ABSTRACT
Achziv is an important ruin not only because the archaeological history of the site greatly supplements the sparse biblical references, but also because there was a flourishing city here during the heart of the “biblical period” (Iron Age II), when the town reached a size of some 20 acres. Achziv is an excellent example of how archaeologists have given us most of what we are likely to ever know about this
Much work has focused on the four cemeteries, all of which contained burials that could be dated to the Iron Age. Only the “Central” and “Southern” ones contained remains from the Middle Bronze Age (a Middle Bronze Age II grave was found in the Southern cemetery in 1990). Evidence that these cemeteries were reused over long periods of time was found in the Eastern and Southern sites where the remains of an estimated 200-300 bodies were found in each. In the Eastern Cemetery, these remains were piled to the ceiling in a burial chamber. The excavator concluded that the cemeteries had been used by the same families over a period of several generations (tenth-seventh centuries BCE). Along with the human remains, the cemeteries contained rich deposits of grave goods, especially pottery vessels. Other goods consisted of bronze objects, clay figurines and, in some cases, stelae (especially in the Southern site). In addition, jars and kraters containing ashes of the deceased witness to the practice of cremation (Northern Cemetery) and, in one instance, a tophet (usually associated with child sacrifice), was discovered. These cemeteries were not just used for burials, however. There is evidence that cultic rituals of some nature also occurred here. This is especially true in the Northern Cemetery.
