Ein Qashish - Palaeolithic (Mousterian)

Ein Qashish contains multiple campsites dating to the Mousterian culture (70,000–60,000 BCE), evident from the presence of animal bones and flint tools unearthed during excavations. The site's layered stratigraphy indicates repeated human occupation throughout the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods. These nomadic inhabitants, likely drawn to the area during the summer months when the Kishon River was not prone to flooding, primarily subsisted on hunting, as evidenced by the abundance of animal bones. As with other similar sites, they left behind a significant assemblage of stone tools, a study of which suggests the flint was procured from a western source near Mount Carmel. A unique discovery at Ein Qashish was a cluster of human bones alongside traces of clay-based paint, hinting at a possible ritualistic activity.^[7] The presence of Neanderthal remains, dated to 70,000–60,000 BP, further underscores the site's repeated use by early humans.^[8]

Neolithic

Archaeological excavations have revealed flint tools, including microliths and arrowheads, dating to the Neolithic period (12,000–4,500 BCE) resting directly on the bedrock foundation of the mound.^[2]

Early Bronze Age

Tel Qashish's earliest excavated settlement dates to the Early Bronze Age I period (3300–3000 BCE). This unfortified settlement appears to have covered the largest area in the site's history. Although insufficient remains have been unearthed to determine the settlement's layout, the presence of randomly placed, single-roomed houses suggests a dense plan, similar to other sites from this period. The ceramics are predominantly domestic Canaanite ware, with influences from northern, possibly Lebanese, cultures, likely due to the site's location on an international trade route. The settlement was self-sufficient, relying on agriculture.^[9]

Uniquely among sites in the Jezreel Valley, Tel Qashish remained populated during the transition from the Early Bronze Age I to the Early Bronze Age II period (3000–2700 BCE), possibly due to its strategic location. However, the settlement contracted during this period, no longer encompassing the surrounding area but confined to the mound itself. Unlike the earlier settlement, the new iteration was planned and fortified. Differences in the layout of structures between the lower and upper parts of the mound may indicate a social distinction between the residents of these areas. However, no such distinction is evident in the ceramic finds, which consist mainly of plates, bowls, and jars. The settlement possessed a small, likely household-based, pottery industry. Evidence suggests a lack of luxury goods among the villagers, with only a single carnelian bead and a decorated bone unearthed from the entire Early Bronze Age period.^[9]

The transition to the Early Bronze Age III period (2700–2200 BCE) was peaceful and gradual. The village layout remained largely unchanged, with some extensions to the fortifications, enlarged rooms, and the construction of new installations. The village was likely abandoned sometime before the end of the Early Bronze Age III period, as there are no signs of destruction. This period coincides with the rise of the nearby, more significant settlement of Tel Yokneam. The Tel Qashish villagers may have chosen to relocate to this better-defended settlement. Alternatively, the unstable political climate of the time, marked by competition between cities due to the disruption of economic ties with Egypt during the Early Bronze Age II period, may have factored into their decision.^[9]

The importance of agriculture in the Early Bronze Age settlement is evident in the stone tools. Forty percent of these implements are sickle blades, exhibiting intensive wear patterns indicative of frequent use. Recovered plant remains include olive stones, barley, wheat, and vetch seeds, suggesting cultivation near the mound. These crops (excluding vetch) were likely grown throughout the entire Early Bronze Age period (3300–2200 BCE).^[5]

Middle Bronze Age

The Middle Bronze Age saw a reoccupation of the settlement at Tel Qashish. The earliest purported layer from this period consists solely of floors, lacking any clear architectural features like buildings or walls. A substantial amount of pottery was unearthed on these floors, raising the possibility that additional structures or a defensive system from this layer lie outside the excavated area. Ceramic dating places this layer at the tail end of the Middle Bronze Age IIA period (2000–1750 BCE), implying that Tel Qashish was either completely or very sparsely settled for nearly five centuries.^[10]

A fortified settlement emerged at Tel Qashish during the transitional period between Middle Bronze Age IIA and IIB. The stone-built wall measured 1.7 metres in width and incorporated a glacis for added fortification. One of the wall's towers has been identified.^[10] Following a common Canaanite burial practice, the inhabitants of this settlement interred their dead in jars within tombs. Two well-preserved tombs were discovered, one containing the remains of a two-year-old infant and the other those of a forty-year-old woman.^[11]

Late Bronze Age

Following the transition to the Late Bronze Age I period (1550–1400 BCE), the Middle Bronze Age fortification system fell into disuse. Houses were subsequently built upon its remains, featuring thicker walls than those of preceding periods.^[12]

North of the mound, a small cave was discovered containing ceramics attributable to the Late Bronze Age II period (1400–1200 BCE). The cave measures 3 metres in length, with a width ranging from 1.4 to 2 metres, and a maximum height of 3 metres. Its ceiling collapsed in antiquity. Within the cave, approximately 200 complete ritual implements were found. These included six tall pedestals featuring "windows," likely serving as bases for other ceramics. The pedestals' height, ranging from 60 to 80 centimetres, and the presence of "windows" suggest a possible depiction of towers. Additionally, some 40 goblets were unearthed, one of which exhibits a remarkably detailed facial design. These finds collectively point towards a limited period of minor ritual activity, potentially coinciding with a peaceful era.^[13]

Iron Age

The Iron Age remains at Tel Qashish are in a poor state of preservation, with significant damage. This evidence suggests that the settlement was much less substantial during the Iron Age compared to the preceding Bronze Age. During the early Iron Age (1200 – 1000 BCE), Tel Qashish functioned primarily as a farm with only a handful of structures. Most archaeological finds from this period are concentrated on the higher mound, potentially indicating this area served as the central zone of the small village. The settlement expanded in the late Iron Age (1000 – 539 BCE), occupying both the higher and lower elevations of the mound. Notably, the ceramics unearthed from this later period include pottery likely used for ritualistic purposes rather than everyday domestic activities.^[14]

Later periods

Archaeological evidence suggests that the site may have been occupied during the Persian period (539–332 BCE), although only minor artefacts from this era were unearthed in pits. Similarly, the Hellenistic period (332–70 BCE) has left behind just a few coins. Surface finds indicate some human activity during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, but no architectural remains from any of these earlier eras have been identified.^[15]

The site saw use during the 1947–1949 Palestine war as a military outpost. Evidence of this includes defensive positions and trenches, while a concrete bunker constructed at the highest point remains standing today.^[6]