Archaeological Reconnaissance at Tel Yavne, Israel: 2‐D Electrical Imaging and Low Altitude Aerial Photography

Tel Yavne in Israel is the site of the ancient city of Yavne. Located about 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, and about 8 km inland from the ancient seaport of Yavne Yam (meaning Yavne by the Sea), it is believed that underneath the tel (an archaeological mound) are the remains of more than 3,000 years of continuous occupation. The tel, at 4 hectares in area and approximately 30 m in elevation, is relatively large in comparison to other ancient sites in Israel. To date, no excavations have been carried out at the site. In preparation for excavation work at a later date, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys, ground penetrating radar surveys, and low altitude photography from kites and balloons were carried out at the site. This paper will discuss the ERT and photographic surveys. The objectives of these two surveys were to delineate the plan view and vertical extent of accumulated cultural debris, and to identify particular areas for initial test pitting by archaeologists. Eight ERT cross-sections were imaged, ranging in length from 80 to 140 m. Approximately 500 low altitude photographs were shot. Specific features possibly identified include a 9 century B.C.E. (before the common era) water system, the Philistine city wall dating from 790 B.C.E., the ruins of a 12 century C.E. Crusader castle, and numerous architectural features from the Mameluke, Ottoman, and Palestinian periods of habitation. This is the first time that non-destructive techniques have been used in the first phase of an archaeological exploration program in Israel at such an important, well recognised ancient site.