Publications
From a Fortified Canaanite City-State to “a City and a Mother” in Israel: Five Seasons of Excavation at Tel Abel Beth Maacah
Tel Abel Beth Maacah, located on the border of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, stands out for its continuous settlement from the Late Bronze Age to Iron Age II—a rare phenomenon in the region. Excavations spanning five seasons reveal a strategic site transitioning from a fortified Canaanite city-state to an Iron Age territorial kingdom, bridging the Israelite kingdom and Aram-Damascus. This study highlights the site's geopolitical significance among ancient Canaanites, Israelites, Arameans, and Phoenicians, with peak occupation during MB IIB and Iron Age I–IIA periods.
Urban Autonomy in Medieval Islam
Medieval Islamic cities, including Damascus, exhibited significant autonomy from the late 10th to early 12th centuries, marking a pivotal shift in urban governance and economic development. This study reveals that these cities—spanning regions like Aleppo, Cordoba, and Tunis—operated independently for extended periods, transforming from ancient political or agricultural centers into dynamic hubs of commerce and industry. Unlike earlier civilizations, the Islamic world pioneered this transition, later influencing China and parts of Western Europe. The research employs a comparative approach, analyzing each city separately to establish its autonomy through factual evidence.
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