Leather

The Judean Desert at the Qumran site has yielded a number of leather objects which permit the study of ancient tanning techniques. Water skins, large bags, pouches, purses, sandals, and garments have been found in various desert sites.

The majority of these leather objects are fashioned from sheepskin; a few pieces, particularly those used as patches, are of goatskin and calfskin. These skins were tanned by using vegetable matter, specifically tannic acid extracted from nuts and pomegranates.

Sandals
Leather. First century B.C.E.-first century C.E.
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Sandal A: length 22 cm (8 5/8 in.)
          width 6.8 cm (2 5/8 in.)
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Sandal B: length 21 cm (8 1/4 in.)
          width 5.5 cm (2 1/8 in.)
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Shown here are sandal soles of the "soleae" style. Intact sandals of this type, dating from different centuries, were found at Masada and in the Cave of Letters, all in the Dead Sea region.
These soles are made of three layers of leather secured with leather bindings. Through slits situated near the heel, tabs entered the upper sole. The upper part of each tab was pierced by two vertical slits through which the main strap was threaded. The two ends of the main strap were then threaded into a slit on the upper part of the sandal, near the toe, where they were tied, holding the foot onto the sole.
Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority (88, 89)

More artifacts from the Qumran Site