Agricultural resources on the coastal plain of Sidon during the Late Iron Age: archaeobotanical investigations at Phoenician Tell el-Burak, Lebanon

Orendi, Andrea; Deckers, Katleen

doi:10.1007/s00334-018-0667-x

Cited by 32 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Grain was the main component of the daily nutrition both for Near East populations, throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages, and for the inhabitants of the Mediterranean’ coastal regions. Indeed, the Phoenician diet, both in the mother country and in the colonies, was based on these crops, as confirmed by carpological remains from archaeological sites of Tell el-Burak in Lebanon, Duos Nuraghes in Sardinia, and Utica in North Africa [ 28 , 72 , 73 ]. Barley and wheat, mixed with pulses, were usually consumed as a porridge, or in the form of bread and flat cakes [ 74 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Phoenicians have always been considered to be skilled merchants who extended their commercial networks throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The livelihood of their cities and seaports was based on an exchange economy [ 27 , 28 ]. Fish, salt, and clays were suggested as the most exploited raw materials by Motya’s Phoenician settlers [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating Plant Micro-Remains Embedded in Dental Calculus of the Phoenician Inhabitants of Motya (Sicily, Italy)

D’Agostino

Canini

Marco

et al. 2020

Plants

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Plant records reveal remarkable evidence about past environments and human cultures. Exploiting dental calculus analysis and using a combined approach of microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, our research outlines dietary ecology and phytomedicinal practices of the ancient community of Motya (Sicily, eight to sixth century BC), one of the most important Phoenician settlements in the Mediterranean basin. Micro-remains suggest use or consumption of Triticeae cereals, and animal-derived sources (e.g., milk and aquatic birds). Markers of grape (or wine), herbs, and rhizomes, endemic of Mediterranean latitudes and the East, provide insight into the subsistence of this colony, in terms of foodstuffs and phytotherapeutic products. The application of resins and wood of Gymnosperms for social and cultural purposes is hypothesized through the identification of Pinaceae secondary metabolites and pollen grains. The information hidden in dental calculus discloses the strong human-plant interaction in Motya’s Phoenician community, in terms of cultural traditions and land use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Plant Micro-Remains Embedded in Dental Calculus of the Phoenician Inhabitants of Motya (Sicily, Italy)

D’Agostino

Canini

Marco

et al. 2020

Plants

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“…Since 2001, the Tell el-Burak Archaeological Project has uncovered the remains of a small Phoenician settlement (Figure 1) dating from the last quarter of the eighth to the middle of the fourth century BC (Kamlah et al 2016, in press). The important Phoenician city of Sidon appears to have been responsible for the foundation of this site (Orendi & Deckers 2018: 719), and probably influenced its predominant agricultural role. On its south-western and south-eastern sides, the settlement was bordered by a 2.50m-thick terrace wall (Figure 1).…”

Section: Tell El-burak and Its Plastered Installationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, the presence of calcite lumps (Figure 8a) and reacted, fine crystalline calcite groundmass, observed in thin section of sample SA16, support the interpretation of a lime-based plaster (Karkanas 2007: 794). It is notable that a possible structure for the calcination process—in the form of a fire pit containing crushed limestone within ash layers—has been discovered near the wine press (Orendi & Deckers 2018: 722, fig. 3).…”

Section: Technology Of Plaster Production At Tell El-burakmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dataset from Tell el-Burak includes an archaeobotanical assemblage (Orendi & Deckers 2018) dominated by Vitis vinifera (common grape vine) seeds (41.7 per cent), along with an exceptional number of transport amphorae (Orendi & Deckers 2018; Schmitt et al 2019). Most importantly, three plastered structures have been uncovered.…”

Section: Winemaking and The Phoenicians: An Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phoenician lime for Phoenician wine: Iron Age plaster from a wine press at Tell el-Burak, Lebanon

et al. 2020

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Sidon on the breadth of the wild sea: Movement and diet on the Mediterranean coast in the Middle Bronze Age

Stantis

Maaranen

Kharobi

et al. 2021

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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Objectives: Excavations at Sidon (Lebanon) have revealed dual identities during the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1600 BCE): a maritime port and center for local distribution, as well as a settlement with a heavy subsistence dependence on the extensive inland hinterlands. We aim to investigate residential mobility at Sidon using isotopic analyses of 112 individuals from 83 burials (20 females, 26 males, and 37 subadults). Veneration and remembrance of the dead is evident from funerary offerings in and near the tombs. With marine fish a major component in funerary offerings, we predict major marine reliance in this coastal population.Materials and methods: New isotopic evidence of paleomobility ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, δ 18 O) and diet (δ 13 C carbonate ) is the focus of this research. Previous bulk bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N analysis is strengthened by further sampling, along with δ 34 S where collagen yield was sufficient. Results:The five non-locals identified (8.9% of the 56 analyzed) come from constructed tombs with high-status grave goods except for one, which was heavily disturbed in antiquity. Dietary investigation of the population confirms reliance on terrestrial resources with no significant marine input. No significant differences in diet between the sexes or burial types are present.Conclusions: Although Sidon was part of a growing Mediterranean network evidenced through artefactual finds, relatively low immigration is evident. While religious feasts venerating the dead may have involved significant piscine components, no appreciable marine input in diet is observed. Fish may have been reserved for the deceased or only consumed on feast days alongside the dead rather than a regular part of the Bronze Age menu.

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Agricultural resources on the coastal plain of Sidon during the Late Iron Age: archaeobotanical investigations at Phoenician Tell el-Burak, Lebanon

Cited by 32 publications

References 16 publications

Investigating Plant Micro-Remains Embedded in Dental Calculus of the Phoenician Inhabitants of Motya (Sicily, Italy)

Investigating Plant Micro-Remains Embedded in Dental Calculus of the Phoenician Inhabitants of Motya (Sicily, Italy)

Phoenician lime for Phoenician wine: Iron Age plaster from a wine press at Tell el-Burak, Lebanon

Sidon on the breadth of the wild sea: Movement and diet on the Mediterranean coast in the Middle Bronze Age

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