Research Fellows Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology

• Research Expertise: A leading scholar in the archaeology of the classical periods in the Galilee.
• Professional Background:
  • Served as the district archaeologist of the Western Galilee for the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
  • Conducted numerous surveys, excavations, and studies on behalf of the IAA.
  • Directed significant excavations, including those at Yodfat, Arbel, and Khirbet Ashura.
• Founder: Established the “Institute for Galilean Archaeology,” now part of the Kinneret Academic College.
• Teaching Experience:
  • Taught at Ort Braude College in the Department of General Studies, Avshalom Institute, and the University of Rochester, New York.
• Publications & Conferences:
  • Published extensively on Jewish and Christian settlements in the Galilee from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods.
  • Participated in archaeological conferences worldwide.

Academic Profile:
For more details and access to publications, visit: Mordechai Aviam’s Academia Profile

• Education:
  Holds a Ph.D. in Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology from Bar-Ilan University. His dissertation focused on “Settlement in the Lower Golan during the Late Second Temple, Mishnaic, and Talmudic Periods.”
• Research & Archaeological Work:
  • Conducted surveys in the Golan.
  • Co-directed excavations of the ancient synagogues at Deir Aziz and Umm al-Qanatir.
  • Engages in the study of ancient roads in the Negev and Transjordan.
  • Participates in research on milestone inscriptions in Israel.

Academic Profile:
For more information and access to publications, visit: Chaim Ben David’s Academia Profile

• Education:
  Holds a Ph.D. from the University of Haifa, focusing on “The Patriarchate of Jerusalem from its Foundation until the Arab Conquest.”
• Research Interests:
  • Studies the Christian Church in the Land of Israel during the first seven centuries CE.
  • Specializes in monasticism and monasteries, society and religion, church economy, and ecclesiastical politics.
  • Recently involved in collaborative research with Prof. Motti Aviam on Christianity in the Galilee during Late Antiquity.
• Research Approach:
  The collaborative study integrates archaeological evidence, particularly in the field of epigraphy (the study of inscriptions), with literary sources. It employs comparative models from other Christian spaces in the Levant during Late Antiquity.

• Born: Tel Aviv, 1946.
• Education: Holds a Ph.D. from Tel Aviv University (1983).
• Expertise: Senior researcher in Biblical archaeology.
• Archaeological Work:
  • Conducted an extensive archaeological survey of the Lower Galilee.
  • Led numerous excavations, including at Khirbet Rosh Zayit and the Chalcolithic burial cave in Peki’in (in collaboration with D. Shalem and H. Smithline).
• Publications: Authored numerous articles and books.
• Professional Roles:
  • Former Archaeological Supervisor for the Northern District at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
  • Later served as the Head of Publications and Editor-in-Chief at the IAA.
  • Lectured in the Department of Land of Israel Studies at the University of Haifa.
  • Managed the Hecht Museum.
• Current Work: Engaged in independent academic research and publication, in partnership with D. Shalem.

• Ph.D. in Archaeology: University of Haifa, focusing on the iconography of ossuaries and burial jars from the Late Chalcolithic period in Israel, in the context of the ancient Near East.
• M.A. in Archaeology: University of Haifa, focusing on mountainous sites of the Galilee during the Chalcolithic period – geographical distribution and ceramic characteristics.
• B.A. in Archaeology and Land of Israel Studies: University of Haifa.

Main Research Areas:

• Cultures and Material Culture during the 6th-5th millennium BCE.
• Burial Customs and Iconography.

Key Projects:

• Excavation of the Peki’in Burial Cave.
• Excavation at Ein Asur.
• Survey of the Shomera Map.

• Retired from the Israel Antiquities Authority (1991–2021).
  • Last position: Head of the Scientific Supervision Department (2007–2021).
• Expert in Numismatics.

Main Research Areas:

• Hellenistic, Roman, and Crusader periods.
• Epigraphy and burial customs.

Major Excavations:

• Gamla (1976–1989, 1998–2000)
• Caesarea Submarine (1981–1994)
• Acre (1991–2007)

Publications: Available on Academia (including updated CV).

Contact: Email: dsyon99@gmail.com

• Second-generation Golan resident.

Academic Background:

• Bachelor’s degree from the Hebrew University.
• Master’s degree from Bar-Ilan University (Thesis Topic: The Urban Center in Tiberias).
• PhD from Bar-Ilan University (Research Topic: Ancient Agriculture in the Golan).

