The pomegranate was first cultivated in Mesopotamia and spread throughout the Levant. Carbonized remains of pomegranate peels have been found from the Early Bronze Age in Jericho and Arad.
Pomegranates have been found in some of the Iron Age graves at Wadi Fidan (Southern Jordan). This cemetery appears to be a burial site of ancient Edomites, Israelites, and Midianites.
The pomegranate tree is mentioned in several ancient Egyptian poems and in the funerary texts of Thutmose I.
The pomegranate is found especially in funerary contexts, and in association to kings and priests. As a sacred symbol, it was a familiar to the biblical Hebrew. The hem of the High Priest’s robe had a row of pomegranates and gold bells.
"He made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital." (1 Kings 7:18)
Below is an image of Amenemhet carrying pomegranates. He was an official of Thutmose III (1481-1426 BC). Credit: The Yorck Project
The pomegranate is found especially in funerary contexts, and in association to kings and priests. As a sacred symbol, it was a familiar to the biblical Hebrew. The hem of the High Priest’s robe had a row of pomegranates and gold bells.
"And on the skirts thereof thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about." (Exodus 28:33. Also see Exodus 39:24-26).
The Tyrian master craftsmen Hiram carved pomegranates onto the capitals of the pillars at the entrance to the Holy of Holies.
"He made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital." (1 Kings 7:18)
Related reading: The Golden Pome; Thomas E. Levy, Ethnic Identity in Biblical Edom, Israel and Midian; 8000 Year History of the Pomegranate
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