Who are you, Jerubbaal?

A rare 3,100-year-old inscription has been found that dates from the time of the biblical Judges and relates to the Book of Judges.

For the first time, an inscription from the time of the biblical Judges and relating to the Book of Judges has been recovered from excavations at Khirbat er-Ra‘i, near Qiryat Gat. The rare inscription bears the name ‘Jerubbaal’ in alphabetic script and dates from around 1,100 BCE. It was written in ink on a pottery vessel and found inside a storage pit dug into the ground and lined with stones.

The inscription was written in ink on a jug – a small personal pottery vessel that holds approximately one liter, and may well have contained a precious liquid such as oil, perfume, or medicine. Apparently, much like today, the vessel’s owner wrote his name on it to assert his ownership. According to the archaeologists, “The name of the Judge Gideon ben Yoash was Jerubbaal, but we cannot tell whether he owned the vessel on which the inscription is written in ink.”

The site, located at the Shahariya forest of the KKL-JNF, has been excavated every summer since 2015, and the current excavation season is its seventh. The excavations are being conducted on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, under the direction of Prof. Yossef Garfinkel, Sa‘ar Ganor, Dr. Kyle Keimer, and Dr. Gil Davies. The program is funded by Joseph B. Silver and the Nathan and Lily Silver Foundation, the Roth Families Sydney, Aron Levy, and the Roger and Susan Hertog Center for Archaeology at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Archaeology. 

The inscription has been deciphered by epigraphic expert Christopher Rolston of George Washington University, Washington DC. It clearly shows the letters yod (broken at the top), resh, bet, ayin, lamed, and remnants of other letters indicate that the original inscription was longer.

Prof. Garfinkel and Ganor explain, “The name Jerubbaal is familiar from biblical tradition in the Book of Judges as an alternative name for the judge Gideon ben Yoash. Gideon is first mentioned as combatting idolatry by breaking the altar to Baal and cutting down the Asherah pole. In biblical tradition, he is then remembered as triumphing over the Midianites, who used to cross over the Jordan to plunder agricultural crops. According to the Bible, Gideon organized a small army of 300 soldiers and attacked the Midianites by night near Ma‘ayan Harod. In view of the geographical distance between the Shephelah and the Jezreel Valley, this inscription may refer to another Jerubbaal and not the Gideon of biblical tradition, although the possibility cannot be ruled out that the jug belonged to the judge Gideon. In any event, the name Jerubbaal was evidently in common usage at the time of the Biblical Judges.”

Inscriptions from the period of the Judges are extremely rare and almost unparalleled in Israeli archaeology. Only a handful of inscriptions found in the past bear a number of unrelated letters. This is the first time that the name Jerubbaal has ever been found outside the Bible in an archaeological context – in a stratum dated to around 1,100 BCE, the period of the Judges.

“As we know, there is considerable debate as to whether biblical tradition reflects reality and whether it is faithful to historical memories from the days of the Judges and the days of David,” say the archaeologists. “The name Jerubbaal only appears in the Bible in the period of the Judges, yet now it has also been discovered in an archaeological context, in a stratum dating from this period. In a similar manner, the name Ishbaal, which is only mentioned in the Bible during the monarchy of King David, has been found in strata dated to that period at the site of Khirbat Qeiyafa. The fact that identical names are mentioned in the Bible and also found in inscriptions recovered from archaeological excavations shows that memories were preserved and passed down through the generations.”

 The Jerubbaal inscription also contributes to our understanding of the spread of alphabetic script in the transition from the Canaanite period to the Israelite period. The alphabet was developed by the Canaanites under Egyptian influence in around 1,800 BCE, during the Middle Bronze Age. In the Late Bronze Age (1,550–1,150 BCE), only a few such inscriptions are known of in Israel, most from Tel Lachish near present-day Moshav Lachish. The Canaanite city of Lachish was probably the center where the tradition of writing the alphabet was maintained and preserved. Canaanite Lachish was destroyed in around 1,150 BCE and remained abandoned for about two centuries. Until now, there was considerable uncertainty as to where the tradition of alphabetic script was preserved after the fall of Lachish.

The newly-discovered inscription shows that the script was preserved at Khirbat er-Ra‘i — roughly 4 km from Lachish and the largest site in the area at the time of the Judges — during the transition from the Canaanite to the Israelite and Judahite cultures. Additional inscriptions, from the time of the monarchy (tenth century BCE onwards), have been found in the Shephelah, including two from Khirbat Qeiyafa and others from Tel es-Safi (Tel Tzafit) and Tel Bet Shemesh.

