“And Oil out of the Flinty Rock” (Deut 32:13)

What is it about?

Olive press caves are widespread in the archaeology of Judea, but have not received due attention. This paper provides an integrative analysis of the caves and explains their use in oil production. The phenomenon has clear geographic and chronological parameters as a feature of early Roman period Judean settlement. This article proposes that olive press caves represent ethnically bounded practices identified with Jewish society, and linked to production of ritually pure oil for Temple rites and pilgrimage festivals in Jerusalem. It is argued that their architectural layout helped maximize the ability to supervise, monitor and control the purity of workers.

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