Adi Eliyahu Behar
I am a chemist engaged in archaeological research and excavations. I received my B.Sc. (1995, Tel Aviv University) and M.Sc (1998, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel) in Chemistry. In 2008 I received my doctorate (Weizmann Institute of Science). Since then my academic activity involve the application and development of various analytical techniques in order to solve archaeological and historical research questions.
My main research interest lies in the reconstruction and understanding of ancient pyro-technological processes, such as the production of metals, plaster, ceramic, glass and glazes. The study of technological choices and technological styles, manipulation and processing of raw materials, and the formation of by-products, have far reaching implications on the reconstruction of ancient society's cultural behaviors and stylistic choices, the spread of technological innovations, economic interactions and trade routes.
These include;
(a) General ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy: the use and manufacturing of metals throughout the span of archaeological and historical periods. These for example might include; technological aspects related to the making and processing of ‘hacksilber’ and silver coinage, the change and developments in the use of bronze alloys, the study of metallurgical refractories such as crucibles, as a tool for understanding and reconstruction of bronze, silver and gold production processes, alloying techniques, refining procedures etc.
(b) Early iron production in the Levant: studying the advent of iron technology in the Southern Levant and characterizing the transition from the use of bronze to the use of iron. Identifying production centers, production technologies and the socio-political organization.
(c) Technological capabilities of the ancient iron smiths: using metallography methods to study ancient iron tools and infer on technological capabilities and production methods such as steeling, quenching and tempering.
(d) Identifying pyro-technology activities: developing new means for the identification of pyro-technological activities (controlled use of fire for the production of new man-made materials, such as ceramic, plaster, glass and metals) and the identification on of these technologies in the archaeological record.
(e) Materials and provenance: developing new means for identification of raw materials sources (gem and semi-precious stones, metal ores etc.) in order to shed light on socio-political organizations and trade routes of the ancient world.
(f) Early vitreous materials, Faience and Glass: production technologies, pattern of technological discovery, adoption, choice, transfer and provenance of vitreous materials such as glazed steatite, faience, Egyptian blue and green frits, and glazed pottery and bricks.
(g) Lime plaster and ceramic: production of lime and ceramic materials has far and long histories which leave behind numerous types of archaeological artifacts and debris that can be studied in order to answer various questions concerning cultural issues of past societies.
My main research interest lies in the reconstruction and understanding of ancient pyro-technological processes, such as the production of metals, plaster, ceramic, glass and glazes. The study of technological choices and technological styles, manipulation and processing of raw materials, and the formation of by-products, have far reaching implications on the reconstruction of ancient society's cultural behaviors and stylistic choices, the spread of technological innovations, economic interactions and trade routes.
These include;
(a) General ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy: the use and manufacturing of metals throughout the span of archaeological and historical periods. These for example might include; technological aspects related to the making and processing of ‘hacksilber’ and silver coinage, the change and developments in the use of bronze alloys, the study of metallurgical refractories such as crucibles, as a tool for understanding and reconstruction of bronze, silver and gold production processes, alloying techniques, refining procedures etc.
(b) Early iron production in the Levant: studying the advent of iron technology in the Southern Levant and characterizing the transition from the use of bronze to the use of iron. Identifying production centers, production technologies and the socio-political organization.
(c) Technological capabilities of the ancient iron smiths: using metallography methods to study ancient iron tools and infer on technological capabilities and production methods such as steeling, quenching and tempering.
(d) Identifying pyro-technology activities: developing new means for the identification of pyro-technological activities (controlled use of fire for the production of new man-made materials, such as ceramic, plaster, glass and metals) and the identification on of these technologies in the archaeological record.
(e) Materials and provenance: developing new means for identification of raw materials sources (gem and semi-precious stones, metal ores etc.) in order to shed light on socio-political organizations and trade routes of the ancient world.
(f) Early vitreous materials, Faience and Glass: production technologies, pattern of technological discovery, adoption, choice, transfer and provenance of vitreous materials such as glazed steatite, faience, Egyptian blue and green frits, and glazed pottery and bricks.
(g) Lime plaster and ceramic: production of lime and ceramic materials has far and long histories which leave behind numerous types of archaeological artifacts and debris that can be studied in order to answer various questions concerning cultural issues of past societies.
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Reviewed papers by Adi Eliyahu Behar
Iron Age kiln found at Tel Hebron. Remains of quicklime and slagging material found at the bottom of the kiln were analysed using FTIR and SEM-EDS, showing that the kiln was originally used for lime production. Later addition of small inner chambers suggests that the feature was reused, although it cannot be concluded on the basis of the physical remains whether lime production continued. While significant
lime use is known as early as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, early (dateable) lime production remains are rare. The lime kiln from Tel Hebron is therefore an important addition to the limited existing repertoire.
unearthed at Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel. The beadswere subjected to analysis by FTIR spectrometry in order to identify
the mineralogy and materials used for their making. Among the various materials identified, such as carnelian,
steatite and shells, twenty-five were made of faience. The microstructure and chemical composition of
two faience beads were analyzed by electron microscopy and are the focus of this short report. Results show
that cementation glazing was most likely used for one, whereas efflorescence glazing was most probably used
in the production of the other. These preliminary results shed light on the variability that existed inmanufacturing
procedures and choice of raw materials for the production of early vitreous materials during this period.
that cementation glazing was most likely used for one, whereas efflorescence glazing was most probably used in the production of the other. These preliminary results shed light on the variability that existed in manufacturing procedures and choice of raw materials for the production of early vitreous materials during this period.
Iron Age kiln found at Tel Hebron. Remains of quicklime and slagging material found at the bottom of the kiln were analysed using FTIR and SEM-EDS, showing that the kiln was originally used for lime production. Later addition of small inner chambers suggests that the feature was reused, although it cannot be concluded on the basis of the physical remains whether lime production continued. While significant
lime use is known as early as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, early (dateable) lime production remains are rare. The lime kiln from Tel Hebron is therefore an important addition to the limited existing repertoire.
unearthed at Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel. The beadswere subjected to analysis by FTIR spectrometry in order to identify
the mineralogy and materials used for their making. Among the various materials identified, such as carnelian,
steatite and shells, twenty-five were made of faience. The microstructure and chemical composition of
two faience beads were analyzed by electron microscopy and are the focus of this short report. Results show
that cementation glazing was most likely used for one, whereas efflorescence glazing was most probably used
in the production of the other. These preliminary results shed light on the variability that existed inmanufacturing
procedures and choice of raw materials for the production of early vitreous materials during this period.
that cementation glazing was most likely used for one, whereas efflorescence glazing was most probably used in the production of the other. These preliminary results shed light on the variability that existed in manufacturing procedures and choice of raw materials for the production of early vitreous materials during this period.