Route reveals one of the most magnificent public buildings discovered from Second Temple-period Jerusalem

For the first time, the Israel Antiquities Authority and Western Wall Heritage Foundation are opening to the public impressive new sections of one of the most magnificent public buildings uncovered from the Second Temple period. The discovery – the fruit of archaeological excavations recently conducted in the Western Wall Tunnels – will be part of the new route opened to visitors ahead of Rosh Chodesh Elul and Slichot (Penitential prayers).

To the west of Wilson’s Arch and the Temple Mount, part of the structure was discovered and documented by Charles Warren in the nineteenth century, followed by various archaeologists in the twentieth century. Now that its excavation is complete, we know that it contained two identical magnificent chambers with an elaborate fountain between them. The walls of the halls and the fountain were decorated with sculpted cornice-bearing pilasters (flat supporting pillars) topped with Corinthian capitals. The decorative style of the building is typical of opulent Second Temple-period architecture.

Mordechai Soli Eliav, Chairman of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, says, “It is exciting to reveal such a magnificent structure from the Second Temple period while we mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and pray for its restoration. These chambers are part of a new walk through the Western Wall Tunnels, where visitors will view fascinating finds and walk for the first time along the entire route among Second Temple-period remains that illustrate the complexity of Jewish life in Jerusalem between the Hasmonean and the Roman periods.”

According to Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolach, Excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “This is, without doubt, one of the most magnificent public buildings from the Second Temple period that has ever been uncovered outside the Temple Mount walls in Jerusalem. It was built around 20–30 CE. The building, which stood along a street leading up to the Temple Mount, was used for public functions – it may even have been the city council building where important dignitaries were received before entering the Temple compound and the Temple Mount. Visitors to the site can now envisage the opulence of the place: the two side chambers served as ornate reception rooms, and between them was a magnificent fountain with water gushing out from lead pipes incorporated amid the Corinthian capitals protruding from the wall. The excavation also uncovered the original massive stone slabs with which the ancient building was paved. The archaeologists believe that the guest rooms, which were also used for dining, contained wooden reclining sofas that have not been preserved.

Reclining dining rooms were common in the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman worlds from the fifth century BCE to the third-fourth centuries CE. They are known in the archaeological record from private homes, palaces, temples, synagogue complexes, and civilian compounds. Dining or feasting while reclining is mentioned as early as the Book of Amos – in the first half of the eighth century BCE – when the prophet rebukes the people of the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
In the late Second Temple period, before the Temple’s destruction, extensive changes made throughout the area included alterations to the building, which was divided into three separate chambers. In one of the chambers, a stepped pool was installed that was used as a ritual bath.”

Shachar Puni, architect for the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Conservation Department, explains, “The new route provides a better understanding of the complex and important site known as the Western Wall Tunnels while emphasizing the extent of this magnificent building. It creates a new visitors’ route that passes through the building and leads to the spacious compound at the foot of Wilson’s Arch (one of the bridges leading to the Temple Mount), which was also excavated by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation and the Israel Antiquities Authority. By making the route accessible and opening it to the public, visitors are introduced to one of the most fascinating and impressive sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.”

Research identifies meeting point between modern humans and Neanderthals

Chronological research at the Boker Tachtit site in Ein Avdat National Park, in Israel’s Negev desert, provides the first proof of the two cultures’ coexistence in the Negev, and pinpoints the time when modern humans left Africa – 50,000 years ago.

Where and when did modern humans and Neanderthal man meet? Groundbreaking research based on re-excavation of the important prehistoric site of Boker Tachtit in Ein Avdat National Park has identified a clearly defined area where the two populations existed at the same time, determining that the species met in the Negev, 50,000 years ago. The research, published on Wednesday in the prestigious scientific journal PNAS, is led by Prof. Elisabetta Boaretto of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Dr. Omry Barzilai of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Genetic studies have shown that modern humans and Neanderthals met in the distant past in the geographical region of Eurasia (which includes Israel) and even exchanged genes. However, the exact time and place of these encounters have remained unknown, until now.

New research based on renewed excavations at the important prehistoric site of Boker Tachtit in Ein Avdat National Park identified the earliest evidence of modern human activity in the Negev in the same time frame Neanderthal man inhabited the region. The study provides the first concrete proof for the coexistence of the two cultures in the Middle East.

The research, published on Wednesday in the prestigious scientific journal PNAS and led by Prof. Elisabetta Boaretto of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Dr. Omry Barzilai of the Israel Antiquities Authority, ascertains that modern man (Homo sapiens) migrated from Africa to Israel 50,000 years ago.

