Excavations by K.M. Kenyon in Jerusalem 1961–1967, Volume VI: Sites on the edge of the Ophel(18 Levant Supplementary Series)

In this volume the principal focus is on the presence/absence of the city walls on the east side of the city from the Iron Age onwards. The evidence for major walls and their structure from Iron Age II to the Byzantine periods in Sites S.II and R.II is described and substantial revisions suggested, as inter alia no evidence for the tenth century/Solomonic date in Site S.II as suggested by E. Mazar was uncovered. The strategic reasons for the location of the northern boundary of the earlier town is discussed in relation to evidence from Kenyon’s Site H. There is only sparse evidence for the PostExilic period in both areas. Parts of plastered basement rooms survived the destruction of AD 70. For the Roman period more evidence of the presence of the Roman army in the city is collated, including a possible watch tower, rare fragments of terra cottas and of fine imported South Gaulish pottery. Additionally John Hayes presents the catalogue of all the Late Roman fine wares from all remaining unpublished sites excavated by the Joint Expedition. Site S.II adds a little to the picture of the busy and extensive Byzantine city; and Site R.I provides a glimpse of extramural activities in the eighth/ninth centuries AD. A major contribution to the study of Ayyubid ceramics is provided by an assemblage from a large dump of the period. The analysis of iron working debris from Site L (the Armenian Garden) by Gethin and a reconsideration of the use of that area in Ayyubid and Mamluk times illustrates historical data, with ongoing activity in the late Ottoman period illustrated from Site S.II. The finds of the Ayyubid period were especially interesting for the insight provided into the lives of the inhabitants of the city.

Table of Contents:
Preface and acknowledgements   Chapter 1. Summary and conclusions   Chapter 2. Site S.II. The date of the Iron Age and Byzantine walls on the Ophel With a contribution from Jonathan Goodwin   Chapter 3. Site R: the Iron Age II city wall, the Roman occupation and an Ayyubid midden   Chapter 4. The Fine Wares from Kenyon’s Sites F, K, M, N, O, R, S.II and W in Jerusalem John Hayes with a contribution from A.J.N.W. Prag   Chapter 5. Jerusalem: the South Gaulish Terra Sigillata Felicity C. Wild   Chapter 6. Painted, moulded and inscribed plaster fragments from Kenyon’s excavations in Jerusalem Chapter 7. A reconsideration of the Ayyubid and Mamluk occupation of Site L (the Armenian Garden) in Jerusalem   Chapter 8. Miscellaneous materials: terra cotta, beads, basalt tripod mortars and decorative stone from various sites in Jerusalem   Chapter 9. Analyses of various materials from Sites R and L in Jerusalem Peter Tom Gethin   Chapter 10. Shells from Jerusalem: Sites S.II, R and H David S. Reese

About the Author :
Dr Kay Prag participated in Kenyon’s Jerusalem excavation in the 1960s, and now works on the publication. She has led field surveys in Jordan and Lebanon, directed excavations at Tell Iktanu in Jordan, and edited Levant for many years. Her principal publications concern the later third millennium in the Near East, and Jerusalem.

Review :
In conclusion, this is a very important publication, professionally done; it will serve well all researchers of Jerusalem, and for that we are all thankful.