Four Israelite Limestone Weights, Iron Age III - II, ca. 7th - 6th century BCE

Four Israelite Limestone Weights, Iron Age III - II, ca. 7th - 6th century BCE

RM2202b

Regular price¥181,900
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Four Israelite Limestone Weights, Iron Age III - II, ca. 7th - 6th century BCE
DC Location

Pickup available, usually ready in 2 hours

1002 Wisconsin Ave NW
Front store
Washington DC 20007
United States

+12023420518

Carved from smooth pale limestone, the smaller three of rounded cubic form and the largest of spherical form. 

These cubic-spheroid stone objects were used as ancient scale weights in a weighing system employed by the common people in the markets of ancient Israel during the Iron Age I and II periods. The rural population of ancient Israel adopted a local archaic measurement system for weight and barter, which facilitated early trade and other economic activities. This system was commonly utilized in markets for buying and selling various edible goods, such as flour and groats (grits). While groats can be measured by volume, flour must be weighed to differentiate between fine flour and coarse flour (semolina). Additionally, food items like salt, meat, and fish, as well as non-edible products such as metal ores, were more effectively traded by weight.

The ancient system continued to be used and even spread to neighboring areas, such as Ugarit and possibly Cyprus, alongside the introduction of Canaanite and other foreign weight systems. These included Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Anatolian, and the newly developed Judean weight systems, all during the Late Iron Age II period (approximately the 7th to 6th centuries BC). The archaic scale weight was likely still in use during the Persian, Hellenistic, and possibly even Roman periods.

After the Iron Age, stones that were once used as weights were often repurposed, as seen with the cubic-spheroid stones found at the Betar fortress, which were repurposed into weapons during the Roman period. 

Dimensions: Largest: 3/4 inch (1.9 cm), Smallest: 1/2 inch (1.27 cm)

Condition:  Intact and in excellent condition overall.

Provenance:  Private collection of Ambassador Morris Draper ( 1928-2005) and Mrs. Roberta Hornig Draper ( 1933-2021) acquired in Israel in the 1970s.

Ambassador Morris Draper, was a career diplomat and member of the State Department's Foreign Service for over 35 years. Ambassador Draper served the Department of State and the American people faithfully in diplomatic postings in the Near East, Europe, and East Asia, including as Consul General in Jerusalem and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He was a key player in the Camp David Peace Accords and the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979. From 1981-1983, he served as President Reagan's Special Middle East Envoy in negotiations regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon. In many ways our current efforts on behalf of a peaceful, sovereign, independent Lebanon build upon the work Ambassador Draper began over two decades ago.

Sands of Time provides a lifetime, unconditional guarantee of authenticity and provenance. Every object you purchase from us is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, stating culture, provenance, and age.

Furthermore, we conduct due diligence to ensure the item, to the best of our knowledge, has not been illegally obtained from an excavation, architectural monument, public institution, or private property. Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.

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