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Copyright credit: Auction Archaeological Center 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Archaeological Center 2023
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIGHT
Authority
Mint
Raphia
Denomination
Material
Lead
Manufacture
Cast
Shape
Rhombus
Length
- cm
Width
7.00 cm
Height
- cm
Metrology
| Mass (g) | Mass (grain) | Date of measurement | Reference | fragmented | cleaned | reference weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.11 | - | - | Auction Archaeological Center 2023 | No | No | Yes |
Iconography
| Symbol | Technique | Direction | Position | Number | Synecdoche |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sceptre | Relief | ||||
| Circle | Relief | ||||
| Tyche | Relief | LEFT | Standing |
Wear
Corrosion
Handle
Yes
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Auction Archaeological Center 2023: A 2 uncia lead weight of Ascalon. Roman Period, 1st - 2nd century CE. 44.11 gr; 7.0 cm high. Depicting Astarte of Ascalon standing and holding sceptre and aphlaston. At top: ΠOL/EOC. At bottom: Countermark: Yθ. In good condition and rare. Ex Shlomo Moussaieff coll., Herzliyah (Non exportable)
Delmeulle Matthieu 16/10/2023 : These anthropoid weights were initially attributed to Gaza, e.g. by Lifshitz (1976). However, Kushnir-Stein challenged this attribution. According to her, these weights differ from the artefacts known for Gaza in several ways: (1) their anthropoid shape, (2) the presence of the word ΑΡΧΗ designating the magistracy of the agoranomos, (3) the absence of the Phoenician letter mem, and (4) the mass of the litra (ca. 360-370 g). Raphia and Anthedon are the only potential mints for these weights from the Gaza Strip. However, the dates inscribed on the objects do not coincide with the era of Anthedon, which started around 215 CE. Raphia therefore remains the only plausible provenance for the artefacts under consideration. Therefore, the objects are dated between 223 and 317 CE (Kushnir-Stein 2004).
The Tyche carrying a sceptre and crowned by the city walls is an iconographic type mainly associated with the city of Ascalon. Given the characteristic shape of the weight, it might be better to consider this Tyche as an allegory for the city of Raphia, rather than the so-called Astarte of Ascalon.
Delmeulle Matthieu 16/10/2023 : These anthropoid weights were initially attributed to Gaza, e.g. by Lifshitz (1976). However, Kushnir-Stein challenged this attribution. According to her, these weights differ from the artefacts known for Gaza in several ways: (1) their anthropoid shape, (2) the presence of the word ΑΡΧΗ designating the magistracy of the agoranomos, (3) the absence of the Phoenician letter mem, and (4) the mass of the litra (ca. 360-370 g). Raphia and Anthedon are the only potential mints for these weights from the Gaza Strip. However, the dates inscribed on the objects do not coincide with the era of Anthedon, which started around 215 CE. Raphia therefore remains the only plausible provenance for the artefacts under consideration. Therefore, the objects are dated between 223 and 317 CE (Kushnir-Stein 2004).
The Tyche carrying a sceptre and crowned by the city walls is an iconographic type mainly associated with the city of Ascalon. Given the characteristic shape of the weight, it might be better to consider this Tyche as an allegory for the city of Raphia, rather than the so-called Astarte of Ascalon.
Autopsy
No
INSCRIPTION
| Language | Technique | Legend type |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | Relief | Mint |
| Unidentified | Stamped / Countermarked | Unidentified |
Fac simile
ΠΟΛ
ΟC
Countermark: <
Edition
Πόλ|εoς.
Countermark: <
Countermark: <
Monogram
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Findspot (region)
Findspot (site)
context
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUISITION
Region
City
Date of first acquisition
Oct. 2, 2023
circumstances
Antiquities trade.
DATING OF THE WEIGHT
Curatorial Section
GREEK
,
ROMAN
Time frame
FROM
1
TO
350
Comments on Chronology
COLLECTION HISTORY
Collection
| Name | Date of acquisition | Inventory number |
|---|---|---|
| Antiquities Trade | Oct. 2, 2023 | None |
| Moussaieff Collection | None | None |
Bibliography
| Reference | Page/Column | Reference (number) | Plate / Figure | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auction Archaeological Center 2023 | None | 444 | fig. | (attributed to Ascalon) |
VARIA