The large eggs were discovered next to an ancient fire pit in an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation, initiated by the JNF and the Ramat Negev Regional Council, undertaken before the development of an agricultural area for Moshav Be’er Milka
Lauren Davis, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director, said, “This is a significant find that—with the help of modern scientific methods—can teach us a lot about the nomadic people of the desert in ancient times.”
Eight more than 4,000-year-old ostrich eggs were uncovered near an ancient fire pit in the Nitzana dunes in the Negev. This rare find, preliminarily dated between 4,000 and 7,500 years ago, was discovered in an Israel Antiquities Authority archaeological excavation in the agricultural fields of Be’er Milka. The Israel Antiquities Authority carried out the excavation, initiated by the Jewish National Fund and the Ramat Negev Regional Council plans to prepare new agricultural land for Be’er Milka.
“We found a campsite, which extends over 200 square meters. The desert nomads used that since prehistoric times”, says Lauren Davis, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director. “At the site, we found burnt stones, flint, and stone tools as well as pottery sherds, but the exceptional find is this collection of ostrich eggs. Although the nomads did not build permanent structures at this site, the finds allow us to feel their presence in the desert. These campsites were quickly covered by the dunes and re-exposed to the sand movement for hundreds of years. This fact explains the exceptional preservation of the eggs, allowing us a glimpse into the lives of the nomads who roamed the desert in ancient times.”
Ostriches were common in the area from the early prehistoric periods until they became extinct in the wild in the 19th century. Their eggs have been found in archaeological sites for several periods, reflecting the importance of ostrich eggs as a raw material.
“We find ostrich eggs in archaeological sites in funerary contexts and as luxury items and water canteens. Naturally, they were used as a source of food: one ostrich egg has the nutritional value of about 25 normal chicken eggs,” says Dr. Amir Gorzalczany from the Israel Antiquities Authority, who has researched the subject. “There is sometimes even evidence of decorating and incising on ostrich eggs, showing their use as decorative items. It is interesting that while ostrich eggs are not uncommon in excavations, the bones of the large bird are not found. This may indicate that people avoided tackling the ostrich in the ancient world and were content with collecting their eggs.”
“The proximity of the group of eggs to the fire pit indicates that this is not a natural chance find but the intentional collecting of the eggs,” says Davis. “One of the eggs was found directly in the fire pit, strengthening the understanding that they were used as the food here. The ostrich eggs were crushed but well-preserved, although they were uncovered in the surface layer.”
Davis adds that post-excavation scientific examination will add information regarding the exact age of the site. “After the excavation, we will reconstruct the eggs, just like a puzzle. The whole egg may tell us the species and what they were used for. Every eggshell is worth its weight in gold. I am looking forward to the research in the labs. The best is yet ahead.”
Eli Escuzido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, says: “The collection of ostrich eggs from Be’er Milka is a rare and fascinating find. It seems that the eggs survived as the dunes covered them over for so long and due to the relatively dry climate of the area. The finds will go directly from the excavation to the new analytical laboratory in the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, where they will undergo further observation and research.”