Paleoethnobotanical Investigations of the Economy of Islamic Ashkelon

Summary

The coastal city of Ashkelon, in present-day Israel, was a key economic port in the commercial system that connected the Mediterranean and Middle East from the Bronze Age into the Crusader Era. The advantage of its position is attested by its continued occupation as well as the luxurious and finely made, often imported, objects recovered from various time periods. The Islamic period (640-1153 CE) is considered a time of great expansion and growth, with evidence of fine craftsman having resided within the city's expanding jurisdiction. However, there is a need for greater systematic study of plant remains to more fully understand the importance of plant goods to the inhabitants and the merchants of Islamic Ashkelon.

By examining the distribution of archaeobotanical remains, including charcoal, we assess patterns of plant use and attempt to differentiate between domestic and mercantile contexts. Evaluating patterns of distribution in such contexts allows us to recreate economic practices at various levels, and opens the door to investigate differences in products used for household purposes versus those used for commercial purposes. Plant-use patterns at Ashkelon are then compared to those of contemporary sites in the region in order to assess its role in regional economies.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage