Patrick Scott-Geyer | University of San Diego (original) (raw)

Conference Presentations by Patrick Scott-Geyer

The wall plasters of the three industrial vats running in a line due south and adjacent to the ne... more The wall plasters of the three industrial vats running in a line due south and adjacent to the newly discovered 1 st century Magdala synagogue had core samples taken from their plasters midway down both their northern and southern walls, for a total of six samples (two from each of the three vats). What follows is the final laboratory report on the fossil pollen extracted from these samplings. My work related to pollen analysis at Magdala commenced in July of 2019, while I was working as the team leader for the University of San Diego Field School and as the site archaeobotanist on the Hippos Excavations. During this period, I availed myself of the opportunity to sample the (well preserved) plasters of the small industrial complex adjacent to the 1 st century Synagogue at Magdala, Israel. The results of this study reveal a small cottage industry of flax processing on an individual or family level. The plasters of Magdala, as this report will confirm, are full of recoverable fossil pollen and have and will continue to provide a ready resource for present and future pollen data relating to both historic anthropogenic activity and environmental impact at the site and in this specific case, in the area adjacent to and part of the Magdala Synagogue community. Such archaeobotanical studies, while not commonly done, as shown here, can deepen and expand our knowledge of ancient economical practices, and in this case those of the 1 st century, that supported both the individuals who plied their trades and the religious institutions of their community that they in turn supported.

Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2024

In the winters of 2014 and 2015 core samples were taken from the plaster linings of fourteen of t... more In the winters of 2014 and 2015 core samples were taken from the plaster linings of fourteen of the main large pools excavated at the archaeological site of Shikmona, on the northern coast of Israel within the confines of the municipality of modern day Haifa. In their construction these structures are clearly closely concentrated industrial pools. The purpose of this sampling was to gain further insights into the function and possibly the processes associated with these ancient installations by undertaking a fossil pollen analysis of these fourteen plaster samples (one sample core was taken from each of the fourteen pools selected for this study and two additional samples were taken from the Byzantine church for comparison). The laboratory extraction and subsequent analysis of these pollen samples from Shikmona revealed that there is a very strong probabilty that they were primarily utilized for soaking flax stems during the retting stage of processing flax fibers into tow; a necessary step prior to the final stage of weaving them into linen. The fuller picture that the results of these sixteen samples provide us with can be characterized as both expected and unexpected. An inclusive look at the layout of these pools and the fossil pollen recovered from the plasters lining them gives us a uniqique perspective of the economy underlining the coastal trading city state of Shikmona in the Greco-Roman period. The fact that the pools stretch under the later Byzantine Basilica, allows us to approximately date the pools to the period that proceeds it (1 st through 3 rd century CE). What follows is a final report on the sixteen fossil pollen samples taken from all fourteen of the pools sampled from the Greco-Roman period at Shikmona, Israel.

ARAM Society for Syro-Mesopotamian Studies Conference, Oxford, 2022

“The Materia Medica Of Monastic Health Care At Hippos Palaistines” Mark Schuler Concordia Univers... more “The Materia Medica Of Monastic Health Care At Hippos Palaistines”
Mark Schuler
Concordia University, St. Paul, USA
Patrick Scott Geyer
University of San Diego, USA

Previous publication has suggested that the diakonikon of the Northeast Church at Hippos Palaistinēs may have served as a monastic infirmary.1 This paper returns to that hypothesis. In Part 1, the paper reviews archaeological findings yielding the hypothesis. Part 2 advances the theory by presenting evidence for the use of materia medica in this facility. Specifically, the paper discusses preliminary pollen analysis of diakonikon herbals. In Part 3, these findings are compared with literary references to the use of herbals in early monastic health care. Part 4 posits situations that may have created a need for such health care.

ASOR Conference Chicago, 2023

Since January of 2010 pollen sampling and analysis of structures and the ceramic artifacts recove... more Since January of 2010 pollen sampling and analysis of structures and the ceramic artifacts recovered from them within excavations throughout the Galilee region have been an ongoing project sponsored jointly by the Israeli Antiquities Authority and the universities of Haifa and San Diego. This paper focuses primarily on fossil pollen recovered by pollen washes from ceramic storage vessels associated with the four adjacent, but separate, burial caves excavated in the heart of Nazareth. However, a secondary focus of this work will be the gradual transformation of burial rituals within Israel from the Early Bronze to the Late Roman periods. It is the belief of the authors, that fossil pollen recovered from ancient artifacts and structures has and will continue to provide essential economic and anthropogenic perspectives to new and ongoing archaeological research. This study serves as an example of this approach.

