Chapter 17

The Bone Objects

Ariel Shatil and Stella Behar

Introduction
A total of 35 bone objects was found in Area M1 of
the Givati Parking Lot. Of these, 5 were identified
as the remains of bone-object production, although
the evidence is too meager to enable any further
discussion. The remaining objects were identified,
and 15 representative examples are presented here in
catalogue format, and illustrated in consecutive order
in Fig. 17.1.
All the objects were crafted from mammalian bones,
usually from the thick cortical diaphysis of long bones,
most notably the metapodials. Some were made from
flat bones such as the scapulae and ribs. Most examples
were handmade, although a few exhibit the use of a
lathe. All the objects were smoothed and polished to
some degree, and some were decorated. The most
popular decorative technique is incision, and the
various geometric motifs include dotted circles and
parallel or concentric lines in different patterns.
The bone assemblage originated in numerous strata,
from the Iron Age to the Early Islamic period, although
the majority was found in the Early Roman stratum
(Stratum VII). The bone objects are described here
according to typological criteria. Selected parallels
are cited from sites in Jerusalem (e.g., the Armenian
Garden, the City of David, the Jewish Quarter and
the Temple Mount), as well as from other sites such
as Caesarea, Meiron and Sepphoris. Further parallels
can be found in E. Ayalons publication of the bone
and ivory assemblage from Caesarea Maritima (Ayalon
2005).

Catalogue
Spoons (Fig. 17.1:15)
Of the five bone spoons recovered, four lack their
handles, and the complete length of only one example
(No. 1) is known. Most bone spoons are too small to

have been used for eating, and probably functioned to

mix cosmetics, paint or medicine (Ayalon 2005:46).
Spoons can be divided into two distinct types: spoons
with a flat, decorated or undecorated bowl (Nos. 13),
and the more concave, leaf-shaped spoons (Nos. 4, 5).
Spoons were common during the Roman and Byzantine
periods (Ayalon and Sorek 1999:38), although the
flat, decorated examples (Nos. 2, 3), appear only in
Israel, and only during the Early Roman period (Geva
2003:346; Ayalon 2005:74). However, these are usually
more elliptic in shape than our two spoons. Thus, Nos.
2 and 3, together with the only four parallels we have
found (see below, all from Jerusalem) belong to a
unique type of flat, rounded, decorated spoon dating to
the Early Roman period and known to date only from
Jerusalem. It is also worth noting that the decoration of
Nos. 2 and 3 is relatively careless and does not include
the common three-leaf rosette motif (compare, for
example, Ayalon 2005: Fig. 18:165).
Spoon Nos. 2 and 3 were found next to each other,
and are both decorated with five dotted concentric
circlesone at the center of the flat bowl and four
set in a square around it. During the Early Roman
period, dotted concentric circles were a very popular
motif, appearing on a variety of bone artifacts (see,
for example, Ayalon and Sorek 1999: Ills. 40, 55, 63,
91, 92). The dotted concentric-circle motif was also
applied to knife-pared lamps in Judea during the first
century CE (Barag and Hershkovitz 1994: Fig. 8:58
60; Rosenthal-Heginbottom 2003: Pl. 6.12:1518).
Leaf-shaped spoons are generally undecorated (Nos.
4, 5), and are characterized by a V-shaped protrusion
where the spoons handle and bowl meet. This may
have been an effort to strengthen that particular area
of the spoon, or an imitation of the soldering of metal
spoons (Ayalon 2005:46).
No. 1. Stratum VI, L619, B4697
Bone spoon; complete; hand-crafted from the diaphysis
of a long bone. The bowl is round in shape, smoothed

318

Ariel Shatil and Stella Behar

and polished, and decorated with a line around its

circumference that was probably made with a compass.
Originated in the foundation of a Late Romanearly
Byzantine floor.

Parallels: The Jewish Quarter (first century CE;

Nenner-Soriano 2010: Pl. 11.1:B4), Meiron (Late
Roman; Meyers, Strange and Meyers 1981: Pl. 9.6:2),
Sepphoris (Byzantine; Yeivin 1937: Pl. I: Fig. 2).

