Figurines of the Iron Age (Southern Levant)
This research interest is a continuation of my PhD research (2012-2017), entitled the The Figural World of the Southern Levant during the Late Iron Age (full text here online on UCL Discovery).
The Figurines of Jerusalem in their regional context (2017-present)
The monograph that I am currently preparing has a stronger Jerusalem focus, and will include a complete catalogue of the Iron Age figurines from Kathleen Kenyon’s excavations in Jerusalem (1961-1967). Even though the figurines are well known, a systematic catalogue of the same has never been published.
Figurines from other sites
I have published chapters on Iron Age figurines from Tell es Sa’idiyeh, Tall al Mashhad, and Mount Nebo in Jordan (see bibliography), and have been asked to prepare for publication figurines from Ramat Rachel, Tell Azekah, and Beth Shemesh East Salvage Excavation.
Ancient Near East, Archaeology and the Biblical World
The Legacy of the Teleilat Ghassul (2019-present)
As curator of the collection and archive of the Pontifical Biblical Institute excavations (1929-1938, 1959-1960), part of my responsibility is to curate the legacy of the excavation, and make it better known and better available. Over the last few years, I have helped facilitate research on the pottery make-up (CNRS, France), frescoes (Sydney), worked bone (Nanterre, France), cornets (Tel Aviv), and matt bases and spoons (Haifa).
Excavations
Lautenschläger Expedition to Azekah (2013-present)
I joined the team at Azekah back in 2013 as a volunteer, and have been part of the staff since 2014, first as Assistant Area Supervisor (2014-2015), then as Supervisor in Area N (2016-2024). The expedition is currently led by Prof Oded Lipschits and Dr Sabine Kleiman (Tel Aviv University), and Prof Dr Manfred Oeming (Heidelberg University).
In my role as Area Supervisor for N1, I have been responsible for the daily management of the area during the season, as well as the archaeological documentation of the excavation, and the preparation of annual preliminary stratigraphic reports for the internal use of the team. I am currently part of the team preparing the reports for Area N1, with a particular responsibility for the stratigraphic report.
Excavations at Deir Tantur (2022)
I am co-director of the excavation at Deir Tantur, a small project on the Jerusalem campus of Notre Dame University. The archaeological expedition is led by Tel Aviv University with Notre Dame University. So far, one season of excavation has been conducted.
Archaeology of Malta
Fr Emmanuel Magri SJ (2007-present)
Ongoing research on the life and work of Fr Emmanuel Magri SJ (1851-1907), with the aim of producing a volume of Collected Papers. My research initial research has had a particular focus on his pioneering work in Maltese archaeology, and has been presented in some lectures, papers and book sections on Magri’s work. I have also curated an exhibition for Magri’s centenary in 2007, organised by Heritage Malta and the Maltese Jesuit Province.
The ongoing project has expanded significantly since 2019, to include Magri’s works in the Maltese language (published in the series Kotba tal-Mogħdija taż-Żmien), which have generally been studied only as a source on Maltese folktales, but include plenty of intriguing material on archaeology and ancient history of Malta, besides folklore.
Catalogue of Artefacts from Malta at the British Museum (2007-2017)
Collaborative project with Dr Claudia Sagona (University of Melbourne) on the material from Malta in the collection of the British Museum. The project has been completed with the publication of a catalogue of the material, including their history in the collection.
L-Iklin (1994-present)
As a teenager, my interest in history and archaeology had brought me to focus on my own hometown, a modern residential area which became a Local Council in 1993. In recent years, I have picked up this research again, to transform some of that research that has lain dormant into a series of online articles (see here), part of an effort at an engagement with the local population for a proper appreciation of their heritage.
Updated: 15.11.2024
Nova et vetera 