The 2015 Khirbat Ataruz Project took place from May 13 to June 2 to examine the temple complex that was discovered in the previous seasons (2000-2012) and to explore its eastern (Field E) and northern (Field F; Robert Bates) boundaries. Our fieldwork also centered on Field B (Ralph Hawkins and Aaron Schade), an area corresponding to the southwest edge of the mound that includes the city’s defense wall system related to the Iron Age temple at the acropolis.

The project was directed by Chang-Ho Ji (La Sierra University) with the assistance of Robert Bates (Field F; Andrews University), Ralph Hawkins (Field B; Averett University), and Aaron Schade (Field B; Brigham Young University). Team members included students and volunteers (Amy Harrison, John Harrison, Hannah Hawkins, Choong-Ryeol Lee, and Sarah Palmer) from Averett University, Brigham Young University, and Korean Sahmyook University. Sixteen local workers assisted the project, and Mr. Abdelrahim Aldwikat represented the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, providing valuable assistance and consultation throughout the fieldwork season.

The excavation results concluded that the remains in Field E dated to Iron IIA and early IIB (the ninth-eighth century BCE) and formed part of the temple courtyard, possibly its outer courtyard. The excavations of Square B1-B2 suggest that the city wall was also built during the Iron IIA period, which implies that it was constructed as part of the temple building project. Square B3 demonstrates that the Field B area was reused by Iron IIB inhabitants for food preparation purposes. For Field F, we unearthed late Iron IIB domestic buildings with many walls and floors, which remain mostly attributable to the eighth-seventh centuries BCE.

As in previous seasons, excavated walls and installations were temporarily preserved with cement for maintenance and protection until full-scale preservation and conservation took place. The team plans to conduct a full-scale preservation project after excavations of the acropolis area are completed. Around that time, we also anticipate formally presenting the site to scholars, visitors, tourists, and local people with appropriate signposts and descriptions.