Clay Tobacco Pipes
Lior Rauchberger
Seven fragments of pipes dating to the Ottoman period were found.
A gray-slipped and burnished pipe (L713; Figs. 21:5) with a short shank (diam. 0.8 cm) incised with thin double lines and above them a rouletted design, consisting of a thin serrated line. The shank end is swollen and decorated with two rows of stamped rhombuses with flowers inside them, ending in a plain stepped termination ring.
A gray-slipped and burnished pipe (L828; Figs. 21:6) with a short shank (diam. 0.9 cm) incised with thin double lines and a wreath adorned with a rouletted decoration of serrated horizontal lines, which ends in a plain stepped termination ring. Both pipes date to the eighteenth century CE (
Dekkel 2008:144–145, Fig. 53).
A brown-slipped and burnished pipe (L828; Figs. 21:7), with a short shank (diam. 1.3 cm). On the right side of the shank is a stamped impression in the form of a circle with dots in it. The shank ends in a wreath that has a triangular cross-section and a stepped termination ring above it. The shank was inserted inside a spherical bowl, most of which did not survive. Inside the bowl was a charred ceramic tab that was formed by the insertion and prevented the tobacco leaves from passing into the shank. The pipe dates to the second half of the eighteenth century CE (
Avissar 2005:83–88, 93, Figs. 84.81, 82).
A gray-slipped and burnished pipe (L826; Figs. 22:1), with a long ribbed shank (diam. 1.6 cm) in a gadroon pattern and a rouletted serrated line above it. The bowl has a disk base at whose bottom is a prominent triangular keel decorated with a rouletted serrated strip, bordered by a thin line. On the bottom side of the bowl are decorations of horizontal parallel lines and rhombuses. A rouletted serrated line separates the base of the bowl from the shank.
A reddish brown slipped and burnished pipe (L813; Fig. 22:2). The bowl becomes wider at its round flat base, at whose bottom are two rouletted serrated stripes, forming a V pattern that marks the keel. Carelessly incised parallel lines appear on the bottom part of the bowl. The top and bottom of the bowl are separated by a strip with a rouletted pattern of two parallel rows of notches and a smooth area between them (
Simpson 2000:163, 165–166, Fig. 13.8:172, 173).
A reddish brown slipped and burnished pipe (L711; Fig. 22:3) with a smooth shank (diam. 1.6 cm). The shank end is swollen and decorated with a rouletted pattern composed of two rows of parallel vertical lines and two parallel horizontal lines above them. On the base of the bowl are two pairs of parallel lines that form a V-shaped pattern, marking the keel, and a rouletted pattern in the form of a serrated stripe is on its front.
A reddish brown slipped and burnished pipe (L253; Fig. 22:4) with a long ribbed shank decorated with an imitation gadroon pattern. Between the ends of the petals is a palmette seal impression and above them is a serrated rouletted line.
The two last pipes are lily-shaped and date to the second half of the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries CE.
Metallic Objects
An iron spike (calthrop; Fig. 23:1) dating to the Crusader period; a similar spike was found in excavations at the French Hospital in Yafo (
HA-ESI 122); a fragment of an iron horse shoe (Fig. 23: 2); a fragment of an iron cannonball, dating to the Ottoman period (Fig. 23:3);and
a bronze bracelet (Fig. 23:4).
Coins from Area B
Robert Kool
Four coins were found, three of which were illegible. The fourth is a modern copper coin that was minted in Denver, USA, in 2002.
Anthropological Report– Area B
Yossi Nagar
Scattered, poorly preserved human bones were found in the soil fill in Stratum IIb; most of the bones were not diagnostic. Bone fragments found in separate squares do not necessarily represent different individuals; hence, the great difficulty in determining the number of individuals in this context. The anthropological examination done in the field indicated that the bones represent at least six individuals, aged 1–4, 2–10, <15 (
Johnston and Zimmer 1989), <25 (
Szilvassy 1980), 20–40 and <40 years old (
Hillson 1986:176–201). At least one of the individuals was identified as male (
Bass 1987:93–258). The gender determination for the rest of the individuals is ambiguous.
