Jewish Ritual Immersion In The Longue Durée: From Earliest Manifestations Until Today,
2024
Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, Ariel University
Jewish Ritual Immersion In The Longue Durée: From Earliest Manifestations Until Today, Yonatan Adler
'Atiqot
Jewish ritual immersion has been practiced among Jews for over two thousand years, from the late second century BCE until today. Although much has been written in recent years on various aspects of this ritual as it was performed in different periods, no study has surveyed the practice from the perspective of the longue durée—from its earliest manifestations until the modern era. The present study does just that; it examines the textual evidence and material remains that shed light on how the ritual was performed over the course of the past two millennia, exploring who practiced it in each period, …
The Rise And Fall Of ‘Purity Culture’ In The Land Of Israel: A Historic Perspective,
2024
Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan
The Rise And Fall Of ‘Purity Culture’ In The Land Of Israel: A Historic Perspective, Zeev Safrai
'Atiqot
This article aims at determining the turning point in the adherence to the Jewish laws of purity in the Land of Israel, considering the situation before ‘the outburst of purity,’ its decline and final cessation. Four different stages were distinguished regarding the practice of purification: (1) prior to the appearance of the ritual bath (miqweh), before the Hasmonean Kingdom; (2) the period of ‘purity culture,’ when purity was widespread, becoming a central religious phenomenon; (3) individual purity; (4) the final decline of purity. Once the ‘purification water’ became unavailable, halakhic immersion was observed only by women, while symbolic purification continued …
Archaeology, Purity And Society: Some Methodological Reflections,
2024
Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan
Archaeology, Purity And Society: Some Methodological Reflections, Eyal Regev
'Atiqot
This article examines the assumptions and methodology underlying the correlation between stepped pools and stone vessels and purity laws and practices. It focuses on the way these are interpreted in light of Second Temple period and early rabbinic texts. The article further introduces more complex understandings of the emergence of ritual baths in the Hasmonean period as an expression of Jewish ethnic identity, and the flourishing of ritual baths and stone vessels in the first century CE, as an indication of social individualism.
Late Roman–Byzantine-Period Ritual Baths At Ḥorbat Susya In Daroma,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
Late Roman–Byzantine-Period Ritual Baths At Ḥorbat Susya In Daroma, Yuval Baruch, Ronny Reich
'Atiqot
In the Byzantine period, and especially in the fifth–seventh centuries CE, a unique rural Jewish settlement developed at Susya, in Daroma (southern Hebron Hills). This uniqueness is expressed in various aspects of its material culture, including many ritual baths, which were found in almost every residence, in connection with agricultural production and even beneath the synagogue. This article presents data concerning the ritual baths, with special emphasis on ritual baths located near installations to produce oil and wine, and a ritual bath located in a subterranean space beneath the synagogue, offering a reexamination of the connection between purification and synagogues. …
Jewish Pilgrimage, Temple Sacrifices And ‘Disposable’ Cooking Pots,
2024
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jewish Pilgrimage, Temple Sacrifices And ‘Disposable’ Cooking Pots, Omri Abadi
'Atiqot
From the time of Herod until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, there was a steady increase in the number of pilgrims in Jerusalem, reaching tens of thousands during each festival. Extensive supplies of ritually pure food prepared in pure cooking vessels were required for the pilgrims’ sacrificial meals in the Temple and throughout the city. A large quantity of cooking pots had to be supplied within a short period of time, and these vessels were like ‘disposable’ cooking pots as they had to be broken at the end of the pilgrimage. In this paper, I suggest identifying the …
Ritual Purification And Bathing: The Location And Function Of Siloam Pool And Solomon’S Pool In Second Temple Period Jerusalem,
2024
Tel Aviv University
Ritual Purification And Bathing: The Location And Function Of Siloam Pool And Solomon’S Pool In Second Temple Period Jerusalem, Nahshon Szanton
'Atiqot
Excavations at the southern tip of the ancient city of Jerusalem uncovered four pools from the Early Roman period: two, Silwan Pool and Birkat el-Ḥamra, within the city walls, and two smaller pools on the outskirts of the city. This paper provides archaeological data that supports the identification of Birkat el-Ḥamra with Solomon’s Pool and the Silwan Pool with the Siloam Pool, both of which are mentioned in contemporary historical sources. Furthermore, the function of the pools is discussed: the larger, Solomon’s Pool, seems to have been an open swimming pool, while the Siloam Pool was used for ceremonies and …
