The book to which you refer is I believe, “The Source”. It describes the excavations of Tel Makor.
It is a truly great piece of historical fiction
https://www.fictiondb.com/title/the-source~james-a-michener~179551.htm
Heh - I called it “The Tell”, another Freeper called it “The Mound”.
I suppose Michener got that at dinner parties too.
“James - I REALLY loved your book “The Hill”...