The bone finds from the site are considerable and the fractures are not random; hence, it can be assumed that the source of the bones is an ancient cemetery that was located near the road. A human skeleton in anatomic articulation, which is indicative of primary burial, was found very close to this road (
HA-ESI 124). The skeleton was dated to a time that predated the paving of the road, probably to the Early Islamic period, and it reinforces the assumption that a cemetery existed near the Ottoman road.
Archaeozoological Finds
Moshe Sadeh
The archaeozoological finds are from three periods: Hellenistic, Crusader and Ottoman.
The Hellenistic period (L285). Two marine mollusks: Talporia (lurida Linee) and Murex (trunculus Linee).
The Crusader period (L300, L303, L305, L310, L316; Tables 4–6). Bones of domesticated animals—sheep/goat (Ovis aries/Capra hircus), cattle (Bos taurus), domesticated pig (Sus scrofa) and domesticated dog (Canis familiaris). Wild animals are represented by a shark vertebra (Sellacii) and three marine mollusks, among them two Glycymeris violacescens Lamark, three murex and Thais haemastoma Linee. Due to the lack of finds it was not possible to examine the livestock at the site. It can be stated that water resources were available for raising cattle and pigs that require large amounts of it.
Table 4. Breakdown of the bones of domesticated animals.
Total
|
Domestic dog
|
Domestic
pig
|
Cattle
|
Sheep/goat
|
Species
Bones
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Orbit
|
2
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
Mandibula
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
Scapula
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Humerus
|
5
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
Radius
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Ulna
|
4
|
1
|
|
2
|
1
|
Metacarpus
|
6
|
|
|
2
|
4
|
Pelvis
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
Femur
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
2
|
Tibia
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Calcaneus
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
Astragale
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
Metatarsus
|
3
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
Os centrotarsus
|
10
|
|
|
3
|
7
|
Unidentified limb
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Phalanx I
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
V. Axis II
|
7
|
|
|
6
|
1
|
V. Lumbar
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
V. Sacral
|
14
|
|
|
6
|
8
|
Ribs
|
73
|
1
|
1
|
29
|
42
|
Total
|
100.00
|
1.37
|
1.37
|
39.73
|
57.53
|
%
|
Table 5: Right, left, distal and proximal limb bones of animals
Domestic
dog
|
Cattle
|
Sheep/goat
|
Species
|
L
|
R
|
L
|
R
|
L
|
R
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Distal humerus
|
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
1
|
Proximal radius
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Distal radius
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Proximal ulna
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Proximal metacarpus
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Distal metacarpus
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
Distal femur
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
1
|
Proximal tibia
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Distal tibia
|
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
|
Astragale
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
Proximal metatarsus
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Distal metatarsus
|
Table 6. The minimum number of individuals (MNI).
Total
|
Domestic dog
|
Domestic chicken
|
Cattle
|
Sheep/goat
|
Species
Bones
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
MNI
|
100.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
40.00
|
20.00
|
%
|
The Ottoman period (L704, L708, L710, L713, L806, L813, L831). Bones of domesticated animals were found: sheep/goat, cattle and horses (Equus caballus). Wild animals are represented by a shark vertebra and marine mollusks: one Talporia lurida Linee, four Glycymeris violacescens Lamark, three Murex trunculus Linee and one Thais haemastoma Linee. In addition, one land mollusk (Punctum lederi) was found.
The breakdown of bones (Tables 7–9) shows that one individual of each species was found.
Table 7. Breakdown of the bones of domesticated animals.
