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Itzik Paz

Israel Antiquities Authority, Excavations ,Surveys and research, senior archaeologist

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i am a senior researcher in the Israel Antiquities Authority. i expertise in the proto-history of the Southern Levant, (4th-3rd millennia BC) mainly on the Early Bronze Age.i also expertise in megalithic phenomena between the 5th-3rd millennia BC, i teach in Israeli Academy.i directed many important and recently a mega scale excavations o behalf of the IAA.i co-direct an excavation project with a Japanese expedition at Tel Rekhesh, Israel.

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Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Alexander Fantalkin

Tel Aviv University

Katherine S Burke

University of California, Los Angeles

Israel Antiquities Authority

University of California, Los Angeles

Martin Peilstöcker

Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Pierre de Miroschedji

Université Paris Nanterre

nili liphschitz

Marcio Teixeira-Bastos

University of Sao Paulo

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Papers by Itzik Paz

Early Bronze Age Pottery at Tel Yafo

Small Carnivore Hunting in the Early Neolithic: A View from EPPNB Aḥihud (Western Galilee, Israel

by Itzik Paz and Shirad Galmor

Significant changes to subsistence economy and hunting habits have occurred in huntergatherer soc... more Significant changes to subsistence economy and hunting habits have occurred in huntergatherer societies in the Levant, starting as early as the late Epi-Palaeolithic. Among the observed changes were the increase in the frequencies of gazelles and small sized animals, including small carnivore species, primarily foxes and felids. The role of the red fox in Late Natufian and early Neolithic economies in the southern Lavant has been examined in previous studies, though rarely in detail, while the role of wildcats has been largely neglected. We studied fox and wildcat remains from EPPNB Ah. ihud (Israel), in order to elucidate their role in the economy of the site. We found relatively high frequencies of fox and wildcat remains and an abundance of burn signs and cut marks, which enabled us to conduct a detailed study of these small carnivore remains in their archaeological context. Our study demonstrates that foxes and wildcats were hunted and exploited intensively, both for their fur and for their meat. Hence, we suggest that they should be considered as game animals in future studies of animal exploitation in the Early Neolithic.

Unveiling Regional Socio economic Dynamics in the EB IB Southern Levant The Case of the Gutter Rim Bowls

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

Ceramic assemblages from Early Bronze IB sites in northern Israel are characterised by locally pr... more Ceramic assemblages from Early Bronze IB sites in northern Israel are characterised by locally produced types of vessels. This contribution examines a specific bowl type referred to as the 'Gutter-Rim Bowl' (GRB), found in significant quantities in EB IB sites situated across the northern Coastal Plain, the Jezreel Valley and the central Jordan Valley. To understand the regional significance of GRBs, we have conducted a thorough analysis of their distribution and provenance by integrating existing and newly compiled databases. Petrographic results reveal a diverse range of raw materials used in the manufacturing of GRBs across most sites. Our findings suggest that the distribution pattern of GRBs is not solely dictated by practical utility, but is influenced by interregional relations among peer polities possibly engaged in competitive interactions. GRBs emerge as distinctive markers of local traditions tied to specific cultural and political entities, accounting for their prevalence in their respective territories. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural and socio-political dynamics shaping EB IB ceramic traditions in northern Israel.

the early pre-pottery neolithic b site of aḥihud (western galilee, israel) Preliminary observations

