Archaeologists Find Cloth From Biblical Times That Shouldn’t Be There

The textile contains woolen threads dyed red interwoven with uncolored linen threads, creating a distinctive lattice-like pattern that speaks to the advanced textile techniques of the time.

The dye-making process involved grinding the carcasses and eggs of these insects into a powder after treating them with vinegar. This powder was then used to impart a rich red color to fabrics.

“Collecting these kermes was done in a very short window of time – one month out of the year, in the summer, after the female laid her eggs but before they hatched – when the amount of dye was greatest,” Sukenik said.

Dr. Sukenik said that the eggs were difficult to locate “due to their small size (between 0.1 to 0.3 inches) and their camouflage colors, that make them difficult to locate.”

Made from linen and wool, the cloth has been dated using direct radiocarbon to the Middle Bronze Age, specifically between 1954 and 1767 BC. This is the oldest piece of fabric discovered that has been dyed using insects.

The dye is featured several times in the Old Testament either alone or alongside other precious dyes. Other valuable dyes included blue and purple pigments made from marine snails. Purple was also thought of as an extremely valuable and luxurious color as well as scarlet.

Dr. Sukenik added, “The rare textile is a testament to broad international commercial networks functioning already at this time and indicates the presence of an elite society.”

The weft threads are tightly arranged, while the warp threads are more spaced out, indicating a deliberate design choice to highlight the red color.

Comparisons with a database of known chemical components confirmed the presence of kermesic acid that was secreted by the insects used for the dye.

This suggests that the choice of color was not merely aesthetic but carried deeper cultural or symbolic meanings.

It is detailed extensively within the Bible and is often associated with high status or sacred items, emphasizing its significance across different periods and cultures.

In 2 Samuel 1:24, the writer says, “Daughters of Israel, weep for King Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.” The excerpt suggests that the color red was a valuable commodity to come across.

This dye was highly valued, not just for its vibrant color but also for its rarity and the labor-intensive process required to produce it.

This document contains recipes for dyes and offers insights into the broader uses and value of such materials in ancient societies.

The red kermes dye is also mentioned in ancient trade documents, such as in cuneiform tablets from the first known human civilization of Mesopotamia, dating back to 1425 BC. Scarlet dye was a very valuable trading tool for centuries.

Textiles are rare to stumble upon due to their perishable nature. Garments tend to decompose relatively quickly compared to other artifacts like pottery. Their preservation is only possible under very special conditions like in the caves of the Judean Desert.

Specifically, Exodus 26:1 reads: “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.”

Such high-quality materials would likely have been accessible only to those of considerable wealth and status, indicating structured social hierarchies.

This reflects the ancient peoples’ understanding of natural processes and their capacity to utilize such knowledge practically.

This ability to connect archaeological discoveries with historical texts enriches our understanding of ancient technologies and economies.

This continuity highlights the transmission of knowledge and practices across millennia, bridging ancient and contemporary textile crafts.

“To this day, in South America, another species of cochineal scale insect, which lives on certain species of cacti, is used for dyeing textiles,” said Amar.

Despite the evidence that demonstrates the use of plants and insects to create red dyes across the ancient world, very few textiles were dyed with kermes insects that predate the Roman period. This discovery gives greater insight into what life was like during this historical period.

Dr. Sukenik said: “The important find bridges the gap between written sources and the archaeological discoveries, providing evidence that the ancient textile dyeing industry was – already at this stage, sufficiently established for dyeing using animals.”