Excavation Involvements:

• Team member in the excavations at Majdal Shams and Kursi Beach.
• Former member of the Herzfeld excavation team for the urban center excavations in Tiberias.

Teaching & Lecturing:

• Lecturer at Herzog Academic College and Tel Hai University (in development).
• Guide, lecturer, and teacher in various frameworks on archaeology and Golan research.

Current Position: Manager of the Golan Archive.

Contact: Email: eranmeir02@gmail.com

• Senior Lecturer in the Department of Land of Israel Studies at the Kinneret Academic College.

Research Focus:

• Specializes in the archaeology of Israel during the Iron Age, with a focus on the ceramics of the period.
• In recent years, she has focused on Northern Israel, specifically examining the settlement processes in the Upper Galilee in the first millennium BCE.
• She is currently researching the development of settlements in the Eastern Lower Galilee.

Other Research Interests: The history of archaeological research in Israel, from the 1920s to the present.

Academic Initiatives:

• Initiated the Zeev Vilnay Chair for the History of the Study of the Land of Israel and Archaeology at the Kinneret College, aiming to promote research into the history of the study of the land and archaeology.
• The Vilnay Chair provides a framework for advancing research related to the history of the study of the land and archaeology in Israel.

Publications:

• “Land of Grain and Wine… Land of Olive Oil and Honey: The Economy of the Kingdom of Judah in the First Temple Period.”
• “Not by Potsherds Alone: The Biography of Ruth Amiran.”
• “The Changing Landscape of Israeli Archaeology.”

Research Website: Vilnay Chair Website

• • Lecturer in the Department of Land of Israel Studies at the Kinneret Academic College.
  • Holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Life Sciences from Bar-Ilan University, and a Doctorate in Archaeology with a specialization in Zooarchaeology from the University of Haifa. His Ph.D. research focused on “Meat Consumption Among the Population of Judea in the Late Second Temple Period.”

  Research Focus:

  • Zooarchaeology: Dr. Buchnik investigates the cultural reflection and ethnic origin of past populations, utilizing material remains, specifically animal remains, from archaeological sites of classical periods.
  • He specializes in meat consumption patterns and ethnographic reconstructions from archaeological finds, especially those related to animal bones.

  Key Research Projects:

  • Co-managing a research project with Dr. Michael Ozband on the reconstruction of the Jewish village of Majdal Shams, funded by the ISF (Israel Science Foundation).
  • Conducting collaborative research with Mr. Roy Porat on the ethnic and cultural origin of the inhabitants of Herodium between the revolts.
  • Involved in studies with Prof. Dan Schowalter from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, on the inhabitants of Omrit during different settlement periods.

• Independent archaeologist at the company “Degesh Archaeological Tourism”, specializing in spatial archaeology and educational excavations.
• Has extensive field archaeology experience, including managing numerous excavations and surveys at various sites in Israel.

Academic Background:

• Master’s Degree (MA): Thesis focused on the Tel Rehov region and its development over the ages.
• Doctorate (PhD): Research concentrated on the features of churches in the Phoenician province during the Byzantine period.

Excavations Managed:

• Tel Rehov
• Korazim
• Western Wall Tunnels
• Susya

Additional Areas of Expertise:

• Study of Byzantine churches in the Phoenician region.
• Promoting public and educational archaeological excavations.

Publications: Key articles are available on Academia: Achia Kohn-Tavor on Academia

✉️ Email for contact: achiakohn@gmail.com

• • Independent senior conservator, restorer, researcher, and expert in ancient technologies.
  • Provides consulting and executes special projects in archaeology, spanning all historical periods. Expertise includes metal detection, conservation during excavations, treatment, and preservation of artifacts.

  Career Milestones:

  • 1988: Established “Ancient Technology Restoration.”
  • 2014: Joined the Steering Committee of Built Heritage Conservators.
  • 2015: Became a Research Fellow at the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology.
  • 2022: Joined the Blue Helmets Unit for the protection of cultural heritage during earthquake events.

  Selected Projects:

  • Restoration of Wilhelm Ottoman Bridge and regulating the Taninim River outlet at Jisr az-Zarqa.
  • Uncovering and conserving the Ottoman-era flour mills complex at the “Seven Mills” site on the Yarkon River.
  • Management and execution of the excavation and restoration of the ancient synagogue and springhouse structure at Umm al-Qanatir (2003–2015).
  • Reconstruction of ancient industrial installations at various sites, faithful to the original designs and intended for functional use.

