Rujm el-Hiri: A Megalithic Monument from the Southern Levant

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Under the direction of Dr. C.C. Lamberg-Karlovsky, Mr. Yonathan Mizrachi will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will conduct archaeological excavations at the site of Rujm el- Hiri, a megalithic monument located in northern Israel. The site consists of a massive carefully constructed central cairn ca 20 m. in diameter encircled by several concentric stone circles. These concentric walls have two monumental entryways and are connected in some spots by radial walls. The area immediately surrounding the site is dotted with hundreds of smaller cairns, dolmens (free standing stones) and stone walls. The complex, which is unique, probably dates to the Bronze Age, ca. the 3rd millenium B.C. With National Science Foundation support, Mr. Mizrachi will continue his excavation of the site. His goals are to reconstruct the chronology, stratigraphy and overall cultural sequence and to identify the primary and secondary functions of the complex. He also hopes to clarify the relationship between the core of the complex and features in its immediate periphery. In last season's work, Mr. Mizrachi conducted a radar survey of the central cairn and located several burial chambers, the first of which he excavated. He will direct a more detailed radar survey and excavate additional chambers. He will also conduct excavations in selected areas around the cairn in an attempt to determine how different portions of the site were used and to learn whether they were occupied simultaneously. This research is important for several reasons. The Near East marks one of the cradles of civilization. Within this region, one can trace the origins of plant and animal domestication and the development of increasing social complexity. The Bronze Age marks a stage of this process. Using archaeological data and adopting a dichronic perspective one can gain insight into how complex societies function. Excavation at Rujm el-Hiri will provide unique information relevant to this goal. The project will also assist in the training of an extremely promising young scientist.