: THE FINDS FROM THE IRON AGE
Chapter 12. The Iron Age II Pottery from Areas S and P A. Mazar
Appendix 1:
Petrographic Study of Selected Iron Age Pottery E. Buzaglo and Y. Goren
Appendix 2A: Computation of the Capacity of Pottery Vessels Based on Drawn
Profiles A. Karasik and U. Smilansky
Appendix 2B: A Quick Method for
Estimating the Capacity of Ceramic Vessels E. Steinbach
Plates 6–42: Iron
Age Pottery from Areas S and P
Chapter 13. Various Finds from the Iron Age
II Strata in Areas P and S N. Yahalom-Mack and A. Mazar
A. Clay Figurines
and Zoomorphic Vessels
B. Other Clay Objects
C. Objects Associated with
the Weaving Industry (with O. Shamir)
D. Groundstones
E. Other Stone
Objects
F. Beads
G. Worked Bone Objects
H. Copper-based Objects
I. Iron Objects
PART FIVE: THE FINDS FROM THE HELLENISTIC TO THE
MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Chapter 14. Iron Age Inscriptions and Amulets
Chapter 14A. Iron Age Inscriptions A. Mazar
Chapter 14B. Bes Amulets from
Areas Q and P P.J. Cowie
Chapter 14C. An Amulet of the Demon Pazuzu T. Ornan
PART FIVE: THE FINDS FROM THE HELLENISTIC TO THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Chapter 15. The Hellenistic to Early Islamic Period Pottery B.L. Johnson
Appendix 1: Note on Some Medieval Period Ceramics Found in Area P A.J. Boas
Chapter 16. The Stamped Amphora Handles D.T. Ariel
Chapter 17. The Coins N.
Amitai-Preiss
Chapter 18. Hellenistic and Byzantine Terracotta Figurines A.
Erlich
Chapter 19. Glass Finds S. Hadad
Chapter 20. A Roman Intaglio and
a Roman Gypsum Cast O. Peleg
Chapter 21. A Byzantine Mosaic Floor L. Habas
Chapter 22. Clay, Stone, and Metal Objects from the Hellenistic to the Early
Islamic Period B.L. Johnson
Chapter 23. Bone, Ivory, Shell, and Steatite
Objects from the Roman–Byzantine Periods
Chapter 23A. Bone, Ivory, and Shell
Objects E. Ayalon
Chapter 23B. A Byzantine Magical Amulet E. Khamis
PART SIX: SPECIAL STUDIES
Chapter 24. Charred By-products of
Olive-oil Production in the Iron Age O. Simchoni and M.E. Kislev
Chapter 25.
Identification of Wood Remains from Areas Q, S, and P U. Baruch
Chapter 26.
Mammalian Remains from Areas H, L P and Q L. Kolska Horwitz
Chapter 27.
Construction and Trade: The Shells from Tel Beth-Shean D.E. Bar-Yosef Mayer
Chapter 28. 14C Dates from Iron Age Strata at Beth-Shean I. Carmi, D. Segal, and
A. Mazar
Index of Pottery and Other Finds by Locus