• DOI:10.2307/1357558
• Corpus ID: 163839032

The 1998 Preliminary Survey of Khirbet Zeitah el-Kharab (Tel Zayit) in the Shephelah of Judah

@article{Tappy2000The1P,
  title={The 1998 Preliminary Survey of Khirbet Zeitah el-Kharab (Tel Zayit) in the Shephelah of Judah},
  author={Ron E. Tappy},
  journal={Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research},
  year={2000},
  volume={319},
  pages={7 - 36}
}

• R. Tappy
• Published 1 August 2000
• Geology
• Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

The near 30-dunam site of Khirbet Zeitah el-Kharab (Tel Zayit), with a principal habitation area of just under 3 acres, lies in the strategic Beth Guvrin Valley, approximately 7 km north and 2 km west of Lachish and 30 km east of Ashkelon. Prior to beginning full-scale excavations sponsored by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (summer 1999), a preliminary site survey was completed in 1998. This article reports the survey results and describes the project's research design and excavation strategy. The survey team achieved site clearance, definition, and gridding. The work clarified the extent and spatial relationship between the acropolis and lower settlement and produced the first topographical maps focusing exclusively on the mound and its surrounding landscape. The site offers a manageable size, allowing maximum exposure of the occupational debris buried there, yet exhibits some attributes typical of larger cities. Major ancient roads converge at the site, placing it at a strategic geographical and cultural interface. The entire site is intact, with no history of prior excavations leaving exposed areas subject to damage by the elements.