Guide
Early Jewish Dress and Adornment
4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
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By Carol Bakhos
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Tefillin
Tefillin, also known as phylacteries, are a set of small black leather boxes containing written Torah texts, which Jews wear during recitation of certain prayers. They are tied around the body with…
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Mantles
Tunics were worn by both men and women in the Roman period. The length depended on the wearer. For example, enslaved people and laborers would wear shorter tunics to have their legs free, while women…
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Tunics
The large number of woolen and linen textiles preserved in the refuge caves of the arid Judean desert offer us a glimpse of Jewish dress in the early Roman period. The style of clothing was not…
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Hairnet
Hairnets were worn by married Jewish women. They are a rare find because they are not usually preserved; however, four dyed woolen nets were found at Masada, preserved by the region’s arid climate…
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Ivory Objects
Ivory and bone have been used to make and decorate objects since the late Paleolithic age (50,000–12,000 BCE). In the ancient Near East, they were used for personal seals and to make and ornament…
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Wooden Comb
Combs could be made of both ivory and wood and could be elegantly decorated. Egyptian, Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman combs often have two rows of teeth, with the teeth on each side being of a…
Related Guide
Ancient Jewish Material Culture
4th Century BCE–6th Century CE