Beth Shean
Dublin Core
Title
Beth Shean
Subject
Archeological Dig Site
Description
The archaeological dig at Beth Shean (ancient Scythopolis), modern-day Israel, opened the doors to three millennia of material culture, including the Byzantine period. Beth Shean is remarkable in that its archeological record exists from as early as the 6th millennium BCE, including significant activity in the Late Bronze Age (approx. 1100 BCE). It later resurfaced in the Hellenistic Period, and was a pivotal city during the 4th and 5th centuries CE. During the Byzantine period of 330—638 CE, the city underwent many religious and political changes, including the introduction of Christianity in the fourth century and later the arrival of Islam in the seventh. It fell to an earthquake in 749 CE and would rest relatively untouched until the excavation of the Tel by the Penn Museum in the 1920s.
In this gallery, objects from this excavation are presented in their archeological context. Seen below are a variety of materials, ranging from glass to ceramic to coins as well as domestic items. These objects represent the full geography of Beth Shean, including monastic contexts, funerary sites, and the home. All of these works come from different archeological layers.
In this gallery, objects from this excavation are presented in their archeological context. Seen below are a variety of materials, ranging from glass to ceramic to coins as well as domestic items. These objects represent the full geography of Beth Shean, including monastic contexts, funerary sites, and the home. All of these works come from different archeological layers.
Source
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Contributor
Natalie Green
Relation
https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/beth-shean-revisited/
https://beth-shean.squarespace.com/
https://beth-shean.squarespace.com/
Collection Items
Mother and Child Figurine
This figure, excavated from a mass grave at Beth Shean in the 1920s, is fashioned from terracotta, adorned with a red wash, and depicts a woman carrying, presumably, her own child upon her left shoulder. The figurine appears to have been created from…
Solidus of Phocas
Solidi were the highest denomination of coins in the sixth and seventh centuries in the Byzantine Empire. Made of gold, they were used to make substantial payments like a year’s taxes or a purchase of a manuscript. This solidus shows the Emperor…
Door Handle Knocker
This bronze door knocker features a hollow lion's head. Surrounding the lion’s head are nine knobs radiating outwards. Possibly made in Constantinople between the years 300-1100 CE, the door knocker was found on the Island of Cyprus. It is pierced in…
Round-Mouthed Jug
The body of this light green jug was free-blown, while the handle and other decorative threads were added by hand. This glass jug was excavated from Beth Shean in present-day Israel. This object was found in the North Cemetery IV, Tomb 207, along…
Inkwell
This inkwell is made up of blue glass and has two parts, the top being larger than the bottom, it is also a chamber and holds ink, whereas the bottom is solid and indicated by dark blue “knobs.” There are four small glass blown loops attached to the…