An excavation team from Tel Aviv University has uncovered an extensive fabric collection of diverse color, design and origin in the ancient copper mines in Timna, located deep in Israel’s Arava Valley.
Believed by some to be the site of King Solomon’s mines, the arid conditions at Timna have ensured the remarkable preservation of 3,000-year-old organic materials, including seeds, leather and fabric, as well as other rare artifacts that provide a glimpse of the culture and practices of the period.
This is the first discovery of textiles dating from the era of David and Solomon, shedding new light on the historical fashions of ancient Israel. The textiles also offer insight into the complex society of the early Edomites, the semi-nomadic people believed to have operated the mines.
The tiny pieces of fabric, some only 5-by-5 centimeters square, vary in color, weaving technique and ornamentation.
“No textiles have ever been found at excavation sites like Jerusalem, Megiddo and Hazor, so this provides a unique window into an entire aspect of life from which we’ve never had physical evidence before,” said Erez Ben-Yosef, the archeologist who led the excavation team from Tel Aviv University. “We found fragments of textiles that originated from bags, clothing, tents, ropes and cords.
“The wide variety of fabrics also provides new and important information about the Edomites, who, according to the Bible, warred with the Kingdom of Israel,” he said.
The archaeologists also recently discovered thousands of seeds of the biblical ”seven species” at the site — the two grains and five fruits considered unique products of the Land of Israel. Some of the seeds were subjected to radiocarbon dating, providing confirmation for the age of the site.
“This is the first time seeds from this period have been found uncharred and in such large quantities,” Ben-Yosef said.
Copper from the mines was used to produce tools and weapons and was the most valuable resource in ancient societies. Miners in ancient Timna may have been slaves or prisoners. But the act of smelting, of turning stone into metal, required an enormous amount of skill and organization: The smelter had to manage some 30 to 40 variables in order to produce the coveted copper ingots.
“The possession of copper was a source of great power, much as oil is today,” Ben-Yosef said.
The latest discovery of fabrics, many of which were made far from Timna in specialized textile workshops, provides a glimpse into the trade practices and regional economy of the day.
“We found linen, which was not produced locally. It was most likely from the Jordan Valley or northern Israel,” said Tel Aviv University master’s student Vanessa Workman. “The majority of the fabrics were made of sheep’s wool, a cloth that is seldom found in this ancient period. This tells us how developed and sophisticated both their textile craft and trade networks must have been.”
Added Ben-Yosef: “This discovery strengthens our understanding of the Edomites as an important geopolitical presence. The fabrics are of a very high quality, with complex designs and beautiful dyes.” — j. staff