Norma Franklin - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Norma Franklin
Mortals, Deities and Divine Symbols: Rethinking Ancient Images from the Levant to Mesopotamia Studies Offered to Tallay Ornan, 2025
This article proposes that the cone-shaped object held by genii displayed on the walls of Aššurna... more This article proposes that the cone-shaped object held by genii displayed on the walls of Aššurnaṣirpal II's Northwest Palace at Kalḫu is a citron (Citrus medica). This identification was first raised by Emanuel Bonavia in 1870 but then rejected. The Assyrians called the cone-shaped object a purifier (mullilu), and pharmacological research has shown that the citron has important purification and medicinal properties, strengthening the identification. Lastly, an argument is proffered explaining how the citron, known as etrog, arrived in Judah, an essential component in the Succot festival.
In the Highland's Depth , 2023
The site of Samaria-Sebaste has been presumed by archaeologists to have lacked a local water sour... more The site of Samaria-Sebaste has been presumed by archaeologists to have lacked a local water source of its own. Upon reviewing the archaeological data, the excavators' firsthand accounts, maps, and early photographs, it is evident that the site had an on-site water supply throughout all periods of its occupation. This paper demonstrates the existence of a local spring east of the tel at elevation 410 m, as well as a rock-cut stepped tunnel on the western edge of the acropolis, hewn in the ninth century BCE, that descended towards the water table. That is, in contradiction to previous studies, the site of Samaria-Sebaste is shown to have had its own water source.
Keywords: Samaria, Sabastiya, spring, John the Baptist, aqueduct, stepped tunnel, cistern, Omri, Ahab, Samaria building periods I–III
Aššurnaṣirpal II (r. 883-859 b.c.e.) moved his capital from Aššur to the old, long-deserted city ... more Aššurnaṣirpal II (r. 883-859 b.c.e.) moved his capital from Aššur to the old, long-deserted city of Kalḫu, which he proceeded to rebuild. His new official residence, the Northwest Palace, he described as his "palace for eternity." The rooms of the palace had carved stone relief slabs, previously unknown in Assyria. Ten of the, known, rooms had depictions of stylized trees, as well as other figures. This chapter identifies the stylized trees as female date palms and their offshoots-clones of the original tree-together offering a stylized view of a date palm plantation. By exploring the scientific and linguistic data of date palms and the artistic and historical aspects of the reliefs, it appears that Aššurnaṣirpal used this stylized depiction of a date palm plantation as his stemma, an analogy of his unchanging hereditary right to rule.
The Room V Reliefs at Dur-Sharrukin and Sargon II's Western Campaigns
Tel Aviv: Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of …, 1994
The first excavations at Khorsabad were conducted by PE Botta in 1844.The results, illustrated by... more The first excavations at Khorsabad were conducted by PE Botta in 1844.The results, illustrated by the artist ME Flandin, were published in 1849 in five volumes, Monument de Ninive. The excavations were renewed by V. Place in 1852, and the results published by M. Pillet in 1918, Les ...
An Ancient Winery at Jezreel, Israel
Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies , 2020
The discovery, excavation, function, typology, and prob-able date of an ancient winery excavated ... more The discovery, excavation, function, typology, and prob-able date of an ancient winery excavated by the present Jezreel Expedition in 2013 are the focus of this article. Its method of construction and its function are dis-cussed, and a comparison is made with other simple treading installations. The demand for wine is discussed with reference to the military nature of Jezreel dur-ing the period of Assyrian hegemony, and a probable date for the winery's initial use is proposed. The Jezreel winery continued in use until at least the first century CE, when new grape-pressing installations appear in the Byzantine-period village of Jezreel.
Much has been written about the stables of Megiddo Stratum IV since a series of tripartite buildi... more Much has been written about the stables of Megiddo Stratum IV since a series of tripartite buildings were discovered in 1928 during excavations conducted by The Oriental Institute under the direction of P. L. O. Guy. The buildings continued to be identified as Solomon’s Stables until the early 1970s, when Yadin conducted a number of small-scale excavations on behalf of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and dated them down to the 9th century BCE; consequently, they became known as Ahab’s Stables (Yadin 1970; 1976). The Megiddo Expedition of Tel Aviv University launched a large-scale excavation of the site in 1992, and excavations in the area of the northern stables (Area L) were resumed in 1998. The Tel Aviv University excavations resulted in the stables being dated later—yet again—to the 8th cen-tury BCE and cautiously attributed to Jeroboam II (Cantrell and Finkelstein 2006: 644–45; Finkelstein 1999: 63–66).
