43433
Accession Number
31198
Author
Ollendorf, Amy L.
Author Affiliation
University of Minnesota
Title Of Article Chaper
Archaeological implications of a phytolith study at Tel Miqne (Ekron), Israel
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of field archaeology
Volume
14
Issue
4
Pages
453-463
Language Of Text
English
Language Of Summary
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Tel Miqne (Khirbet Muqanna), the largest Iron Age site in Israel, is identified as biblical Ekron, one of the cities of the Philistine pentapolis. Sediment samples were collected from different contexts with a twofold objective in mind. First, confirmation was sought for the identification of particular Philistine loci as occupation surfaces. Since little is known about Philistine daily life, the second objective was to discern through phytolith analysis the plant or plants that contributed phytoliths to the sediments. Phytoliths from the sediments were compared to those extracted from a reference collection of modern grasses, sedges, and rushes known to occur in Israel. In particular, the possibility was explored that the Philistines may have used a reedgrass, <i>Phragmites australis</i>, that currently grows in the adjacent wadi for mats, thatch, and basketry. -- AATA
Keywords
Tel Miqne site (Khirbet Muqanna, Israel) Phytolith Analysis; Philistine Settlement Israel; Reedgrass (<i>Phragmites australis</i> AATA
pub_id
43433