To summarize, the first season of research at Tell el-Borg has yielded the remains of at least 28 individuals through surface collection and excavation. 16 adults and 8 subadults were identified, while 4 individuals could not be aged. Only two of the individuals recovered were found relatively undisturbed and in situ. Due to the high degree of disturbance that has occurred and continues to occur at the site, however, the majority of the skeletal material recovered is highly fragmentary and incomplete. This makes it somewhat difficult to accurately age and sex such material and prevents the researcher from addressing wider concerns such as individual and general health in ancient populations. Given the amount of looting activity that has occurred, both ancient and recent, the chances of finding many intact burials at Tell el-Borg may be slim. It is hoped, however, that further exploration and excavation in the so-called “Western and Eastern Cemeteries” will yield skeletal material in a more useful context.

Scott Haddow  

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