Discovery of purple ‘more precious than gold’ from the days of David and Solomon

According to archeologists, purple cloth fibers have been discovered for the first time in Israel, dating back to the reigns of David and Solomon mentioned in the Bible.

‘Royal’ or ‘terrian’ purple, made from the glands of sea snails, possibly in Phenicia (ancient civilization) around 1570 BC, was considered a sign of royalty and wealth in the ancient world. It is believed that this color was more valuable than gold.

The use of this color in Iron Age caps in the southern Mediterranean region is referenced in many Christian and Jewish texts, and is also associated with the Temple of Solomon.

But before that, scientists had no direct evidence of this venerable ancient industry except for purple markings on snail shells and pottery shards.

While observing the dyed textiles of the Tamna Valley, the researchers were surprised to find remnants of cloth, fringes, and wool fibers that had been dyed royal purple. The Tamna Valley is an ancient copper mining area in southern Israel.

Radiocarbon dating techniques have been used to estimate the authenticity of the artifacts found, dating back to 1,000 years before Christ, when the kingdoms of David and Solomon were thought to have been established in Jerusalem.

Dr Nama Schenik, supervisor of organic discoveries at the Israel Institute of Innovation, said: ‘This is a very exciting and important discovery. For the first time, the cloth has been found which belongs to the period of David and Solomon. This cloth is given a noble purple color. In ancient times, purple was associated with high status, religious figures and, of course, royalty.’

He added: ‘The beautiful purple colour, the fact that it does not fade and that it was difficult to make, because it is formed from the small amount found in the bodies of shellfish, are all things that make it one of the colors of all. made it more valuable than gold, so it was often more expensive than gold.’

According to research published in the journal PLoS One, the true purple pigment (arjaman) was produced by a gland located near the lower part of the large intestine of three species of shellfish. These organisms were found in the Mediterranean Sea. To obtain the color, a complex distillation process was carried out that lasted for several days.

Dr Skank added: ‘Until the recent discovery we were dealing with discarded shellfish shells and shards on which color boxes were made, giving evidence of a purple industry in the Iron Age. Now, for the first time, we have direct evidence of this color on fabrics that have been preserved for almost three thousand years.’

Professor Erizbin Youssef, from the Department of Archeology at Tel Aviv University, said that excavations have been ongoing since 2013 as part of an ongoing campaign in Tamannaah in search of archeology.

While observing the dyed textiles of the Tamna Valley, the researchers were surprised to find fabric remnants, fringes, and wool fibers that had been dyed royal purple. (AFP/Israel Antiquities Authority)

He said: ‘Thanks to the region’s extremely dry climate, we have also been able to discover organic materials such as cloth, ropes and leather from the Iron Age, Solomon and David’s times, providing a rare glimpse into ancient life. gets.’

Copper mining in the Iron Age can be compared to oil in modern times. The work required expertise, was kept secret, and those who possessed this knowledge were considered the top technicians of their day.

The thermal recovery site in the Tamna Valley is known as the ‘Slave Hill’ which is filled with industrial waste including waste from smelting furnaces.

Three pieces of colorful cloth were found in these piles of waste, due to which the attention of the researchers was drawn towards it. Researchers were finding it hard to believe that they had found real purple material from such an ancient time.

According to Professor Bin Yusuf: ‘Archaeologists are searching for David’s palace. However, David may not have expressed his wealth through magnificent buildings, but through items that corresponded to a nomadic heritage, such as textiles and handicrafts.’

Additional reporting: AP