Tall and Wadi Hisban, Excavation Season 2025, Week Two (25-29 May 2025)

The excavation team continued working since Sunday morning, with temperatures soaring to 34 degrees, and the team was eager to complete its tasks. Here is the summary of the second week's progress on the excavation sites.

Wadi Hisban 

Week two continued in much the same vein. The first day commenced with the sampling of trench S4, with another OSL sample being taken from trench S3. At trench S5, the first OSL sample was taken from under the terraced wall. Day two saw the continuation of sampling in trench S5. One of the team members also commenced a survey of the high ground of the wadi around Shunat Dhiab. Several other structural remains, architectural fragments, and rock cut features had been observed in the area during the first week, and these were mapped via GPS points. The day ended with a search for a possible location for trench S6.

Two potential sites were identified further down the wadi slope in an area that is actively cultivated. Day three commenced with photogrammetry of trench S5, which was eventually followed by drone flights to photograph the area of the wadi under investigation, creating an orthophotograph. Trench S6 was also opened after discussions with the landowner, who was more than willing to allow us to investigate and dig along the terraced walls of his field. On day 4, the final day at the wadi, trench S6 was completed, documented, and sampled. It was undoubtedly a rewarding two weeks, though the rugged terrain and steep slopes did make the going quite tough at times. The views at the wadi were a reward in themselves, and few things could beat the sight of the sun still rising over the wadi at 6 am. The hospitable and helpful nature of the locals was also without measure, and in part, the successful completion of these two weeks could not have been possible without the Jordanian locals.

Field O:

Square 9:

A triangular hearth installation made of stones abutting to a wall was revealed parallel to the northern wall of the square which included remains of an almost complete tabun. The contents were collected for further sampling, as burned bones, ash pockets and eggshell remains were spotted. The area connected to the western wall was further excavated in order to investigate the relations and dating of the walls, with the goal of reaching the bedrock level. 

Square 12:

An earlier wall extending east-west, which goes beyond the eastern wall, was discovered. However, we cannot access its western extension until the entire middle wall has been removed. A complete, unglazed lamp with inscriptions and geometric designs was also found. While its exact date is unknown, it is identified as Islamic.

Despite the presence of older pottery, the excavated pottery is still predominantly Mamluk in date. By the end of the season, no layer had been found that marked the end of the Middle Islamic period. Consequently, work will continue in this square next season to access the earlier layers. The square has been found to have served multiple functions, ranging from pottery workshops to an activity cooking area, due to its tabuns and variously sized hearths.

Field C:

Square 13

Work in the square was fruitful in the second week. At the start of the week, the square was extended by two metres to the west, with particular attention paid to the western side. Excavations were carried out to a depth of two metres and the Islamic wall was found in the western part of the square (C 13), which separates it from the Byzantine wall in square C 12. Another wall was found on the northern side that can be dated to the Ottoman period. This solid wall combines large cut stones and limestone with smaller stones. Another discovery was made next to the northern wall an irregular spolia. It is believed that this building was used as a living space. This square shows promise for future seasons.

Work on the site was completed on Thursday, the 29th. The team returned to their residence in  Madaba at 10 a.m. to prepare, sort, count and list the artefacts, pottery, and samples, and prepare some of them to be shipped.

Meanwhile, Mr. Otto Bagi was working aerial photographs of this season's excavation sites at Tell Hisban, by drone flights to photograph the fields of our excavations. On Thursday evening the students began preparing for their trip home. Some of them visited Amman on Friday.

Thank you to the Jordanian people for their kindness and generosity. It was a truly enjoyable and productive season. Many thanks to all the students and local staff who helped to complete the mission in such a short time.