The dietary evidence indicates “a dynamic and complex exchange network connecting the Mediterranean with South Asia,” according to the report. Christina Warinner, a Harvard anthropologist and one of the lead investigators, said the imported fruit may have been dried, like modern-day banana chips.
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I think it’s pretty much a given that there was a crap ton more long-distance trade and seafaring going on back then than academia has wanted to accept for a long time. Although that refusal might be changing lately.
But, I find it more likely, re: bananas, that a batch of cuttings or small pot growths were planted on palace grounds or some such. Seems to me that even dried chips would mold up badly under the months and possibly years-long trips from Asian source to Med destination.
Seems much more likely that over centuries deals got made, small plantations got planted and it made its way west in small lots.
I went and checked to confirm that bananas are grown in Iraq today, so it’s a safe bet that they could be grown there in Solomon’s time. The Hebrews didn’t have to go all the way to India.
And apparently Egypt grows them too, although it is the 56th largest exporter. Today the majority of their bananas go to Jordan and Palestine. I bet they could be picked green and get to Solomon’s temple in time for them to ripen.