Lahav II: Households and the Use of Domestic Space at Iron II Tell Halif
An Archaeology of Destruction
James W. Hardin
Lahav II: Households and the Use of Domestic Space at Iron II Tell Halif
An Archaeology of Destruction
James W. Hardin
This volume focuses on the reconstruction of household organization during the Iron II period at Tell Halif. It centers in particular on one four-room, pillared-type building located in Area F7 of Field IV and on its remains, which were sealed in a massive destruction that eclipsed the site in the late eighth century B.C.E. This study was first prepared as a Ph.D. dissertation for the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona (Hardin 2001) and has since been amplified and embellished by further research. Published here are the results of research deliberately designed by the author to provide for more complete recovery and detailed recording in the field of all artifacts and other remains within a special refined three-dimensional grid matrix. These data in turn established a framework for studying the formation processes active on the materials and for conducting a spatial analysis of the assemblages in the building. Along with developing ethnographic and ethnoarchaeological inferences, these techniques are used to identify activities, activity areas, and social organization related to the building, ultimately defining an “archaeological household” consisting of the pillared dwelling and its occupants. Finally, these conclusions are also related to reconstructions of the Iron II-period household suggested by Hebrew Bible sources.
- Description
- Table of Contents
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II: STUDYING THE HOUSEHOLD
The Importance and Usefulness of Studying the Household
Defining the Household
Identifying the Form of Domestic Space
Determining the Relationship of Domestic Space to the Household
Determining How the Household Used its Space
Using Spatial Analyses
Summary
CHAPTER III: HOUSEHOLD ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE SOUTHERN LEVANT
The Tell as a Site Type
Destruction Strata in Tells
Causes of Destruction Strata
Refuse Preserved in Destruction Strata
The Iron Age Pillared Dwelling
Identification
Architectural Plan
Origins
Construction
Components
Design Factors
Sources of Data for Determining the Use of Domestic Space
Non-Ceramic Data
Ceramic Data
Using Ceramics
Determining Vessel Function
Recovering and Processing Ceramics
Analyzing Ceramics
Questions to be Addressed
Summary
Excursus No: A History of Destruction Strata
CHAPTER IV: TELL HALIF – ITS HISTORY AND REMAINS
The History of Tell Halif
Geography
Excavations
Site Occupation
Site Identification
The Field IV Remains at Tell Halif
Excavations in Field IV
The F7 Dwelling
Studying Formation Processes
Testing for Cultural Formation Processes
Step 1: Listing Possible Cultural Processes
Steps 2 and 3: Testing and Evaluating Specific Cultural Formation Processes
Step 4: Evaluating the Impact of Cultural Disturbances
Testing for Natural Formation Processes
Step 1: Listing Possible Natural Processes
Step 2: Studying the Environment at Tell Halif
Step 3: Identifying Specific Natural Formation Processes Affecting the F7 Dwelling
Step 4: Evaluating the Impact of Natural Formation Processes on the F7 Dwelling
Step 5: Evaluating the Overall Role of Natural Formation Processes
Summary of the Study of Formation Processes
CHAPTER V: INVESTIGATING THE F7 DWELLING – THE DE FACTO ASSEMBLAGE
Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
Room 4
Room 5
Conclusions Regarding the Use of Space in the F7 Dwelling
CHAPTER VI – HOUSES AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE: ETHNOGRAPHIC AND ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA
The Usefulness of Ethnographic and Ethnoarchaeological Studies
Sources of Ethnographic Comparisons
The Physical Environment
Components of Compounds
Village Social Structure
Identifying the Archaeological Household
CHAPTER VII – BIBLICAL TEXTS, DWELLINGS AND SOCIAL STRUCURE
Biblical Texts and Dwellings
Biblical Texts and Israelite Social Structure
Excursus No: Biblical Texts, Historical Reconstructions and Revisionist Trends
CHAPTER VIII – CONCLUSION
PLATES
GLOSSARY
REFERENCES
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