Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered a 2,500-year-old burial complex containing dozens of interred individuals near the Tlalim Junction. Researchers believe the site tells the story of ancient Arab merchant caravans that passed through the area, including caravans from as far as Yemen.
"The unique concentration of flint artifacts uncovered in the site is unparalleled in Israel, and the only source that we know of is Yemen and Oman," said Dr. Jacob Vardi, a flint tool expert from the Israel Antiquities Authority. "We found traces of red ochre on some of the artifacts – a substance that was used in ancient cultures to symbolize blood and for other decorative purposes. The presence of ochre on these arrowheads may indicate their religious or cultic significance as having special value."
According to the excavation directors, this is an exceptional discovery pointing to extensive connections with South and North Arabian cultures, Phoenicia, Egypt, and Southern Europe. "A rich variety of artifacts were revealed in the two tombs that we uncovered, which are dated to between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE: copper and silver jewelry, alabaster artifacts for preparing incense, hundreds of beads made from different kinds of colorful stones, rare kinds of shells, an amulet in the shape of the Egyptian god Bes, alabaster vessels that were used to transport incense resins from southern Arabia, and more and more. The great variety of finds are evidence that this previously unknown site was a place of burial for trade caravans during that period and burial and cultic practices took place here," say Dr. Martin David Pasternak and Dr. Tali Erickson-Gini.
The large number of individuals buried at the site suggests two main possibilities: either the location served for generations as a burial site for passing caravans, or it is a mass grave built following a sudden event experienced by one of the caravans – perhaps an attack.
"The tombs are not found near any sites, settlements or fortresses that could explain their presence so that they are thought to be a mystery," say the researchers. "It appears that the remains are related to the traders from southern Arabia who were known for their long-distance journeys and who traded, among other things, incense such frankincense and myrrh. Naturally, these journeys would have taken months under difficult circumstances such as climate, the danger of raiders and other challenges."
"This is one of the most interesting sites that we have encountered," add Dr. Pasternak and Dr. Erickson-Gini. "The structures and the variety of finds evince our understanding that the Negev was more than just the passage of international travel – it was a lively meeting place of merchants and cultures."
"In light of the presence of special artifacts, we assume that many of the deceased were women, and it is possible that the trade caravans conducted human trafficking; texts of traders from Yemen in the second half of the first millennium BCE (called the Minaeans) describe purchasing women, among them those from Gaza, Egypt, Greece, Moab, and Edom. An inscription discovered in Yemen lists 30 women purchased in the city of Gaza."
Additional evidence for the presence of women in the graves may be the discovery of an amulet bearing the image of the Egyptian god Bes. This deity was considered the protector of women and their children from evil forces.
According to Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The discovery emphasizes the central role of the Negev in antiquity as an international crossroad and as a gateway for trade and a meeting place of cultures. The discovery is unique and it enables us to touch small but important historical moments of the people who traversed the desert through this place centuries ago. Multi-disciplinary research will make it possible to deepen our knowledge of the cultural and economic dynamics in the region thousands of years ago."