14th European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association, Coimbra Portugal, 2002

Beginning in 1999, coprolite soil samples were collected from the skeletal remains of Moche Giant... more Beginning in 1999, coprolite soil samples were collected from the skeletal remains of Moche Giants excavated at the archaeological site of Dos Cabezas, northern Peru. In 2000, a pilot palynological study was undertaken to ascertain if pollen was recoverable from them. The results of this study encouraged us to form a student team to continue the laboratory research. It was also decided to sample as many of the excavated skeletal remains from the Giant's tombs as possible. Following the 2001 field season a palynological study was performed on the three individuals (one adult Giant and two children) recovered from Tomb 3 in 1999. Pollen was extracted and analyzed. The combined results of this archaeobotanical study are significant and in one instance have led us into insights into the possible causes of death of these three contemporaneous internments. This report represents only the preliminary results of this ongoing research.

American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), 2023

Since January of 2010 pollen sampling and analysis of the water system structures underlying anci... more Since January of 2010 pollen sampling and analysis of the water system structures underlying ancient Jerusalem's City of David (Ir David) excavations have been an ongoing project sponsored jointly by the universities of Haifa and San Diego. These have included Channel II, the Siloam Tunnel, the Siloam Pool, the Stepped Street and herein, as a final project, The Rock Cut Pool. This paper focuses primarily on fossil pollen recovered by pollen washes from ceramic storage vessels associated with the structure known as The Rock Cut Pool. However, a secondary focus of this work will be to place these latest findings in the context of the previous results from pollen extracted from plasters lining the surrounding structures, of which they are an integral part. It is the belief of the authors, that fossil pollen recovered from ancient artifacts and structures has and will continue to provide essential economic and anthropogenic perspectives to new and ongoing archaeological research.

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria, Early Christianity and the Ancient Economy program unit

During the eleventh season of excavations at Hippos, Israel (July 2010) a singleniche fountain wa... more During the eleventh season of excavations at Hippos, Israel (July 2010) a singleniche fountain was uncovered within the confines of the northern plaza of a peristyle house ("House of Tyche"). The pool of this fountain was filled by a pipe passing through a shared wall from a water catch basin to the east. A second source of water came from a catch basin on the east side of the east wall of the house. The water is routed through the wall by a pipe and then flows through a channel across and down to the pool of the fountain. Both catch basins were fed with runoff from the roof. To the east of the fountain is a second self-contained pool. Its water source was apparently a cistern located immediately to the west between this upper pool and the lower pool. The plaster lining of both the lower pool and the upper pool were subsequently sampled for the purposes of fossil pollen analysis. The results of this pollen analysis are reported upon here. The authors make the argument that the strong percentages of flax pollen recovered from these samples, along with the architectural features of the fountain suggest that this structure, along with a third pool partially uncovered in the northern baulk of the plaza, were utilized as flax pools. This is further evidence for a flax or linen industry being present in the Sea of Galilee region from the beginning of the 1 st century CE well into the 4 th century when Hippos was well established as a Christian polis.

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria, Ancient Near East program unit

This study focuses on fossil pollen samples taken from plasters lining Channel II and the Siloam ... more This study focuses on fossil pollen samples taken from plasters lining Channel II and the Siloam Tunnel as well as on mortar samples from their respective termini at the Dam wall and Siloam Pool of ancient Jerusalem. Behavioral and environmental interpretations of the pollen record suggest that though cultivar pollens make up a substantial proportion of the pollen spectrum, they are proportionally unchanging over time, which suggests a shift from an independent agricultural polis with its own nearby sources of cultivars to a religious capital dependent on tithes of food stuffs from further afield.

