Banias, Parking Lot

In July 2020, a trial excavation was conducted at the parking lot by the entrance to Banias National Park (Permit No. A-8793; map ref. 265077–143/794681–797; Fig. 1), prior to the development of the site. The excavation was undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and financed by the Nature and Parks Authority. Work in the field was directed by Y. Tchekhanovets (field photography), with the assistance of R. Assis (archaeological probes), Y. Yaʽacobi (administration), M. Kahan (field surveying), A. Kleiner (aerial photography and digitalization), Z. Badihi (metal detecting), A. Shapiro (field laboratory and petrography), E.J. Stern (pottery), H. Ben-Dov and T. Moav (IAA Education Department), D. Gazit (studio photography), C. Hersch (pottery drawing) and A. German-Levanon (digital documentation of pottery). Thanks are also due to colleagues from the Northern District of the IAA, R. Be’eri and O. Zingboim, and to the workers of Banias National Park.