11

12

10

14

13
0

Fig. 17.1. Bone objects.

15

Chapter 17: The Bone Objects

No. 2. Stratum VII, L739, B8097

Bone spoon; fragment (part of handle missing); crafted
from the diaphysis of a long bone. The bowl is round
in shape, smoothed and polished, decorated with four
dotted concentric circles set in a square pattern, with
a fifth in the center. Found together with No. 3 in a
destruction layer dated to the end of the Early Roman
period.
No. 3. Stratum VII, L739, B8095
Bone spoon; fragment (handle missing); crafted from
the diaphysis of a long bone. The bowl is round in
shape, smoothed and polished, and decorated with
dotted concentric circles as in No. 2.
Parallels: The Armenian Garden (first century CE;
Tushingham 1985: Fig. 68:13), the Jewish Quarter
(first century BCEfirst century CE; Geva 2006: Pl.
11.1:B9), the Temple Mount (Early Roman; BenDov 1989: Ill. on p.165), Jerusalem, unprovenanced
(Ayalon and Sorek 1999: Fig. 43).
No. 4. Stratum VIA, L618, B4591
Bone spoon; fragment (handle missing); crafted from
the diaphysis of a long bone; leaf-shaped bowl (length
5 cm); smoothed and polished and undecorated? The
spoon has a V-shaped protrusion on the back side, at
the joint between the handle and the bowl. Found on a
Late Romanearly Byzantine floor, dated to the third
fourth centuries CE.
No. 5. Stratum VII, L704, B7116
Bone spoon; fragment (handle missing); the thin,
curving section of the spoon suggests that it might
have been carved from a large thick rib; leaf-shaped
bowl, smoothed, polished and undecorated. The spoon
has a V-shaped portrusion on the back side, at the joint
between the handle and the bowl. Found in an Early
Roman miqveh.
Parallels: The Jewish Quarter (first century CE;
Nenner-Soriano 2010: Pl. 11.1: B2, B3), Caesarea
(sixth century CE; Ayalon 2005: Fig. 17:161), Meiron
(Late Roman; Meyers, Strange and Meyers 1981: Pl.
9.6:5), Sepphoris (Byzantine; Yeivin 1937: Pl. I: Fig.
2).

319

Spatulas (Fig. 17.1:6, 7)

Twelve spatulas form the largest group among the bone
artifacts. Bone spatulas were usually made from ribs or
other flat bones such as scapulae or pelvic bones, their
curved shape reflecting the shape of the bone. One
end of the spatula was sharpened to a point, the other
end was rounded. Spatulas were usually smoothed
along their length, while some were also smoothed
laterally. This polishing does not seem to be a result of
use. However, many spatulas show striations that are
considered to be use marks (Ariel 1990:127128).
Spatulas are found in a variety of shapes that may
be indicative of function, or, in our opinion, reflect the
ad-hoc nature of this tool, which was produced by the
user. Spatulas are often considered as tools used in the
weaving industry (Ariel 1990:130).
The majority of the spatulas from Area M1 preserves
the pointed end, while other fragments have only the
lower, rounded part preserved. Most of them were
found in contexts ranging from the Iron Age to the
Early Roman period, with some fragments from
Byzantine contexts.
As in Area M1, spatulas make up nearly half the bone
assemblage in the City of David (Ariel 1990:127). In
the Jewish Quarter, on the other hand, few spatulas
were found (Geva 2003:344).
No. 6. Strata VIIVI, L706, B9018
Bone spatula; fragment, sharp pointed edge (7.8
2.7 cm); crafted from a large rib or even a scapula;
smoothed and polished. Found in a fill containing
Early Roman finds.
No. 7. Stratum VI, L645, B5605
Bone spatula; fragment (8.5 1.5 cm); crafted from
a large rib; smoothed and polished. Found in a Late
Romanearly Byzantine fill rich in pottery of the first
century BCEfirst century CE.
Parallels: The Armenian Garden (first century CE;
Tushingham 1985: Fig. 68:17,18), the City of David
(Iron Age IIByzantine; Ariel 1990: Figs. 14, 15), the
Jewish Quarter (first century BCEfirst century CE;
Geva 2003: Fig. 13.1:B2, B3, 2006: Fig. 11.1:B1B5;
Nenner-Soriano 2010: Fig. 11.1:B1).