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria Early Christianity and the Ancient Economy program unit, 2022

My work related to pollen analysis in Jerusalem commenced in December of 2009, when sampling of p... more My work related to pollen analysis in Jerusalem commenced in December of 2009, when sampling of plasters underlying the Siloam Pool and of mortar between the stones of the Iron Age Dam took place. During this period, I also availed myself of the opportunity to sample the (well preserved) plasters of Channel II and the Siloam Tunnel (Geyer and Reich forthcoming). However, in many ways this research began in the summer of 1996 with the sampling of the plasters of the temple and granary at Bethsaida-Julias (Geyer 2000), was continued with the sampling of the plasters of the Basilica at Gamla (Geyer 2015), and the sampling of plasters associated with several of the many industrial structures at Hippos (Geyer 2010, 2011 and 2015), and now continues here with the further sampling of the subterranean water structures of 1st century Jerusalem, which is the subject of this report. In short, archaeological plasters are ideal repositories of ancient pollen, whether those plasters appear within the structures of Bethsaida, Gamla, Hippos or here in Jerusalem. More to the point, Jerusalem, so long as the plasters continue to be preserved, is a gold mine when it comes to such archaeological plasters. The plasters of Jerusalem, as this report will confirm, are full of recoverable fossil pollen and have and will continue to provide a ready resource for present and future pollen data relating to both historic anthropogenic activity and environmental impact at the site.
As afore mentioned, Channel II and the Siloam Tunnel, which include, respectively, the Bronze Age Dam and Siloam Pool, were fully sampled and have already been reported upon and will soon see publication. However, as a continuation of this work, the surviving plasters from the lower, southern end of the 1st century water drainage channel that runs under and along the western side of the 1st century Stepped Street were also sampled and are the subject of this report.

Society of Biblical Literature Pacific Regional Conference, Bible and the Near East program unit, 2022

This study focuses on pollen samples taken from plasters lining the Canaanite Water Channel and S... more This study focuses on pollen samples taken from plasters lining the Canaanite Water Channel and Siloam Tunnel as well as on mortar samples from their respective termini at the Dam wall and Siloam Pool of ancient Jerusalem. Behavioral and environmental interpretations of the pollen record suggest that though cultivar pollens make up a large proportion of the pollen spectrum, they are proportionally unchanging over time, which suggests a shift from an independent agricultural polis with its own nearby sources of cultivars to a religious capital dependent on tithes of food stuffs from further afield.

This work is the outcome of an initial pollen study I undertook in September of 2009 to sample th... more This work is the outcome of an initial pollen study I undertook in September of 2009 to sample the previously excavated wine presses within an industrial complex located just south of the North West Church in the Late Roman levels of the Decapolis site of Hippos-Sussita. The results of the initial 18 pollen samplings taken during this period are reported upon, as a preliminary report, in Hippos-Sussita Tenth Season Of Excavations: July and September 2009 (Geyer 2009). This initial study led the author to further investigations of both the adjacent enclosed courtyard and olive oil press where an additional 12 samples were taken. The courtyard and the olive oil press, together with the wine presses, complete this enclosed Late Roman industrial complex. These further findings are reported in Hippos-Sussita Eleventh Season Of Excavations 2010 (Geyer 2010). Both of these projects were undertaken during my 2009-2010 sabbatical year at the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, and are the subject of this paper. The initial 2009 study of the wine press structures provided unexpected data in the form of the singular concentrations of both terebinth (Pistacia) and grain pollen within the plasters of the western wine press. The presence of the latter species opened the door to further study of this Late Roman industrial complex. The picture we have now, though by no means complete, is of an industrial complex where wine, olive oil and grain, the food triune of the eastern Mediterranean, were processed within a single small enclosed space. Now that we can what perspectives are to be gained by such endeavors, perhaps we can be more open to employing the long established techniques of pollen analysis for such studies of ancient economies.

In the spring of 2010 modern day residential expansion led to the clearing of agricultural land o... more In the spring of 2010 modern day residential expansion led to the clearing of agricultural land on the slopes above the traditional site of ancient 1 st century Cana. Prior to digging the foundations for a new house a small archaeological crew from Israel Antiquities Authority, headed by Yardenna Alexandre, was called in to first survey and then excavate the footprint of the proposed structure. What was revealed upon excavation was a small industrial complex containing three workrooms, a cistern, a small pool for mixing clay and three, possibly more, pottery kilns. During the few weeks that these 1 st Century structures were once again open to our view, pollen samples were taken from first the plaster floors and then later from select pieces of the recovered pottery. Both of these projects were undertaken during my 2009-2010 sabbatical year at the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, and are the subject of this paper and an upcoming coauthored article. Eight of the pollen samples were taken from the workrooms, cistern and pool, which reveal the work patterns of the potters. Eight more samples were taken from a pile of small jugs found stacked in one of the rooms, which small jugs, along with some storage jars recovered in situ from the interiors of the kilns, were the only pottery types found within the industrial complex. This is in stark contrast to Kefar Hananya typology where we find primarily a manufacture of cookware. The results of these two small studies give us a window into the economy of 1 st century Cana, as well as providing us with a more detailed analysis of the specialization and structuring of pottery manufacturing throughout the entire Galilean region.

