ESDRAELA: THE CERAMIC RECORD FROM A SETTLEMENT OF HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN TIMES TO LATE ANTIQUITY IN PALESTINE

The site of Tel Jezreel overlooking the Jezreel Valley has been settled from Neolithic times to the 20th century. There is evidence of a thriving settlement reflecting eastern Roman provincial culture from the Hellenistic period into Late Antiquity into the eighth century AD. Growing of vines in the vicinity and wine production probably continued from the Iron Age period and there is evidence of several wine presses from the early Byzantine period along with abundant wine jar pottery sherds. Pottery evidence reflects the use of terra sigillata and Late Roman Fine Ware for table ware and of cooking vessels and trasport amphorae. Wine was imported in Hellenistic times with several stamped and dateable Rhodian jar handles recorded.