SHELLS FROM SAREPTA (LEBANON) AND EAST MEDITERRANEAN PURPLE‐ DYE PRODUCTION

Abstract

This paper concerns the shells from the 1969‐74 excavations at Sarepta (Lebanon) under the direction of the late J.B. Pritchard (University of Pennsylvania). Most of the 500 marine shells, ranging in date from the LB I to Roman/Byzantine, are typical Mediterranean forms. Of special interest are three large accumulations of crushed Murex trunculus of LB II, LB III to Iron I, and LB III or Iron I date. The Sarepta shell purple‐dye evidence is described in detail and is compared with the other evidence from the Eastern Mediterranean.