Though the focus of this paper will be on the pollen recovered from soil samples taken from the ... more Though the focus of this paper will be on the pollen recovered from soil samples taken from the floors of both the first century CE 'temple-granary complex' and the "Iron Age Gate" structures, further evidence for economic tithing will also be presented from soon to be published data recovered from the 'basilica' structure at Gamla, as well as from unpublished data from pollen washes of pithoi from the first century CE village site of Bab el Hawa and the Kinneret cores. It is hoped that the findings presented will demonstrate the usefulness of archaeobotanical research in understanding the pointedly agricultural basis of past civilizations.

During the 1999 field season, soil samples were collected from the site of Lagina near Turgut in ... more During the 1999 field season, soil samples were collected from the site of Lagina near Turgut in southwest Turkey. Samples were taken from above, within and below the plaster floor of the original temple to Hecate, which predates the destruction by Quintus Labienus in 40 BCE. Following collection, the samples were sent by Dr. Ahmet Adil Tirpan of Konya University, the project director, to the pollen laboratory at the University of San Diego. In January of 2000, a pilot palynological study was undertaken to ascertain if pollen was recoverable from them. The results of this study netted a spectrum of twenty distinct pollen types representing a pollen signature that the author contends, portrays the temple culture at the site in the guise of its tithes and offerings in the period preceding the destruction by Labienus in 40 BCE.

In February of 2004 a total of eight core soil samples were taken from the floors of two previous... more In February of 2004 a total of eight core soil samples were taken from the floors of two previously excavated residential cellars at the 1st Century archaeological site of Gamla. This breaks down to four samples from two level depths of five and ten centimeters taken from each of the cellar floors of these two dwellings in Area R of Gamla. While it is clear that more samples need to be extracted at a future time, both from these two cellars and from others known to have been excavated, this will not prevent the author from offering this report as a preliminary effort. Especially as such a report might give us a hint as to what information is still to be gleaned from the cellars of Gamla that will undoubtedly widen our picture of 1st Century residential life in Israel. As samples representative of foods stored in a typical 1 st Century Greco-Roman single-family residence they give us a unique glimpse into the staple diet of a family from this region and period. The validity of these samples is argued from comparison to modern control samples and from the capping of these cellars that resulted from the historical destruction of Gamla by the Roman General Vespacian in 67 C.E. as reported by Josephus. Based upon such an argument, the types of plants tabulated from these samples offer us an unprecedented virtual tour of not one, but two 1 st Century cellars. Such well-stocked cellars provided many, if not all, of the essential ingredients from which the meals of the 1 st Century eastern Mediterranean family were produced. Though referenced in the third and final volume of the Gamla site report, this is the first time the preliminary results of these samplings are being fully reported on to an academic audience.

“The Presence Of Maize In Coastal Southern California: A Comparison Of Archaeological Palynology ... more “The Presence Of Maize In Coastal Southern California:
A Comparison Of Archaeological Palynology Of Three Native American Sites: San Diego County, California”
Abstract
This research adds an important component to an otherwise meager palynological database for archaeological sites in Southern California. It also speaks to the question of whether Native Americans in this region are to be typified as hunter-gatherers, sedentary farmers, or a combination of the two.
Control soil samples were collected from three known Native American sites along major rivers in San Diego County, California. Fossil pollen was extracted from these samples in order to determine the impact of human occupation on these sites throughout history. Both pre- and post-contact anthropogenic presence was evidenced by the recovery of food species such as bean, maize, grape and olive. Changes observed in the percentiles for tree, grass and weed pollen over time was a further indication of human impact on these sites. Most importantly, the results of this study argue for an extension of maize culture boundaries beyond the confines of the Colorado River and west to the Pacific Coast of San Diego.

Publications by Patrick Scott-Geyer

ARAM Periodical Volume 34, 2022

Previous publication has suggested that the diakonikon of the Northeast Church at Hippos Palaisti... more Previous publication has suggested that the diakonikon of the Northeast Church at Hippos Palaistinēs may have served as a monastic infirmary.1 This paper returns to that hypothesis. In Part 1, the paper reviews archaeological findings yielding the hypothesis. Part 2 advances the theory by presenting evidence for the use of materia medica in this facility. Specifically, the paper discusses preliminary pollen analysis of diakonikon herbals. In Part 3, these findings are compared with literary references to the use of herbals in early monastic health care. Part 4 posits situations that may have created a need for such health care.

