The Relationship between Textile Remains in a Hoard of Alexander II Zabinas Coins and Loom Weights Discovered at Hellenistic Tell Iẓṭabba (Beth She'an, Nysa-Scythopolis), Israel

Orit Shamir, Achim Lichtenberger, Oren Tal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This paper discusses a recently discovered coin hoard in the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project. The copper-alloy coins date from the time of Alexander II Zabinas (129/128--124/123 BCE). The linen cloth in which the hoard was wrapped is discussed in light of the site history and archaeology -- a Seleucid-founded settlement that was destroyed by John Hyrcanus in 108/107 BCE. We examined the relationship between the fabric and the truncated-pyramid loom weights, which were found at the site in considerable numbers as the area of Beth She'an was famous for the cultivation of flax and the production of linen for centuries. Is it possible that this linen fabric was woven on a loom using the loom weights found at the site? Or could it have been manufactured elsewhere?
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAncient Textile Production from an Interdisciplinary Perspective: Humanities and Natural Sciences Interwoven for our Understanding of Textiles
EditorsAgata Ulanowska, Karina Grömer, Ina Vanden Berghe, Magdalena Öhrman
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages221-240
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783030921705
ISBN (Print)9783030921699
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Publication series

NameInterdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology
ISSN (Print)2730-6984
ISSN (Electronic)2730-6984

Keywords

  • Beth She’an
  • Coin hoard
  • Hellenistic period
  • Israel
  • Linen
  • Loom weights
  • Textile

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Relationship between Textile Remains in a Hoard of Alexander II Zabinas Coins and Loom Weights Discovered at Hellenistic Tell Iẓṭabba (Beth She'an, Nysa-Scythopolis), Israel'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this