“Boker Tachtit is the first known site reached by a modern man outside Africa, which is why the site and its precise dating are so important,” says Dr. Omry Barzilai, excavation director at the Boker Tachtit site on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “The dating of the site to 50,000 years ago proves that modern man lived in the Negev at the same time as Neanderthal man, who we know inhabited the region in the same period. There is no doubt that, as they dwelt in and moved around the Negev, the two species were aware of each other’s existence. Our research on the Boker Tachtit site places an important, well-defined reference point on the timeline of human evolution.”

the excavation was funded by the Max Planck-Weizmann Center for the Integrative Archaeology and Anthropology. As part of the study, dozens of carbon samples from the renewed excavation were analyzed using radiocarbon dating in Prof. Elisabetta Boaretto’s laboratory at the Weizmann Institute of Science. According to Dr. Barzilai, “For the first time in prehistoric research, the results of the dating prove the hypothesis that there was definitely a spatial overlap between the late Mousterian culture, identified with Neanderthal man, and the Emiran culture, which is associated with the emergence of modern man in the Middle East.”

In the period known as the Middle Palaeolithic, 250,000–50,000 years before present, two humanoid species lived in the Old World simultaneously: Neanderthal man and modern man (Homo sapiens). Neanderthal man lived in Europe and Central Asia, whereas modern man lived in Africa. In particular, the Middle East and the region of Israel were at the limits of the distribution of these two species. They, therefore, also contain remnants of the two populations at different times.

DNA studies show that about 60,000 years ago, groups of modern humans began a widespread migration process from Africa to Asia and Europe and from there to the rest of the world, which ultimately led to the disappearance of Neanderthals and their assimilation into the modern human population. Therefore, the research hypothesis is that there was short-term interaction between the ancient peoples and cultures along the migration routes, including genetic exchange. The present study is the first to confirm this hypothesis, proving that at least one of these intercultural encounters occurred in Negev some 50,000 years ago.

“What was the nature of the encounter we have identified between the two human species? Did Neanderthals throughout the country become naturally extinct, merging with modern man, or did they disappear in violent ways? These questions will continue to concern us as researchers in the coming years,” concludes Dr. Barzilai.

A Cracking Find: Israel Antiquities Authority excavations in Yavne have recovered an intact chicken egg dating from roughly 1,000 years ago

Only a few ancient chicken eggs have ever been found intact, making this a rare global find * The egg was preserved nestled in the soft contents of a cesspit * The excavation at Yavne is part of a new neighborhood development project initiated by the Israel Land Authority

While excavating an ancient cesspit dating from the Islamic period (about 1,000 years ago), Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists in Yavne were astonished to find an unbroken chicken's egg. The large-scale archaeological excavations, directed by Dr. Elie Haddad, Liat Nadav-Ziv and Dr. Jon Seligman, have discovered an extensive and diverse industrial area dating from the Byzantine period. The excavations are part of the Israel Land Authority's urban expansion project in the city.

"Eggshell fragments are known from earlier periods, for example, in the City of David and at Caesarea and Apollonia, but hardly any whole chicken eggs have been preserved due to the eggs' fragile shells. Even at the global level, this is an extremely rare find," says Dr. Lee Perry Gal of the Israel Antiquities Authority and a leading expert on poultry in the ancient world. "In archaeological digs, we occasionally find ancient ostrich eggs, whose thicker shells preserve them intact."

"Even today, eggs rarely survive for long in supermarket cartons. It's amazing to think this is a 1,000year-old find!" says Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Alla Nagorsky, excavation director at the site where the egg was found. "The egg's unique preservation is evidently due to the conditions in which it lay for centuries, nestled in a cesspit containing soft human waste that preserved it."

Poultry farming was introduced into Israel 2,300 years ago, during the Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. In the Islamic period, from the seventh century CE onwards, there is a marked decrease in the percentage of pig bones at sites in the region, reflecting the prohibition on eating pork. "Families needed a ready protein substitute that does not require cooling and preservation, and they found it in eggs and chicken meat," explains Dr. Perry Gal. "Unfortunately, the egg had a small crack in the bottom, so most of the contents had leaked out of it. Only some of the yolk remained, which was preserved for future DNA analysis."

Despite the extreme caution with which the egg was removed, under the experienced supervision of a conservationist, the shell of the egg – preserved whole by the unusual anaerobic conditions – was cracked. In the Israel Antiquities Authority's organics laboratory, conservationist Ilan Naor restored the egg to the state in which it was found.