Hippos-Sussita of the Decapolis, The First Twelve Seasons of Excavations, 2018

My work in relation to pollen analysis at Hippos commenced in September 2009. Archaeological plas... more My work in relation to pollen analysis at Hippos commenced in September 2009. Archaeological plasters are ideal repositories of ancient pollen, whether those plasters appear within the structures of Bethsaida, Gamla, Hippos or in Jerusalem (Geyer forthcoming). Hippos is a "gold mine" when it comes to such plasters from archaeological contexts. The plasters of Hippos, as this chapter will relate, are full of recoverable fossil pollen, and are and will continue to be a ready resource for present and future pollen data relating to historical anthropogenic activity at the site.

This chapter in the final volume publication on 1st century Gamla represents the author's work on... more This chapter in the final volume publication on 1st century Gamla represents the author's work on pollen analysis within the structures and associated ceramic storage vessels chosen for analysis at the site between 1999 and 2010.

Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2024

ARAM Society for Syro-Mesopotamian Studies Conference, Oxford, 2022

ASOR Conference Chicago, 2023

14th European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association, Coimbra Portugal, 2002

American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), 2023

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria, Early Christianity and the Ancient Economy program unit

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria, Ancient Near East program unit

Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting Salzburg, Austria Early Christianity and the Ancient Economy program unit, 2022

Society of Biblical Literature Pacific Regional Conference, Bible and the Near East program unit, 2022

ARAM Periodical Volume 34, 2022

Hippos-Sussita of the Decapolis, The First Twelve Seasons of Excavations, 2018

Overview This article addresses the important role that archaeological field and laboratory techn... more Overview This article addresses the important role that archaeological field and laboratory techniques play in preserving and restoring an historic San Diego landmark, La Casa de Machado y Stewart. Two separate archaeological excavations were undertaken by two local universities almost thirty-five years apart in an attempt to help the California State Department of Parks and Recreation historically renovate the dilapidated residence and recreate the gardens surrounding it with flora appropriate for the period. The recovery of olive and grape pollen during the latter excavation provided evidence for the continued presence of Spanish and Anglo-American agricultural enterprises in Old Town San Diego. Furthermore, statistically significant amounts of Zea mays (maize) and Phaseolus sp. (bean) pollen suggest the existence of pre-contact Native American agriculture.

Palynolo,gical research at Bethsaida, Isrzel, was desi,gned to test conventional wisdom re,gardin... more Palynolo,gical research at Bethsaida, Isrzel, was desi,gned to test conventional wisdom re,gardin,g pollen preservation in Levantine archaeolo,gical deposits, and to demonstrate the potential of palynolo,gical data for interpretations of behavior. Controlprocedures that detected an ewor in the normal pollen-enctraction process allowed us to fglfill the first objective. The latter objective was achieved by application of an interdisciplinary approach to pollen sample collection. This "strate,gic approach" inte,grates evaluation of the ways cultural patterns may be expressed in palynolo,gical data with an appreciation of the samplin,g opportunities ensposed as site excavation proceeds. It thus combines archaeolo,gical and palynolo,gical enspertise. This study focuses on pollen samples dated by associated architecture to the late Roman Period occupation of biblical Bethsaida, (ca. 30 A.C.). Behavioral interpretations of the pollen record su,g,gest commercialJlax production was a si,gnificant aspect of a conscious reli-,gio-economic policy implemented by Philip in the tetrarchy he inherited fi^om Herod the Great. We do not consider, however, its interpretations to be the si,gnificant contribution made by the study. We sx,gKgest it is si,gnificant because it demonstrates the value of includin,g pollen studies as a re,gular toolfor examinin,g behavior at Near Eastern sites. A further implication is thatfailure to collect and curate pollen samplesfitom such sites amounts to unethical destruction of a form of archaeolo,gical data.

The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 2012

The story of flax processing in the western world begins in the rabbinic traditions surrounding t... more The story of flax processing in the western world begins in the rabbinic traditions surrounding the story of Cain and Abel, Cain's offering being that of flax, while Abel's having been the more favorable one of wool.
Special note: This peer reviewed article appears in Wiley's Encyclopedia of Ancient History, which is available both online and as a publication. It was solicited by them due to my thesis work being on the origins of First Century Eastern Mediterranean flax industry in Israel.

