Gesher (archaeological site)

Gesher
גשר
Shown within Near East
Gesher (archaeological site) (Israel)
Location12 kilometres (7.5 mi) South of the Sea of Galilee
RegionJordan Valley
Coordinates32°36′10″N 35°33′20″E / 32.602778°N 35.555556°E / 32.602778; 35.555556
TypeTell
Part ofVillage
Area18 square metres (190 sq ft) (excavated by Garfinkel)
History
MaterialLake bed
Foundedc. 8000 BC
Abandonedc. 8000 BC
PeriodsPPNA, Neolithic
CulturesKhiamian
Site notes
Excavation dates1986-1987
2002-2004
ArchaeologistsYosef Garfinkel
Susan Cohen
ConditionRuins
Public accessYes

Gesher is an archaeological site located on the southern bank of Nahal Tavor, near kibbutz Gesher in the central Jordan Valley of Israel. It bears signs of occupation from two periods, the very early Neolithic and the Middle Bronze Age. The site was first excavated between 1986 and 1987 by Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and between 2002 and 2004 by Susan Cohen of Montana State University. The average of 4 radiocarbon dating results suggested inhabitation of the settlement around 8000 BC.