320

Ariel Shatil and Stella Behar

Pins, Needles and Rods (Fig. 17.1:810)

Eight cylindrical, elongated objects where recovered.
Pins are thin (~24 mm diameter), cylindrical,
elongated artifacts with a modeled head. They are
usually considered to be hair pins to hold simple
hairdos, or garment pins. Rods are also cylindrical,
elongated objects, but have a much larger diameter and
are longer than pins. The shafts are sometimes decorated
with composite patterns and the heads are stylized and
pointed. Their exact function is unknown. Needles are
cylindrical, elongated objects with one or more holes
drilled through the head. They were probably used
to weave threads through the hair to create and hold
complicated hairdos (Stephens 2008:115123).
These objects originated in a variety of archaeological
contexts, ranging from the Iron Age to the Byzantine
and Early Islamic periods. Most were found broken,
without the head, which hindered accurate identification
as pins, needles or other elongated cylindrical objects,
such as styli, kohl sticks, etc. Item No. 8 is a complete
pin with a drop-shaped decorative head. The head of
No. 9 was preserved, thus enabling us to define it as a
needle. Item No. 10, 7 mm in diameter, is sturdy enough
to be a rod or even a spindle. The rest of the artifacts
from this group are shaft fragments. Two examples
(No. 8 and another shaft fragment), were evidently
made on a lathe, while the others were handmade.
No. 8. Strata VIV, W864, B6530
Bone hairpin; complete (length 6.5 cm); crafted from
compact bone cortex; smoothed and polished; latheturned, with the lathe indentation on top of the pin head.
The head is shaped in the form of a small drop upon a
protruding collar of five delicate, incised rings. Found
embedded in a wall dated to the Byzantine period.
This type of pin, with a drop-shaped head and a
decorated collar, is very common at Caesarea (c. 75
items), but rare elsewhere. Ayalon tentatively suggests
that this type, and similar examples with drop-shaped
heads, may have been manufactured in Caesarea during
the Roman period (Ayalon 2005: footnote on p. 59).
Parallels: The Temple Mount (Early Roman
Byzantine; Macalister and Duncan 1926: Fig. 180;
Ben-Dov 1982: Ill. on p. 165), Caesarea (Late Roman
Byzantine; Ayalon 2005: Fig. 21:215218), Sepphoris
(Byzantine; Yeivin 1937: Pl. I: Fig. 2).

No. 9. Stratum IV, L664, B5779

Bone needle; fragment; crafted from compact bone
cortex; smoothed and polished. The head is truncated,
and has one drilled hole; the sharp tip is broken and
missing. Originated on an Early Islamic floor.
Parallels: The Temple Mount (Early Roman; Ben-Dov
1982: Ill. on p.165), Caesarea (Roman; Ayalon 2005:
Nos. 104, 105), Sepphoris (Byzantine; Yeivin 1937:
Pl.1: Fig. 2).
No. 10. Strata IXVIII, L789, B9039
Bone rod; shaft fragment; crafted from compact bone
cortex; lightly polished. This object is thick enough to
be considered a rod or a spindle. Found in a fill among
pottery dated to the late Iron Age.
Parallels: The Jewish Quarter (first century CE;
Nenner-Soriano 2010: Pl. 11.1:B12, B13).

