(Clear coated with gold metal flake underneath.)
Posted on 03/01/2011 12:41:11 AM PST by firebrand
RAMAT GAN, Israel — One of the mysteries that scholars have puzzled over for centuries is the exact shade of blue represented by “tekhelet,” which the Bible mentions as the color of ceremonial robes donned by high priests and ritual prayer tassels worn by the common Israelite.
What was known about tekhelet (pronounced t-CHELL-et) was that the Talmud said it was produced from the secretion of the sea snail, which is still found on Israeli beaches.
Traditional interpretations have characterized tekhelet as a pure blue, symbolic of the heavens so that Jews would remember God. Not so, according to an Israeli scholar who has a new analysis: tekhelet appears to have been closer to a bluish purple.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
*
I hate that too. Didn’t realize it. Oh well, it’s a very good article. Has pictures, one of the ancient sample. If you go to nytimes.com and search for “Rediscovered,” can you get in that way without the e-mail? That’s how I found it (I had the print edition as a guide).
Clam up!
I went to Google and searched for tekhelet dye....the article’s there. All of it. No registration.
You’re welcome. ;)
And...sticking THIS in the thread, from my Google search...for reference....
http://www.tekhelet.com/brochure.htm
It seems to be a great article, too..with a lot of history. I’ll go to bed now. Sorry for hi-jacking your thread...
“Boy I hate NYT and their stupid “give us your email address” login page - I might have read the story otherwise.”
They might find, though, that ModelBreaker is an 87 year old woman living in Detroit. That might just be wrong.
To 7 - THANK YOU :^)
Interesting-bit-of-history-ping.
(Not Kosher to eat the little critters, might as well use ‘em for dye.)
(Clear coated with gold metal flake underneath.)
Ancient what? I thought the Israelis invaded and took over in 1948.
ML/NJ
The TV series, “The Naked Archeologist” ran a segment on this some time ago. It was one of the better episodes.
They had a red heifer born in Israel several years ago which was supposed to be a sign the 3rd temple was near. Guess not.
Thanks for the link. Saved for later reading.
Check out Bugmenot. It's a good way to avoid these loathsome logons.
The techelet continued to be produced until the Muslim conquest, not the Roman conquest.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.