Cylindrical Bone and Ivory Hinges Found in Phoenician Sites of the Western Mediterranean

Abstract

Bone or ivory cylindrical hinges have not traditionally appealed the attention of researchers. Even though more than a hundred and fifty of these archaeological elements have been found in the Phoenician sites of the Western Mediterranean since early dates, their functionality has been discussed for long. Their manufacture reveals the use of techniques coming from the Near East and they can be dated between the 7th century BCE and the 1st century AD.