Israeli archaeologists have discovered an extensive fabric collection of diverse colour, design and origin from copper mines dating back about 3,000 years to the biblical era of King David and Solomon.
This is the first discovery of textiles dating from the era of David and Solomon, and sheds new light on the historical fashions of the Holy Land, researchers said.
The ancient copper mines in Timna are located in Israel's Arava Valley and are believed by some to be the site of King Solomon's mines.
The arid conditions of the mines have seen the remarkable preservation of 3,000-year-old organic materials, including seeds, leather and fabric, and other extremely rare artifacts that provide a unique window into the culture and practices of this period.
The textiles also offer insight into the complex society of the early Edomites, the semi-nomadic people believed to have operated the mines at Timna.
The tiny pieces of fabric, some only 5 x 5 centimetres in size, vary in colour, weaving technique and ornamentation.
"Some of these fabrics resemble textiles only known from the Roman era," said Orit Shamir, a senior researcher at the Israel Antiquities Authority.
"No textiles have ever been found at excavation sites like Jerusalem, Megiddo and Hazor, so this provides a unique window into an entire aspect of life from which we've never had physical evidence before," said Erez Ben-Yosef from Tel Aviv University in Israel.
"We found fragments of textiles that originated from bags, clothing, tents, ropes and cords," Ben-Yosef said.
"The wide variety of fabrics also provides new and important information about the Edomites, who, according to the Bible, warred with the Kingdom of Israel," Ben-Yosef said.
"We found simply woven, elaborately decorated fabrics worn by the upper echelon of their stratified society. Luxury grade fabric adorned the highly skilled, highly respected craftsmen managing the copper furnaces," he said.
"They were responsible for smelting the copper, which was a very complicated process," he added.
Copper was used to produce tools and weapons and was the most valuable resource in ancient societies. Its production required many levels of expertise.
"The possession of copper was a source of great power, much as oil is today," Ben-Yosef said.
"If a person had the exceptional knowledge to 'create copper,' he was considered well-versed in an extremely sophisticated technology," he said.
To support this "silicon valley" of copper production in the middle of the desert, food, water and textiles had to be transported long distances through the unforgiving desert climate and into the valley.
The discovery of fabrics, many of which were made far from Timna in specialised textile workshops, provides a glimpse into the trade practices and regional economy of the day.