The recent excavations at the site of Aḥihud uncovered the remains of an Early Pre-Pottery Neolit... more The recent excavations at the site of Aḥihud uncovered the remains of an Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B village on the bank of Nahal Ḥilazon (Acre valley, Israel) tributary channel. The site is in an ecotone between the western Galilee hills and the northern coastal plain. The lithic assemblage from the site includes typical PPNB arrowheads (about a third are El-Khiam and Helwan types) as well as hundreds of sickle blades. The fauna include evidence to the hunting of large and small game as well as small predators. The flora from the site shows evidence for an intensive legume crop agriculture. Thousands of legume seeds were concentrated in two silos. The vast majority are broad beans (Vicia faba) that predate the earliest evidence for an established cultivation of legumes in the Southern Levant. Other finds attest to the acquisition of exotic goods such as various green stones and obsidian from the Northern Levant or shells from the Red Sea. Résumé. Les fouilles récentes sur le site d'Aḥihud ont mis au jour les vestiges d'un village du PPNB ancien sur la rive du canal affluent de Nahal Hilazon (vallée d'Acre, Israël). Le site se trouve dans un écotone entre les collines de l'ouest de la Galilée et la plaine côtière du nord. L'assemblage lithique du site comprend des pointes de flèches typiques du PPNB (environ un tiers sont des types El-Khiam et Helwan) ainsi que des centaines de lames de faucille. La faune comprend également des preuves de la chasse au gros ainsi que de petits prédateurs. La flore du site témoigne d'une culture intensive de légumineuses. Des milliers de graines de légumineuses ont été concentrées dans deux silos. La grande majorité sont des fèves (Vicia faba) qui sont antérieures aux premières preuves d'une culture établie de légumineuses dans le sud du Levant. D'autres découvertes attestent de l'acquisition de produits exotiques tels que diverses pierres vertes et de l'obsidienne du Levant du Nord.

Economic Strategies of Two Early Bronze Age Villages in the Southern Levant: Explaining Coastal Abandonment Versus Inland Urban Development

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

The southern Levantine coast was settled continuously for three millennia, from the Neolithic per... more The southern Levantine coast was settled continuously for three millennia, from the Neolithic period until its abandonment in Early Bronze Age II, in sharp contrast to inland sites that developed into urbanized cities. This study examines this phenomenon by investigating the pottery production component of the economic systems of two contemporary EB I villages: a shoreline coastal site that was abandoned (Dor South) and an inland site that evolved into an urban center ('En Esur). This pilot ceramic petrography examination shows two distinct strategies, with 'En Esur producing pottery primarily from local raw materials and Dor South relying mainly on imported pottery, potentially weakening the once-resilient coastal system.

Paz, Y. 2024. Chapter Ten: A Note on the Phenomenology of Megalithic Architecture in the Levant and Beyond

Paz, Y. 2024. Chapter Ten: A Note on the Phenomenology of Megalithic Architecture in the Levant and Beyond

ArtiThe Ibex, the Triangle and the Lentoid: A Sixth-Fifth Millennia BCE Stone Stamp Seal from Khirbet Harsis, Judaean Shephelah, Israelkeltext

Introduction. Horned Animals in Glyptic Art from the Ancient Near East Horned animals were very c... more Introduction. Horned Animals in Glyptic Art from the Ancient Near East Horned animals were very commonly depicted in glyptic art of the Ancient Near East from the 7 th to the 3 rd millennia BCE. These animals include both domesticated and wild species and were often accompanied by additional elements e.g., other animals, human figures and various emblems that were often called "space fillers". The current paper discusses a stone stamp seal that was found during a salvage excavation at Khirbet Harsis (Sha'ar Ha-Gāy) in the Judean Shephelah of Israel. The seal depicts a crouching ibex and associated lentoid and triangular emblems. We believe they represent the symbolic realms of the Late Neolithic-Early Chalcolithic with their cultural and social aspects. Horned wild animals, such as gazelles, antelopes, and ibexes, are the stamp seals' main features at sites

The Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah (Khirbet el-Kerak): A New Synthesis (Excavations of 1945–1946, 2003–2015)

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2017

New excavations conducted in the Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah, first excavated in ... more New excavations conducted in the Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah, first excavated in 1946, form the basis for a revised, detailed description of the construction and use of this unique structure. Stratigraphic soundings have established that the structure consisted of three platforms with seven circles sunk into them, enclosing a paved courtyard that was open toward the east. The structure was constructed in a single operation, at the transition between Early Bronze Age II and III, but it seems to have been abandoned before it was completed and given over to new tenants who changed the trajectory of its use. These new inhabitants are responsible for the bulk of the deposits excavated in and around the building, which are characterized by large quantities of Khirbet Kerak Ware and complementary lithic and other assemblages. We suggest that the building was conceived as part of the corporate urbanizing project of Early Bronze Age II, but was overtaken by a crisis that deflected the urban trajectory of Tel Bet Yerah in Early Bronze Age III and allowed the entry of migrant groups, such as those bearing the Khirbet Kerak Ware tradition.

