AMMAN — Recent archaeological explorations at Tell Ajjul on the Mediterranean coast have unveiled fascinating features from the Middle Bronze Age, particularly two distinct tunnels believed to have played significant roles during the ancient civilization's confrontations with external aggressors. Conducted by Professor Aaron Burke from The University of California, Los Angeles, the excavations shed light on these structures developed between 2,600 BC and 1,500 BC.
The Upper Tunnel measures over 150 meters, boasting heights ranging from 1.35 to 1.85 meters and widths between 0.84 and 1.35 meters. The smaller Lower Tunnel, on the other hand, spans only approximately 30.5 meters. Burke referred to historical analysis from British archaeologist Flinders Petrie, who originally suggested these tunnels served merely as burial sites. "Petrie indicated they were only used for Late Bronze I burials based on pottery from Tombs 168 and 194. But the excavation details do not support this conclusion,” Burke explained.
The artifacts uncovered indicate minimal tombs — only two — were inscribed within the Upper Tunnel, which significantly undermines Petrie's theory. Instead, Burke emphasized, “the considerable effort required to excavate these tunnels points toward alternative outreach, beyond mortuary practices.”
Alongside such claims, Burke referenced another British archaeologist, Olga Tufnell, who suspected these tunnels may have been utilized as irrigation systems by likening them to the qanat structures found in Iran. Yet Burke disagrees, stating, “The location of the entrance fails to align with water needs, and there’s no evidence to confirm these tunnels directed water supply.”
Burke’s arguments posit the tunnels as possible escape routes or paths of egress for the inhabitants during the prolonged Egyptian siege illustrated by 'The Autobiography of Ahmose son of Abana'. He elaborated on this theory by remarking on the sizable geographical advantages and material culture linking Tell Ajjul to ancient Sharuhen, derived from its extensive fortifications and defensible geography.
“Given the length of the siege, which stretched over three years, the Egyptians likely aimed to starve the residents rather than penetrate the walls. These tunnels possibly offered the last hope for survival,” Burke noted. Evidence indicates both tunnels opened up on the northeast side of the site, leading toward the significant settlement of Gaza, just 6 kilometers away along the coastal road.
Interestingly, Burke anticipates the choice lies between digging toward the north slightly outside the town walls or maneuvering previously excavated tombs. “It would have been wiser strategically to begin from the safest perimeter even outside the walls,” he said, referring to the construction's proximity to key transportation routes.
Examining the specifics of the tunnels, Burke asserts both showed marked engineering sophistication with features such as ventilation shafts, likely placed strategically along the Upper Tunnel’s path, allowing air to circulate. “Notably, air is unnecessary for water management, which indicates these tunnels weren't related to irrigation,” Burke argued.
The challenges of tunneling at Tell Ajjul extended beyond engineering to physiological conditions, particularly the area's high groundwater table, complicates efforts to excavate from within the town itself.
To summarize, the recent findings from Tell Ajjul provide compelling insights on Middle Bronze Age military strategies and civilian engineering within the ancient Levant. Scholars believe these tunnels could represent one of the earliest forms of urban planning aimed at sustaining engagements during prolonged sieges, demonstrating intelligences far more advanced than previously assumed.
Such archaeological breakthroughs encourage historians and archaeologists alike to rethink approaches to ancient Levant history and inspire future explorations across the myriad, unexplored landscapes of the region.
