Area D-West: Phases IV and V: The 2013-2019 Seasons

The development of the palace at Tel Kabri can be traced through several earlier incarnations pre-dating the final palace of Phase III. Evidence of these early palace phases was identified during the 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 seasons in the areas beneath the Orthostat Building, Wine Cellar, Northern Complex, and Western Courtyard adjacent to the Phase III Wine Cellar. Excavation of the remains of the Phase IV and V palaces provides an opportunity to contextualize the expansion and complexity of the final form of the Phase III palace. Probes and exploration of these earlier phases provided key information regarding the overall plan and directionality of the expansion of the initial palace and its predecessors. Domestic occupation (Phase VII) and the transition from the MB I to MB II were identified as part of this exploration beneath the latest palace (III). Each early phase yielded rich material culture to compliment the architectural and stratigraphic remains uncovered.