Ancient Environments News Today

Researchers report that they have discovered the earliest evidence for the domestication of an olive tree in a new study.

Research team identifies earliest luxury fruit trees from charcoal found in ancient fireplaces.

A joint study by Tel Aviv University and Jerusalem’s Hebrew University has found the earliest domestication of fruit trees, suggesting that olive and fig horticulture was practised as early as 7000 years ago in the Central Jordan Valley, Israel.  The study based its conclusions on analysing the remnants of charcoal from the Charcolithic site of Tel Zaf in the Jordan Valley, proving they came from olive trees, which did not grow there naturally, according to the Tel Aviv University press rele...

Analysis of charcoal from Tel Tsaf dig reveals olive and fig tree wood, indicating first examples of orchards by an advanced, wealthy society

Domestication may indicate initial steps in developing a socioeconomic hierarchy supported by administrative system.

Jerusalem’s wealthiest elites had the rare luxury of toilets 2,700 years ago, but poor hygiene and sanitary conditions led to chronic stomach troubles.

Jerusalem’s elites had the rare luxury of toilets 2,700 years ago, but poor hygiene and sanitary conditions led to chronic stomach troubles.

The worm eggs were able to survive on the cesspit conditions. Experts say the wealthy family that used the toilet had either poor hygiene or sanitary conditions or consumed improperly cooked meat.

Sediment samples from an underground toilet in ancient Jerusalem have provided understanding of how the societys upper echelon citizens may have lived.

A new study by Tel Aviv University and the Israel Antiquities Authority has exposed the remains of 2,700-year-old intestinal worm eggs below the stone toilet of a magnificent private estate. The egg remnants belong to four different types of intestinal parasites: roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and pinworm. According to the researchers, the stone toilet seat was…