Hoffmann et al. (2017) identified a possible tsunamigenic deposit in a sea-cliff outcrop near the southern extent of ancient Ashkelon. The deposit was dated to between 290 and 500 BCE based on archaeological stratigraphic succession and a few sherds of pottery. Two radiocarbon samples gave older and divergent ages which were not deemed to be diagnostic of the true age of deposition. The ages from these radiocarbon samples conflicted with a stratigraphic succession which showed that the sediment body was deposited during the Persian period. The older divergent radiocarbon dates were interpreted as indicating possible mixing or re-working of source materials which can be diagnostic of tsunamigenic deposits. Hoffmann et al. (2017:9) noted that signs that the deposit is of tsunamigenic origin include rip-up clasts, fining-up sequences, corrasion, imbricated clasts, and planktic foraminifera with signs of corrasion, and ¹⁴C ages older than the deposit itself (suggesting mixing). In addition, the site's location seems too far from rivers capable of delivering flash flood deposits (> 6 km. away) and estimates of coastal retreat suggest that the deposit was far enough inland from the then coastline that a storm surge was a less probable explanation. Although Hoffmann et al. (2017:9) opined that other transport mechanisms that may have created a similar sediment signature, such as storms or floods are less-probable for this specific site they could not be entirely excluded.