Total
|
Horse
|
Cattle
|
Sheep/goat
|
Species
Bones
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
Incisor
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
Premolar
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
Radius
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
Patella
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Astragale
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
Metatarsus
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
Unidentified limb
|
4
|
|
1
|
3
|
Rib
|
16
|
2
|
3
|
11
|
Total
|
100.00
|
12.50
|
18.75
|
68.75
|
%
|
Table 8. Limb bones of animals
Cattle
R L
|
Sheep/goat
R L
|
Species
Bones
|
|
1
|
Proximal radius
|
|
1
|
Patella
|
|
1
|
Distal metatarsus
|
1
|
|
Astragale
|
Table 9. The minimum number of individuals (MNI)
Total
|
Horse
|
Cattle
|
Sheep/goat
|
Species
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
MNI
|
100.00
|
33.33
|
33.33
|
33.34
|
%
|
The Glass Vessels
Brigitte Ouahnouna
Three-hundred and fifty glass fragments were recovered from the excavation, including 270 non-diagnostic, modern body fragments. Area B yielded modern glass only, including various bottles and beakers, window pane fragments and modern colored bracelets in turquoise, blue, yellow and colorless. The glass material from Area A is mainly medieval, with a few earlier fragments from the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. Only a few indicative vessels are presented, attributed to Stratum V (thirtenth century CE; Fig. 24). These are examples of the most characteristic glass vessel of the Crusader period in Israel—a beaker with applied prunted decoration. These beakers usually have a flaring rounded rim and a wide open mouth with applied horizontal trail in the connection between the mouth and the body. The cylindrical body, short squat or tall and narrow, is decorated with rows of prunts, usually uneven. The prunts are of different size and shape. Some are rounded, some are pointed or carelessly shaped. The bases were mainly formed by applied trail, wounded around a pushed-in bottom.Fragments of such beakers were found in the Crusader tower at the Courthouse site in ‘Akko (Gorin-Rosen 1997:82–84, Fig. 2:20–26; and see there further discussion and references).
Fig. 24:1, 2 (L258, L279) are body fragments, made of colorless glass and covered with gold and silver iridescence. The wall is thin with remains of two irregular protruding prunts.
Fig. 24:3 (L290, L310) is also made of colorless glass and includes two parts of the same vessel. Four prunts are preserved on the body fragment. The base, almost complete, presents a pushed-in bottom with an applied trail wounded around it (Base diam. 5 cm).
In addition to the beakers, two more fragments were identified.
Fig. 24:4 (L279) is a tooled-in hollow tube, which characterizes the most common flasks of the Crusader period. This technique was mainly used during medieval times for big bottles and jars, probably to strengthen the vessel (Gorin-Rosen 1997:80–81, Fig. 2:9).
Fig. 24:5 (L258) is a fragment of pushed-in tubular base, similar to those found in the Crusader tower at ‘Akko (Gorin-Rosen 1997:81, Fig. 2:12–15). As these bases were usually found with the tooled-in tube and bottles with the pinched rim, they probably served as their bases.
Finally, an interesting modern fragment of a chandelier is presented (Fig. 24:6; L275); it is a small piece of colorless translucent glass with facet cuts, which was mass-produced.
The excavation area seems to represent a region of extra-urban activities and in particular agricultural activity. The earliest period in which agricultural activities took place in the area was the Hellenistic period. The potsherds in the layer of soil were very small and worn. The ceramic assemblage that dated from the Hellenistic to the Early Islamic periods was not disturbed by modern or Ottoman items, apart from the well. The refuse pit from the Crusader period is interesting in that it is the southernmost find discovered so far south of the tell. The well from the Ottoman period is the only one in the excavation site and c. 350 m distance from a cluster of wells that was found in previous excavations down the street (
HA-ESI 123).
Apart from being an agricultural area, tombs were discovered in it, the earliest probably dating to the Hellenistic period. Two more tombs were found in Area A, Stratum IV; the one in Sq N67 postdated the Crusader refuse pit and the tomb in Sq N68 cannot be dated. The elevation of the latter (15.48 m asl) is similar to that of the tomb in Sq N67 (15.41 m asl) and it can therefore be assumed that they belong to the same phase and can be dated to later than the thirteenth century CE, but prior to the 1920s. It is important to note that the lime pits are not limekilns, where rocks were burnt, but rather pits where water and lime were mixed to prepare the material for construction. It has not yet been determined if they predated the tennis club that appears on the maps from the British Mandate era or are later than it. The width of the foundation from Stratum III in Area B is greater than 8.5 m, much bigger than the road built in Stratum IIb; hence, it is possible that the foundation was used as a road and not as a foundation for a road above it. Both roads were probably used as lateral roads from the time of the World War I until the 1930s, at which time the main road was paved on Yehuda Ha-Yammit Street.