Aharon Kempinski was an Israeli archaeologist, best known for his work at Tel Kabri and for founding the now-defunct Association of Archaeologists in Israel.
Early life edit
Aharon Kempinski was born on 26 January, 1939, in Haifa, British Mandate of Palestine. His parents were Jews who had immigrated from Germany. Aharon grew up in Nahariyya, where his family pushed him to study the social sciences. He also learned about architecture from his father who was an architect. As a child, Aharon traveled frequently to old sites in throughout Upper Galilee, which fueled a passion for archaeology. Nahariyya had a Canaanite temple which Aharon often visited to excavate.
Academic career edit
Following his time in the military (1956-1958), Aharon studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he got his BA in Archaeology and History of the Jewish People. He then went on to study Archaeology and Assyriology at the Masters Level. Kempinski studied for part of his doctorate at Marburg University, specialising in Hittitology and the Ancient Near East. Prior to completing his doctorate, Kempinski began work at as an external lecturer at Ben Gurion University, which lasted until 1985. In 1975, the Hebrew University granted Kempinski his PhD. That same year, Kempinski began teaching at Tel Aviv University.
Archaeological career edit
Aharon excavated frequently when he was young. For most of Kempinski's academic life, his main focus was on Tel Kabri, a site he would work on up to his death.
Work at Tel Kabri edit
On achieving his doctorate, Kempinski began his work at Tel Kabri. From 1976-1977, Kempinski conducted excavations with Moshe Prausnitz to examine Middle Bronze Age remains that had been found as a result of a trench dug through the tel by the national water company in 1961. In the years following his excavations with Prausnitz, Kempinski lobbied to obtain permission for full-scale excavation of Kabri, which was granted in 1982.
In 1986, Kempinski began excavations at Tel Kabri, working under Tel Aviv University. He was joined by Wolf-Dietrich Niemeier, in 1988, who excavated as Kempinski's co-director until Kempinski's death.
Work at other sites edit
Death and burial edit
Aharon Kempinski was ill for many years. He subcame to his illness on 2 July, 1994, before he could continue his work on Tel Kabri. In accordance with his wishes, Kempinski was buried on the tel, in a kibbutz cemetary, close to the palace.
References edit
- Ahituv, S.; Oren, E.D., eds. (2002). Aharon Kempinski Memorial Volume: Studies in Archaeology and Related Disciplines. Beer-Sheva - Studies by the Department of Bible and Ancient Near East. Vol. XV. Beer-Sheva: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Press.
- Herzog, Z. (1994). Tel Aviv: Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University. 21. Tel Aviv: Emery and Claire Yass Publications in Archaeology: 159–161 http://archaeology.tau.ac.il/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aharon-Kempinski.pdf.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - Stern, E.; Lewinson-Gliboa, A.; Aviram, J. (1993). The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society & Carta, Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-13-276312-5.