Khirbat al-Mafjar and Its Place in the Archaeological Heritage of Palestine

Donald Whitcomb is an archaeologist at The Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, specializing in Islamic archaeology and urban planning of the Early Islamic city. His research began in Iran at Istakhr and Qasr-i Abu Nasr. He has directed excavations at Quseir al-Qadim, Aqaba, Luxor, and Hadir Qinnasrin.

Hamdan Taha is the director general of the Palestinian Department of Antiquities. Since 1994 he has directed a series of excavations and restoration projects in Palestine, including Khirbet Balama, Tell es-Sultan, Khirbat al-Mafjar, and Tell Balata. Dr. Taha is the co-author of A Hoard of Silver Coins at Qabatiya, Palestine (2006), The Water Tunnel System at Khirbet Balama (2007), and Jericho, A Living History: Ten Thousand Years of Civilization (2010). He is also the author of many field reports and scholarly articles.