Non destructive analyses of archaeological metal artefacts & the stories in

the Bible: could they meet?

Special opening lecture for ISRANDT & ASNT/ISRAEL

27.4.2010

Sariel Shalev University of Haifa

This lecture is dedicated with love and gratitude to Gabi Shoef

and his ‘highly expensive’ non destructive analyses of archaeological metal artefacts some 22 years ago.

Sariel Shalev University of Haifa

Sariel Shalev

With contributions of:

•Elad Caspi •Naama Yahalom•Sana Shilstein•Y. Levy & M. Pfilstoker•Ayelt Gilboa & Ilan Sharon•Rahel Ben-Dov & A. Biran•Amihi Mazar(ISF Research Grant)

... From the time of the Patriarch until the time of struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines in Canaan

(MBI – IA1: 1800-1000 BCE)

The socio-political structure of Canaan in the MBA & ND Analysis

Preliminary neutron diffraction study of two fenestrated axes from the ‘Enot Shuni’ Bronze Age cemetery (Israel)

El’ad Caspi , Hanania Ettedgui, Oleg Rivin, Martin Peilsto¨cker, Beni Breitman, Izhak Hershko, Sana Shilstein, Sariel Shalev

The neutron diffraction & radiography of the axes from Shuni

So, could it be the ‘Sheppard's Chief’ symbol of status?

‘‘Abram had become verywealthy in livestock and in silver and gold (Genesis 13: 2). Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. (Genesis 13: 5). And quarrelling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.’’ (Genesis 13: 7).

If only life could be so simple: The similar finds from Byblos

Did the Patriarchs go from Canaan down to Egypt?

Hnum Hotep tomb, Beni Hassan, Semites coming to EgyptHnum Hotep tomb, Beni Hassan, Semites coming to Egypt

What could we add to the known material and metallurgy? What could we add to the known material and metallurgy?

Similar metals were found in Israel Similar metals were found in Israel and in Egypt and were analyzed and in Egypt and were analyzed recently. recently.

On the basis of “old” and “new” data On the basis of “old” and “new” data we could now check the metal we could now check the metal composition typical to each of the composition typical to each of the metal weapons typical to this period.metal weapons typical to this period.

How the new metallurgical data could affect the chronology?How the new metallurgical data could affect the chronology?

Axes from Tell el-Dab’a, Egypt.

Identical axes from Rishon LeZion, Israel

Tin Bronze Tin Bronze (16%-5% Sn)(16%-5% Sn) with no arsenic with no arsenic ((+1TED)+1TED)

Metal composition of shafthole axes from MBIIa and MBIIbMetal composition of shafthole axes from MBIIa and MBIIb

No.No. SiteSite Reg. No.Reg. No. CuCu AsAs SnSn PbPb FeFe AnalysisAnalysis

11 HamaHama 5E-8025E-802 86.60 0.30 5.305.30 5.10 0.05 (Levant 23)

22 YiftahelYiftahel P-46P-46 85.46 0.12 12.2712.27 1.90 0.01 EPMA

33 K.VradimK.Vradim KV 98-19KV 98-19 88.42 0.03 10.0610.06 1.18 0.05 EPMA

44 AphikAphik 80.13 0.35 9.769.76 0.45 0.07 AAS

55 YiftahelYiftahel P-45P-45 93.59 0.19 6.006.00 0.10 0.04 EPMA

66 FasutaFasuta F-34F-34 90.03 4.34 0.02 4.35 0.73 EPMA

77 GesherGesher 89-58789-587 93.71 3.47 0.03 0.04 2.27 EPMA

No.No. SiteSite Reg. No.Reg. No. CuCu AsAs SnSn PbPb FeFe AnalysisAnalysis

11 JerichoJericho 29/6329/63 86.07 0.45 6.68 1.23 0.02 (Khalil 1980)

22 AphekAphek 10764/6010764/60 71.56 0.19 6.50 0.15 0.29 AAS

33 JerichoJericho 29/6229/62 86.33 1.63 6.72 0.10 0.16 (Khalil 1980)

44 RumeidaRumeida T-34T-34 93.78 3.42 0.14 0.61 0.81 EPMA

Compositional characterization of the shafthole axesCompositional characterization of the shafthole axes

Flat shafthole axes were similarly made of:Flat shafthole axes were similarly made of:• Arsenical copper Arsenical copper (3.5%-4.3% As)(3.5%-4.3% As) with no tin with no tin• Tin bronze Tin bronze (12%-5% Sn)(12%-5% Sn) with less then 0.5% with less then 0.5% arsenic. arsenic. (+3TED)• Lead in much lower quantities then in the Lead in much lower quantities then in the above above (5%-1% Pb)(5%-1% Pb) was detected in both alloying was detected in both alloying types. types. (+1TED)

Rounded shafthole axes were also made of: Rounded shafthole axes were also made of: • Arsenical copper Arsenical copper (1.6%-3.4% As)(1.6%-3.4% As) with no tin with no tin (+4TED). . •All the tin bronzes have similar amount of tin All the tin bronzes have similar amount of tin (6.5%-6.8% Sn),(6.5%-6.8% Sn), (+3TED)•(2TED only Fe, As 0.5 or n.d.; 1TED only Cu)

RumeidaRumeida

KV-98 19e x 100KV-98 19e x 100

R. LeZionR. LeZion

If the above would remain the only archaeological data …

Axe - Kabri

Belt – Fara’a

Dagger – Rishon Le Zion

Spear - Safed

warrior figurine from Biblos with axe, spear and dagger

Baghouz Baghouz warrior on his warrior on his death bed death bed

Egyptian Egyptian hieroglyphs for hieroglyphs for dead enemy dead enemy

The Middle Bronze Age metal artifacts: what do we already know?The Middle Bronze Age metal artifacts: what do we already know?

Hundreds of copper- base objects were Hundreds of copper- base objects were unearthed, mainly in burials, all over the unearthed, mainly in burials, all over the Levant in the last 150 years of archaeology. Levant in the last 150 years of archaeology.

In the Middle Bronze Age (end of 3rd – In the Middle Bronze Age (end of 3rd – middle of 2nd Millennium B.C) the middle of 2nd Millennium B.C) the development of more complex weapons development of more complex weapons (longer daggers, swords, complex battle axes (longer daggers, swords, complex battle axes etc.) was made possible by alloying the copper etc.) was made possible by alloying the copper initially with arsenic (As) and later tin (Sn) to initially with arsenic (As) and later tin (Sn) to produce arsenical copper and tin bronze. Lead produce arsenical copper and tin bronze. Lead (Pb) begin to play a greater role as a major (Pb) begin to play a greater role as a major alloy as well. alloy as well.

……and how non destructive analyses could give us a better insight? and how non destructive analyses could give us a better insight?

ND of MBII axes in ISIS, UK. ND of MBII axes in ISIS, UK. 2008 2008

-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 200

5

10

15

20

25

30

Co

nc

en

tra

tio

n, %

in

w

eig

ht

Distance from the top, mm

Pb, face A Pb, face B Sn, face A Sn, face B

top bottom

Scan along the blade (2 mm from the edge)

The Biblical description:

Non Destructive Analysis & The “Philistine Monopoly” on Metal Production

RSV 1Sa 13:19 Now there was no smith to be found throughout all the land of RSV 1Sa 13:19 Now there was no smith to be found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or Israel; for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears"; 20 but every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to spears"; 20 but every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle; 21 and the charge sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle; 21 and the charge was a pim for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for was a pim for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. 22 So on the day of the battle sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. 22 So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.

Tel DorTel Dor

Tel DanTel Dan

Tel GerisaTel GerisaTel QasileTel Qasile

Distribution of Early Iron Age Metallurgical Activities

The archaeological data

• Circa 700 metal Circa 700 metal finds – Cu+Sn finds – Cu+Sn mainlymainly

• Small local Small local production , production , mainly mainly Philistines sites.Philistines sites.

• Simple products + Simple products + some imports & some imports & HeirloomsHeirlooms

• +120 +120 analyses analyses

• by ICP, by ICP, WDS, XRF.WDS, XRF.

• (Shalev, (Shalev, Yahalom, Yahalom, Segal)Segal)

• 48 LIA 48 LIA (Yahalom (Yahalom

• & Segal) & Segal)

• 13 sites, mainly in Philistian 13 sites, mainly in Philistian territory (9) :territory (9) :

• Dan, Beth Shean, Megiddo, Dan, Beth Shean, Megiddo, Yoqneam, Dor, Gerisa, Qasile, Yoqneam, Dor, Gerisa, Qasile, Aphek, Beth ShemeshAphek, Beth Shemesh

Metal Production Area in Early Iron Age Tel Dan

R. Ben-Dov Area B

Bronze Production Remains from Early Iron Age Tel Dan

Crucible-Slag from the IA-I Bronze Production area at Tel Dan

L.7060Cu+1.4/4.7%Sn

L.7126Cu+0.6/6.8%Sn

L.7119Cu+1.7/1.9%Sn

L.71 and 15

S.Shalev 1993

13 analyses (WDS + AAS) of crucible slags & prills, 18

analyses of objects & fragments.

