IIA Period Research Articles

The Griffin and Lion Ivory Pyxis Lid from the Grave of the Griffin Warrior at Pylos

ABSTRACT: In 2015, an exquisite ivory pyxis lid was discovered in the grave of the Griffin Warrior at Pylos. The lid, carved in high relief, depicts in great detail a combat in which a lion defeats a griffin. The modeling and carving of the ivory are of exceptional quality. Here, we first consider the specific context and circumstances of discovery of the lid—the final find removed from the grave—before turning to a discussion of precedents and parallels for its motifs and theme. Finally, we consider the possibility that a scene of a lion victorious over a griffin had particular significance at Pylos, in light of relations between Messenia and Neopalatial Crete in the Late Helladic IIA period.

An Elite Middle Bronze IIA Warrior Tomb from Yehud, Central Coastal Plain, Israel

A salvage excavation held at the city of Yehud (Israel) revealed an unusual burial of the Middle Bronze (MB) IIA period. The grave was isolated from other MB burials in the Yehud area and was exceptionally large and rich in terms of the types and diversity of burial offerings, which included pottery vessels, metal objects, and animal bones. An outstanding find among the burial goods was an anthropomorphic jug whose neck was shaped in the form of a seated figure supporting its head with the right hand, evoking the image of Rodin’s “Le Penseur.” This paper presents the grave and offerings uncovered in the excavation and an interpretation of these finds, along with a discussion of the grave within the wider context of Middle Bronze Age burials in Yehud and beyond, suggesting it was associated with an elite warrior, who served most likely as a local leader.

The Enigma of the Hyksos, Volume 1: ASOR Conference Boston 2017—ICAANE Conference Munich 2018—Collected Papers

The Enigma of the Hyksos, Volume 1: ASOR Conference Boston 2017—ICAANE Conference Munich 2018—Collected Papers

Tell el-Dabca and Byblos: New Chronological Evidence

This article is one of several, which aimed to synchronise major excavation sites along the Levantine coast with the relative chronology of Tell el-Dabca. Research was done in the frame of the EU MSCA project “Egypt in the Levant”. While the main part of this studies was to synchronise newly excavated sites with Tell el-Dabca, also promising museum material from old excavations was taken into consideration. As the Byblos area was one of the most important trading partners for Tell el-Dabca, it was decided to re-investigate the Royal Tombs of the Middle Bronze Age and try to synchronise their material with the stratigraphy of Tell el-Dabca. Since their discovery in the early 1920s, there is an ongoing debate about their chronological dating, which was strongly influenced by the appearance of Egyptian prestige objects naming the kings Amenemhet III and IV inside two of these tombs (tomb I and II). With a few exceptions, most of the scholars tend to date the bulk of these burials into the MB IIA period, with the tombs I and II being contemporaneous with the reign of these late 12th Dynasty kings. The re-investigation of the Egyptian, Egyptianising and local material from the Royal Tombs I, II and III as well as their synchronisation with the Tell el-Dabca stratigraphy is presented in this study.

Debating the United Monarchy: Let's See How Far We've Come

This article reviews the two opposing sides of the ongoing debate concerning the historicity of the biblical United Monarchy, the kingdom of David and Solomon. After discussing the scholarly background of archaeological research into the 10th century BCE and Iron IIA period, it discusses the major chronological and historical revision proposed by Israel Finkelstein and the counterarguments deployed by Amihai Mazar. After discussing particular issues highlighted by the archaeology of Jerusalem and Khirbet Qeiyafa, the article closes with a brief reflection on how attitudes towards the Deuteronomistic History have affected this debate, with particular reference to the differing evaluations of Finkelstein and Baruch Halpern regarding its usability in historical reconstruction of the United Monarchy.

Design of safe foods that induce mastication in very young children

Background/purposeIn order to obtain information for the design of foods for infants and other young children, we analyzed bite size and mastication of children eating test foods with their fingers. MethodsUsing baked stick biscuits (Food A: newly designed biscuits for children; or Food B: commercially available control biscuits) as the test foods, we analyzed how children grasped the foods themselves with their fingers, bit into the items, and finished swallowing. Among 79 children who went to nursery school or preschool in a specified prefecture and gave consent to the objectives of this study, there were 54 for whom three dimensional motion analysis data from two trials for each food were obtained. ResultsBite weight was significantly larger for Food A, and the bite length was significantly greater for Food B. The number of jaw movements was about 25 for both foods, being the least in the primary occlusion completion period group (Hellman's dental age ⅡA) for Food B. The maximum mastication distance for Food A was significantly longer, by 1.25 times, in the early period of primary occlusion completion group (Hellman's dental age ⅠC) and was longer, by approximately 1.2 times, in the II A period group. The total trajectory distance was significantly longer for Food A, by 1.2 times, in the IC period group and by 1.1 times in the IIA period group. ConclusionIn designing foods for children, it is considered necessary to examine the design by dividing the target ages into 1–2 years and 3–5 years. It is also suggested that Food A not only requires a greater number of jaw Q2 movements but also is likely to produce more dexterous mandibular movements.

The Relative Chronology of Khirbet Qeiyafa

The pottery unearthed in the Iron Age settlement at Khirbet Qeiyafa has been dated by the excavators to the early iron IIA period. They further state that the site provides the best example of early iron IIA pottery in Judah and southern Israel (Kang and Garfinkel 2009a). The paper shows that the assemblage belongs to the late iron I horizon in southern Israel.

The relationship between body balance and occlusal balance of Japanese children during the deciduous dentition period

The relationship between children's deciduous dentition occlusal balance and body's gravity center movement was studied. The participants of this study were 128 children with Hellman's Dental Age IIA stage at a nursery school. The distance and the area of gravity center movement (GCM) when the participants had their eyes-opened and eyes-closed were measured with automatic posture analytical devices. Occlusal abilities including occlusal contact area, average pressure, maximum occlusal pressure, occlusal force and occlusal balance were measured with the Dental Prescale® system. Analysis of occlusal balance was determined by separating the middle group (|x|≤5mm) from the deflection group (|x|>5 mm) based on the position of occlusal balance center. A significant difference was found between the occlusal balance of the middle group (n=96) and the occlusal balance of the deflection group (n=32) in the distance and area of gravity center movement with eyes-opened and closed. The distance and area of gravity center movement of the middle group was less than that of the deflection group. Analysis of body balance was determined by the good balance group and bad balance group based on the GCM area with eyes-closed. A difference was found between the good balance group and the bad balance group in the occlusal contact area and occlusal force. The occlusal contact area and occlusal force of good balance group were higher than the bad balance group. Body and occlusal balance was observed to have some interactive influence during Hellman's Dental Age IIA period. The influence of occlusal balance on body balance is much stronger and obvious than the influence of body balance over occlusal balance. Occlusal balance can influence on the body balance most of the time while body balance can sometimes influence on the occlusal balance.

Archaeobotanical studies at Hierakonpolis Locality HK6: The Pre and Early Dynastic elite cemetery

Plant macroremains were separated from samples taken from nine tombs (1-3, 5-7, 9-11) in an elite cemetery at locality HK6 at Hierakonpolis. These tombs are dated to the Predynastic Naqada IIA period and the Early Dynastic Naqada A2-IIIC1 (c. 3800 – 3650 B. C./ 3200 – 3050 B. C.). Human and/or animal skeletal remains were found in all of these tombs. A total of 1984 plant macroremains were identified. This botanical assemblage has been attributed to 23 plant taxa and classified into wild edible fruits, cultivated crops, wild herbs, wood and charcoal. The highest number and percentage of plant remains as well as the greatest number of plant species were recorded from Tombs 1, 3 and 11. The current study shows that the Predynastic inhabitants depended heavily for wood and fuel on native trees, e. g., Acacia nilotica, Ficus sp, Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix nilotica and Ziziphus spina-christi. From the remains it was also possible to reconstruct the characteristic habitats and plant communities that flourished in the general vicinity of the site : 1) a contracted desert vegetation dominated by Acacia nilotica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Capparis decidua, Fagonia bruguieri, Ficus sycomorus and Tamarix aphylla ; 2) a contracted ground water-bound desert vegetation included Acacia nilotica, Desmostachya/ Imperata and Tamarix ; 3) a swampy habitat characterized by stands of Phragmites, Desmostachya/Imperata, Cyperus alopecuroides and Tamarix nilotica. Remains of conifer trees, e. g., Cedrus libani, Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus halepensis, have been found in very small numbers. They may have been imported into Egypt from the Levant.

It Is the Land of Honey: Beekeeping at Tel Reḥov

The excavators of Tel Rehov, a part the Beth-Shean Valley Archaeological Project, share a remarkable find from the 2007 season-an industrial beekeeping complex! Located in the middle of the unwalled Iron IIA period town, the hives (totalling possibly as many as 180!) must have proved quite a nuisance to its inhabitants and may therefore be an indication of a strong central authority governing the town. Referencing Near Eastern documents as well as biblical sources, the authors explore the important economic, social, and political ramifications of this unique find for Israelite history.

An Abecedary of the Mid-Tenth Century B.C.E. from the Judaean Shephelah

Near the conclusion of the 2005 excavation season at Tel Zayit, Israel, the Zeitah Excavations recovered a large stone bearing an incised, two-line inscription. The special importance of the stone derives not only from its archaic alphabetic text (a 22-letter abecedary), but also from its well-defined archaeological context in a structure dating securely to the tenth century B.C.E. The borderland site of Tel Zayit lies in the lowlands district of Judah, and in the early Iron Age IIA period it maintained its principal affiliations with the highland culture to the east, in the direction of Jerusalem. After locating the site in its ancient physical setting, this article presents a detailed description of the archaeological context that yielded the inscribed stone, the comparative evidence for studying the inscription, and a palaeographical analysis of each letter of the abecedary itself. The Tel Zayit Abecedary represents the linear alphabetic script of central and southern Canaan at the beginning of the first millennium B.C.E., a transitional script that developed from the Phoenician tradition of the early Iron Age and anticipated the distinctive features of the mature Hebrew national script. The early appearance of literacy at Tel Zayit will play a pivotal role in the current discussion of the archaeology and history of Judah in the tenth century B.C.E.

Morphological changes in the zygomatic arch during growth

Morphometry of the zygomatic arch was obtained using 30 Indian dried skulls at each of Hellman's dental stages: IIA, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and VA, for a total of 150 skulls 300 sides. The following conclusions were obtained. 1. Though both the height and length of the zygomatic arch increased at all stages from IIA to VA, the rate of increase of the height indicated a value larger than the length. 2. The zygomaticotemporal suture consisted of the vertical element from the upper margin to the center and the horizontal element from the lower side to the margo inferior during the IIA period. This suture changed to a gradual curve from the upper margin to the margo inferior with the movement of the center and the lower side to the rear during the VA period. 3. The degree of interdigitation of the zygomaticotemporal suture increased from the IIA period to the IIIA and IIIB to IVA. These findings suggest that the form of the zygomatic arch and the zygomaticotemporal suture showed growth change adjusting to the functional change in mastication with growth.

A Petrographic Analysis of Storage Jars From Tel Nami, Israel: Ceramic Production and Trade Networks of the Middle Bronze Iia Period (CA. 2000-1750, BC)

The application of provenience analysis to the delineation of zones of economic interaction is considered for the Middle Bronze IIa period in the southern Levant. Preliminary petrographic analysis of ceramic finds from Tel Nami, a small port with substantial East Mediterranean contacts, is consistent with local coastal production, with possible utilization of nearby igneous sources. The petrography of storage jars containing imported Aegean legumes is consistent with local typology and geology.