. Paz et al. The IBA cemetary at Kh. el Alya North

. Subterranean Spaces outside Tel Yarmut—Evidence of Early EB IB Burials, EB III Dwellings and Agricultural Activities

Subterranean Spaces outside Tel Yarmut—Evidence of Early EB IB Burials, EB III Dwellings and Agri... more

Horbat Husham (early EBIB) - social processes towards urbanization (Hebrew)

Condemn Hamas terrorism

A Note on the Earliest Appearance of the Hand-Made, Straight-Sided Cooking Pot in the Southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Naama Walzer

The straight-sided, flat-based, handmade cooking pot has long been considered one of the hallmark... more The straight-sided, flat-based, handmade cooking pot has long been considered one of the hallmark vessels of the early south Levantine Middle Bronze Age(MB), dated to the beginning of the second millennium BCE. A growing body of evidence, however, now points to an earlier appearance of this vessel type in the Intermediate Bronze Age (IB) (mid-late third millennium BCE). This article outlines the phenomenon, places its geographic origin along the eastern side of the Jordan Valley and portrays, in general terms, its cultural implications.

Variation in economic specialization as revealed through the study of Pottery Neolithic faunal assemblages from the southern Levant

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2021

Our research examines the extent of animal husbandry between the Early and the Late Pottery Neoli... more Our research examines the extent of animal husbandry between the Early and the Late Pottery Neolithic period in the southern Levant. Based on the faunal analysis of several assemblages from sites dated to the Jericho IX/Lodian (7800–7500 Bp) and Wadi Raba cultures (7500–6500 Bp), located in diverse geographic zones, it expands upon the current knowledge regarding the status of livestock exploitation and the extent of hunting. We expected some measure of exploitation of secondary products, as previous studies show that intense use of livestock for milk had already emerged in several places in Europe and the Near East by the 8th millennium BC. Our examination of the species abundance, herd demography, and changes in body size of the main livestock animals and wild species in multiple sites showed that livestock were utilized mainly for meat, and not for their secondary products. Additionally, while the animal economy in all sites relied on a combination of livestock and wild species, the extent of reliance on each source varied greatly between sites, especially in the Late Pottery Neolithic. Finally, our findings demonstrate that the economy of the Late Pottery Neolithic (Wadi Raba) of the southern Levant is more similar to the Early Pottery Neolithic (Jericho IX/Lodian) than to the later Chalcolithic Ghassulian.

Weapons, Warrior Burials and Agency in the Intermediate Bronze Age Southern Levant: Some Theoretical Observations

by Itzik Paz and Naama Walzer

The Intermediate Bronze Age (c. 2500-2000 BCE) is known for its abundance of formal cemeteries an... more The Intermediate Bronze Age (c. 2500-2000 BCE) is known for its abundance of formal cemeteries and various other types of burial sites. These comprise a substantial number of internments that contain metal artifacts, identified as weaponry and associated with warfare, and typically defined 'warrior burials.' In this paper, we discuss some theoretical issues concerning the identification and role of the so-called weapons, the ideology of warriors and warriorhood, and the mutual agency of objects and society during the Intermediate Bronze Age. Reference is made to examples and research in Europe, where similar patterns have been extensively studied. Through this examination, weapons will be addressed as 'agents', allowing a more holistic discussion of the 'network' that produced and used them and a clearer image of 'warrior burials' and the reason for their gradual disappearance in the Middle Bronze Age.

‘En Esur: An EB IB Urban Center in the Coastal Plain of Israel and its Role in the Early Urbanization of the Southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

The transition between the late EB IB and the EB II, dated to the end of the 4 th millennium BCE,... more The transition between the late EB IB and the EB II, dated to the end of the 4 th millennium BCE, is considered by many scholars as a critical point that ended one cultural phenomenon (village life) and started another one (urbanization). Recent excavations at ʿEn Esur, conducted on behalf of the IAA in a huge scale of c. 1700 squares, revealed large portions of a 65 ha. EB IB settlement, the largest known in the southern Levant. In this settlement, various traits of urbanization are found: carefully planned streets, squares, drainage and storage facilities, fortifications, and a unique public building that may have been used as a temple. Moreover, this site, located on a central junction leading from the coastal plain to the Jezreel Valley, was a trading center, as evidenced by finds that originated in other regions, including the Jordan Valley and Egypt. Based on the data collected, it can be stated that ʿEn Esur was already fully urbanized during the EB IB and was an important component of a widespread proto-urban phenomenon which includes very large and often fortified EB IB settlements like ʿEn Zippori and Tel Erani.

the Egyptian Enclaving of southern Canaan during the late 4th millennium BCE - some theoretical, cultural, and spatial aspects.

