The Phoenician Sanctuary at Makmish: The Nahman Avigad Excavations at Tel Michal (1958-1961)

Tel Michal (Makmish in Arabic) is located in the central coastal plain of Israel, on the southern coast of the modern city of Herzliya (32°16'29'' N, 34°80'07'' E). The site has an irregular form, comprising five separate components that cover areas of different shapes, heights, and sizes: The High Tell, the Northern Hill and three hillocks in the east; two to the south of the High Tell, and the third to its northeast. The excavations on this last northeastern hillock (hereinafter, Makmish, as the excavator called it) – about 0.2 hectare – is our focus.

Three excavation seasons were carried out, in 1958 and 1960-1961, directed by Prof. Nahman Avigad of the Department of Archaeology of the Hebrew University on behalf of the Ha'aretz Museum. Three strata rich in finds were exposed: Stratum III (Iron Age IIA), comprising a square mudbrick structure; Stratum II (Persian Period) including a well-planned sanctuary modified in two sub-phases, where hundreds of clay figurines and other finds were unearthed; Stratum I (Hellenistic Period), consisting of an open large paved area.

Despite its small size, the findings from Makmish hold immense importance for understanding intricate layers of Phoenician worship, sacred architectural features, religious dynamics and cross-cultural contacts, reflected in its votive material. Our project aims to complete a thorough investigation into the forgotten excavations of Makmish, intending to unveil its hidden facets and finally present its very rich finds and their historical and cultural implications.

The publication project is directed by Dr. Eran Arie and Dr. Fabio Porzia.

Please click on the images below for larger and expandable views

One of the numerous boxes of figurines awaits examination; Israel Antiquities Authority Collection, by Debi Ben-Ami.

Limestone Cypriot statuettes from the Persian Period sanctuary — Selected limestone Cypriot statuettes from the Persian Period sanctuary; Israel Antiquities Authority Collection, by Eran Arie.

Alabastron from a Persian Period tomb; Israel Antiquities Authority Collection, Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Vladimir Naikhin.

Imported Attic lekythos from a Persian Period tomb; Israel Antiquities Authority Collection, by Eran Arie.

Staff of Makmish (Tel Michal) Excavations, 1960: Standing from left: Y. Meshorer, A. Kindler, N. Avigad, M. Megiddon and D. Barag; sitting from left: Y. Israeli, I. Horn and M. Spilberg. Courtesy of the Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.