EBA Or Bust! A Student’s Summer at Tell el-Hesi and Khirbet Summeily
Danielle Tutak, 2023 Katherine Barton Platt Fieldwork Scholarship Recipient
This past summer afforded me the extraordinary privilege of participating in fieldwork at Tell el-Hesi, collaborating with University of Michigan PhD candidate Kara Larson in her research for her doctoral dissertation, as well as joining the Mississippi State University Field School to conclude excavations at Khirbet Summeily. During the initial phase of the field season, we broke ground with the first excavations at Tell el-Hesi since the 1970s, with plans for continued excavation over multiple seasons. This archaeological site had undergone extensive previous excavations, with projects dating back to 1890-1892 and another in 1970-1977 conducted by the Joint Archaeological Expedition to Tell el-Hesi with these prior endeavors primarily concentrated on the Tell and the upper city of the site; however, the 1970 expedition conducted a probe off the Tell in field IV, delving into the site’s broader stratigraphy to achieve a holistic understanding of the ancient city. It was the findings from this probe that influenced our selection of the excavation site for our work.
In the latter part of my field season, I participated in excavations at Khirbet Summeily, an Iron Age administrative and trade outpost. Collaborating with the Mississippi State University crew provided not only invaluable archaeological experience but also the opportunity to establish meaningful connections within our shared field of study and a collective camaraderie forged beneath the blazing sun.
A typical field day began by aiming to beat the scorching heat. Ideally, we woke at 4 a.m., prepared breakfast, and ensured we had enough water before heading to the site by 5 a.m. More often than not, the allure of the snooze button prevailed, leading to a rush to get ready and make it to the vehicles on time. Upon arrival at the site, our initial tasks included setting up shade cloths, unloading tools, and beginning excavation. Throughout the day, we took short breaks for morning coffee, a mid-morning breakfast, and a refreshing fruit break toward the end, vital after long hours when it was beginning to heat up. Around 12:15 p.m., as the temperature climbed, we finished our excavation activities, cleaned up, and left the site by 12:30 p.m., eagerly returning for lunch and a much-needed shower. The midday break allowed for short naps which many of our crew took frequent advantage of. After this afternoon break, while most other students washed pottery, I had the privilege of illustrating notable sherds found during excavation. As an interdisciplinary art and archaeology student, this role allowed me to refine my skills and define my niche.
Weekends provided a welcome respite with trips to explore renowned archaeological sites, culturally significant locations, and the region’s must-see attractions. Among the memorable highlights were the experience of floating in the Dead Sea (a word of caution – avoid getting the water in your eyes, trust me, it’s not pleasant), visiting Masada, where some of our team braved climbing the snake path while others took in views from the gondola, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, and my personal favorite was the opportunity to explore Jerusalem’s Old City.
In summary, my journey of working and learning at Tell el-Hesi and Khirbet Summeily during the summer has been profoundly transformative. The experiences, knowledge, and friendships I acquired have enriched both my academic and personal growth. As I reflect upon the early mornings, sweltering days, and the discoveries we unearthed together, I am deeply moved by the generosity of ASOR and the donors to the Katherine Barton Platt Fellowships for making this journey possible. The opportunity to collaborate with fellow scholars and engage in interdisciplinary research that fuses art and archaeology has solidified my love for this field. I am unwavering in my commitment to carry forward the knowledge and experiences from this fieldwork season in my academic pursuits, aspiring to make meaningful contributions to the field of archaeology. I extend my heartfelt gratitude once more for this extraordinary opportunity, which has unquestionably shaped my future aspirations and goals.
Danielle (Dani) Tutak is a senior pursuing dual degrees in art and design and anthropological archaeology at the University of Michigan. She is passionate about the potential of interdisciplinary research using insights and methods from diverse fields of study and experimenting with unexpected methods of science communication and documentation. Her upcoming projects and goals include finishing her anthropology honors thesis in archaeological research, completing her senior art thesis exploring historical and modern approaches to understanding the past, and graduating and moving on to the next adventure.
For more information about the Tell el-Hesi Archaeological Project, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093520164451
Want to help more students and early career archaeologists get into the field? Donate to the cause today by selecting “Excavation Scholarships” as your gift purpose!
Veronica Morriss earned a PhD in Islamic Archaeology from the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago. She is a maritime archaeologist, and her research focuses on the development of the Islamic/Byzantine maritime frontier of Syria-Palestine and the cross-cultural interactions that characterized the Eastern Mediterranean and its shores during the Early Islamic Period. She co-manages a digital archaeology company with her husband in Hawaii, and when she is not in the field, she writes fantasy romance novels.
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“This July I was fortunate enough to travel to Israel for the first time and participate in the archaeological dig at Tel Abel Beth Maacah, near Metula in Galilee, and it was an unforgettable experience. As an Old Testament student much of my time is focused on the literary and linguistic areas of biblical studies, but on the recommendation from one of my professors I applied to be a participant in the excavation at ABM. This experience, although brief, has given me a practical perspective on my current academic endeavors. Thank you to ASOR and the scholarship donors who made this trip possible.”
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