Excavations at Tel Lod: Remains from the pottery neolithic a, chalcolithic, early bronze age i, middle bronze age i and byzantine periods

The salvage excavations at the ancient tell of Lod revealed six strata (I-VI). Stratum I consisted of muchdisturbed topsoil. The partial remains of three buildings were uncovered in Stratum II, dated to the Byzantine period. Stratum III consisted of sand deposits with a high concentration of MB I potsherds. Stratum IV represented the main phase of human occupation at the site, containing the remains of two superimposed settlements (Strata IVa, IVb), dating from the later phases of EB I. Stratum IVa revealed segments of three sundried mudbrick walls, lacking stone foundations; a large storage jar was found sunk into a beatenearth floor. Stratum IVb contained three buildings segments, built of stonewall foundations with a mudbrick superstructure. Stratum V consisted of fill layers, containing Chalcolithic materials. Stratum VI is a layer of fine, yellowishwhite sand. Pottery from the site derives from strata dating to the Byzantine period, MB I, late EB I, Chalcolithic and PNA periods. The paleobotanic findings from Strata IVa-b demonstrate that olive orchards and a native maquis characterized the Early Bronze Age environment of Lod. The late EB I faunal assemblage was dominated by sheep/goat, followed closely by cattle and, to a lesser extent, pig. These animals were exploited primarily for meat and to a lesser extent for milk products, and in the case of cattle, for labor. Donkeys appear to have served as the main beast of burden. Some access to marine resources is attested by the presence of fish and mollusc remains.