For the 2019 fieldwork, the team excavated the area east of the acropolis by opening two 6 x 6 m squares (Squares E6 and E7) on the southeastern fringe of the acropolis. Excavations also occurred in the southeast slope (Field G) by opening three 6 x 6 m squares (Squares G8-G10). Central to Field G is the potential existence of a massive staircase ascending westward up the hill toward the temple complex’s roughly east-west orientation.

Chang-Ho Ji (La Sierra University) was the director during this field season, and Aaron Schade (Brigham Young University) was the co-director. Team members included Brigham Young, La Sierra, and Korean Sahmyook University students. Local workers also assisted in the excavation project. Department of Antiquities was represented by Mohamad al-Kharabsheh, who provided valuable and professional assistance to the project during the fieldwork. Sincere gratitude goes to square supervisors and student volunteers: Abigail Booth, Kelsie Cannon, Jacob Fuge, Jessica Hudson, Ivan Ji, Melia Le Doux, Choong-Ryeol Lee, Brandon Pritchard, Aaron Ruben, and Robert Smith.

For Field E, the excavations of Square E6 yielded one wall line inside the northern balk of the square, running about 2 m in the east and west orientation. A rectangular stone installation (1 x 2 m) stood about 1 m high above the bedrock 2 m south of this wall line. Inside Square E6, we identified five hard surfaces (compact earth layers, probably beaten-earth floors). The uppermost hard surface is dated to mid-Islamic, while the lowest is assigned to the Iron IIA period. Three Iron IIA-IIB floors dated to the 9th - 7th centuries BCE were between these two hard surfaces. Both wall line and stone installation were associated with the earliest hard surface, which implies that they were originally erected probably during the late Iron IIA period. The wall was seemingly rebuilt and reused until the period of the third hard surface dated to the Iron IIB period.

On the other hand, Square E7 lacks architectural remains except for a single wall line that protrudes 1 m from the western balk of the square in a northwest-southeast orientation. The excavation of E7 yielded three hard surfaces, each tentatively dated to mid-Islamic, Iron IIB, and Iron IIA. The wall line was 60 cm wide and stood 80 cm high. It is dated to late Iron IIA as it is stratigraphically associated with the Iron II hard surface (the lowest hard surface) that contained a small number of diagnostic Iron IIA-IIB sherds. No architectural remains were yet identified along with the mid-Islamic and Iron IIB hard surfaces; the Iron IIB hard surface was covered by rock tumbles that appear to have been associated with the end of the Iron II settlement history of the site.

The 2019 season continued work in Field G to ascertain if there was a continuation of the stepped stone stairs we found in Squares G2, G3, and G7 in 2016-17. To begin with Square G8, we first encountered significant tumble and larger stones throughout the southern and eastern parts of the square. Under the rock tumble, we hit a hard and dark compact surface associated with a semi-circular stone installation. This surface and installation were datable to the Hellenistic period. There was a significant amount of tumble around it, and there could have been some cobble floor at one point. Under the Hellenistic remains, we found a sequence of hard, compact floors with multiple changes in soil color. Thus, we could capture a significant stratigraphy and closely control the pottery associated with each locus. Much of the material can be dated to the 9th – 8th centuries BCE. Also, the excavations yielded a building that is well preserved. The initial floor of this building used larger and smaller stones and earth to create a compact surface atop the bedrock.

Immediately to the east of the room, there was an installation comprised of an impressive staircase consisting of at least five large, rectangular, flat stones. These stairs are situated within an encasement on their eastern and western sides. We cannot date this installation, but it is likely from Iron II. On the south side of Square G8 was a small room with two layers of beaten earth floor. Massive amounts of pottery were discovered inside the room. The assemblage included Iron II kraters, bowls, storage jars, jugs, lamps, and cooking pots attributed to Iron IIA-IIB. This area appears to have been used for storage or food preparation and consumption. A basalt grindstone was also found in situ.

Next, concerning Square G9, assessing ancient stonework amongst the rock tumble was challenging. However, in the square’s southeast corner, portions of hard floors and some flat stones remained in situ. As we connected the southern side of Square G9 with the northern side of Square G7, we could trace a continuation of the stairs between the squares, which confirmed that the stepped stone stairs in Square G7 continue throughout Square G9, although poorly preserved.

With just a few days left in the season, we were able to open Square G10. Here, we hoped to catch more stairs that continued through Squares G7 and G9, only now further to the east. There were some traces of flat stones, which probably comprised stairs in the other squares. One row was particularly promising on the eastern side of the square. It is too early to tell if this line of stones is a continuation of the stairs, but their trajectory and alignment make it possible. Further excavation is necessary to confirm the relationship.

To summarize the findings from Field G, we have confirmed a continuation of the stepped stairs that continue further to the north and east. This finding is relevant as these stairs appear to ascend the east-west access to the temple complex on the acropolis. The dating of the pottery associated with Square G9 suggests a late Iron IIA usage of the structure. Second, Field G contains ample evidence of the Iron IIB period. During this period, the inhabitants used large ashlar stones to create walls and entryways. Their houses were typical of partially dug-out underground rooms built upon bedrock. These new Iron IIB rooms and dwellings probably removed earlier Iron IIA architectural features that may have previously existed.

In conclusion, the analysis of the pottery and architecture associated with Fields E and G suggest that the remains in Field E date to the 9th - early 7th centuries BCE and that the area initially comprised the outer courtyard of the Iron IIA temple on the acropolis. Also, the staircase in Field G appears to be contemporaneous with the late Iron IIA temple. However, the rooms and architectural remains in Square G8 are Iron IIB. The pottery from these buildings indicates that the builders removed most of the staircases in the area to construct their semi-underground houses, even though their exact date and relationship to the staircase await further excavations.