Tine Rassalle: Coin Deposits from Ancient Synagogues in Late Antique Palestine (Under the Direction of Jodi Magness)During archaeological excavations over the last century, fifty-seven separate coin deposits have been found in ancient synagogues from Late Antique Palestine and the Diaspora. This project provides an overview of these deposits, the buildings they were discovered in, and the specific coins they contained. Based on their archaeological contexts and an analysis of the Jewish religious and socio-economic circumstances of Late Antiquity, I argue that there are seven possible reasons for why these deposits were placed inside a synagogue building. This dissertation project gives an overview of these categories and explores the different economic and symbolic functions coins in sacred spaces could have had in ancient Jewish society. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIt is now time to thank everyone who helped me get to this point. First of all, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my adviser, Dr. Jodi Magness. When I was looking for a PhD position somewhere in the world, it was Jodi who made it possible for me to come to UNC. Not only did she accept my application, she also secured the funds so that I could be here. There will never be enough words to express how much that meant to me. Second, my dissertation committee, Drs. Jennifer Gates-Foster, Evyatar Marienberg, Zlatko Pleše, and Nathan Elkins. Jennifer, thank you for always giving me honest and open feedback, even if it was difficult to hear. You made me a better scholar, critic, and colleague, and I'm confident your advice will forever help me in my career. Evyatar, thank you for taking the time to sit with me to ponder on this dissertation topic, and for your detailed feedback on my draft. Your notes made me feel confident in what I was doing and helped me to keep my eye on the target. Zlatko, thank you for the many hours together drinking coffee and reminiscing about Europe. One day I hope to visit you in Croatia! And last, Nathan, thank you for your numismatic insights and for your recommendation letter to the ANS. Without you, I would have never had the courage to start learning about ancient coins. Thank you all! The research for this dissertation was made possible through a number of grants and fellowships from the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, the Digital Innovation Lab, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If not for these institutes, I would have been unable to travel to Israel and collect v the data needed for this project. I am grateful for everything these organizations do for graduate students at