T his work began as part of a two week excavation scheduled in September of 2009 to further uncov... more T his work began as part of a two week excavation scheduled in September of 2009 to further uncover architectural elements of the Early Roman odeum at Hippos-Sussita. During my participation in these excavations, I availed myself of an opportunity to sample the previously excavated winery complex. The results of the pollen samplings taken during this period are briefly presented here, as a preliminary report, but will subsequently be reported on in full, after a further analysis of these preliminary findings is complete. This work was undertaken as part of my sabbatical year at the Zinman.

A paper entitles "University of San Diego Palynological Investigation of the Dos Cabezas Giants" ... more A paper entitles "University of San Diego Palynological Investigation of the Dos Cabezas Giants" presented at the 2002 European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, resulted in a 2003 peer reviewed journal article of the same title (see the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 13, Issue 5, September-October). Subsequently, this article was reviewed by Dr. Vaughn Bryant of Texas A & M. What follows is the author’s response to Bryant’s review. For a full peer edited version of this reply see the letters section of the 2007 edition of the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 17, Issue 4, August.

This work summarizes findings from pollen analysis of core samplings taken from the floor plast... more This work summarizes findings from pollen analysis of core samplings taken from the floor plasters of the Roman temple granary complex at Bethsaida/Julias in 1996, which were the basis of my graduate thesis at Arizona State University in 1998.

This work covers pollen analysis from samples taken from the floor plasters of the four chambered... more This work covers pollen analysis from samples taken from the floor plasters of the four chambered Iron Age gate and palace at et-Tell between 1996 and 2006. For a more fully edited version see chapter 7 in Bethsaida: A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee, Volume Four, Truman State University Press.

Pollen analysis of the floors of the temple and granary of Bethsaida/Julias are presented, along ... more Pollen analysis of the floors of the temple and granary of Bethsaida/Julias are presented, along with secondary source material from the written record, as evidence to support the author's argument for the pursuit of a policy of "Romanization" on the part of Philip within the period of his tetrarchy.

University of San Diego Lab Report, 2017

My work related to pollen analysis at Hippos commenced in September of 2009, when further excavat... more My work related to pollen analysis at Hippos commenced in September of 2009, when further excavations of the early Roman Odeion were taking place. During this period, I availed myself of the opportunity to sample the (well preserved) plasters of the Winery Complex, adjacent to the Northwest Church (Geyer 2009). However, in many ways this research began in the summer of 1996 with the sampling of the plasters of the temple and granary at Bethsaida/Julias (Geyer 2001), was continued with the sampling of the plasters of the Basilica at Gamla (Geyer 2017), and now continues here with the sampling of plasters associated with several of the structures at Hippos (Geyer 2010, 2011, 2017), to include the preliminary samples taken from the plasters of the floor and recessed shelf of the Diakonikon of the Northeast Church, which is the subject of this report. In short, archaeological plasters are ideal repositories of ancient pollen, whether those plasters appear within the structures of Bethsaida, Gamla, Hippos or in Jerusalem (Geyer forthcoming). More to the point, Hippos is a gold mine when it comes to such archaeological plasters. The plasters of Hippos, as this report will confirm, are full of
recoverable fossil pollen and have and will continue to provide a ready resource for present and future pollen data relating to both historic anthropogenic activity and environmental impact at the site.

Pollen Analysis of the Industrial Vats in the Magdala Synagogue Area: University of San Diego Laboratory Report Magdala Excavation Project, 2022

This work involves pollen analysis of core samples of the plasters lining three industrial vats a... more This work involves pollen analysis of core samples of the plasters lining three industrial vats adjacent to the 1st century synagogue of Magdala, Israel. The results of the archaeobotanical samplings provide valuable insights into both the anthropogenic economic activities in the ancient Galilean city, but also reveal much as to its surrounding environment.

