PhD Dissertation by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
IN THE HIGHLAND'S DEPTH, 2021
Five pottery production sites, for vessel types ranging in date from the late first century BCE t... more Five pottery production sites, for vessel types ranging in date from the late first century BCE to the early fifth century CE, were identified in Gaulanitis, employing data from surface surveys and shovel tests. The evidence for the identification of production included disproportionate concentrations of particular vessel types, as well as pieces showing
obvious production defects (wasters). Vessels produced include cooking bowls, cooking pots and storage jars: cooking ware and storage jars were made at two locations, storage jars alone were produced at two other sites, and only cooking vessels were made at the last location. The finds were analyzed along with comparative data from surveys and
shovel tests conducted at other sites in Gaulanitis. The discussion deals with the large number of cooking vessel fragments, compared to those of storage jars, found at the production sites, and possible reasons for the development of pottery-making – in several instances, of the same vessel types – at relatively close settlements in Roman Gaulanitis.
Thesis Chapters by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
Papers by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
ARAM, 2024
Excavations were conducted in February-April and November 2019 at the site of 'Uyun Umm el-' Azam... more Excavations were conducted in February-April and November 2019 at the site of 'Uyun Umm el-' Azam West, ea. 3.8 km south of Sussita-Antiochia Hippos, in the southern Golan Heights and overlooking the Sea of Galilee. These excavations were undertaken on behalf of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, in the context of the Hippos Regional Project, which focuses on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Antiochia Hippos from the Hellenistic through to the Byzantine period.' Several building phases in the complex were uncovered. They included a tower, inner courtyard, and a room.
The mixed Early Roman material found in the foundations of the tower might suggest an earlier date for its construction, with the tower completely rebuilt in the Byzantine period.
The room known as 'The Mosaic Room' was divided, probably by a partition wall, as indicated by the gap in the mosaic running across the room. A set of rooms was built on the eastern side of the inner courtyard and against the tower including a large oven.
This paper focuses on the Christian Palestinian Aramaic mosaic inscription from 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam West dedicated by a deaconess Thekla, its parallels, and its contribution to a better understanding of the ethnic and religious diversity in the Hippos territorium in the southern Levant and its environmental interactions.
Palestine Exploration Quarterly
Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology
The site of Tell el-Hawy is located above the confluence of the Rukkad and Yarmuk Rivers, near Is... more The site of Tell el-Hawy is located above the confluence of the Rukkad and Yarmuk Rivers, near Israel’s present-day borders with Syria and Jordan. A survey revealed ancient remains on the hilltop and slopes dating mainly from the Iron Age, Late Hellenistic, and Roman periods. Twenty caves were found, including a large burial cave with loculi. The finds from the survey, as well as the caves, are described. The location of the site and its function are also discussed.
This article presents the findings from four natural caves in the area of the Meiron ridge, where... more This article presents the findings from four natural caves in the area of the Meiron ridge, where hundreds of natural caves were first surveyed. In three caves Roman period pottery was discovered and a fourth cave yielded, among other finds, a bronze bowl. The historical, archaeological and methodological significance of the caves and finds are discussed. This is the first archaeological evidence for the use of natural karstic caves that have no signs of preparation or long-term human habitation during the Roman period in this region. Caves of this type were likely intended for use for short periods of time only or for times of emergency and have thus been defined as 'refuge caves'. We suggest that these caves are the first archaeological evidence for the use of refuge caves in the Galilee during times of danger in the Roman period.
In the Highland's Depth, 2019
In the Highland's Depth, 2021
Five pottery production sites, for vessel types ranging in date from the late first century BCE t... more Five pottery production sites, for vessel types ranging in date from the late first century BCE to the early fifth century CE, were identified in Gaulanitis, employing data from surface surveys and shovel tests. The evidence for identification of production included disproportionate concentrations of particular vessel types, as well as pieces showing obvious production defects (wasters). Vessels produced include cooking bowls, cooking pots and storage jars: cooking ware and storage jars were made at two locations, storage jars alone were produced at two other sites, and only cooking vessels were made at the last location. The finds were analyzed along with comparative data from surveys and shovel tests conducted at other sites in Gaulanitis. The discussion deals with the large number of cooking vessel fragments, compared to those of storage jars, found at the production sites, and possible reasons for the development of pottery-making – in several instances, of the same vessel types...
