Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah
In the continuation of the excavation in this sector a section of a polychrome mosaic (Late Roman/Byzantine?) was discovered and different components of the original phase of the monumental complex are being exposed that will allow us to understand the nature of it.
In the northern part of the excavation parts of a large and intricate building are being exposed from the end of the Iron Age II. It is built of a combination of ashlar and fieldstones and is amazingly well preserved. In the fill was a large quantity of pottery vessels from the period, including a few imported Attic vessels. Quite a number of figurines are being discovered, a few are of women but most of the figurines are animals. In addition to the two two-winged stamped LMLK impressions (one with the name çá[øåï]), this week two special finds were discovered: another two-winged LMLK stamp (the inscription was not preserved) with two concentric circles incised next to it, and a lovely elliptical stone seal that bears a pomegranate motif and the name of a person holding a senior public position.
After a cessation of the work and re-organization the excavation was resumed in the northern part of the area. The later strata are being removed and the layer from the Byzantine period is being exposed. Remains of a mosaic from this period were exposed in the area east of the cardo.
The excavation in the Iron Age complex is also being continued at the same time. A LMLK stamped impression was discovered that bears the name of the city Socah.
Pillars were built next to the walls which are connected to the Iron Age building (the date of which has not been ascertained). On one of them is a monumental column base, possibly from the cardo columns or maybe even earlier, from the time of the Second Temple.
