Fantastic (somewhat secret) new finds at Khirbet Qeiyafa

I have finished my first week with the Khirbet Qeiyafa excavation. The first few days were somewhat “routine” for an excavation – lots of pottery sherds of various sizes and periods, smallish animal bones, many buckets of dirt and stones, and interesting coworkers from around the world. The past two days were quite exciting though!

The excavators naturally have the first right to publish their finds, so I cannot go into detail at this time. It is too early to announce anything anyway, since more work is needed to clarify what has been found.

Best case scenario: A couple of things have been found that could add entirely new dimensions to our site over several periods, including the early Iron Age (ca. time of King David). One find could potentially impact our understanding of David’s kingdom, depending on what more is learned through excavation.

Alternate scenario: A couple of things have been found that are not as grand as we hoped for, but are still exciting and add new dimensions to our site over several periods, including the early Iron Age.

I imagine these finds will be announced after the season ends, but that is Professor Garfinkel’s call. Whatever these finds turn out to be, they generated enthusiasm among everyone at the site. I had the opportunity to examine things up close, and I can tell you it’s quite interesting.

Since this post has used many words to tell you almost nothing, here are a few photos to liven things up.

Washing the daily pottery finds at Khirbet Qeiyafa. It was here that Qeiyafa's famous 3,000 year-old inscription was first recognized in 2008. Photo by Royce Chandler.

Luke Chandler emptying a casemate wall section. This "hole" is deeper than it looks, and is several feet deeper at the time of this writing. The wall on the right side is the outer wall of the ancient city and was constructed around the time of King David. Photo by Royce Chandler.

The BBC filming a documentary at Khirbet Qeiyafa on July 14, 2010. They are producing a program on King David, set to air sometime next year. Yossi Garfinkel, director of excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, is in the center wearing a dark shirt. Photo by Luke Chandler.