Handle (Fig. 17.1:11)

One bone handle was found in Area M1.
No. 11. Phase VB, L744, B8281
Bone handle; fragment (6 cm in length); crafted from
compact bone cortex; cylindrical; smoothed and highly
polished. The handle was lathe-turned, and has a large
lathe indentation on its bottom. The hole for insertion
of the implement was drilled off-center into the bone
cortex from the top, which is not preserved. Close to
the base of the handle are three wide, decorative, latheturned rings. Originated in the make-up of a Byzantine
floor.
Parallels: The Jewish Quarter (Early Roman; Geva
2003: Pl. 13.1:B13; 2006: Pl. 11.1:B11; both are hollow
cylindrical decorated handles), Caesarea (undated;
Ayalon 2005: Fig. 2:14).

Doll (Fig. 17.1:12)

One partial doll was identified. Schematic dolls were
common throughout the Middle East during the Early
Islamic period. They were crafted from long flat bones,
and their features (arms, legs, feet/shoes) were incised
on the bone surface with deep grooves. The dolls are
too schematic for gender to be recognizable.

Chapter 17: The Bone Objects

No. 12. Stratum III, L613, B4636

Bone doll; fragment of the left side (7.5 2.5 cm);
crafted from the diaphysis of a long bone, probably a
metapodial; smoothed, polished and burnished. Incised
diagonal line signifies the left arm, while a central
vertical line defines the legs. A horizontal incision
divides the legs from the feet. Found in a fill containing
pottery ranging from the Early Roman to the Mamluk
periods.
Parallels: Baniyas (Early Islamic; Wilson 2001: Item
65; identified there as a box lid), Caesarea (tenth
eleventh centuries CE; Ayalon 2005: Fig. 34:329),
Yoqneam (Ummayad; Agadi 1996: Fig. XIX.1:79).

Button/Spindle Whorl (Fig. 17.1:13)

One item could possibly be identified as a button or
spindle whorl. These round, squat, conical or planoconvex discs made of bone, stone, glass or wood,
vertically perforated in the center, are a very common
find throughout the periods. Many suggestions have
been raised as to their function (Ayalon and Sorek
1999:28), the most common being buttons (Davidson
1952:296302; Ariel 1990:139) and spindle whorls
(e.g., Oldenburg 1969:118128).
No. 13. Stratum VIIII, L676, B6402
Bone button(?); complete (1 cm diameter); crafted
from compact bone cortex; smoothed and burnished,
decorated with engraved dotted circles linked by
parallel lines, and a bird motif. Found in a drain
channel that was in use from the Early Byzantine to
Abbasid periods.
Parallels: Caesarea (undated; Ayalon 2005: Fig.
7:72, 76), Yoqneam (Early Islamic; Agadi 1996: Fig.
XIX.1:13).

Die (Fig. 17.1:14)

A single die was found in Area M1. Bone game dice
were very popular in Greco-Roman times. Most dice

321

are solid, some are hollow. Bone plugs were used to fill
the natural cavity of the bone from which the hollow
die was crafted, and to maintain the dies weight
balance. The numbers were usually depicted with the
popular dotted-circle motif. Many dice were found in
Roman theaters, and it seems that people used to play
during breaks between the games (Ayalon and Sorek
1999:51).
No. 14. Stratum VI, L643, B5029
Bone die; complete (each face measures 2 sq cm);
hollow; crafted from a complete section (roundel) of a
thick long bone, probably a metapodial. It was squared
using a saw, and the bone cavity was plugged. The plug
was glued in place with a white plaster-like substance.
The numbers were then incised on the six faces using
a cup-shaped drill to make the dotted-circle motif,
and filled with the same white plaster-like substance.
Finally, the die was smoothed and polished. Examples
of a die still preserving the plug glued in place are very
rare (see Ayalon 2005:74, Item 281 is a hollow dice
with two flat plugs on opposing faces). Found in a
Byzantine fill rich in first century BCEfirst century
CE pottery sherds.
Parallels: The Jewish Quarter (Early Roman; Geva
2006: Pl. 11.1:B19), Caesarea (Roman; Ayalon 2005:
Fig. 27:281, 282).

