Mazliah (Ramla South)

**Table 1. Excavations at Ramla (South)**
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Publication	Area	Permit/License	Institute	Excavator
HA-ESI 119	Survey	A-3784	IAA	O. Shmueli and T. Kanias
HA-ESI 118	A–C	A-4144	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
A, B	Y. Zelinger
Salvage Excavation Reports 5 HA-ESI 121	A	A-4507 B-298/2005 B-306/2006	Tel Aviv University	O. Tal and I. Taxel
	B	A-4454, A-4674, A-4725	IAA	A. Onn
HA-ESI 120	C	A-4739	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
HA-ESI 120	A1, B1	A-4910	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
	C	B-299/2005	Bar Ilan University	R. Avisar and J. Uziel
HA-ESI 121	E	A-5168	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
HA-ESI 121	F	Tel Aviv University	O. Tal and I. Taxel
HA-ESI 122	G, H	A-5311	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
HA-ESI 121	H, I, J, K	A-5331	IAA	A. Gorzalczany
	G, H1, K1, P, Q, R, S
	M, N	B-326/2008	Tel Aviv University	O. Tal, I. Taxel, L. Yehuda and Y. Paz
	T	A-5473	IAA	A. Gorzalczany

Maps, Aerial Views, and Plans

Maps

Fig. 1 - Coastal Palestine 644-800 CE

Fig. 1

Location map

■ = urban/semi-urban/military settlement

• = rural settlement

Taxel (2013)

from Taxel (2013)
Fig. 1 - Location map

Fig. 1

Location map.

Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)

from Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)
Fig. 2 - Ramla City Limits

Fig. 2

Plan of Ramla city limits and excavations

courtesy of G. Avni, Israel Antiquities Authority; slightly modified

Taxel (2013)

from Taxel (2013)
Fig. 1.4 - Ramla (South) limits

Fig. 1.4

Ramla (South) limits after Shmueli and Kanias 2007

Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority

Tal and Taxel (2008)

from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Aerial Views

Fig. 6.1 - Aerial view of Ramla

Fig. 6.1

Aerial view of Ramla showing the location of the site of Ramla (South)

Courtesy of G. Avni, Israel Antiquities Authority)

Tal and Taxel (2008)

showing the location of the site of Ramla (South) from Tal and Taxel (2008)
General Area of Excavations

General Area of Excavations at Mazliah in Google Earth

click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth

at Mazliah in Google Earth
General Area of Excavations

General Area of Excavations at Mazliah on govmap.gov.il

click on image to explore this site on a new tab in govmap.gov.il

at Mazliah on govmap.gov.il

Plans

Site Plans

Normal Size

Master Excavation Map

Master Excavation Map

Tal and Taxel (2008)

from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 2 - Map of excavation

Fig. 2

Map of excavation areas.

Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)

areas from Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)
Fig. 2 - Plan from Gorzalczany (2008)

Fig. 2

הפמ תיללכ לש יחטש הריפחה חילעמב

Gorzalczany (2008)
Fig. 1 - General Plan

Fig. 1

General Plan.

Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)

from Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)
Fig. 1.5 - Site map

Fig. 1.5

Site map with indication of the trial excavation areas (A, B and C) of the Israel Antiquities Authority, on which the salvage excavation areas of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University have been outlined (modified after Gorzalczany 2006).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

with trial excavation areas from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Master Excavation Map

Master Excavation Map

Tal and Taxel (2008)

from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 2 - Map of excavation

Fig. 2

Map of excavation areas.

Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)

areas from Gorzalczany and Spivak (2008)
Fig. 2 - Plan from Gorzalczany (2008)

Fig. 2

הפמ תיללכ לש יחטש הריפחה חילעמב

Gorzalczany (2008)
Fig. 1 - General Plan

Fig. 1

General Plan.

Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)

from Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)
Fig. 1.5 - Site map

Fig. 1.5

Site map with indication of the trial excavation areas (A, B and C) of the Israel Antiquities Authority, on which the salvage excavation areas of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University have been outlined (modified after Gorzalczany 2006).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

with trial excavation areas from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Area Plans

Squares P-T/10-12

Normal Size

Fig. 1.6a - General site

Fig. 1.6a

General site plan of the 2007 season (Squares P-T/10-12).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

of the 2007 season (Squares P-T/10-12) from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 1.6a - General site

Fig. 1.6a

General site plan of the 2007 season (Squares P-T/10-12).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

of the 2007 season (Squares P-T/10-12) from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Squares U-Y/10-12

Normal Size

Fig. 1.6b - General site

Fig. 1.6b

General site plan of the 2007 season (Squares U-Y/10-12).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plan of the 2007 season (Squares U-Y/10-12) from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 1.6b - General site

Fig. 1.6b

General site plan of the 2007 season (Squares U-Y/10-12).