The Last Days of the Kingdom of Israel Ed. by Hasegawa, Shuichi / Levin, Christoph / Radner, Karen Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 511 ISBN 978-3-11-056660-4 https://www.degruyter.com/view/product/496075, 2018
In 746 BCE, Tiglath-pileser III came to the Assyrian throne as a usurper.¹ His foreign policy was... more In 746 BCE, Tiglath-pileser III came to the Assyrian throne as a usurper.¹ His foreign policy was markedly different to that of his predecessors: he enlarged the area of Assyrian control, annexed former client states and converted them into Assyrian provinces.² His rule marks the beginning of Assyria's imperial phase³ and, significantly, also the beginning of the end of the Kingdom of Israel. The Northern Kingdom rebelled against Assyrian domination circa 734 BCE – an event heralded by the murder of Pekahiah, the son of Menachem, and the accession of Pekah to the Israelite throne in 736 BCE.⁴ Tiglath-pileser responded to the general unrest in the region by conducting three campaigns⁵ to the west, including at least one against Israel, between the years 734 and 732 BCE.⁶ This resulted
ERETZ-ISRAEL. ARCHAEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL STUDIES VOL. 33--THE LAWRENCE E. STAGER VOLUME , 2018
The biblical story of Naboth and his vineyard have come to life in a recent excavation at Jezreel... more The biblical story of Naboth and his vineyard have come to life in a recent excavation at Jezreel, where archaeologists excavated an Iron Age winery at the foot of Tel Jezreel.
Jezreel is actually made up of two sites that were possibly not physically connected but were alm... more Jezreel is actually made up of two sites that were possibly not physically connected but were almost certainly politically connected. The better-known Tel Jezreel is perched on a limestone hilltop that extends from the Gilboa range and commands an unparalleled view over the Jezreel Valley and the ancient international highway that runs through it, the biblical "Way of the Sea" or "Via Maris. " The site sits 100 m above
A description of a Window Balustrade from Ramat Rahel, Israel
Mortals, Deities and Divine Symbols: Rethinking Ancient Images from the Levant to Mesopotamia Studies Offered to Tallay Ornan, 2025
This article proposes that the cone-shaped object held by genii displayed on the walls of Aššurna... more This article proposes that the cone-shaped object held by genii displayed on the walls of Aššurnaṣirpal II's Northwest Palace at Kalḫu is a citron (Citrus medica). This identification was first raised by Emanuel Bonavia in 1870 but then rejected. The Assyrians called the cone-shaped object a purifier (mullilu), and pharmacological research has shown that the citron has important purification and medicinal properties, strengthening the identification. Lastly, an argument is proffered explaining how the citron, known as etrog, arrived in Judah, an essential component in the Succot festival.
In the Highland's Depth , 2023
The site of Samaria-Sebaste has been presumed by archaeologists to have lacked a local water sour... more The site of Samaria-Sebaste has been presumed by archaeologists to have lacked a local water source of its own. Upon reviewing the archaeological data, the excavators' firsthand accounts, maps, and early photographs, it is evident that the site had an on-site water supply throughout all periods of its occupation. This paper demonstrates the existence of a local spring east of the tel at elevation 410 m, as well as a rock-cut stepped tunnel on the western edge of the acropolis, hewn in the ninth century BCE, that descended towards the water table. That is, in contradiction to previous studies, the site of Samaria-Sebaste is shown to have had its own water source.
Keywords: Samaria, Sabastiya, spring, John the Baptist, aqueduct, stepped tunnel, cistern, Omri, Ahab, Samaria building periods I–III
Aššurnaṣirpal II (r. 883-859 b.c.e.) moved his capital from Aššur to the old, long-deserted city ... more Aššurnaṣirpal II (r. 883-859 b.c.e.) moved his capital from Aššur to the old, long-deserted city of Kalḫu, which he proceeded to rebuild. His new official residence, the Northwest Palace, he described as his "palace for eternity." The rooms of the palace had carved stone relief slabs, previously unknown in Assyria. Ten of the, known, rooms had depictions of stylized trees, as well as other figures. This chapter identifies the stylized trees as female date palms and their offshoots-clones of the original tree-together offering a stylized view of a date palm plantation. By exploring the scientific and linguistic data of date palms and the artistic and historical aspects of the reliefs, it appears that Aššurnaṣirpal used this stylized depiction of a date palm plantation as his stemma, an analogy of his unchanging hereditary right to rule.
The Room V Reliefs at Dur-Sharrukin and Sargon II's Western Campaigns
Tel Aviv: Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of …, 1994
The first excavations at Khorsabad were conducted by PE Botta in 1844.The results, illustrated by... more The first excavations at Khorsabad were conducted by PE Botta in 1844.The results, illustrated by the artist ME Flandin, were published in 1849 in five volumes, Monument de Ninive. The excavations were renewed by V. Place in 1852, and the results published by M. Pillet in 1918, Les ...
