The eastern Mediterranean region is one of the most actively excavated areas in archeology. Typically, sites there are in the form of tells (large, flat-topped artificial hills) comprising the accumulated layers of human habitation. Since this region also experiences earthquake activity, it is inescapable that earthquakes and archeology be intimately related. However, only recently have earth scientists and archeologists come together to formally address the evidence for earthquakes in archeological remains. As a result, there has been much disagreement through the years over the role that earthquakes played in ancient society.