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plan of the 2007 season (Squares U-Y/10-12) from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Middle Bronze Age Loci

Normal Size

Fig. 2.1 - Plan of the

Fig. 2.1

Plan of the Middle Bronze Age loci.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

Middle Bronze Age loci from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 2.1 - Plan of the

Fig. 2.1

Plan of the Middle Bronze Age loci.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

Middle Bronze Age loci from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Podium

Normal Size

Fig. 4.1a - Plan of the

Fig. 4.1a

Plan of the podium.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

podium from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 4.1a - Plan of the

Fig. 4.1a

Plan of the podium.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

podium from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Plastered Pool

Normal Size

Fig. 4.3a - Plan of the

Fig. 4.3a

Plan of the plastered pool.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plastered pool from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 4.3a - Plan of the

Fig. 4.3a

Plan of the plastered pool.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plastered pool from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Domestic complex

Normal Size

Fig. 5.1 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.1

Plan of the domestic complex.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

domestic complex from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 5.1 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.1

Plan of the domestic complex.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

domestic complex from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Oil press

Normal Size

Fig. 5.9 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.9

Plan of the oil press.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

oil press from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 5.9 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.9

Plan of the oil press.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

oil press from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Wine press

Normal Size

Fig. 5.17 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.17

Plan of the Northern wine press.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

Northern wine press from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 5.18 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.18

Western wine press. Plan of the rectangular treading floor

Tal and Taxel (2008)

western wine press from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 5.17 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.17

Plan of the Northern wine press.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

Northern wine press from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 5.18 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.18

Western wine press. Plan of the rectangular treading floor

Tal and Taxel (2008)

western wine press from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Pottery kilns

Normal Size

Fig. 5.24 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.24

Plan of the pottery kilns.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

pottery kilns from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 5.24 - Plan of the

Fig. 5.24

Plan of the pottery kilns.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

pottery kilns from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Early Islamic remains

Normal Size

Fig. 6.2 - Schematic site

Fig. 6.2

Schematic site plan of the Early Islamic remains discovered during the excavations

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plan of the Early Islamic remains discovered during the excavations from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 6.2 - Schematic site

Fig. 6.2

Schematic site plan of the Early Islamic remains discovered during the excavations

Tal and Taxel (2008)

plan of the Early Islamic remains discovered during the excavations from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Cisterns

Normal Size

Fig. 6.3a - Plan of Cistern

Fig. 6.3a

Plan of Cistern 1590.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1590 from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.5a - Plan of Cistern

Fig. 6.5a

Plan of Cistern 1356.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1356 from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.8a - Plan of Cisterns

Fig. 6.8a

Plan of Cisterns 1572 and 1964

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1572 and 1964 from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 6.3a - Plan of Cistern

Fig. 6.3a

Plan of Cistern 1590.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1590 from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.5a - Plan of Cistern

Fig. 6.5a

Plan of Cistern 1356.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1356 from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.8a - Plan of Cisterns

Fig. 6.8a

Plan of Cisterns 1572 and 1964

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1572 and 1964 from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Western pipe system

Normal Size

Fig. 6.15b - Plan of the

Fig. 6.15b

Plan of the western pipe system.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

western pipe system from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 6.15b - Plan of the

Fig. 6.15b

Plan of the western pipe system.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

western pipe system from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Pools

Normal Size

Fig. 6.32a - Plan of Pools

Fig. 6.32a

Plan of Pools 1655 a-d.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1655 a-d from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.33a - Plan of Pools

Fig. 6.33a

Plan of Pools 11575 a-d.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

11575 a-d from Tal and Taxel (2008)

Magnified

Fig. 6.32a - Plan of Pools

Fig. 6.32a

Plan of Pools 1655 a-d.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

1655 a-d from Tal and Taxel (2008)
Fig. 6.33a - Plan of Pools

Fig. 6.33a

Plan of Pools 11575 a-d.

Tal and Taxel (2008)

11575 a-d from Tal and Taxel (2008)

mid 8th century CE Earthquake

Taxel (2013:176) suggested that Mazliah pre-existed the foundation of Ramla in c. 716 CE and most likely ceased to exist due to the 747–749 C.E. earthquake(s) noting that this interpretation is supported by clear and apparently well dated evidence of a severe earthquake that struck the site around the mid-eighth century. Taxel (2013:176) also reports that the settlement was abandoned after its destruction and a vast industrial area was founded above and within the earlier remains. This refers to the same well dated archaeoseismic evidence which is discussed in the page for Lod/Ramla.

Gorzalczany (2008b:31) identified two main stages of occupation at the site (7-8th centuries CE and 8th-9th centuries CE) and discussed the earthquake. Excerpts from a machine translation of the original Hebrew text are shown below. This translation is incomplete and suffered from some problems during OCR but may be useful for future research:

Evidence of earthquake

Evidence of a strong earthquake was found in Areas K1 and J2, respectively. In the adjacent K2 area. In the bar at the beginning of the excavation, signs of damage were deceived by a seismic event - installation walls with cracks running along their length, massive landslides of ashlars that fell in straight rows and miraculously were not robbed, floors sagged, walls were unreasonably contorted and more.