Egyptian presence in the Southern Levant during the late fourth millennium BCE (Early Bronze Age ... more Egyptian presence in the Southern Levant during the late fourth millennium BCE (Early Bronze Age IB, henceforward EB IB), centered in southwestern Israel, is an issue thoroughly studied for several decades. These studies covered every aspect of material culture, relative and absolute chronology, socio-political and economic implications, and more. Scholars characterized this Egyptian presence in different ways: from a military or colonial occupation focusing on the establishment of Egyptian enclaves within local settlements, to a minimal, purely commercial activity with almost no physical Egyptian presence. The current paper will attempt to outline theoretical, cultural, and spatial aspects of encounters between Egyptians and the local Canaanite population based on old and new data from sites like Tel Maaḥaz

A numbers game: analyzing pottery usage patterns of 4th millennium BCE sites in the southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

Excavations of 4th millennium BCE sites conducted in the past two decades have provided a signifi... more Excavations of 4th millennium BCE sites conducted in the past two decades have provided a significant amount of quantitative data regarding the use of pottery. This accumulated data provides an opportunity to engage in a comparative analysis between sites of different regions in the southern Levant, as well as of the different periods comprising the 4th millennium, including the Late Chalcolithic, Early Bronze Age IA, Early Bronze Age IB and Early Bronze Age II. The aim of the current study is to utilize quantitative data to detect general trends in the usage patterns of pottery vessels. The study was based on a division into three general categories: serving, cooking and storage vessels. The results show that each period had its own specific usage pattern or patterns, and that during the Late Chalcolithic and the late EBA IB these patterns were similar throughout the southern Levant. The results of this study are also used to explore some of the associated socio-political implications.

An early bronze age fertilized agricultural plot discovered near Tel Yarmouth, Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2017

Early Bronze Age Pottery at Tel Yafo

Small Carnivore Hunting in the Early Neolithic: A View from EPPNB Aḥihud (Western Galilee, Israel

by Itzik Paz and Shirad Galmor

Significant changes to subsistence economy and hunting habits have occurred in huntergatherer soc... more Significant changes to subsistence economy and hunting habits have occurred in huntergatherer societies in the Levant, starting as early as the late Epi-Palaeolithic. Among the observed changes were the increase in the frequencies of gazelles and small sized animals, including small carnivore species, primarily foxes and felids. The role of the red fox in Late Natufian and early Neolithic economies in the southern Lavant has been examined in previous studies, though rarely in detail, while the role of wildcats has been largely neglected. We studied fox and wildcat remains from EPPNB Ah. ihud (Israel), in order to elucidate their role in the economy of the site. We found relatively high frequencies of fox and wildcat remains and an abundance of burn signs and cut marks, which enabled us to conduct a detailed study of these small carnivore remains in their archaeological context. Our study demonstrates that foxes and wildcats were hunted and exploited intensively, both for their fur and for their meat. Hence, we suggest that they should be considered as game animals in future studies of animal exploitation in the Early Neolithic.