  Experimental Archaeology Projects:

  • Olive oil production
  • Red wine production
  • Coin minting
  • Reconstruction and production of stone molds for clay lamps
  • Manufacturing clay lamps
  • Reconstruction of a potter’s kiln based on excavations in Shikhin and firing clay lamps

• Independent archaeologist and researcher at “Ancient Technology Restoration.”

Education:

• Studied Archaeology at the University of Haifa.
• Studied Programming and Databases at John Bryce College.

Professional Experience:

• 1990s: Participated in the Caesarea Excavation Project as part of the Israel Antiquities Authority expedition led by Yosef Porath. Later joined the University of Haifa team, led by Avner Raban and Yosef Patrich.
• Participated in excavations at the Barka South Site on behalf of the Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa, in collaboration with A.E.S. Archaeological Services Ltd.
• 2002–Present:
  • Archaeologist at “Ancient Technology Restoration”
  • Roles include:
    • Field archaeologist and researcher
    • Scientific assistant
    • Writing and editing articles
    • Content management and documentation
    • Material processing and artifact handling
• 2016–Present: Research Fellow at the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology.

• • Age: 74; Residence: Metat, Upper Galilee

  Education and Career: Holds a BA in Archaeology, Bible Studies, and History from the University of Haifa, motivated by a desire to join the Yodfat Expedition led by Prof. Moti Aviam. Since then, he has been a regular participant in the expedition.

  Excavation Experience:

  • Excavated alongside Moti Aviam at Khirbet a-Shuhara near Yiron and at the synagogues of Bar’am, where he managed the excavation of the northern synagogue.
  • Participated in excavations at Ein Te’enah near Moshav Giv’at Yoav and at Ancient Tiberias as a field director under the leadership of Yizhar Hirschfeld. After Hirschfeld’s passing, he co-directed another excavation season at the same site in 2008 with Eran Meir and Shulamit Miller.
  • Conducted rescue excavations at Hurfeish and at the Aviv Hotel site in Tiberias.
  • Participated in the excavations of churches at Khirbet Karkara and Khirbet Irb in the Western Galilee, directed by Aviam and Achia Kohn-Tavor.
  • Volunteered in the excavation of the Chalcolithic burial cave in Peqi’in (Shalem, Gal, Smithline).

  Publications and Contributions:

  • Co-published excavation reports on the sites of Bar’am, a-Shuhara, Aviv Hotel in Tiberias, and Hurfeish.
  • Independently published a booklet containing four articles on the excavations of Ancient Tiberias and the history of the city during its first millennium.
  • Authored four children’s books, the most recent titled “The Lions That Eliminated Bureaucracy.”

  Affiliations: One of the founding members of the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology.

• • Education and Academic Background:

    • Holds a BA and MA in Land of Israel Studies from the Kinneret Academic College.
    • Currently a PhD candidate in Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University, focusing on Roman roads from Scythopolis (Beit She’an).

    Research and Professional Activities:

    • Serves as a research assistant to Prof. Chaim Ben David in the field of Roman roads in Israel.
    • Delivers lectures, publishes research, and contributes to the study of milestones and Roman roads.
    • Actively involved in the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palestinae (CIIP) project, working on the publication of milestone inscriptions.

    Affiliations and Projects:

    • Research fellow at the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology since 2023.
    • Team member in the institute’s excavations at Beit HaBek/Khirbet el-Araj since 2022.
    • From 2024, leads the research workshop at the Institute.
    • Manages the online resources of the Department of Land of Israel Studies at Kinneret Academic College, focusing on topics such as milestones and ancient synagogues.

    Online Profile: Ofer Stein’s Academia.edu Page

    עמוד Participation in Conferences in Israel and Abroad (מקביל לעמוד השתתפות בכנסים בארץ ובחו״ל)

    “With Eyes to the East”: Reflections on the Eastern Land of Israel – Past and Present

    On April 22, 2025, the annual conference of the Department of Land of Israel Studies at Kinneret Academic College took place. The event featured lectures by members of the institute’s academic staff, including: Prof. Haim Ben David, Dr. Mechael Osband, Dr. Ram Bouchnick, Mr. Ofer Stein.

    The full lectures are available for viewing on the official YouTube channel of the Department of Land of Israel Studies:
    🔗 Department of Land of Israel Studies YouTube Channel

    עמוד Research, Articles, and Publications (מקביל לעמוד מחקרים מאמרים ופרסומים)

    מבקש להעתיק את כל מה שמופיע באנגלית מתוך העמוד בעברית

    עמוד Media (מקביל לעמוד כתבו עלינו)