A Lead Bulla from Apollonia-Arsūf with the Place Name Arsūf

Abstract

This article discusses a rare lead bulla, dated to the Umayyad period, retrieved during excavations
at Apollonia-Arsūf. It bears legible legends on its obverse (khātim kūrat Qaysārīyah) and reverse
(madīnah Arsūf) that shed light on the administrative structure of jund Filasṭīn at the time, when
kūrat Qaysārīyah still maintained its historical role as major administrative center most probably
before the foundation of the district capital al-Ramlah in c. 715 CE. The article is followed by
an appendix that discusses the archaeo-metallurgical characteristics of the bulla, that is to say,
its microstructure, manufacturing technology and chemical composition.