Ancient Industrial Site in Israel Showed Remarkable Flexibility

A new study by researchers at the University of Haifa has revealed that a fortified industrial complex at Tel Shikmona in Haifa, which was a major center for producing the dye Tyrian purple during the 8th-9th centuries BCE, was utilized for a variety of activities throughout the year. Contrary to the assumption that archaeologists often make when finding specific installations, such as an olive press, the site was not solely dedicated to one purpose. The research, published in PLOS ONE, indicates that the space was used at different times for pressing olives, housing animals, and textile production, in addition to its well-known role in manufacturing purple dye.

This multi-purpose use, researchers suggest, allowed for the efficient exploitation of space, labor, and resources year-round, demonstrating significant planning and flexibility in managing a key economic asset of the Kingdom of Israel. The study employed advanced microscopic analysis of sediment layers, revealing evidence of activities not visible to the naked eye. This included identifying animal dung, ash from fires, and plant silica particles (phytoliths) to reconstruct the site's history.

Dr. Golan Shalvi, who directed excavations at Tel Shikmona in 2023, emphasized the need to look beyond obvious findings. "When archaeologists find a loom weight, the natural tendency is to say 'this is where olive oil was produced.' However, the olive harvest only lasts for a relatively short period in late autumn. Therefore, to understand the use of the space, we need to ask what was done in the structure during the rest of the year," he stated.

The research focused on a layer dated to approximately 790-740 BCE, the reign of Jeroboam II, which represented the peak of industrial activity at Tel Shikmona. The analysis of sediment samples from two work areas identified distinct seasonal uses: olive pressing in the autumn, animal husbandry in the winter, and textile-related activities in the spring. The production of purple dye was integrated into this cycle, though its exact seasonal timing remains undetermined. The researchers also found evidence of planned transitions between uses, with ash possibly used for disinfection, odor control, and pest management.

Dr. Isaac Ogloblin-Ramirez noted that microscopic traces within the soil layers tell a much more detailed story than macroscopic finds alone. Professor David Friesem added that the integration of archaeological and micro-archaeological findings opens new avenues for understanding ancient activities, suggesting that the planned efficiency and seasonal model observed at Tel Shikmona could be found at other sites with similar integrated research.