The Pre-Biblical Metallurgical Art on the Biblical Territory

Abstract

The Old Testament describes in detail the metallurgical achievements, both in the period before the conquest and colonization of the promised land (mostly related to the manufacturing of the Tabernacle, in this sense, the gold chandelier with seven branches, also known as the menorah, is an exceptional example), and the period after the conquest and colonization of the promised land (the sea of bronze pillars Boaz and Jachin, the 10 golden candlesticks with seven arms, etc., famous artifacts of Solomon's Temple facilities, are good examples). Question: at that time, did the Jews have the technical and technological knowledge necessary to create things in order to reach the great achievements of the metallurgical processes described in the Old Testament? This article tries to answer this question.

Keywords

• Canaan
• pre-biblical metallurgy
• casting
• lost wax casting
• Nahal Mishmar`s Treasure