A First-Century Bce Chalk-Vessel Assemblage From Har Ḥoma, Jerusalem, And The Beginning Of The Chalk-Vessel Industry,
2024
University of Malta, Msida
A First-Century Bce Chalk-Vessel Assemblage From Har Ḥoma, Jerusalem, And The Beginning Of The Chalk-Vessel Industry, Dennis Mizzi, Ayala Zilberstein, Débora Sandhaus, Rina Avner, Shua Kisilevitz
'Atiqot
A unique assemblage of chalk vessels was unearthed in excavations at Har Ḥoma, five kilometers south of the Old City of Jerusalem. The assemblage, distinguished by the peculiar typology of its vessels, was found in a distinct and stratified fill containing pottery dating to the second half of the first century BCE, and it may be one of the earliest chalk-vessel assemblages uncovered to date. This paper presents a catalogue of the Har Ḥoma assemblage, followed by a brief overview of comparative early assemblages from sites in Jerusalem and Jericho, and a discussion of the archaeological and historical significance of …
Front Matter & Editorial,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
Byzantine And Early Islamic Malacological Remains From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
University of Haifa, Haifa
Byzantine And Early Islamic Malacological Remains From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Inbar Ktalav
'Atiqot
The malacological remains presented in this article shed light on the trade and culinary habits of the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods. All the shells were brought to the site from distant sources, such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Nile River, indicating trade connections. The shells seem to have been utilized for aesthetic purposes and for consumption, as also recorded in other excavations in Jerusalem.
Byzantine And Early Islamic Faunal Remains From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
University of Haifa
Byzantine And Early Islamic Faunal Remains From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Nimrod Marom
'Atiqot
The excavation in the western part of the City of David uncovered small assemblages of animal remains from the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, attesting to similar consumption patterns in both occupation phases. The basic suite of domesticates is characteristic of urban settlements in late antiquity, comprising caprines, pigs and cattle, as well as fowl, and possibly fish. This varied diet points to the high-status of the inhabitants of the building.The public and commercial production of pork in the Early Islamic period is noteworthy.
The Coins From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Coins From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Donald T. Ariel, Gabriela Bijovsky
'Atiqot
Some 169 coins were retrieved from the excavation of Building 900 in the City of David, all of bronze or copper-alloy. Eight of the coins comprise a small hoard. The isolated coins range in date from the Hellenistic and Early Roman periods until the fourth century CE and probably represent residual finds. The hoard indicates that Building 900 was constructed in the Byzantine period, a date also supported by other finds at the site.
The Glass Finds From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Glass Finds From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Tamar Winter
'Atiqot
The excavation of Building 900, located in the City of David, yielded about 1000 small glass fragments, mostly dating to the Late Hellenistic, Early and Late Roman–Byzantine periods, with several dating to the Umayyad period. Also found were 12 windowpane fragments, apparently dating to the Early Islamic period, permitting a reconstruction of their manufacturing process.
Early Islamic-Period Pottery From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
independent scholar
Early Islamic-Period Pottery From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Benjamin J. Dolinka
'Atiqot
A small but significant pottery assemblage dating from the Early Islamic period was retrieved from Building 900 excavated in the Tyropoeon Valley. The assemblage includes vessels typical of the Umayyad period, the early eighth century CE, and the Abbasid period, the ninth century CE. The latest diagnostic sherds date from the mid- to late tenth century CE. This Early Islamic pottery assemblage provides important insights into the occupation history of the area immediately south of present-day Old City of Jerusalem
The Byzantine Pottery From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Byzantine Pottery From Building 900 In The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Débora Sandhaus
'Atiqot
The Byzantine pottery found in Building 900 was retrieved from two Byzantine-period occupation phases. Most of the pottery forms are of well-known types, characteristic of the Byzantine period in Jerusalem, both locally made and imported. The vessel types are domestic in nature, including utility vessels for cooking and serving, and tableware. Based on the pottery finds, the building seems to have been constructed in the sixth century CE, most likely during its latter half, and served for a short period of time.