Ex Oriente Lux. Studies in Honour of Jolanta Młynarczyk, 2020
Settlement history of ancient sites can be determined through both archaeological survey and exca... more Settlement history of ancient sites can be determined through both archaeological survey and excavation. However, survey results and excavations results oft en provide diff ering data, especially concerning time periods, and particularly when it comes to Early Islamic-period sites. Th is article examines pottery from the Hellenistic through the Ottoman periods recovered in the ancient settlement of Deir Aziz, east of the Sea of Galilee. Th e main focus is on the absence at Deir Aziz of Early Islamic-period pottery types in the survey, in contrast to the excavation, where these types constituted a significant quantity of the finds. Th e article highlights the salient difference between the excavation and the survey at Deir Aziz in the quantity of cooking bowls of form 1E and the ratio of Late Roman Red Ware to local Byzantine period pottery. Additional sites with similar results in the Golan and Galilee are also presented, along with a comparison with the numismatic evidence. Th e significance of the difference between excavation and survey results at Deir Aziz in understanding the site’s settlement history are discussed, as well as the methodological significance of this study for other sites and regions.
Ashqelon Barne‘a. The Early Bronze Age Site I, 2019
Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2020
Synagogue chronology has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, especially in the Gali... more Synagogue chronology has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, especially in the Galilee, where synagogues have been dated both to the Roman and Byzantine (= late-antique) periods.1 For the Golan,2 the consensus has been that there is no evidence for them in the Roman period, and especially not in the 2nd-3rd c. The c.30 synagogues there, nearly all in the W central Golan, have always been precluded from the debate since, with the exception of an Early Roman one at Gamla,3 the accepted dates for their construction and use are between the 4th and the 7th c. (fig. 1).4
Synagogues in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods, 2020
Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2020
Synagogue chronology has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, especially in the Gali... more Synagogue chronology has been the subject of scholarly debate for decades, especially in the Galilee, where synagogues have been dated both to the Roman and Byzantine (= late-antique) periods.1 For the Golan,2 the consensus has been that there is no evidence for them in the Roman period, and especially not in the 2nd-3rd c. The c.30 synagogues there, nearly all in the W central Golan, have always been precluded from the debate since, with the exception of an Early Roman one at Gamla,3 the accepted dates for their construction and use are between the 4th and the 7th c. (fig. 1).4
Hadashot Arkheologiyot Excavations and Surveys in Israel, 2021
Excavations were conducted at El-Qusayyiba (East) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusin... more Excavations were conducted at El-Qusayyiba (East) as part of the Hippos Regional Project, focusing on the study of rural sites and fortifications in the territory of Hippos from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods.
Heritage 2020: proceedings of the 7th Green lines book series on heritage studies, 2020
In this paper we examine the shaping of the memory of two commemorative heritage sites in the Gal... more In this paper we examine the shaping of the memory of two commemorative heritage sites in the Galilee, the Tel-Hai Courtyard and Metzudat Koach, from the perspective of the people who live in close geographic proximity to the heritage site itself. Instead of examining these sites with the general myth-nation perspective, we assess the development and formation of memory by the local communities adjacent to the heritage site itself. In this respect, apart from looking at the construction of the myth as a "from the bottom up" process-that is, from a local initiative to shape the commemorative process to national one, we seek to distinguish the national memory from the memory of the various local groups. Institutional, ideological, social and dia-chronic cultural changes in the Upper Galilean societies and communities near these sites were observed by tracing changes in joint ceremonial events, cultural texts, and special dates. Significant differences in the shaping of memory between these two commemorative heritage sites were found, both on the national and local levels.
Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2020
Ex Oriente Lux Studies in Honour of Jolanta Młynarczyk , 2020
Settlement history of ancient sites can be determined through both archaeological survey and exca... more Settlement history of ancient sites can be determined through both archaeological survey and excavation. However,
survey results and excavations results oft en provide diff ering data, especially concerning time periods, and particularly
when it comes to Early Islamic-period sites. Th is article examines pottery from the Hellenistic through the Ottoman
periods recovered in the ancient settlement of Deir Aziz, east of the Sea of Galilee. Th e main focus is on the absence
at Deir Aziz of Early Islamic-period pottery types in the survey, in contrast to the excavation, where these types constituted
a significant quantity of the finds. Th e article highlights the salient difference between the excavation and
the survey at Deir Aziz in the quantity of cooking bowls of form 1E and the ratio of Late Roman Red Ware to local
Byzantine period pottery. Additional sites with similar results in the Golan and Galilee are also presented, along with
a comparison with the numismatic evidence. Th e significance of the difference between excavation and survey results
at Deir Aziz in understanding the site’s settlement history are discussed, as well as the methodological significance of
this study for other sites and regions.
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PhD Dissertation by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
obvious production defects (wasters). Vessels produced include cooking bowls, cooking pots and storage jars: cooking ware and storage jars were made at two locations, storage jars alone were produced at two other sites, and only cooking vessels were made at the last location. The finds were analyzed along with comparative data from surveys and
shovel tests conducted at other sites in Gaulanitis. The discussion deals with the large number of cooking vessel fragments, compared to those of storage jars, found at the production sites, and possible reasons for the development of pottery-making – in several instances, of the same vessel types – at relatively close settlements in Roman Gaulanitis.
Thesis Chapters by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
Papers by Mechael (Mickey) Osband
The mixed Early Roman material found in the foundations of the tower might suggest an earlier date for its construction, with the tower completely rebuilt in the Byzantine period.
The room known as 'The Mosaic Room' was divided, probably by a partition wall, as indicated by the gap in the mosaic running across the room. A set of rooms was built on the eastern side of the inner courtyard and against the tower including a large oven.
This paper focuses on the Christian Palestinian Aramaic mosaic inscription from 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam West dedicated by a deaconess Thekla, its parallels, and its contribution to a better understanding of the ethnic and religious diversity in the Hippos territorium in the southern Levant and its environmental interactions.
survey results and excavations results oft en provide diff ering data, especially concerning time periods, and particularly
when it comes to Early Islamic-period sites. Th is article examines pottery from the Hellenistic through the Ottoman
periods recovered in the ancient settlement of Deir Aziz, east of the Sea of Galilee. Th e main focus is on the absence
at Deir Aziz of Early Islamic-period pottery types in the survey, in contrast to the excavation, where these types constituted
a significant quantity of the finds. Th e article highlights the salient difference between the excavation and
the survey at Deir Aziz in the quantity of cooking bowls of form 1E and the ratio of Late Roman Red Ware to local
Byzantine period pottery. Additional sites with similar results in the Golan and Galilee are also presented, along with
a comparison with the numismatic evidence. Th e significance of the difference between excavation and survey results
at Deir Aziz in understanding the site’s settlement history are discussed, as well as the methodological significance of
this study for other sites and regions.
obvious production defects (wasters). Vessels produced include cooking bowls, cooking pots and storage jars: cooking ware and storage jars were made at two locations, storage jars alone were produced at two other sites, and only cooking vessels were made at the last location. The finds were analyzed along with comparative data from surveys and
shovel tests conducted at other sites in Gaulanitis. The discussion deals with the large number of cooking vessel fragments, compared to those of storage jars, found at the production sites, and possible reasons for the development of pottery-making – in several instances, of the same vessel types – at relatively close settlements in Roman Gaulanitis.
The mixed Early Roman material found in the foundations of the tower might suggest an earlier date for its construction, with the tower completely rebuilt in the Byzantine period.
The room known as 'The Mosaic Room' was divided, probably by a partition wall, as indicated by the gap in the mosaic running across the room. A set of rooms was built on the eastern side of the inner courtyard and against the tower including a large oven.
