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Earth's magnetic field, one of the most enigmatic physical phenomena of the planet, is constantly changing on various time scales, from decades to millennia and longer. The reconstruction of geomagnetic field behavior in periods predating direct observations with modern instrumentation is based on geological and archaeological materials and has the twin challenges of (i) the accuracy of ancient paleomagnetic estimates and (ii) the dating of the archaeological material. Here we address the latter by using a set of storage jar handles (fired clay) stamped by royal seals as part of the ancient administrative system in Judah (Jerusalem and its vicinity). The typology of the stamp impressions, which corresponds to changes in the political entities ruling this area, provides excellent age constraints for the firing event of these artifacts. Together with rigorous paleomagnetic experimental procedures, this study yielded an unparalleled record of the geomagnetic field intensity during the eighth to second centuries BCE. The new record constitutes a substantial advance in our knowledge of past geomagnetic field variations in the southern Levant. Although it demonstrates a relatively stable and gradually declining field during the sixth to second centuries BCE, the new record provides further support for a short interval of extreme high values during the late eighth century BCE. The rate of change during this "geomagnetic spike" [defined as virtual axial dipole moment > 160 ZAm 2 (10 21 Am 2 )] is further constrained by the new data, which indicate an extremely rapid weakening of the field (losing ∼27% of its strength over ca. 30 y).archaeomagnetism | archaeointensity | levantine archaeomagnetic curve | paleosecular variation | archaeomagnetic spikes R econstruction of geomagnetic secular variation during the Holocene has implications for various fields of research, from geophysics and other planetary sciences to biology and archaeology. Such reconstructions are based predominantly on heatimpacted geological and archaeological materials, whose thermal remanent magnetization (TRM) holds information on the geomagnetic field vector at the time of their last cooling. As evidence for fluctuating field behavior, including short (decadal) periods of rapid changes, is constantly growing (1-5), using records with excellent time resolution has become increasingly of interest.To improve the accuracy and precision of age constraints associated with estimates of ancient geomagnetic field strength, the current study exploits a set of archaeological artifacts whose ages are exceptionally well constrained. This set is composed of wellstudied ceramic jars from Judah/Yehud/Judea (Jerusalem and its vicinity), which bear royal stamp impressions on their handles (6-10). The stamped jars were part of the ancient administration of this region for about 600 y, between the late eighth and late second centuries BCE. As the types of stamp impressions changed with time according to the political situation, the jar handles provide an excellent recor...
Earth's magnetic field, one of the most enigmatic physical phenomena of the planet, is constantly changing on various time scales, from decades to millennia and longer. The reconstruction of geomagnetic field behavior in periods predating direct observations with modern instrumentation is based on geological and archaeological materials and has the twin challenges of (i) the accuracy of ancient paleomagnetic estimates and (ii) the dating of the archaeological material. Here we address the latter by using a set of storage jar handles (fired clay) stamped by royal seals as part of the ancient administrative system in Judah (Jerusalem and its vicinity). The typology of the stamp impressions, which corresponds to changes in the political entities ruling this area, provides excellent age constraints for the firing event of these artifacts. Together with rigorous paleomagnetic experimental procedures, this study yielded an unparalleled record of the geomagnetic field intensity during the eighth to second centuries BCE. The new record constitutes a substantial advance in our knowledge of past geomagnetic field variations in the southern Levant. Although it demonstrates a relatively stable and gradually declining field during the sixth to second centuries BCE, the new record provides further support for a short interval of extreme high values during the late eighth century BCE. The rate of change during this "geomagnetic spike" [defined as virtual axial dipole moment > 160 ZAm 2 (10 21 Am 2 )] is further constrained by the new data, which indicate an extremely rapid weakening of the field (losing ∼27% of its strength over ca. 30 y).archaeomagnetism | archaeointensity | levantine archaeomagnetic curve | paleosecular variation | archaeomagnetic spikes R econstruction of geomagnetic secular variation during the Holocene has implications for various fields of research, from geophysics and other planetary sciences to biology and archaeology. Such reconstructions are based predominantly on heatimpacted geological and archaeological materials, whose thermal remanent magnetization (TRM) holds information on the geomagnetic field vector at the time of their last cooling. As evidence for fluctuating field behavior, including short (decadal) periods of rapid changes, is constantly growing (1-5), using records with excellent time resolution has become increasingly of interest.To improve the accuracy and precision of age constraints associated with estimates of ancient geomagnetic field strength, the current study exploits a set of archaeological artifacts whose ages are exceptionally well constrained. This set is composed of wellstudied ceramic jars from Judah/Yehud/Judea (Jerusalem and its vicinity), which bear royal stamp impressions on their handles (6-10). The stamped jars were part of the ancient administration of this region for about 600 y, between the late eighth and late second centuries BCE. As the types of stamp impressions changed with time according to the political situation, the jar handles provide an excellent recor...
Summary Hundreds of epigraphic finds have been uncovered in excavations conducted in the ancient Kingdom of Judah, located in the south Levant and dated to the Iron Age (c.1000–586 BCE). These finds are usually studied from the linguistic and historical points of view, in a basic, descriptive manner. Here we present a new approach, analysing aspects relating to spatial distribution of epigraphic finds, spatial hierarchy of sites, bureaucratic hierarchy of officials, core and periphery, and ecological diversity of various regions of the kingdom.
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