Unveiling Regional Socio economic Dynamics in the EB IB Southern Levant The Case of the Gutter Rim Bowls

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

Ceramic assemblages from Early Bronze IB sites in northern Israel are characterised by locally pr... more Ceramic assemblages from Early Bronze IB sites in northern Israel are characterised by locally produced types of vessels. This contribution examines a specific bowl type referred to as the 'Gutter-Rim Bowl' (GRB), found in significant quantities in EB IB sites situated across the northern Coastal Plain, the Jezreel Valley and the central Jordan Valley. To understand the regional significance of GRBs, we have conducted a thorough analysis of their distribution and provenance by integrating existing and newly compiled databases. Petrographic results reveal a diverse range of raw materials used in the manufacturing of GRBs across most sites. Our findings suggest that the distribution pattern of GRBs is not solely dictated by practical utility, but is influenced by interregional relations among peer polities possibly engaged in competitive interactions. GRBs emerge as distinctive markers of local traditions tied to specific cultural and political entities, accounting for their prevalence in their respective territories. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural and socio-political dynamics shaping EB IB ceramic traditions in northern Israel.

the early pre-pottery neolithic b site of aḥihud (western galilee, israel) Preliminary observations

The recent excavations at the site of Aḥihud uncovered the remains of an Early Pre-Pottery Neolit... more The recent excavations at the site of Aḥihud uncovered the remains of an Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B village on the bank of Nahal Ḥilazon (Acre valley, Israel) tributary channel. The site is in an ecotone between the western Galilee hills and the northern coastal plain. The lithic assemblage from the site includes typical PPNB arrowheads (about a third are El-Khiam and Helwan types) as well as hundreds of sickle blades. The fauna include evidence to the hunting of large and small game as well as small predators. The flora from the site shows evidence for an intensive legume crop agriculture. Thousands of legume seeds were concentrated in two silos. The vast majority are broad beans (Vicia faba) that predate the earliest evidence for an established cultivation of legumes in the Southern Levant. Other finds attest to the acquisition of exotic goods such as various green stones and obsidian from the Northern Levant or shells from the Red Sea. Résumé. Les fouilles récentes sur le site d'Aḥihud ont mis au jour les vestiges d'un village du PPNB ancien sur la rive du canal affluent de Nahal Hilazon (vallée d'Acre, Israël). Le site se trouve dans un écotone entre les collines de l'ouest de la Galilée et la plaine côtière du nord. L'assemblage lithique du site comprend des pointes de flèches typiques du PPNB (environ un tiers sont des types El-Khiam et Helwan) ainsi que des centaines de lames de faucille. La faune comprend également des preuves de la chasse au gros ainsi que de petits prédateurs. La flore du site témoigne d'une culture intensive de légumineuses. Des milliers de graines de légumineuses ont été concentrées dans deux silos. La grande majorité sont des fèves (Vicia faba) qui sont antérieures aux premières preuves d'une culture établie de légumineuses dans le sud du Levant. D'autres découvertes attestent de l'acquisition de produits exotiques tels que diverses pierres vertes et de l'obsidienne du Levant du Nord.

Economic Strategies of Two Early Bronze Age Villages in the Southern Levant: Explaining Coastal Abandonment Versus Inland Urban Development

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

The southern Levantine coast was settled continuously for three millennia, from the Neolithic per... more The southern Levantine coast was settled continuously for three millennia, from the Neolithic period until its abandonment in Early Bronze Age II, in sharp contrast to inland sites that developed into urbanized cities. This study examines this phenomenon by investigating the pottery production component of the economic systems of two contemporary EB I villages: a shoreline coastal site that was abandoned (Dor South) and an inland site that evolved into an urban center ('En Esur). This pilot ceramic petrography examination shows two distinct strategies, with 'En Esur producing pottery primarily from local raw materials and Dor South relying mainly on imported pottery, potentially weakening the once-resilient coastal system.

Paz, Y. 2024. Chapter Ten: A Note on the Phenomenology of Megalithic Architecture in the Levant and Beyond

Paz, Y. 2024. Chapter Ten: A Note on the Phenomenology of Megalithic Architecture in the Levant and Beyond

ArtiThe Ibex, the Triangle and the Lentoid: A Sixth-Fifth Millennia BCE Stone Stamp Seal from Khirbet Harsis, Judaean Shephelah, Israelkeltext