My work related to pollen analysis in Jerusalem commenced in December of 2009, when sampling of p... more My work related to pollen analysis in Jerusalem commenced in December of 2009, when sampling of plasters underlying the Siloam Pool and of mortar between the stones of the Iron Age Dam took place. During this period, I also availed myself of the opportunity to sample the (well preserved) plasters of the Bronze Age Channel and Siloam Tunnel (Geyer and Reich forthcoming). However, in many ways this research began in the summer of 1996 with the sampling of the plasters of the temple and granary at Bethsaida-Julias (Geyer 2000), was continued with the sampling of the plasters of the Basilica at Gamla (Geyer 2015), and the sampling of plasters associated with several of the many industrial structures at Hippos (Geyer 2010, 2011 and 2015), and now continues here with the further sampling of the subterranean water structures of 1st century Jerusalem, which is the subject of this report. In short, archaeological plasters are ideal repositories of ancient pollen, whether those plasters appear within the structures of Bethsaida, Gamla, Hippos or here in Jerusalem. More to the point, Jerusalem, so long as the plasters continue to be preserved, is a gold mine when it comes to such archaeological plasters. The plasters of Jerusalem, as this report will confirm, are full of recoverable fossil pollen and have and will continue to provide a ready resource for present and future pollen data relating to both historic anthropogenic activity and environmental impact at the site.
As afore mentioned, the Bronze Age Channel and the Siloam Tunnel, which include, respectively, the Bronze Age Dam and Siloam Pool, were fully sampled and have already been reported upon and will soon see publication. However, as a continuation of this work, the surviving plasters from the lower, southern end of the 1st century water drainage channel that runs under and along the western side of the 1st century stepped street were also sampled and are the subject of this report.

Five core samples were taken from the surviving plasters of the Iron Age II Siloam Tunnel on Marc... more Five core samples were taken from the surviving plasters of the Iron Age II Siloam Tunnel on March 24, 2010, in the City of David Archaeological Park in Jerusalem. The reasoning behind sampling these surviving plasters has much to do with the type of material to be sampled. Though the opportunity afforded by my association with Dr. Ronny Reich to do such sampling was an essential ingredient in facilitating this research and I thank him for it. My past research had led me to believe that plasters are good repositories of the pollens that they come into contact with. If useful palynological information could be recovered from plasters like those at Bethsaida, Gamla, and Hippos, then it wouldn’t be much of a leap of faith to expect that valuable information could be gleaned from the plasters sealing this ancient water system in Jerusalem. Thus, in many respects, this report reflects our joint efforts to test these premises.

Four core samples were taken from the surviving plasters of the Bronze Age or “Dry Tunnel” on Mar... more Four core samples were taken from the surviving plasters of the Bronze Age or “Dry Tunnel” on March 24, 2010, in the City of David Archaeological Park in Jerusalem. These samples were taken with a hand corer from opposing sides of the “tunnel” midway down the channel in two distinct loci. Three layers of plaster were discerned, but the surface layer was discarded in order to rule out or diminish modern contamination. Thus, only the middle dense layer, which came out as a solid plug and the deeper softer layer, capped by the plug and lying between the plug and the solid limestone bedrock, were sampled in the two loci. This amounts to two samples taken from the two deeper layers of plaster, at two distinct loci, making up a total of four samples (see figure 1). Pollen from these four samples was successfully extracted in the Palynology Laboratory at the Zinman Institute of Archaeology using a previously published procedure that was developed specifically for Israel’s archaeological dry land samples (Schoenwetter and Geyer: 2000). Standard 200-grain counts of the extracted pollen were subsequently made and the results and analysis of these counts will be presented below.

In 2014 and 2015 core samples were taken from the plaster linings of fourteen pools at the southe... more In 2014 and 2015 core samples were taken from the plaster linings of fourteen pools at the southern extremity of the archaeological site of Shikmona, on the northern coast of Israel within the confines of the municipality of the modern-day city of Haifa. In form, these structures are clearly pools, so closely placed that they are adjacent to each other and in most cases share walls. The pools lie under and adjacent to a Byzantine church, which was part of the later settlement of Porphyreon (Eisenberg 2021), thus minimally giving them a Late Roman period date prior to this Christian settlement. The purpose of this sampling was to gain further insights into the function and possibly the processes associated with these ancient pools by undertaking a pollen analysis of these fourteen plaster samples. The laboratory extraction and subsequent analysis of these pollen samples from Shikmona revealed that were primarily utilized for processing flax fibers into tow; a necessary step prior to weaving them into linen. What follows is a final report on all fourteen of the pools sampled at Shikmona, Israel.

