Personal names etched into clay and stone over 2,500 years ago are revealing more than just identities — they are exposing the inner workings of ancient societies.
In a pioneering study, Israeli researchers applied ecological statistical methods to analyze the diversity of names from Iron Age II (950–586 BCE) archaeological artifacts, revealing the Kingdom of Israel’s cosmopolitan nature compared to the more insular Judah. Published in the peer-reviewed PNAS journal, the study introduces a novel approach to uncovering cultural trends when written records are scarce.
Scholars from Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Haifa examined over 1,000 names inscribed on seals, ostraca, and storage jars. By adapting ecological diversity metrics, the team quantified not only the variety of names but also their distribution across populations, offering new insights into the social and political dynamics of ancient Israel and Judah. “Names are cultural artifacts,” said Dr. Barak Sober of Hebrew University’s Department of Statistics & Data Science, who co-led the study with Ariel Vishne. “Using ecological tools, we uncover patterns of identity and openness invisible in traditional archaeology.”
The results were illuminating. Israelite names showed greater diversity, suggesting a society influenced by diverse linguistic and cultural exchanges, likely due to its position along trade routes. In contrast, Judah’s name diversity declined over time, particularly in its final century, reflecting increased religious centralization and social control. “Names reveal linguistic trends, religious practices, and social hierarchies,” said Dr. Mitka R. Golub, who compiled the study’s onomastic database.
Geographic differences further enriched the findings. Samaria, Israel’s capital, had lower name diversity than its rural areas, indicating a widespread elite class. Conversely, Jerusalem showed higher diversity than rural Judah, possibly due to refugees fleeing Assyrian invasions. “Israel’s strategic location fostered cultural exchange, making it more cosmopolitan than Judah,” noted co-author Professor Israel Finkelstein of the University of Haifa.
To validate their method, the researchers applied it to modern naming data from Israel, France, the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. They found that name diversity has risen since the 1960s, with female names more varied than male ones and traditional societies showing less diversity. These results confirmed the robustness of their approach, even with limited ancient samples. “Higher name diversity signals cosmopolitan, open societies, while lower diversity suggests cultural conformity,” said Professor Eli Piasetzky of Tel Aviv University.
Though the archaeological record primarily preserves elite male names, comparing these across kingdoms still illuminates broader societal trends. “This is the first study to analyze onomastic data with ecological diversity statistics,” Vishne said. “It offers a nuanced lens for studying cultural change across time and space.” The approach opens exciting possibilities for future research, enabling scholars to explore ancient societies’ cultural dynamics with greater precision and depth.
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