Ḥorbat Burgin

During February-May 2008, an excavation was conducted at Horbat Burgin in the Judean Shephelah (Khirbat Umm Burj; Permit No. A-5359; map ref. 1963/6158), for the purpose of preparing the site for public visitation, within the development framework of the Adulam Caves Park project and as a gift, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Jewish National Fund, to the sixtieth anniversary founding of the State of Israel. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Jewish National Fund, was directed by A. Ganor and A. Klein, with the assistance of Y. Ohayon, N. Nahama, R. Abu-Halaf, S. Al-'Almah (metal detection), T. Kornfeld (surveying), B. Zissu and R. Bar-Natan (ceramics), D.T. Ariel and R. Bachar (numismatics) and inspectors of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Additional aid was rendered by S. Dorfman, A. Klein, A. Nagorsky and D. Amit (IAA), G. Bashan (JNF), H. Tsoref andA. Henig. The conservation and development work were performed by E. Kakho, assisted by A. Sabah-Shahar (planning), J. Sheffer (engineering and safety) and P. David (metalwork). Some 3,500 pupils from around the country and participants in the Taglit Project took part in the excavation, guided by the counselors of the Jerusalem and Judean Shephelah Archaeological Center: A. Dagan, S. Terem and I. Bezalel-Pisetzky, supervised by H. Neugeboren.