During explorations in the rugged and arid Negev Highlands of southern Israel, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities authority (IAA) stumbled upon something both extraordinary and totally unexpected. An excavation unearthed a mass burial site in a previously unknown location, near Tlalim Junction, along what is now suspected to be a route followed by long-distance ancient trading caravans, coming from as far away as Egypt, Phoenicia, and Yemen.
The tombs that were discovered were quite ancient, dating back to approximately 500 BC. Given the time period and the paths the trading caravans were apparently following, they would have likely been trading both frankincense and myrrh, and according to the IAA archaeologists, a much darker cargo as well: women who would have been sold or traded into slavery.
The archaeologists found many fascinating and in many cases beautiful artifacts buried besides the deceased, including small, unique arrowheads that are known to have been used in Yemen. This is what helped the experts from the IAA determine the route of the ancient traders, who would have been passing through an extremely desolate part of the landscape on their way to settlements in the greater region.
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“The unique concentration of flint artifacts uncovered in the site are unparalleled in Israel and the only source that we know of is Yemen and Oman,” says Dr. Jacob Vardi, an expert on flint tools, in a post on the Israel Antiquities Authority Facebook page. “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.”
Collection of small arrowheads from Yemen, found in among the burial goods excavated in the Negev graveyard. (Israel Antiquities Authority).
Why Was There Such a Cemetery At All?
The ancient cemetery was filled with dozens of tombs, which was a revelation considering the excavation team was not expecting to find burials at all so far off the beaten path. Its existence suggest one of two possibilities, one of which is more grim and ominous than the other.
The first possibility, and probably the most likely, is that the cemetery was established because of the risky nature of long-distance travel in the first millennium BC, making it necessary to have a place where those who didn’t survive the trip could be interred. The second possibility is that there was a mass casualty event, possibly involving an attack against a caravan by robbers who left no survivors.
Broader aerial view of cemetery and the surrounding Negev Desert. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
“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. However, it should be noted that they are situated at a central junction of roads leading through the Negev Highlands to the Arava,” the researchers noted. “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.”
Amazing Artifacts at a Cultural Crossroads
The aforementioned arrowheads from Yemen were a standout, but they recovered along with a true treasure of ancient artifacts with significant trade value. This discovery was incredibly rich and revealed a wealth of details about how ancient trading networks operated.
Alabaster vessel excavated from the Negev cemetery, after being cleaned up and preserved in an IAA lab. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
“The discovery is unique and it points to wide-reaching cultural interchange between southern and northern Arabia, Phoenicia, Egypt and southern Europe,” stated excavation director Dr. Martin David Pasternak and senior researcher Dr. Tali Erickson-Gini, in a joint statement issued on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “A rich variety of artifacts were revealed in the two tombs that we uncovered, which are dated to between the 7th and 5th centuries BC: 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.”
It is clear from what has been recovered that this was more than just a simple burial ground, the two experts asserted. What was found means that “burial and cultic practices took place here,” presumably reflecting a multitude of spiritual traditions and belief systems.
A scarab amulet recovered from one of the tombs excavated in the Negev burial ground. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
“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,” Dr. Pasternak and Dr. Erickson-Gini added.
Parts of a censer, a vessel used for burning incense during cultic rituals. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
Signs of the Ancient Slave Trade
Many of the artifacts recovered from the site suggest the deceased were women, who may not have traveled to this desolate, remote location of their own free will.
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“It is possible the trade caravans conducted human trafficking,” Dr. Pasternak and Dr. Erickson-Gini stated. “Texts of traders from Yemen in the second half of the first millennium BC (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. Other evidence of the presence of women includes an amulet of the Egyptian god Bes. This god was responsible for protecting women and children from harm.”
Amulet of the Egyptian God Bes. (Israel Antiquities Authority).
Regardless of the type of trading activity that was occurring in the lands of modern-day Israel 2,500 years ago, this discovery has forced archaeologists to reassess the importance of the Negev region in the ancient world.
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,” said IAA Director Eli Escusido. “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.”
Since the archaeological team has only opened two tombs from among dozens so far, what they have discovered and what they have learned so far is likely only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Top image: Aerial view of the excavation site in the Negev Highlands of Israel.
Source: Israel Antiquities Authority.
By Nathan Falde
