WHALE BONES AND SHELL PURPLE-DYE AT MOTYA (WESTERN SICILY, ITALY) |
| |
| Authors: | DAVID S REESE |
| |
| Institution: | Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, P.O. Box 208118, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8118, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Summary. Excavations 30 years ago at sixth–fifth century BC Motya in western Sicily produced a unique assemblage of four Sperm whale vertebrae, crushed purple-dye shells, and stone tools. The whale vertebrae were the platforms for breaking the shells. Here I discuss recent sightings of Sperm whales in the Mediterranean, the archaeological evidence for whaling in the Mediterranean, and possible whale products available, as well as Italian shell purple-dye evidence. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
