Capernaum Mortars & Pestles

Along with the fishing industry, and farming on the nearby plain of Gennesaret, there was also a stone-working trade. The area's abundant igneous rock (basalt) was carved into mortars, pestles, olive-presses and mill wheels for extracting valuable oil for cooking and lighting, as well as for soap, medicine, ritual anointing and religious rituals.

 

There are many more Olive presses and mortars & pestles for a town the size of Capernaum. This would suggest the town was taking advantage of the many passing traders from far afield. Capernaum seems to have had a successful exporting trade consisting of more than salted fish.

 

The city seems to have been self-sufficient and prosperous, with work easily available. In all, it was probably a very pleasant place to live.

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