Week 4 started after a 1 week break and wonderful work was accomplished by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers under the direction of Dr. Arav.  Work continued on the area east of the city gate taking out dirt, rocks and boulders from the collapse of the Roman walls.  A number of interesting artifacts were found which included a nail, a small coin (probably Roman), and a number of small lead fishing weights.  One fishing weight was somewhat unusual, being folded round instead of the more usual flat, folded over lead weight.

Work continued clearing out the destruction rubble from the street leading to the main city gate.  This street had been excavated during the 2000 season when this beautiful 4 meter wide expanse was walked upon for the 1st time since the collapse of the outer city walls in the 4th century AD.  Dr. Arav marveled at the  panorama of the heaps of boulders that defined this layer of destruction.  See the picture below and in the photo gallery.  At the eastern area of the roadway the volunteers took out much dirt, rocks & boulders that Dr. Arav had broken using a massive sledge hammer.  He put on an interesting demonstration for the volunteers of how to chip pieces off  of the outside of large boulders; slowly reducing them to a size that can be carried out by 2 to 4 big strong men.  The picture below shows one of the boulders being carried out after Dr. Arav "operated" on it.  It appears that the workers got down to the cobblestone street on this eastern part of the street which was certainly a conclusion to an exciting week.

Work continued in chamber 2 taking out much fill material that was used in the floor. 

Pictures can be enlarged by going to the photo gallery &  clicking on the desired picture.

                     Note : Interesting archaeology blog - http://archaeologydigs.blogspot.com/