In June 2015, a trial excavation was conducted at Yafi‘a (Permit No. A-7441; map ref. 226509/732145; Fig. 1), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by A. Udah, was directed by M. Shemer, with the assistance of Y. Ya‘aqobi and B. Zidan (administration), K. Covello-Paran (scientific guidance), M. Kahan (surveying and drafting), I. Delerson(plans), D. Avshalom-Gorni, Y. Alexandre and N. Feig (ceramics) and laborers from Yafi‘a and Qiryat Tivon.
A stone quarry (c. 25 sq m; Figs. 2, 3) was unearthed. Based on the ceramic finds, it was used during the Roman period. A rock-hewn pit was discerned in the northwestern part of the excavation area. Rock-cuttings identified outside the excavation area indicate that the quarry extended further to the south and west. Rectangular severance channels (width 0.05–0.10 m) and two stones that were dressed but not detached (Fig. 4) indicate the size of the stones that were produced in the quarry (0.5 × 0.8 m; height 0.1–0.3 m). The ceramic finds were quite meager (Fig. 5). The dating of the activity in the quarry is based on a number of sherds, including Kefar
Hananya Type 1E bowls (
Adan-Bayewitz 1993:104–110; Fig. 5: 1, 2) and Type 1A bowls (
Adan-Bayewitz 1993:89–92; Fig. 5:3) and Kefar
Hananya Type 4C cooking pots (
Adan-Bayewitz 1993:129–131; Fig. 5:8). On the basis of these vessels, the last phase of activity in the quarry is dated from the late first century CE to the mid-fourth century CE.
Stone quarries were part of the industrial hinterland that provided stones for the construction industry in the neighboring settlements. The unearthed quarry, which began operating in the late first century CE, is evidence that a settlement existed nearby after the defeat of the village in the first century CE. Thus, it must be concluded that the settlement was not completely abandoned after the first revolt was suppressed, although its size was reduced.
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ESI 108:24*–25*.
Abu-‘Uqsa H. 2002. Yafi‘a. HA-ESI 114:110*.
Adan-Bayewitz D. 1993. Common Pottery in Roman Galilee: A Study of Local Trade. Ramat Gan.
Alexandre Y. 2000. Yafi‘a. ESI 108:131*.
Muqari A. 1999. Yafi‘a (A). HA-ESI 110:25*.
Shalem D. 1999. Yafi‘a (B). HA-ESI 110:26*.
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