This paper focuses on the Christian Palestinian Aramaic mosaic inscription from 'Uyun Umm el-'Azam West dedicated by a deaconess Thekla, its parallels, and its contribution to a better understanding of the ethnic and religious diversity in the Hippos territorium in the southern Levant and its environmental interactions.
survey results and excavations results oft en provide diff ering data, especially concerning time periods, and particularly
when it comes to Early Islamic-period sites. Th is article examines pottery from the Hellenistic through the Ottoman
periods recovered in the ancient settlement of Deir Aziz, east of the Sea of Galilee. Th e main focus is on the absence
at Deir Aziz of Early Islamic-period pottery types in the survey, in contrast to the excavation, where these types constituted
a significant quantity of the finds. Th e article highlights the salient difference between the excavation and
the survey at Deir Aziz in the quantity of cooking bowls of form 1E and the ratio of Late Roman Red Ware to local
Byzantine period pottery. Additional sites with similar results in the Golan and Galilee are also presented, along with
a comparison with the numismatic evidence. Th e significance of the difference between excavation and survey results
at Deir Aziz in understanding the site’s settlement history are discussed, as well as the methodological significance of
this study for other sites and regions.
היחסים בין הזיכרון הלאומי המשתנה של הפרשה לבין הזיכרונות המקומיים שלה נבחנו בשתי קבוצות שונות המתגוררות בסמוך למחוז הזיכרון ולאתר ההנצחה. קבוצות אלו חולקות מכנה משותף (הקרבה לתל-חי והחיים בספר) אך נבדלות במאפיינים דמוגרפים אחרים: החברה הקיבוצית מצד אחד, ותושבי קריית שמונה מצד אחר. מטרת המאמר לעמוד על הדומה והשונה בין האופנים בהם נבנה הזיכרון הקולקטיבי של הפרשה ומה ניתן ללמוד מכך על היחסים של קבוצות אלו עם הממסד הלאומי. המיקום הגיאוגרפי מחייב לבחון את היחסים בין הלאומי והמקומי לא רק במונחים של קירבה וריחוק גיאוגרפיים, אלא גם כיחסים בין מרכז ובין פריפריה גיאוגרפית וחברתית, ולאור כך לבחון כיצד ייצוגי האתוס והשימוש בו משקפים יחסים משתנים בין המרכז ובין הקבוצות השונות באותו מרחב גיאוגרפי-פריפריאלי.
המחקר עשה שימוש בעיתונות מקומית; חומרים ארכיונים מקומיים (ארכיון מוזיאון קריית-שמונה, ארכיון מ.א.ג.ע, ארכיון חצר תל-חי, ארכיון בית השומר, ארכיון כפר גלעדי וארכיון דפנה); חומרי לימוד שנאספו מהמרכזייה הפדגוגית בקריית שמונה ומבתי הספר, וכן ראיונות אישיים עם ותיקים בישובים ואנשי חינוך.
revealed evidence of an unfinished hiding complex dated to the Roman period. The main
findings of this excavation, directed by the authors of this paper, are presented here. Important
evidence supporting the identification of the tunnel as part of an unfinished complex included
oil lamp niches, the location of the tunnel in a cistern, and the overall similarity of the tunnel to
similar subterranean complexes in the Galilee and in Judah. The subject of unfinished tunnels
has rarely been addressed in the research on hiding complexes.
where hundreds of natural caves were first surveyed. In three caves Roman period pottery
was discovered and a fourth cave yielded, among other finds, a bronze bowl. The historical,
archaeological and methodological significance of the caves and finds are discussed. This
is the first archaeological evidence for the use of natural karstic caves that have no signs
of preparation or long-term human habitation during the Roman period in this region.
Caves of this type were likely intended for use for short periods of time only or for times of
emergency and have thus been defined as 'refuge caves'. We suggest that these caves are the
first archaeological evidence for the use of refuge caves in the Galilee during times of danger
in the Roman period.