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Abstract

Excavations at Gane Ṭal uncovered sporadic pre-Roman remains; large, plastered pits dating to the Early Roman period (first–early second centuries CE); a rural settlement and cemetery from the Late Roman and Byzantine periods; and meager architectural remains from the Mamluk period. Two settlement phases were related to the Byzantine period: an earlier occupation, probably a farmstead, comprising a large assemblage of simple grinding stones, clay ovens and a domestic ceramic assemblage; and a later occupation, including a manor house and an adjacent, multi-compartment storage facility. The source of wealth at the site was probably the production of wine, as attested by the complex winepresses found at the site and the presence of numerous Gaza jars, possibly of local production. The Byzantine occupation at Gane Ṭal ended sometime in the eighth century CE, probably due to economic pressure applied by the Muslim rulers against the non-Muslim population.

Keywords

glass industry, ground stone industry, wine production, economy, technology, industrial activity, coins, numismatics, Umayyad period, Muslim religion, Islam, plague, road station, limestone vessels, Jewish, ethnicity

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