Queries & Comments

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PIPE MYSTERIES

Ancient Throat Singer

Thanks for the piece on the mysterious Adena Pipe (“Worldwide,” BAR, May/June 2019). With flexed knees, open mouth, and bulging neck, it may represent a “throat singer” in a ceremonial dance. Relying on rhythm and tone rather than tune, throat singing is a “lost” form of music that can still be sampled among remaining ancient cultures and entertainers, such as the Tuvan throat singers. Or just think of the character Froggy, who did “throat talking” on the Spanky and Our Gang TV series. It is a rare ability that not everyone can accomplish; it would have drawn much honor and attention to the practitioner, making him fully worthy of a statue.

WHOSE HERITAGE?

Do Something!

As an archaeologist and conservator of many years who had represented the Egyptian government concerning repatriation of looted and illegally exported objects, I should respond to your editorial (“Who Owns History?” BAR, May/June 2019). While the Met’s return of the coffin is laudable, not all museums, unfortunately, are willing to return artifacts of doubtful provenance.

I would like to suggest that BAR organize and host an international conference about these matters soon, as the issue is more complicated and urgent than ever, with so much of the world’s cultural heritage being destroyed and lost. I hope you can see your way clear to doing that.

Seems Logical

I agree with you when you say that “the Met got it right.” It seems logical that any important historical artifact discovered anywhere in the world should belong to the country where it was found. This particular issue of BAR is superb. Well, they all are, but especially this one.

FILL ME IN

How Many Kings?

For the question “According to the Bible, how many kings ruled the northern kingdom of Israel?” the answer 19 is given (BAR, May/June 2019). According to the chart “A Harmony of the Books of Kings and Chronicles” in my 2011 Life Application NIV Study Bible, there were 20 kings. In addition to the 19 you listed, Tibni served as king in 885–881 B.C.E., between Zimri and Omri. I’m wondering if the difference is simply due to new research done since the publication of this Bible.

I’m a new subscriber and have been enjoying your magazine immensely. Thank you.

According to 1 Kings 16:8ff, King Elah of Israel was murdered in a conspiracy by Zimri (the commander of chariots), and Omri (the commander of Israel’s army) was declared king by all Israel. Omri then took revenge and besieged Zimri in Tirzah. When Zimri realized he was surrounded, he killed himself. Despite the fact that Omri had been declared king by “all Israel” in 1 Kings 16:16, 1 Kings 16:21 states that some people followed another man named Tibni son of Ganath as king of Israel, that is, until the followers of Omri defeated Tibni. Because of this, some lists name Tibni as a king while others list him as an aspiring usurper.—B.C.

PICTURES(QUE) SYNAGOGUE

High Status Is in H

The cover story “Inside the Huqoq Synagogue” (BAR, May/June 2019) mentions that the letter H (Greek eta) on the garments of the figures was “a symbol of high status in the Roman world.” Could you tell us how that became known? In the mosaics of the Arian Baptistry in Ravenna, Italy, some of Jesus’s disciples are also shown sporting the H.

One also finds other late Roman and Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna showing the letters L, C, N, and R, as well as other letters and non-alphabetical symbols on garments. Jesus is wearing what looks like an inverted L in the Arian mosaics of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Has anyone determined the significance of these other letters?

Maccabean Revolt Depicted

I was fascinated to read about the mosaic floor at Huqoq and believe there could be another interpretation to the panel showing a meeting of leaders above a seated council, with details of a battle at the bottom.

The upper panel could be showing the representative of Antiochus IV presenting a 010sacrifice animal to the people of Modi’in, thus representing Hellenism’s replacement of Judaism. The local Jewish priest Matityahu stabbed the officer to death (as depicted in the mosaic!) and declared a rebellion for the freedom of Jewish religion (hence his finger pointed up). It is tempting to identify the figures behind him with his five sons (Eleazar, Judah, Simon, Jonathan, and Johanan) and other figures. Matityahu’s sons led several successful battles against Antiochus IV. Accordingly, the lower panel is presenting the defeated Seleucid army, which indeed included elephants.

The middle panel presents eight toga-wearing figures and a seated elder holding a document. Nine oil lamps are lit on top of the building. It is tempting to relate this to the tradition of lighting the Hanukkah candelabra. Is this a presentation of the Maccabean dynasty with Matityahu as its founder? The seated figure looks like the figure above, and the other figures’ hairstyles match the hairstyles of the standing figures of the upper panel.

