Ancient tomb of Greek Courtesan – Hetaira – Uncovered in Israel

Dr. Guy Stiebel and Liat Oz with the rare mirror. (Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority)

The discovery of a tomb of a courtesan (hetaira – in Ancient Greek) dating from the late 4th century – early 3rd century BCE in Jerusalem by the Israel Antiquities Authority is a significant find. It is rare to find evidence of the Hellenistic period in the Jerusalem region, and this tomb provides a unique glimpse into the life and death of a courtesan during this time.

The fact that the courtesan was cremated is also significant, as cremation was not a common practice in the Jewish tradition at this time. This suggests that the courtesan may have been Greek or of another culture that practiced cremation.

The burial cave was discovered on a rocky slope, not far from Kibbutz Ramat Raḥel. Charred human bones were discovered in the burial chamber, identified by Dr. Yossi Nagar, the Physical Anthropologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, as the bones of a woman. According to Dr. Guy Stiebel, from the Department of Archeology and the Ancient Near East at Tel Aviv University, “this is, in fact, the earliest evidence in Israel of cremation in the Hellenistic period”. A number of bent iron nails were found next to the bones, and to the surprise of the archaeologists, a grave-good was further discovered next to the charred woman’s bones – a rare type of a folding bronze mirror box.

“This is only the second mirror of this type that has been discovered to date in Israel, and in total, only 63 mirrors of this type are known around the Hellenistic world,” says Liat Oz, the director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.” The quality of the production of the mirror is so high that it was preserved in excellent condition, and it looked as if it was made yesterday.”

The box mirror that was found in the tomb – a rare and valuable artifact – is one of only 63 such mirrors known to have survived from the Hellenistic period. is a particularly interesting find. Box mirrors were typically used by women in ancient Greece and Rome to groom themselves and apply makeup. The fact that the mirror was found in the tomb suggests that the courtesan was a wealthy and well-respected woman.

Overall, the discovery of the tomb of a courtesan in Jerusalem is a valuable addition to our understanding of the Hellenistic period in the region. It provides insights into the lives of women and the social and cultural norms of the time.

Also, it suggests that there was a significant Greek presence in Jerusalem during the Hellenistic period. This is not surprising, as Alexander the Great conquered Jerusalem in 332 BCE and the city was ruled by the Greek Ptolemies for over a century.

The fact that the courtesan was buried in a tomb suggests that she was a wealthy and respected woman. Courtesans in ancient Greece and Rome were often highly educated and cultured women, and they played an important role in society.

In a joint study by Tel Aviv University and the Israel Antiquities Authority, led by Dr. Guy Stiebel from the Department of Archeology and the Ancient Near East at Tel Aviv University and Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Liat Oz, the researchers suggest that the rare mirror belonged to the deceased who was none other than a companion of a senior Hellenistic military staff member or a Hellenistic governmental official during a campaign through the Land of Israel. The researchers noted that this offering, of folding box mirrors were documented in tombs and temples in the Greco-Hellenistic world, and is a clear indication of a gendered artefact, associated with Greek women. The box mirrors were usually, decorated with engravings or magnificent reliefs of idealized female figures and goddess figures – particularly that of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

“The most stimulating question arising from this discovery was – what is the tomb of a Greek woman doing on the high way leading to Jerusalem, far from any site or settlement of the period. The tomb particularly intrigued us, also in light of the fact that the archaeological information regarding Jerusalem and its surroundings in the early Hellenistic period is very scarce”, says Dr. Stiebel.

“It is most likely that this is the tomb of a woman of Greek origin who accompanied a senior member of the Hellenistic army or government, during Alexander the Great’s campaigns or more likely during The Wars of the Diadochi (successors),” the researchers conclude.