Sam Wolff

Sam Wolff is an established archaeologist specializing in Syro-Palestinian archaeology with a particular focus on the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. His academic career began with a PhD dissertation on 'Maritime Trade at Punic Carthage' from the University of Chicago in 1986, and he has since become a leading researcher on the archaeology of Gezer and other significant sites in Israel.

His research interests include:

• Amphorae Archaeology and ceramic analysis
• Phoenician and Punic archaeology
• Archaeology of the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age in the southern Levant
• Integration of archaeological evidence with Egyptian, Biblical, and Assyrian textual sources
• Chronological studies using ceramic typology and radiocarbon dating

Wolff's work on Gezer represents a significant contribution to the field, where he has conducted extensive research on the site's chronology from the Late Bronze Age through Iron Age II. His recent publications demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach that combines traditional archaeological methods with scientific dating techniques. His analysis of ceramic assemblages, particularly amphorae types, has provided important insights into ancient trade networks and chronological frameworks for the region.

His scholarly contributions include numerous articles in prestigious journals such as PLOS ONE, Tel Aviv, and Near Eastern Archaeology, as well as book chapters and reviews. Wolff's research has been particularly influential in debates surrounding the dating of destruction layers at Gezer and the interpretation of ceramic evidence for understanding ancient trade patterns.

As a collaborator, Wolff has worked with Israeli archaeologists including Alon Shavit and has contributed to major excavation projects, most notably the Tandy expedition at Gezer (2006-2015). His expertise in ceramic analysis has made him a valuable contributor to archaeological teams working throughout the Levant.