Recent archaeological excavations in the biblical city of Gath, Israel, have unearthed two Philistine temples that may have been influenced by other Mediterranean cultures, according to a study published on February 12.
The city, currently known as Tell es-?f?, was once the dwelling place of Goliath and is one of the largest Philistine settlements situated on the banks of the HaEla river in the Judean foothills.
The study's authors noted that the temples, constructed in the 10th century B.C. and 830 B.C., were eventually destroyed by the Biblical King Hazel. The dig revealed a variety of medicinal and psychoactive plants, including poison darnel, which were commonly used in ancient Greek temples for the worship of female deities.
The Times of Israel reported that the history of the Philistines remains somewhat enigmatic, making the data derived from the temple analysis particularly valuable. The excavation uncovered loom weights, cooking facilities, and a storage jar from Jerusalem, suggesting that women wove in the temples, dedicating their products to the Gods. The unearthed plants are believed to have been prepared on-site and were integral to the religious practices of the Philistines.
The study also suggested that these practices may have been influenced by other Mediterranean cultures, such as those in Greece, or perhaps the Philistines introduced their practices to these cultures. Evidence of this includes the discovery of the chaste tree and 100 fruits, which were frequently used by Spartans in the worship of Artemis and Asclepios, as reported by the Times of Israel. The crown daisy flower, used as a medicine and insecticide, was also found. This flower was traditionally used to make crown garlands for statues, a custom still prevalent among young people in Europe today.
Lead researcher Dr. Suembikya Frumin stated, "These widespread Mediterranean plants connect Philistines with cultic rituals, mythology, and paraphernalia related to early Greek deities, such as Hera, Artemis, Demeter, and Asclepios." The study also suggested that the psychedelic plants were likely used in Philistine rituals to enhance the spiritual experience. "The study revealed that the Philistine religion relied on the magic and power of nature, such as running water and seasonality, aspects that influence human health and life," Frumin added.
Future research will focus on further analysis of the sites and comparisons with other ancient Mediterranean cultures and their holy sites, such as the Minoans of Crete and Herakles in Sicily.
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