If this is indeed a presentation of the Maccabean Revolt, it is the first time this subject is found in ancient Jewish art! Apparently, Hanukkah was barely celebrated after the Temple was destroyed—perhaps out of fear of the Romans, who might have considered that as a symbol of a rebellion—and accordingly is barely discussed in the Mishna.

Karen Britt and Ra‘anan Boustan Respond: The mosaic may depict or evoke the Maccabean revolt. However, the discrepancies between the representation and textual sources do not support the suggestion that the elephant panel depicts Mattathias’s refusal to offer a “pagan” sacrifice: The central figure dressed in a military breastplate wears items specific to royalty—the corded diadem around his head and purple cloak—indicating that he is a Greek king, not the king’s officer. Moreover, the Jewish high priest is not shown in the act of stabbing him. Typical depictions of the Modi’in episode differ from our elephant mosaic. A panel painting in the Dura/Europos synagogue that has been interpreted as Mattathias killing an apostate Jew or a military commander depicts the priest holding a sword in one hand and grabbing his opponent with the other. That scene pointedly includes an altar and a tent with idols.

Misis Mosaic on the Move

The Misis mosaic mentioned in “Artistic Influences in Synagogue Mosaics” (BAR, May/June 2019) is labeled “Noah’s Ark”—apparently due to the variety of animals. But the Greek words inside the box refer to a container used to carry animals, and its size is just right for the two doves inside, who would be headed to the Temple to be sacrificed. Despite your authors’ claims, the 23 animals (with only the doves represented twice) cannot depict the Noah’s Ark animals, who came in pairs.

Also, the mosaic is no longer in Yaleapinar; it’s been moved to Adama Archaeological Museum.

Unusual Zodiac

The images on the zodiacal calendar that encircle Helios include both the usual 12 zodiacal constellations and the 12 sons or tribes of Israel. It is unusual that these images are arranged in a clockwise direction.

How Did They Do It?

How did the people of old “glue” the mosaic tiles down? They surely were not just set in place with nothing! Any help or insight would be appreciated.

PS: I have enjoyed your publication for years, keep up the good work!

Karen Britt and Ra‘anan Boustan Respond: For floor mosaics, usually three layers of foundation were laid first: compacted local soil and large stones, then a rough lime mortar with small pebbles, and finally a thin upper layer of a fine mortar. 011On top of this foundation came the setting bed—a thin lime mortar layer that held tesserae in place. The image outline was incised or painted in red on the middle foundation layer. A detailed painting of the complete design on the upper layer served as the underpainting—to keep the mosaicists on track with the overall design.

SLAVERY LANGUAGE

Preaching on Slavery

I appreciated Professor Byron’s article “Paul, the Python Girl, and Human Trafficking” (BAR, May/June 2019). Some years ago, I preached on the topic of human trafficking using the Lectionary readings for the day. The Old Testament reading was the selling of Joseph by his brothers. The New Testament reading was, as Professor Byron noted, about the slave-girl. Joseph was sold (i.e., trafficked). I postulated that perhaps the slave-girl had been sold by her parents, just as too many children are sold across the world today. My congregation received the sermon well.

Thank you for the insights BAR brings to many people.

EARLY CONCERNS

Tower of Babel

I am Michael. I am 13.

I just wanted to ask out of my interest, where is the Tower of Babel? It has been my dream to one day find this site. I want to be a biblical archaeologist. Looking forward to a reply!

Michael, thank you for your email. Believe it or not, I asked the same question when I was in school. Unfortunately, the answer is we don’t know, and we don’t know if the Tower of Babel even existed. However, we do think that the story is based on large structures in southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) called ziggurats, which were huge pyramid-like buildings used for worship. As for becoming a biblical archaeologist, you’re on the right track. Keep asking questions and keep reading everything you can, including BAR.—B.C.

PIPE MYSTERIES Ancient Throat Singer Thanks for the piece on the mysterious Adena Pipe (“Worldwide,” BAR, May/June 2019). With flexed knees, open mouth, and bulging neck, it may represent a “throat singer” in a ceremonial dance. Relying on rhythm and tone rather than tune, throat singing is a “lost” form of music that can still be sampled among remaining ancient cultures and entertainers, such as the Tuvan throat singers. Or just think of the character Froggy, who did “throat talking” on the Spanky and Our Gang TV series. It is a rare ability that not everyone can accomplish; it […]