Tel Keisan (Tell Keisan)
Tel Keisan · Tell Keisan
Middle Bronze – Persian (2000–300 BCE)·Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian·🇮🇱 Northern District, Akko Plain, Israel
About
About Tel Keisan (Tell Keisan)
Tel Keisan (Tell Keisan) in Northern District, Akko Plain, Israel is a Middle Bronze – Persian (2000–300 BCE) tell of Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian tradition. Akko plain Phoenician port town with Egyptian–Cypriot imports. 2000 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst tell 15 ha, mound 280×200 m, 10 m, bronze–persian 11 strata. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose mudbrick with late bronze cypriot imports, phoenician ashlar, persian building architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian networks across the Northern District. Threats include agriculture, urban expansion, road; research continues on Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian Middle Bronze – Persian (2000–300 BCE) in Northern District, Akko Plain; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2000 BCE
- Period
- Middle Bronze – Persian (2000–300 BCE)
- Culture
- Canaanite–Phoenician–Persian
- Purpose
- Akko plain Phoenician port town with Egyptian–Cypriot imports
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.2000 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
32.8700° N · 35.1500° E · 45 m · 3 mapped features
Tel Keisan (Tell Keisan) — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
32.8704° N · 35.1505° ETel Keisan (Tell Keisan) — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
32.8694° N · 35.1494° ETel Keisan (Tell Keisan) — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
32.8702° N · 35.1492° E