Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht - Ritual Purity in Roman Galilee Book

Explore the complex relationship between archaeology and ancient texts with this scholarly study by Stuart Miller. This volume, part of the Journal of Ancient Judaism Supplements, examines the ritual purity practices of Jews in Graeco-Roman Palestine, with a specific focus on the Galilee region. Miller addresses the challenges of interpreting material finds through literary evidence. The research looks at the use of stepped pools and stone vessels, noting that these features were used well beyond the Destruction of the Temple and continued into the Middle and Late Roman and Byzantine eras. By analyzing finds from the western acropolis of Sepphoris and other locations, the text provides a necessary perspective on how biblical and popular views on purity shaped daily life. This book offers a deep look into how archaeological evidence should be understood without being forced to conform strictly to rabbinic interpretations. It serves as a vital resource for students and researchers interested in ancient history, Jewish studies, and the material culture of the Roman period.