Russell Gmirkin said: "First, do I recall correctly that others have argued that more than one skeleton in the main cemetery were female or possibly female? Certainly spindle whorls and fabric fragments at Qumran show a female presence at the site."
Having just read Women's work, the first 20,000 years, women, cloth, and society in early times, by Elizabeth Wayland Barber, I am puzzled by Russell's comments regarding "spindle whorls and fabric fragments at Qumran" showing "a female presence at the site." Perhaps I am missing the obvious, but could somebody please explain why "spindle whorls and fabric fragments" are linked to "a female presence." I am aware that women in the ancient world (and even now) are linked to the production of fabric far more than men, but it is not an exclusive link, so spindle whorls and fabric fragments may tell us nothing about the presence or otherwise of women at Qumran. Matthew Hamilton Moore Theological College Library 1 King St Newtown NSW 2042 Australia [EMAIL PROTECTED] For private reply, e-mail to "Mathew G. Hamilton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from Orion, e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: "unsubscribe Orion." Archives are on the Orion Web site, http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il. (PLEASE REMOVE THIS TRAILOR BEFORE REPLYING TO THE MESSAGE)
