Department of Archaeology
Subject: Bread Production and Consumption in Roman Palestine
Advisors: Prof. Uzi Leibner and Prof. Zeev Weiss
Abstract: My PhD-research deals with bread production and consumption Roman Palestine, using an interdisciplinary approach which examines the material remains unearthed in archeological excavations and compares them to the information embedded in Rabbinic literature, as well as Greek and Latin literary sources, ostraca and artistic depictions. The juxtaposition of the different types of evidence not only deepens our understanding of each type, but also enables an insight into the economy, the social structures and the cultural connections of the population of Roman Palestine in the first few centuries CE.
Already in my MA-thesis did I explore the relations between the archeological record and written sources. I analyzed a number of components, that were usual features of Roman-period domestic dwellings in Palestine, either within the houses themselves or in their courtyards: an underground storage unit called "דות" ("dut"), cisterns, walls, door frames (thresholds, lintels and doorposts), as well as doors and different locking mechanisms. The thesis was written under the supervision of Prof. Uzi Leibner
Bio: Born and raised in Germany, I made aliyah by myself at age eighteen. I spent my first year in Israel studying at Midreshet Lindenbaum, which is where I had my first opportunity to study rabbinic literature in depth. During my B.A. studies in Archaeology at the Hebrew University I discovered the great ethnographic potential embedded in Rabbinic litearure. In order to acquire the necessary research tools, I spent a year taking courses at the Talmud department. During my M.A. studies I was part of the excellency program for Late Antiqiuty studies. Ever since, my research deals with the comparison between Archaeolgoical finds and Rabbinic literature, in order to gain a better understanding of everyday life in Roman Palestine.
Between 2014 and 2018 I was part of the excavation team of Hirbet el-'Eika led by Uzi Leibenr.Publications:
H. Shambadal and U. Leibner, "The 'ḥadut' - An Underground Storage Installation in Roman Palestine: A case study in Talmudic realia", Cathedra 182(2002) (Hebrew).
H. Shambadal, "From India to the Rabbis' Table: Pepper Consumption in Roman Palestine", forthcoming in the book published by the "Setting Tables" Scholion research group (forthcoming) (Hebrew).
Book Chapters
H. Shambadal, "The Metal Finds", in: U. Leibner and R. Sabar (eds.), Khirbet el-'Eika: A Hellenistic Period Estate in the Lower Galilee, Qedem Reports (forthcoming).
Rotenstreich Stipend 2021/22
Scholion 2020/19