Ancient Copper Mortar & Pestle — Nablus (Flavia Neapolis), Palestine | Ottoman Era, c. 1700s

A Rare Artifact from the Heart of Old Nablus

This exceptional antique copper mortar and pestle is a genuine archaeological treasure, originating from the historic Hammam al-Dara district of Nablus's Old City — one of the most storied quarters of ancient Flavia Neapolis, the Roman-era city known today as Nablus (نابلس / نيابوليس).

Discovered near the ancient Roman pedestrian passage and the historic horse theater (Masrah al-Khail), beneath what is now the Dhafer al-Masri School — part of the celebrated Al-Qasbah Museum corridor — this piece carries centuries of living history within its walls.

Historical & Cultural Significance

Crafted during the Ottoman period (approximately 1700 CE), this mortar was an essential household and artisan tool used daily in the kitchens and spice markets of Nablus's Old City. It was traditionally used to grind Arabic coffee (qahwa), cardamom (hail), and aromatic spices — a ritual central to Palestinian and Levantine hospitality culture for generations.

The Al-Qasbah quarter where this piece was found is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban neighborhoods in the world, layered with Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman heritage.

Physical Description

• Material: Solid hand-hammered copper
• Height: 17 cm
• Diameter: 12 cm
• Weight: Approximately 400 grams (mortar with pestle)
• Age: Estimated 320+ years (circa early 18th century Ottoman period)
• Condition: Authentic aged patina consistent with genuine antiquity; structurally intact

Why This Piece Is Unique

• Provenance from one of the most historically significant urban sites in the Levant
• Hand-crafted using traditional Ottoman copper-smithing techniques
• Origin from Hammam al-Dara / Al-Qasbah — directly adjacent to Roman-era archaeological layers
• Extremely rare in this weight class and state of preservation
• A tangible connection to Palestinian daily life, culinary tradition, and urban heritage

Collector's Note

This piece is ideal for serious collectors of Levantine antiquities, Islamic art, Ottoman artifacts, or Palestinian cultural heritage. It represents not merely a functional object, but a living document of civilization — from Flavia Neapolis of the Romans, through the Byzantine and Islamic periods, to the rich Ottoman urban culture of Nablus.