Area C’s Hellenistic-Roman Residential Area
Excavations in Area C began in the summer of 1992. The most prominent feature of this area is its array of Hellenistic-Roman courtyard-style houses dating to the mid-3rd century BCE. These assemblages were found to be in a poor state of preservation due largely to their proximity to the surface of the tell and the subsequent destruction caused by the intrusive activities of later generations, including medieval-period disturbances and, more recently, 20th-century Syrian entrenchments. Excavations in Area C were largely abandoned in the latter part of the 1990s; however, in the years immediately following 9/11, during which time this writer unofficially coordinated two seasons of excavation at Bethsaida, volunteer participation in Israel’s digs rebounded and excavations in Area C were resumed for the next decade under my supervision.