A Byzantine And Early Islamic Building Along The Southern Tyropoeon Valley,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
A Byzantine And Early Islamic Building Along The Southern Tyropoeon Valley, Nahshon Szanton, Joe Uziel
'Atiqot
Part of a building (Building 900) was uncovered along the Tyropoeon Valley. Three phases of use were identified: the first two dating to the Byzantine period, and the last phase, to the Abbasid period. The plan of the building, along with the quality of construction and some of the small finds, indicate the affluent status of the building’s residents in both periods. The finds from this excavation, together with those of previous excavations in the area, shed light on the residential neighborhood that development on the lower half of the slope of the City of David in the Tyropoeon Valley, …
The Kamon Cave Survey: A Refuge Cave From The Time Of The Wars Of The Diadochi,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Kamon Cave Survey: A Refuge Cave From The Time Of The Wars Of The Diadochi, Eitan Klein, Amir Ganor, Nir Distelfeld, Boaz Langford, Micka Ullman, Roi Porat, Amos Frumkin
'Atiqot
The archaeological survey of the Kamon cave revealed several groups of finds, including a hoard of coins and jewelry; a cache comprising a lamp with agate beads inside it; several pottery vessels and an arrowhead found together in a rock crevice; and scattered pottery and metal artifacts. Based on the finds, it was concluded that the major period of human activity in the cave was at the beginning of the Hellenistic period, with meager activity during Iron Age IIA. The cave probably served as a refuge for a group of people during the Wars of the Diadochi. This article discusses …
Fatimid Hoards As Evidence Of The First Crusade And The Establishment Of The Kingdom Of Jerusalem (1099–1101),
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
Fatimid Hoards As Evidence Of The First Crusade And The Establishment Of The Kingdom Of Jerusalem (1099–1101), Robert Kool
'Atiqot
Hoards of the Fatimid period have been used by scholars to illustrate a variety of macro-historical developments in the eleventh-century CE Fatimid Empire and Fatimid-ruled Palestine. This is not surprising as the number of Fatimid-period hoards discovered in excavations is very large, totaling 29. However, the deposition of a large share of these so-called ‘Fatimid hoards,’ 15 out of the 29, are in fact important material evidence of the arrival of the armies of the First Crusade in 1099 in southern Syria/Palestine and the territorial expansion of the newly established Kingdom of Jerusalem during the first years of the twelfth …
Jews, Landlords And Peasants In The Ghaznavid Bamiyan Hinterland: A Private Archive From The Eleventh Century (Bamiyan Papers/Afghan Genizah),
2024
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jews, Landlords And Peasants In The Ghaznavid Bamiyan Hinterland: A Private Archive From The Eleventh Century (Bamiyan Papers/Afghan Genizah), Ofir Haim
'Atiqot
This paper discusses the ‘Bamiyan Papers,’ also known as the ‘Afghan Genizah,’ which probably originated in the Bamiyan region in present-day central Afghanistan. Particular attention is given here to their earliest phase, comprising the private archive of Yehuda ben Daniel, a Jewish landowner residing in early Ghaznavid Bamiyan in the first half of the eleventh century, who plays a central role in this study. The archive documents shed significant light on the interaction between an urban private landowner and the rural population, with specific emphasis on his tenants. By closely examining two texts from the archive, this paper illuminates the …
Trash Or Cache? The Textile Evidence From The NahׅAl ‘Omer Middens As An Indicator Of Early Islamic-Period Trade Networks Along Israel’S Silk Road,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
Trash Or Cache? The Textile Evidence From The NahׅAl ‘Omer Middens As An Indicator Of Early Islamic-Period Trade Networks Along Israel’S Silk Road, Orit Shamir, Berit Hildebrandt, Roy Galili, Nofar Shamir, Guy Bar-Oz
'Atiqot
Middens provide an important source of data for exploring the history of ancient settlements. Excavations at the middens of Naḥal ‘Omer, an Early Islamic way-station in the ‘Arava desert, yielded a treasure-trove of textiles, such as silk and cotton, including ikats probably imported from India or South Arabia. The Early Islamic period witnessed a flourishing of artistic and cultural achievements, with textiles playing a central role in expressing creativity. The Silk Road, Mediterranean trade routes and connections with India and Central Asia facilitated the movement of textiles and inspired cross-cultural influences. This period probably witnessed a “textile revolution” that was …
Coins In Niches: Enigmatic Coin Deposits In The Southern Church Of Shivta,
2024
Israel Antiquities Authority
Coins In Niches: Enigmatic Coin Deposits In The Southern Church Of Shivta, Yotam Tepper, Yoav Farhi
'Atiqot
Three churches are known in Shivṭa: the Northern, the Central and the Southern. All three were fully excavated by the Colt expedition in 1934–1938. Recently, a full documentation of the exposed walls was undertaken, recording the remains of paintings, engravings and inscriptions. When the Transfiguration scene on the southern apse of the Southern Church was re-examined in this project, three coin deposits were revealed. In this paper we will present the data and offer an interpretation thereof.