Dimensions of Social Hierarchy in Late Bronze Age Cyprus

This paper examines the evidence for developments in social complexity accompanying the urbanization process at the Late Bronze Age site of Enkomi in Cyprus. The extent of variability in tomb architecture and assemblages of grave goods suggests that considerable differentiation in wealth and status had developed among the various groups residing at Enkomi at an early date. It is possible to document the presence of elite groups employing distinctive complements of prestige goods and politico-religious symbolism by the late Cypriote IIA period if not sooner. Changes in mortuary practice and elite symbolism towards the end of the Late Cypriote period may reflect a redefinition of the basis of status and political legitimacy as an increasingly complex framework of political and religious institutions emerged.

Evidence for a Mycenaean Tomb of the Late Helladic IIA Period in the Athenian Agora

Evidence for a Mycenaean Tomb of the Late Helladic IIA Period in the Athenian Agora

MB IIA Cemeteries At 'Ain es-Sâmiyeh and Sinjil

The weapon group from 'Ain es-Simiyeh consists of a fenestrated crescentic axehead, a simple notched axehead, two socketed spearheads, and a rilled dagger. These pieces were acquired from a Jerusalem antiquities dealer along with a considerable quantity of MB I material2 and a few MB IIA vessels. The bronze weapons will be discussed first, in ascending order of their significance for our knowledge of weapons of the period. The two socketed spearheads (fig. 1:2, 3; pl. 2) require little comment. Spearheads of this type have been previously recognized as belonging to the MB IIA period. The type may have begun earlier, however, as attested by scattered examples from Mesopotamia and Syria, as well as one occurrence at Megiddo in an EB IV-MB I context.3 Numerous MB IIA comparisons come from Syria.4 In Palestine socketed spearheads are known chiefly from MB IIA tomb deposits, in which they probably constitute evidence of warrior burials: Megiddo, Barqai (Sharon Plain), Beth-shan, Nahariyeh, Gibeon, Moza, Ris el-'Ain, and Tell el'Ajjfil.5 These socketed spears are conspicuously

Egyptian Relations with Palestine in the Middle Kingdom

Traditional studies of Egypt's relations with Palestine in the Middle Kingdom (1991-1786 B.c.) have usually concluded that there was a significant and extensive Egyptian presence in Palestine at this time; many scholars have followed the lead of W. F. Albright, who argued for a Middle Kingdom political or military empire in the Southern Levant.' Such archaeological and historical data as the Story of Sinuhe, the Execration Texts, the Nesumont and Khusobk stelae, the Djehutihotep statuette from Megiddo, and numerous Middle Kingdom antiquities found in Palestine have often been quoted as evidence either for this empire or at least for a strong Egyptian commercial or diplomatic presence in Palestine in the 12th Dynasty.2 It is my conviction that no such empire existed, and the supposedly close political and economic relations have been much exaggerated. The primary data for this study will be the Egyptian imports and Palestinian copies of Egyptian objects which have been found in Middle Bronze IIA burials and occupational deposits.3 While there has been considerable disagreement among scholars regarding the absolute chronology of the MB IIA Period, it now seems likely that this period encompasses most of the 12th Dynasty,4 while the semi-nomadic MB I Period is

The Vapheio Cups: One Minoan and One Mycenean?

The style of the two gold cups found at Vapheio – whether Minoan or Mycenean – has long been a matter of controversy. The cups (Figs. 1–10) were found in 1888 by Christos Tsountas in an undisturbed pit burial of the Mycenean IIA period in the tholos tomb at Vapheio, near Sparta.1 Although the skeleton had disintegrated before excavation, the positions of the cups indicated that one was held in each hand of the interred. The burial included a number of objects that have proved to be imported from Crete, a circumstance that leaves the question of the provenance of the cups wide open.2 Although the rich repoussé relief decorations of the gold cups, among the most elaborate representations surviving from the Bronze Age, have been widely discussed, experts have been divided as to whether they are Minoan or Mycenean. The problem continues to challenge our basic understanding of the Minoan and Mycenean styles. This article will present a new solution. A contrast of the cups will show that the cup with quiet scenes of bulls being lured and tethered was made by a Minoan artist, whereas that with scenes of the violent capture of bulls was both conceived and executed by a Mycenean artist as a pendant to the Minoan cup.