During the 2019 field season, samples were collected from the interior and exterior walls of the ... more During the 2019 field season, samples were collected from the interior and exterior walls of the 1 st century synagogue of Majduliyya in the southwest Golan Heights, Israel. Samples were taken from the plasters covering the exterior and interior base of the walls in the southwest corner of the synagogue, which dates its construction to the 1 st century CE and its destruction to the 3 rd century CE. Following collection, the samples were taken to the pollen laboratory at the University of San Diego, where the fossil pollen was chemically extracted, counted and analyzed. The results of this study netted a spectrum of over thirty distinct pollen types representing a pollen signature that the authors contend, portrays the synagogue culture at the small village site in the guise of its economic tithes and offerings in the period preceding its destruction.

This report covers fossil pollen extracted from the plaster lining of a Roman bath at Hippos, Isr... more This report covers fossil pollen extracted from the plaster lining of a Roman bath at Hippos, Israel.

This report covers fossil pollen extracted from the pools at Shikmona, Israel/

This report covers fossil pollen recovered from the drains running below the main forum at Hippos... more This report covers fossil pollen recovered from the drains running below the main forum at Hippos, Israel.

This laboratory report presents the results from pollen extractions of samples taken from the pla... more This laboratory report presents the results from pollen extractions of samples taken from the plaster of the Diakonikon of the North East Church at Hippos, Israel.

This report covers fossil pollen extracted from the grain silo beneath the Basilica at Hippos, Is... more This report covers fossil pollen extracted from the grain silo beneath the Basilica at Hippos, Israel.

During the eleventh season of excavations at Hippos, Israel (July 2010) a singleniche fountain wa... more During the eleventh season of excavations at Hippos, Israel (July 2010) a singleniche fountain was uncovered within the confines of the northern plaza of a peristyle house ("House of Tyche"). The basin of this fountain was filled by a pipe passing through a shared wall from a water catch basin to the east. The plaster lining of both the fountain and the catch basin were subsequently sampled for the purposes of fossil pollen analysis. The results of this pollen analysis are reported upon here. The authors make the argument that the strong percentages of flax pollen recovered from these samples, along with the architectural features of the fountain suggest that this structure, along with a similar structure partially uncovered in the northern baulk of the plaza, were utilized as flax basins. This is further evidence for a flax or linen industry being present in the Sea of Galilee region from the beginning of the 1 st century CE well into the 4 th century when Hippos was well established as a Christian poleis.

This report examines fossil pollen extracted from two storage vessels recovered from the Tel Dor ... more This report examines fossil pollen extracted from two storage vessels recovered from the Tel Dor Excavations in Israel.

This pollen study was undertaken in 2002 as a preliminary step to establish a record of the flora... more This pollen study was undertaken in 2002 as a preliminary step to establish a record of the flora in the gardens of several historical structures within Old Town California State Park in San Diego. As such it constitutes a final archaeological report on this CRM (Cultural Resource Management) research to the State of California.

This is a CRM (Cultural Resource Management) project pollen analysis report submitted to EDAW a C... more This is a CRM (Cultural Resource Management) project pollen analysis report submitted to EDAW a CRM firm in San Diego, CA. "Bixby Ranch" was a former ranch established on Native American grounds in what was later to become the Seal Beach Naval Base. Large shell fish middens were uncovered during archaeological explorations by EDAW and a pollen investigation was undertaken in order to search out further evidence of Native American economic activity at the site. This report is the result of those efforts.

This report reflects a single test sample that was undertaken to ascertain the environmental and ... more This report reflects a single test sample that was undertaken to ascertain the environmental and economic character of this prehistoric Native American camp site on the Yuma Trail connecting the Colorado River valley and Pacific coast tribes.

This is a laboratory report covering the results of laboratory pollen extraction and analysis per... more This is a laboratory report covering the results of laboratory pollen extraction and analysis performed on 16 soil samples selected from those recovered at the site of Levee Bridge, located on Camp Pendleton in California. In coordination with Andrew York of KEA Environmental (now EDAW Inc.), a CRM (Cultural Resource Management) firm located in San Diego, the following 14 soil samples and 2 artifacts were selected for pollen analysis.

This is a laboratory report covering the results of laboratory extraction and analysis performed ... more This is a laboratory report covering the results of laboratory extraction and analysis performed on soil samples recovered at a Native American site on the north bank of the Santa Margarita River, located within Camp Pendleton in California. In coordination with Mr. Ross Collett of the CRM (Cultural Resource Management) firm RECON, Inc. nineteen soil samples were selected for pollen analysis from this prehistoric Native American Diegueno encampment.