Unidentified Tool (Fig. 17.1:15)

No. 15. Strata VIVB, Balk, B7305
Unidentified bone tool; fragment; crafted from compact
bone cortex; smoothed and polished. This object is
pointed on one end, and has a sharp lateral side that
seems to have been the working edge of a tool. This
sharpened, knife-like edge bares striations that may be
use marks. Below the working edge are the remains
of two broken carved ridges probably for decorative
purpose only. The rest of the object (maybe its handle)
is broken. Found in a balk of a Byzantine stratum. No
parallels are known.

322

Ariel Shatil and Stella Behar

R eferences
Agadi S. 1996. The Bone Objects. In A. Ben-Tor ed.
Yoqneam I: The Late Periods. Jerusalem. Pp. 236238.
Ariel D.T. 1990. Worked Bone and Ivory. In D.T. Ariel.
Excavations at the City of David 19781985, Directed
by Yigal Shiloh II: Imported Stamped Amphora Handles,
Coins, Worked Bone and Ivory and Glass (Qedem 30).
Jerusalem. Pp. 119148.
Ayalon E. 2005. The Assemblage of Bone and Ivory Artifacts
from Caesarea Maritima, Israel 1st13th Centuries CE.
Oxford.
Ayalon E. and Sorek C. 1999. Bare Bones: Ancient Artifacts
from Animal Bones. Tel Aviv (Hebrew; partial English
translation).
Barag D. and Hershkovitz M. 1994. Lamps from Masada.
In J. Aviram, G. Foerster and E. Netzer eds. Masada IV:
The Yigael Yadin Excavations 19631965 Final Reports.
Jerusalem. Pp. 778.
Ben-Dov M. 1982. The Dig at the Temple Mount. Jerusalem
(Hebrew).
Davidson G.R. 1952. Corinth XII: The Minor Objects.
Princeton.
Geva H. 2003. Bone and Ivory Artifacts. In H. Geva ed.
Jewish Quarter Excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem,
Conducted by Nahman Avigad, 19691982 II: The Finds
from Area A, W and X-2. Final Report. Jerusalem. Pp.
343350.
Geva H. 2006. Bone Artifacts. In H. Geva. Jewish Quarter
Excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem, Conducted by
Nahman Avigad, 19691982 III: Area E and Other Studies.
Final Report. Jerusalem. Pp. 266271.

Macalister R.A.S. and Duncan J.G. 1926. Excavations on the

Hill of Ophel, Jerusalem 19231925 (PEFA 4). London.
Meyers E.M., Strange J.F. and Meyers C.L. 1981. Meiron
Excavation Project III: Excavations at Ancient Meiron,
Upper Galilee, Israel 197172, 197475, 1977.
Cambridge, Mass.
Nenner-Soriano R. 2010. Bone Artifacts. In H. Geva.
Jewish Quarter Excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem,
Conducted by Nahman Avigad, 19691982 IV: The
Burnt House of Area B and Other Studies. Final Report.
Jerusalem. Pp. 284286
Oldenburg E. 1969. Les objets en faence, terre-cuite, os
et nacre. In G. Ploug, E. Oldenburg, E. Hammershaimb,
R. Thomsen and F. Lokkegaard eds. Hama, fouilles et
recherches, 19311938 IV, 3. Copenhagen. Pp. 107141.
Rosenthal-Heginbottom R. 2003. Hellenistic and Early
Roman Fine Ware and Lamps from Area A. In H. Geva ed.
Jewish Quarter Excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem,
Conducted by Nahman Avigad, 19691982 II: The Finds
from Area A, W and X2. Final Report. Jerusalem. Pp.
190223.
Stephens J. 2008. Ancient Roman Hairdressing: On (Hair)
pins and Needles. JRA 21:111132.
Tushingham A.D. 1985. Excavations in Jerusalem 1961
1967 I. Toronto.
Wilson J.F. 2001. Rediscovering Caesarea Philippi: The
Ancient City of Pan. Malibu, California.
Yeivin S. 1937. Historical and Archaeological Notes. In L.
Waterman ed. Preliminary Report of the University of
Michigan Excavation at Sepphoris, Palestine, in 1931.
Ann Arbor. Pp. 1734.