Introduction. Horned Animals in Glyptic Art from the Ancient Near East Horned animals were very c... more Introduction. Horned Animals in Glyptic Art from the Ancient Near East Horned animals were very commonly depicted in glyptic art of the Ancient Near East from the 7 th to the 3 rd millennia BCE. These animals include both domesticated and wild species and were often accompanied by additional elements e.g., other animals, human figures and various emblems that were often called "space fillers". The current paper discusses a stone stamp seal that was found during a salvage excavation at Khirbet Harsis (Sha'ar Ha-Gāy) in the Judean Shephelah of Israel. The seal depicts a crouching ibex and associated lentoid and triangular emblems. We believe they represent the symbolic realms of the Late Neolithic-Early Chalcolithic with their cultural and social aspects. Horned wild animals, such as gazelles, antelopes, and ibexes, are the stamp seals' main features at sites

The Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah (Khirbet el-Kerak): A New Synthesis (Excavations of 1945–1946, 2003–2015)

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2017

New excavations conducted in the Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah, first excavated in ... more New excavations conducted in the Circles Building (Granary) at Tel Bet Yerah, first excavated in 1946, form the basis for a revised, detailed description of the construction and use of this unique structure. Stratigraphic soundings have established that the structure consisted of three platforms with seven circles sunk into them, enclosing a paved courtyard that was open toward the east. The structure was constructed in a single operation, at the transition between Early Bronze Age II and III, but it seems to have been abandoned before it was completed and given over to new tenants who changed the trajectory of its use. These new inhabitants are responsible for the bulk of the deposits excavated in and around the building, which are characterized by large quantities of Khirbet Kerak Ware and complementary lithic and other assemblages. We suggest that the building was conceived as part of the corporate urbanizing project of Early Bronze Age II, but was overtaken by a crisis that deflected the urban trajectory of Tel Bet Yerah in Early Bronze Age III and allowed the entry of migrant groups, such as those bearing the Khirbet Kerak Ware tradition.

. Paz et al. The IBA cemetary at Kh. el Alya North

. Subterranean Spaces outside Tel Yarmut—Evidence of Early EB IB Burials, EB III Dwellings and Agricultural Activities

Subterranean Spaces outside Tel Yarmut—Evidence of Early EB IB Burials, EB III Dwellings and Agri... more

Horbat Husham (early EBIB) - social processes towards urbanization (Hebrew)

Condemn Hamas terrorism

A Note on the Earliest Appearance of the Hand-Made, Straight-Sided Cooking Pot in the Southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Naama Walzer

The straight-sided, flat-based, handmade cooking pot has long been considered one of the hallmark... more The straight-sided, flat-based, handmade cooking pot has long been considered one of the hallmark vessels of the early south Levantine Middle Bronze Age(MB), dated to the beginning of the second millennium BCE. A growing body of evidence, however, now points to an earlier appearance of this vessel type in the Intermediate Bronze Age (IB) (mid-late third millennium BCE). This article outlines the phenomenon, places its geographic origin along the eastern side of the Jordan Valley and portrays, in general terms, its cultural implications.

Variation in economic specialization as revealed through the study of Pottery Neolithic faunal assemblages from the southern Levant

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2021

Our research examines the extent of animal husbandry between the Early and the Late Pottery Neoli... more Our research examines the extent of animal husbandry between the Early and the Late Pottery Neolithic period in the southern Levant. Based on the faunal analysis of several assemblages from sites dated to the Jericho IX/Lodian (7800–7500 Bp) and Wadi Raba cultures (7500–6500 Bp), located in diverse geographic zones, it expands upon the current knowledge regarding the status of livestock exploitation and the extent of hunting. We expected some measure of exploitation of secondary products, as previous studies show that intense use of livestock for milk had already emerged in several places in Europe and the Near East by the 8th millennium BC. Our examination of the species abundance, herd demography, and changes in body size of the main livestock animals and wild species in multiple sites showed that livestock were utilized mainly for meat, and not for their secondary products. Additionally, while the animal economy in all sites relied on a combination of livestock and wild species, the extent of reliance on each source varied greatly between sites, especially in the Late Pottery Neolithic. Finally, our findings demonstrate that the economy of the Late Pottery Neolithic (Wadi Raba) of the southern Levant is more similar to the Early Pottery Neolithic (Jericho IX/Lodian) than to the later Chalcolithic Ghassulian.