How did the egg end up in the cesspit? We will never know. Interestingly, other exciting finds were retrieved from the same pit as the egg, including three typical Islamic-period bone dolls used as playthings some 1,000 years ago.

A renewal project in Tel Ashkelon National Park will reveal the spectacular archaeological remains of a magnificent 2,000-year-old Basilica

Tel Ashkelon National Park has recently undergone extensive development work, initiated and funded by the Nature and Parks Authority, Ashkelon Municipality, and the Leon Levy Foundation, during which the Israel Antiquities Authority recently revealed a magnificent 2,000-year-old basilica that is the largest of its kind in Israel. This area of ancient Ashkelon has been excavated for a century by three major excavation teams: a team from the Palestine Exploration Fund, let by John Garstang (1920-1924), the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, led by Lawrence E. Stager and Daniel Master (2008-2013), and a team from the Israel Antiquities Authority, let by Rachel Bar-Natan, Saar Ganor, and Frederic Kobrin (2017-2020). Now, for the first time, the exciting finds will be open to visitors to Tel Ashkelon National Park. The remains show the development of the city during the Roman period and will be opened on completion of the development, conservation, and restoration work, which includes erecting sculptures and marble columns found in excavations at the site.

The Nature and Parks Authority and the Ashkelon Municipality are also developing and constructing a new network of accessible paths designed to showcase and provide better access to the park’s unique nature, heritage and landscape, thereby enhancing the visitor experience.

During the Roman period, the public life of the city revolved around the city center, which housed the government of the city, first in a basilica but then in a heavily decorated forum and theatre.

According to Dr. Rachel Bar-Natan, Saar Ganor, and Fredrico Kobrin, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, at the beginning of the Roman period, a basilica (Roman public building) was the centerpiece of a new city plan.  “The huge building is covered with a roof and divided into three parts – a central hall and two side halls.  “The basilica was founded by Herod the Great, and one historical source suggests that his family came from the city of Ashkelon,” add Ganor, Dr. Bar-Natan, and Kobrin of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Herodian coins discovered in the bedding of the structure’s ancient floors show that it was built at the time of one of the greatest builders ever to have lived in the country. The writings of the historian Josephus mention Herod’s construction in the city of Ashkelon and list fountains, a bathhouse, and colonnaded halls. Today, based on the new archaeological evidence, we can understand the origins of the historical record.”

During the Roman Severan Dynasty, in the second and third centuries CE, the area was completely renovated. Much of the original basilica was removed, but some of its massive foundations were re-used in order to support beautiful imported marble columns. The marble was imported from Asia Minor in merchant ships that reached the shores of Ashkelon, which was a famous, bustling trade city. Roughly 200 marble items weighing hundreds of tons in all have been found, testifying to the building’s great splendor. Among the items, dozens of column capitals with plant motifs were discovered, some bearing an eagle – the symbol of the Roman Empire. Pillars and heart-shaped capitals stood in the corners of the building. Excavations by the British in the 1920s unearthed huge statues, including a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, supported by the god Atlas holding a sphere, and a statue of Isis – an Egyptian deity depicted as Tyche, the city’s goddess of fortune. Also, during the Severan period, the city council met in a small theatre at the southern end of the forum. This theatre (Roman “odeon” or “bouleterion”) was first discovered in the 1920s by British archaeologist John Garstang but then entirely excavated by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon over the last two decades. 

According to the excavators from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the columned forum and decorated theatre were devastated by the earthquake that struck the country in 363 CE. The effects of the seismic waves are visible, providing tangible evidence of the events of that year in Ashkelon. After this event,  the buildings were abandoned, and the beautiful marbles began to be reused for other purposes throughout the city. There is evidence that marble items were cut up for use as paving stones, and some of the beautiful architectural features were taken for building construction.

The conservation department of the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting complex preservation and restoration work on the Severan forum and theatre and the impressive Roman basilica, led by the Nature and Parks Authority and generously funded by the Leon Levy Foundation. The work involves reinstalling the spectacular marble sculptures of ancient Ashkelon near where they were originally uncovered. In the first stage, the Severan theatre will be conserved and restored. Thanks to the Leon Levy Foundation’s support, the Severan theatre will incorporate modern seating, a stage, and a series of explanatory signs. At the same time, impressive marble items are being installed in a pilot program at the site. In this complex operation, one of the pillars, weighing dozens of tons, was hoisted onto the foundations of the basilica. The floor of the excavated forum will be restored and filled in, and additional columns will be placed around the perimeter based on findings from the initial program. The public will then be able to access a magnificent public center for Roman Ashkelon. In the meantime, visitors will be able to sit on the seating in the theatre – to be completed in the coming months – and observe the work on the nearby basilica.