Of particular interest is a series of jars that were found crushed in situ, some of them upside down and concentrated in a room that was used by Babylon [?] as a storehouse. These jars, dating to the first half of the eighth century AD, must have been damaged together during a traumatic event. It is clear that the room underwent a rapid renovation and leveling in an attempt to quickly return the cable that could be used, perhaps as part of the restoration of the buildings and industrial areas after the earthquake. New walls were built on the level area where the crushed jars were built, and in connection with these walls, innocent jars, dating to the second half of the eighth century AD, were exposed. It seems, therefore, that we have before us a rare chronological window, which makes it possible to determine the time of the event to the middle of the eighth century AD.

Evidence of a couch for trying to get life back on track is the deliberate effluents of soil and bile that covered the ashlar landslides of the collapsed walls. These stones were in their repair days taken immediately for use, which is of great value. Apparently, however, it was more important for the locals at that moment to return earthquake of 749 AD as the cause of the great destruction observed at the site. However, of course, other, lesser-known events can not be completely ruled out, although the stated date agrees well with the additional evidence and the obvious explanation seems to be needed.

mid 8th century CE Earthquake

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
Cracked Walls Collapsed Walls Sagging Floors Contorted Walls Broken Pottery Rebuilding	Areas K1, J2, and possibly K2 Fig. 2 הפמ תיללכ לש יחטש הריפחה חילעמב Gorzalczany (2008) Fig. 1 General Plan. Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)		Evidence of a strong earthquake was found in Areas K1 and J2, respectively. In the adjacent K2 area. In the bar at the beginning of the excavation, signs of damage were deceived by a seismic event - installation walls with cracks running along their length, massive landslides of ashlars that fell in straight rows and miraculously were not robbed, floors sagged, walls were unreasonably contorted and more. Of particular interest is a series of jars that were found crushed in situ, some of them upside down and concentrated in a room that was used by Babylon [?] as a storehouse. These jars, dating to the first half of the eighth century AD, must have been damaged together during a traumatic event. It is clear that the room underwent a rapid renovation and leveling in an attempt to quickly return the cable that could be used, perhaps as part of the restoration of the buildings and industrial areas after the earthquake. New walls were built on the level area where the crushed jars were built, and in connection with these walls, innocent jars, dating to the second half of the eighth century AD, were exposed. It seems, therefore, that we have before us a rare chronological window, which makes it possible to determine the time of the event to the middle of the eighth century AD. Evidence of a couch for trying to get life back on track is the deliberate effluents of soil and bile that covered the ashlar landslides of the collapsed walls. These stones were in their repair days taken immediately for use, which is of great value. Apparently, however, it was more important for the locals at that moment to return earthquake of 749 AD as the cause of the great destruction observed at the site. However, of course, other, lesser-known events can not be completely ruled out, although the stated date agrees well with the additional evidence and the obvious explanation seems to be needed. - Gorzalczany (2008b:31) JW: above is OCRed and machine translated from Hebrew and is an imperfect translation

mid 8th century CE Earthquake

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
Cracked Walls (penetrative fractures) Collapsed Walls Sagging Floors (anthropogenic compacted stratum) Contorted Walls (folded walls) Broken Pottery Rebuilding	Areas K1, J2, and possibly K2 Fig. 2 הפמ תיללכ לש יחטש הריפחה חילעמב Gorzalczany (2008) Fig. 1 General Plan. Gorzalczany and Ad (2010)		Evidence of a strong earthquake was found in Areas K1 and J2, respectively. In the adjacent K2 area. In the bar at the beginning of the excavation, signs of damage were deceived by a seismic event - installation walls with cracks running along their length, massive landslides of ashlars that fell in straight rows and miraculously were not robbed, floors sagged, walls were unreasonably contorted and more. Of particular interest is a series of jars that were found crushed in situ, some of them upside down and concentrated in a room that was used by Babylon [?] as a storehouse. These jars, dating to the first half of the eighth century AD, must have been damaged together during a traumatic event. It is clear that the room underwent a rapid renovation and leveling in an attempt to quickly return the cable that could be used, perhaps as part of the restoration of the buildings and industrial areas after the earthquake. New walls were built on the level area where the crushed jars were built, and in connection with these walls, innocent jars, dating to the second half of the eighth century AD, were exposed. It seems, therefore, that we have before us a rare chronological window, which makes it possible to determine the time of the event to the middle of the eighth century AD. Evidence of a couch for trying to get life back on track is the deliberate effluents of soil and bile that covered the ashlar landslides of the collapsed walls. These stones were in their repair days taken immediately for use, which is of great value. Apparently, however, it was more important for the locals at that moment to return earthquake of 749 AD as the cause of the great destruction observed at the site. However, of course, other, lesser-known events can not be completely ruled out, although the stated date agrees well with the additional evidence and the obvious explanation seems to be needed. - Gorzalczany (2008b:31) JW: above is OCRed and machine translated from Hebrew and is an imperfect translation	VI+ VIII+ VI-VII+ VII+ VII+ ?

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224). However, since Mazliah may be subject to seismic amplification due to a liquefaction (sandy soil + shallow water table), the Intensity estimate is downgraded to VII (7).

Transliterated Name	Language	Name
Mazliah
Ramla (South)