Weapons, Warrior Burials and Agency in the Intermediate Bronze Age Southern Levant: Some Theoretical Observations

by Itzik Paz and Naama Walzer

The Intermediate Bronze Age (c. 2500-2000 BCE) is known for its abundance of formal cemeteries an... more The Intermediate Bronze Age (c. 2500-2000 BCE) is known for its abundance of formal cemeteries and various other types of burial sites. These comprise a substantial number of internments that contain metal artifacts, identified as weaponry and associated with warfare, and typically defined 'warrior burials.' In this paper, we discuss some theoretical issues concerning the identification and role of the so-called weapons, the ideology of warriors and warriorhood, and the mutual agency of objects and society during the Intermediate Bronze Age. Reference is made to examples and research in Europe, where similar patterns have been extensively studied. Through this examination, weapons will be addressed as 'agents', allowing a more holistic discussion of the 'network' that produced and used them and a clearer image of 'warrior burials' and the reason for their gradual disappearance in the Middle Bronze Age.

‘En Esur: An EB IB Urban Center in the Coastal Plain of Israel and its Role in the Early Urbanization of the Southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

The transition between the late EB IB and the EB II, dated to the end of the 4 th millennium BCE,... more The transition between the late EB IB and the EB II, dated to the end of the 4 th millennium BCE, is considered by many scholars as a critical point that ended one cultural phenomenon (village life) and started another one (urbanization). Recent excavations at ʿEn Esur, conducted on behalf of the IAA in a huge scale of c. 1700 squares, revealed large portions of a 65 ha. EB IB settlement, the largest known in the southern Levant. In this settlement, various traits of urbanization are found: carefully planned streets, squares, drainage and storage facilities, fortifications, and a unique public building that may have been used as a temple. Moreover, this site, located on a central junction leading from the coastal plain to the Jezreel Valley, was a trading center, as evidenced by finds that originated in other regions, including the Jordan Valley and Egypt. Based on the data collected, it can be stated that ʿEn Esur was already fully urbanized during the EB IB and was an important component of a widespread proto-urban phenomenon which includes very large and often fortified EB IB settlements like ʿEn Zippori and Tel Erani.

the Egyptian Enclaving of southern Canaan during the late 4th millennium BCE - some theoretical, cultural, and spatial aspects.

Egyptian presence in the Southern Levant during the late fourth millennium BCE (Early Bronze Age ... more Egyptian presence in the Southern Levant during the late fourth millennium BCE (Early Bronze Age IB, henceforward EB IB), centered in southwestern Israel, is an issue thoroughly studied for several decades. These studies covered every aspect of material culture, relative and absolute chronology, socio-political and economic implications, and more. Scholars characterized this Egyptian presence in different ways: from a military or colonial occupation focusing on the establishment of Egyptian enclaves within local settlements, to a minimal, purely commercial activity with almost no physical Egyptian presence. The current paper will attempt to outline theoretical, cultural, and spatial aspects of encounters between Egyptians and the local Canaanite population based on old and new data from sites like Tel Maaḥaz

A numbers game: analyzing pottery usage patterns of 4th millennium BCE sites in the southern Levant

by Itzik Paz and Itai Elad

Excavations of 4th millennium BCE sites conducted in the past two decades have provided a signifi... more Excavations of 4th millennium BCE sites conducted in the past two decades have provided a significant amount of quantitative data regarding the use of pottery. This accumulated data provides an opportunity to engage in a comparative analysis between sites of different regions in the southern Levant, as well as of the different periods comprising the 4th millennium, including the Late Chalcolithic, Early Bronze Age IA, Early Bronze Age IB and Early Bronze Age II. The aim of the current study is to utilize quantitative data to detect general trends in the usage patterns of pottery vessels. The study was based on a division into three general categories: serving, cooking and storage vessels. The results show that each period had its own specific usage pattern or patterns, and that during the Late Chalcolithic and the late EBA IB these patterns were similar throughout the southern Levant. The results of this study are also used to explore some of the associated socio-political implications.

An early bronze age fertilized agricultural plot discovered near Tel Yarmouth, Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2017

Kaplan's Excavations at Protohistoric Sites;

Leviah : an early Bronze Age fortified town in the Megalithic landscape of the Golan

by Itzik Paz and Assaf Nativ

excavations at Yesodot, 2022