The University of Haifa’s exhibit, titled “From Trash to Treasure - Nahal Omer,” displays a collection of rare, well-preserved textiles and seeds discovered at the Nahal Omer archaeological site in the Arava in southern Israel, situated along the route of the ancient Spice Road.This story is right on the edge of PaleoJudaica's range of interest, but I note it because it underlines a point I like to keep making. The more arid regions in Israel, such as the Arava, have the potential to preserve very old scroll fragments. The Dead Sea region, of course has amply demonstrated that. This area, however, has been very thoroughly explored. But textile and organic remains recovered elsewhere, such as in the Timna Valley and even at Megiddo, provide more evidence. And ancient scroll fragments continue to turn up here and there. It is entirely possible that some substantial, very old, scroll remains are buried in one or more of these places. So keep looking!Nahal Omer is a small agricultural village dating back to the Early Islamic period (mid-7th to 9th century CE) which was first surveyed in 1932. The most recent excavations began in 2020, when archaeologists excavated nearby middens (ancient trash heaps) and discovered the site’s remarkable connection to the trade route.
I noted the discovery of these textile fragments in the Arava in 2023 here, with commentary.
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