Season 2025

In the western extension of trench 1/3-W of 2024, a multi-phase N-S wall was found; its uppermost section, probably associated with the Ayyubid period, was built on the early Islamic (Abbasid?) one, which in turn was using a Roman wall (Fig. 6). On the Roman wall, a column base together with its pedestal was still standing (Fig. 7). Under the earthen walking level associated with this wall, there was an exceptionally thick levelling layer (already noted in 2024) whose bottom could not have been reached (Fig. 8). This levelling later contained not only the Doric capital (not later than the 1st century BCE, if not earlier) (Fig. 9), but also potsherds ranging in date from the Iron Age(!) till the end of the 1st century CE.

Trench 5, opened in 2024 in front of the eastern side of the “Ammonite tower”, has been extended to the north (Fig. 10). Its exploration yielded a series of Ayyubid/Mamluk-period levels preceding an early Abbasid-period floor (8th century), the latter associated with iron smelting activity, to judge by the first discovery of a metallurgical furnace in the season of 2024. Remains of another furnace were also found during this season, specifically on the northern side of an E-W wall, indicating that the workshop may have been utilising two separate rooms or compartments (Fig. 11).

On the southern side of the above-mentioned E-W wall, the construction of which most probably goes back to Byzantine period, a monochrome mosaic floor, first noticed in the previous season, has been reached; it was in a perfect state of preservation, and needed just cleaning which was done by a professional conservator (Fig. 12). The E-W extent of the room, as well as its northern border, have been determined, while its southern end remains uncovered. The room was constructed using many spolia (architectural elements of monumental size) from a Roman building, probably the temple. Contrary to our initial belief, it was not a part of a regular habitation; instead, it housed an olive oil press, with a collection vat constructed in the mosaic floor (Fig. 13) and three openings for wooden lever beams in the western wall (Fig. 14). Remains of several ceramic pithoi were found alongside potsherds of well-datable vessels (Fig. 15). The presence of the latter leaves little doubt that the evidence of violent destruction of the building (with dense debris and traces of fire on the mosaic floor) relates to the same earthquake of 749 CE which destroyed an Umayyad period building in Trench 2-S (2023-2024).

On the north side of the northern room of the olive press, and below the layer associated with the Umayyad-Ayyubid iron smelting workshop, a Byzantine (6th-century) level was found. Except for masses of well-dated pottery found both in a thick levelling layer and an occupational layer, it yielded evidence for the production of glass vessels during that period.

In addition to the field activities, the study of Middle Islamic pottery was pursued by Dr. P. Makowski, while the zooarchaeologist Dr. A. Grezak studied the faunal remains discovered in 2023-2025. Dr. A. Kubicka-Sowinska recorded and catalogued all fragments of architectural decoration found throughout the site, and Dr. J. Burdajewicz cleaned and secured small objects inventoried during this season.