The Wheeler-Kenyon Method of excavating was introduced to Palestine when Kenyon started her excavation at Jericho. She first learned of this type of excavating during her work with Wheeler back in England. She found that with a large operation this method of excavating is difficult to use, but with a site such as Jericho she was able to bring this method into use.(Callaway, The Biblical Archeologist, 1978)
The method emphasized virtical dimension by analyzing the various earth layers and its contents. "By tracing these strata, kenyon believed, the archaeologist would be able to detect many stratigraphic features which could not be defined bye wide scale exposure emplyed by the 'architectural' school."(Mazar, 1992) The method uses a grid of squares (5X5 m), and left balks between the sections of earth layers. This method allowed them to examine the layers during the excavation and supposedly was to enable more precise statigraphic observation. (Mazar, 1992)
The Wheeler-Kenyon method was quickly adopted by G.E. Wright and then by the American excavations. Israeli Archaeologists adopted it in the late 1950's and 1960's but afterwards most Israeli's felt that the method was insufficient for understanding the process of occupation in the Near East sites. They felt that using the method would lead to incorrect conclusions. (Callaway, The Biblical Archeologist, 1978/ Mazar, 1992)
Current field work in Israel and Jordan use both methods of excavation ("architecture" and "earth layers analysis"). The use of both methods leads to a more balanced method of digging and seems to be more effective.(Callaway, The Biblical Archeologist, 1978/ Mazar, 1992)