An Ancient Winery at Jezreel, Israel
Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies , 2020
The discovery, excavation, function, typology, and prob-able date of an ancient winery excavated ... more The discovery, excavation, function, typology, and prob-able date of an ancient winery excavated by the present Jezreel Expedition in 2013 are the focus of this article. Its method of construction and its function are dis-cussed, and a comparison is made with other simple treading installations. The demand for wine is discussed with reference to the military nature of Jezreel dur-ing the period of Assyrian hegemony, and a probable date for the winery's initial use is proposed. The Jezreel winery continued in use until at least the first century CE, when new grape-pressing installations appear in the Byzantine-period village of Jezreel.
Much has been written about the stables of Megiddo Stratum IV since a series of tripartite buildi... more Much has been written about the stables of Megiddo Stratum IV since a series of tripartite buildings were discovered in 1928 during excavations conducted by The Oriental Institute under the direction of P. L. O. Guy. The buildings continued to be identified as Solomon’s Stables until the early 1970s, when Yadin conducted a number of small-scale excavations on behalf of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and dated them down to the 9th century BCE; consequently, they became known as Ahab’s Stables (Yadin 1970; 1976). The Megiddo Expedition of Tel Aviv University launched a large-scale excavation of the site in 1992, and excavations in the area of the northern stables (Area L) were resumed in 1998. The Tel Aviv University excavations resulted in the stables being dated later—yet again—to the 8th cen-tury BCE and cautiously attributed to Jeroboam II (Cantrell and Finkelstein 2006: 644–45; Finkelstein 1999: 63–66).
The Last Days of the Kingdom of Israel Ed. by Hasegawa, Shuichi / Levin, Christoph / Radner, Karen Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 511 ISBN 978-3-11-056660-4 https://www.degruyter.com/view/product/496075, 2018
In 746 BCE, Tiglath-pileser III came to the Assyrian throne as a usurper.¹ His foreign policy was... more In 746 BCE, Tiglath-pileser III came to the Assyrian throne as a usurper.¹ His foreign policy was markedly different to that of his predecessors: he enlarged the area of Assyrian control, annexed former client states and converted them into Assyrian provinces.² His rule marks the beginning of Assyria's imperial phase³ and, significantly, also the beginning of the end of the Kingdom of Israel. The Northern Kingdom rebelled against Assyrian domination circa 734 BCE – an event heralded by the murder of Pekahiah, the son of Menachem, and the accession of Pekah to the Israelite throne in 736 BCE.⁴ Tiglath-pileser responded to the general unrest in the region by conducting three campaigns⁵ to the west, including at least one against Israel, between the years 734 and 732 BCE.⁶ This resulted
ERETZ-ISRAEL. ARCHAEOLOGICAL, HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL STUDIES VOL. 33--THE LAWRENCE E. STAGER VOLUME , 2018
The biblical story of Naboth and his vineyard have come to life in a recent excavation at Jezreel... more The biblical story of Naboth and his vineyard have come to life in a recent excavation at Jezreel, where archaeologists excavated an Iron Age winery at the foot of Tel Jezreel.
Jezreel is actually made up of two sites that were possibly not physically connected but were alm... more Jezreel is actually made up of two sites that were possibly not physically connected but were almost certainly politically connected. The better-known Tel Jezreel is perched on a limestone hilltop that extends from the Gilboa range and commands an unparalleled view over the Jezreel Valley and the ancient international highway that runs through it, the biblical "Way of the Sea" or "Via Maris. " The site sits 100 m above
A description of a Window Balustrade from Ramat Rahel, Israel
Fit for a King: The Tombs of the Kings of Israel
The Capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel: From inception to destruction
The Proto-Aeolic Capitals from Samaria and Gerizim: A Different Perspective.
Grace Mary Crowfoot and her four daughters
From Proto-Aeolic Capitals to Date Palms: A New Look at the Tree of Life and Archaeological Evidence of its' Cult (Iron Age II)
From Proto-Aeolic Capitals to Date Palms: A New Look at the Tree of Life
Phoenix dactylifera L.: Connecting Archaeology and Dates
The Acropolis of Samaria in the Iron Age
The Volute Motif
Ivories, votive capitals, stele, and beyond: The origin of the proto-ionic or volute motif and it... more Ivories, votive capitals, stele, and beyond:
The origin of the proto-ionic or volute motif and its evolution
The volute motif has previously been recognized as a stylized version of a date palm, the tree of life. However until now the key botanical rationale that gave rise to this relationship has not been understood. This paper will explain the naissance of the volute motif and illuminate its significant emblematic function in the art and architecture of the Ancient Near East.
Encyclopedia of Material Culture in the Biblical World: A New Biblisches Reallexikon. In. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck.
Proof Encyclopedia article on Building materials in the ancient near east