Microstructure of an IA-I Crucible-Slag from Tel Dan

U20 X 400U20 X 400

Bronze PrillsBronze Prills

Tel Dor: View from its Iron Age Southern Harbor

Area G

Harbor

Garstang J. 1923-4; Stern E. 1980-2000

So – is it a typical Philistine metal production as described in the Bible?

Bronze Production Remains & Objects from Are G at Tel Dor

Slag

B94482

Slags

181360

Ring pieces

91569

Metal prills

Arrowhead

47829

Needle

98338

Pin

180192

Scrap

98206

Metal piece

98810

B94466

Slag

Scrap

180505

Awl

182131

+200 metal remains:116 Prills, 54 chunks, slag, 8 crucible frags. 19 objects & fragments.

Crucible for Bronze Melting - Early Iron Age Tel-Gerisa

How could non destructive XRF find the ‘missing link’ in the field?

Iron Age II Iron Age II

Late Bronze AgeLate Bronze Age

Iron Age I Iron Age I

Eastern Balk of Are G at Tel Dor

Early Iron Age Fire-Pit Section in Are G Balk at Tel Dor

F17F17

F18F18

F16F16

CaCa

FeFe

CuCuSrSr

XRF Analysis of Gray Ash

Ca

Fe

Cu Sr

XRF Analysis of white Calcite from the IA-I Fire-Pit from Tel Dor

Ca

Fe

Cu Sr

XRF Analysis of Burnt Ground from the IA-I Fire-Pit from Tel Dor

Ca

Fe

Sr

XRF Analysis of Ash from the IA-I Courtyard near the Fire-Pit

The Philistine’s Metal Arms Superiority & Non Destructive XRF Analysis

RSV 1Sa 17:45 Then David RSV 1Sa 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.have defied.

Beth DaganBeth Dagan

JaffaJaffaMediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea

“A Shardanian weapon also used by the Philistines, discovered at the Biblical site of Beth-Dagon, near Jaffa”

Purchased in 1910 by the British Museum

Hall 1914

Hall 1928

Yadin 1963

Barnet 1966 etc.

Aharoni 1977

B.M. 127137 L.1065 W.84 Th.14 Rivets 12

The “Philistine” Sword from the British Museum

Shalev 1988

The Marine Battle of Ra’ameses III against the Sea People

Medinet Habu Temple - Egypt, circa 1180 BC

EB-MB Sword probably from Ashkelon, now in Rockefeller Museum

L.578 W.48 Th.14 Rivets 7

Cu+6%As

EB-MB (EB IV; IB) Weapons

circa 2100BC

Cu + 2.7-6.0%As & up to 28.5%As on surface

So – what do we know now better about IA-I Metallurgy?

Iron or Bronze? Iron or Bronze? Out of more than 700 metal remains from the beginning of the Out of more than 700 metal remains from the beginning of the Iron Age in the Land of the Bible - less than 10 are made of Iron and all others Iron Age in the Land of the Bible - less than 10 are made of Iron and all others are of copper based, mainly of bronze. are of copper based, mainly of bronze.

Metal production: Metal production: All production remains are of bronze small scale open air All production remains are of bronze small scale open air ‘Cottage Industry’ making simple objects, by using mainly scrap metal and ‘Cottage Industry’ making simple objects, by using mainly scrap metal and melting it inside a clay crucible in a campfire using skin bellow with clay tuyre.melting it inside a clay crucible in a campfire using skin bellow with clay tuyre.

Is the metallurgical evidence contradict or support the Biblical text? Is the metallurgical evidence contradict or support the Biblical text? As for the As for the state of evidence today, the location of the production sites in conjunction with state of evidence today, the location of the production sites in conjunction with the Philistines sites and the local small village industry mainly for the the Philistines sites and the local small village industry mainly for the production of simple tools – fits well with the Biblical descriptions. But, the production of simple tools – fits well with the Biblical descriptions. But, the metallurgical evidence, as opposed to the historical reconstruction based upon metallurgical evidence, as opposed to the historical reconstruction based upon the Biblical text, show very clearly that only bronze production and no iron the Biblical text, show very clearly that only bronze production and no iron industry is currently evident to be practiced during the beginning of the Iron industry is currently evident to be practiced during the beginning of the Iron Age in Palestine.Age in Palestine.

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention