A Note on Olive Oil Production in Iron Age Philistia: Pressing the consensus

Aren M. Maeir, Eric L. Welch, Maria Eniukhina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this paper we discuss two aspects of olive production in Philistia and the Shephelah during the Iron Age. Previous studies suggested that olive oil production became important in this region only in the 8th century bce centred at Tel Miqne-Ekron, and that the Kingdom of Judah was not involved in the production of olive oil in this region. Recent finds, at Tel Beth Shemesh and at Tell es-Safi/Gath, indicate that this narrative is in need of change. On the one hand, finds from Tell es-Safi/Gath show that production of olive oil was a central aspect in the agricultural production in this region already during the Iron I and Iron IIA. On the other hand, recent finds at Tel Beth Shemesh show that in the 7th century, the Kingdom of Judah was involved in the production of olive oil in the eastern Shephelah.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-144
Number of pages16
JournalPalestine Exploration Quarterly
Volume153
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Iron Age
  • Judah
  • Philistia
  • Tel Beth Shemesh
  • Tell es-Safi/Gath
  • olive oil

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Religious studies
  • History
  • Visual Arts and Performing Arts
  • Archaeology
  • Archaeology

RAMBI publications

  • rambi
  • Bet-Shemesh (Extinct city) (Israel) -- Antiquities
  • Iron age -- Eretz Israel
  • Oil industries -- Eretz Israel -- History
  • Philistines -- Antiquities
  • Safi, Tell es- (Israel) -- Antiquities
  • Shephelah (Israel) -- Antiquities

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