Meanwhile, the new system of accessible paths being developed by the Nature and Parks Authority and Ashkelon Municipality in the national park aims to make the park’s unique nature, heritage and landscape more readily available, thereby enhancing the visitor experience. The route, about 2 km long, will go through the national park’s main sites, including the world’s oldest arched Canaanite gate, the famous wells of the ancient city, the Roman center, and the Crusader walls. This chronological trail tracing Ashkelon’s history through the ages will be clearly lined with content signage. A second trail will lead to the ancient wall and Ashkelon’s dunes, providing a glimpse of the rich flora and fauna to the south of the national park. Between the two trails, in the center of the park, a new visitor center will illustrate the vibrant life of the port city and its importance throughout the various periods.

According to Shaul Goldstein, CEO of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, “The Tel Ashkelon National Park combines a fascinating antiquities site with unique natural resources characteristic of the dunes in the coastal plain. It was the first national park to be declared in Israel in the 1960s, and since then, it has constantly been evolving and renewing for the benefit of visitors from all over the country. The unveiling of the basilica and odeon together with the development, preservation, and restoration work, which includes the installation of pillars and ancient marble sculptures found in excavations at the site, as well as the addition of new and accessible trails around points of major interest will undoubtedly enhance visits to the park and further emphasize its heritage and uniqueness. We are grateful to our partners for providing tremendous support and guidance in the national park’s development, including the generous assistance of Mrs. Shelby White and the Leon Levy Foundation under the close supervision of archaeologist Prof. Daniel Master.”

Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam says, “The Ashkelon National Park is one of the most important ancient sites, both in Israel and in the world, and time and time again, it emerges as one of the most visited sites in the country. The city takes great pride in it, investing resources and funding in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority, encouraging visitors by subsidizing entry for Ashkelon’s residents and promoting educational and community initiatives. We have recently also finished upgrading the entrance road to the park, which has been transformed to give the park the dignity it deserves. I am convinced that the restoration and conservation work in the park, the new archaeological discoveries, and the development work – including new accessible paths – will contribute significantly to the park’s natural beauty and strengthen its status as the most beautiful and well-kept national park in Israel.”

Shelby White, Trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, noted “When Leon and I visited Ashkelon in 1985, we did not imagine that our ties with that ancient seaport would last for over three decades. I am glad that the odeon, one of the many archaeological discoveries made by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, will now be restored, and the famous Roman sculptures of Ashkelon will be returned to their original location. Thanks to this, visitors to the Ashkelon National Park from Israel and around the world will be able to imagine this great city in all its ancient glory.”

Tel Ashkelon National Park has recently undergone extensive development work, initiated and funded by the Nature and Parks Authority, Ashkelon Municipality, and the Leon Levy Foundation, during which the Israel Antiquities Authority recently revealed a magnificent 2,000-year-old basilica that is the largest of its kind in Israel. This area of ancient Ashkelon has been excavated for a century by three major excavation teams: a team from the Palestine Exploration Fund, let by John Garstang (1920-1924), the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, led by Lawrence E. Stager and Daniel Master (2008-2013), and a team from the Israel Antiquities Authority, let by Rachel Bar-Natan, Saar Ganor, and Frederic Kobrin (2017-2020). Now, for the first time, the exciting finds will be open to visitors to Tel Ashkelon National Park. The remains show the development of the city during the Roman period and will be opened on completion of the development, conservation, and restoration work, which includes erecting sculptures and marble columns found in excavations at the site.

The Nature and Parks Authority and the Ashkelon Municipality are also developing and constructing a new network of accessible paths designed to showcase and provide better access to the park’s unique nature, heritage and landscape, thereby enhancing the visitor experience.

During the Roman period, the public life of the city revolved around the city center, which housed the government of the city, first in a basilica but then in a heavily decorated forum and theatre.

According to Dr. Rachel Bar-Natan, Saar Ganor, and Fredrico Kobrin, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, at the beginning of the Roman period, a basilica (Roman public building) was the centerpiece of a new city plan.  “The huge building is covered with a roof and divided into three parts – a central hall and two side halls.  “The basilica was founded by Herod the Great, and one historical source suggests that his family came from the city of Ashkelon,” add Ganor, Dr. Bar-Natan, and Kobrin of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Herodian coins discovered in the bedding of the structure’s ancient floors show that it was built at the time of one of the greatest builders ever to have lived in the country. The writings of the historian Josephus mention Herod’s construction in the city of Ashkelon and list fountains, a bathhouse, and colonnaded halls. Today, based on the new archaeological evidence, we can understand the origins of the historical record.”

During the Roman Severan Dynasty, in the second and third centuries CE, the area was completely renovated. Much of the original basilica was removed, but some of its massive foundations were re-used in order to support beautiful imported marble columns. The marble was imported from Asia Minor in merchant ships that reached the shores of Ashkelon, which was a famous, bustling trade city. Roughly 200 marble items weighing hundreds of tons in all have been found, testifying to the building’s great splendor. Among the items, dozens of column capitals with plant motifs were discovered, some bearing an eagle – the symbol of the Roman Empire. Pillars and heart-shaped capitals stood in the corners of the building. Excavations by the British in the 1920s unearthed huge statues, including a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, supported by the god Atlas holding a sphere, and a statue of Isis – an Egyptian deity depicted as Tyche, the city’s goddess of fortune. Also, during the Severan period, the city council met in a small theatre at the southern end of the forum. This theatre (Roman “odeon” or “bouleterion”) was first discovered in the 1920s by British archaeologist John Garstang but then entirely excavated by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon over the last two decades. 

According to the excavators from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the columned forum and decorated theatre were devastated by the earthquake that struck the country in 363 CE. The effects of the seismic waves are visible, providing tangible evidence of the events of that year in Ashkelon. After this event,  the buildings were abandoned, and the beautiful marbles began to be reused for other purposes throughout the city. There is evidence that marble items were cut up for use as paving stones, and some of the beautiful architectural features were taken for building construction.

The conservation department of the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting complex preservation and restoration work on the Severan forum and theatre and the impressive Roman basilica, led by the Nature and Parks Authority and generously funded by the Leon Levy Foundation. The work involves reinstalling the spectacular marble sculptures of ancient Ashkelon near where they were originally uncovered. In the first stage, the Severan theatre will be conserved and restored. Thanks to the Leon Levy Foundation’s support, the Severan theatre will incorporate modern seating, a stage, and a series of explanatory signs. At the same time, impressive marble items are being installed in a pilot program at the site. In this complex operation, one of the pillars, weighing dozens of tons, was hoisted onto the foundations of the basilica. The floor of the excavated forum will be restored and filled in, and additional columns will be placed around the perimeter based on findings from the initial program. The public will then be able to access a magnificent public center for Roman Ashkelon. In the meantime, visitors will be able to sit on the seating in the theatre – to be completed in the coming months – and observe the work on the nearby basilica.

Meanwhile, the new system of accessible paths being developed by the Nature and Parks Authority and Ashkelon Municipality in the national park aims to make the park’s unique nature, heritage and landscape more readily available, thereby enhancing the visitor experience. The route, about 2 km long, will go through the national park’s main sites, including the world’s oldest arched Canaanite gate, the famous wells of the ancient city, the Roman center, and the Crusader walls. This chronological trail tracing Ashkelon’s history through the ages will be clearly lined with content signage. A second trail will lead to the ancient wall and Ashkelon’s dunes, providing a glimpse of the rich flora and fauna to the south of the national park. Between the two trails, in the center of the park, a new visitor center will illustrate the vibrant life of the port city and its importance throughout the various periods.

According to Shaul Goldstein, CEO of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, “The Tel Ashkelon National Park combines a fascinating antiquities site with unique natural resources characteristic of the dunes in the coastal plain. It was the first national park to be declared in Israel in the 1960s, and since then, it has constantly been evolving and renewing for the benefit of visitors from all over the country. The unveiling of the basilica and odeon together with the development, preservation, and restoration work, which includes the installation of pillars and ancient marble sculptures found in excavations at the site, as well as the addition of new and accessible trails around points of major interest will undoubtedly enhance visits to the park and further emphasize its heritage and uniqueness. We are grateful to our partners for providing tremendous support and guidance in the national park’s development, including the generous assistance of Mrs. Shelby White and the Leon Levy Foundation under the close supervision of archaeologist Prof. Daniel Master.”

Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam says, “The Ashkelon National Park is one of the most important ancient sites, both in Israel and in the world, and time and time again, it emerges as one of the most visited sites in the country. The city takes great pride in it, investing resources and funding in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority, encouraging visitors by subsidizing entry for Ashkelon’s residents, and promoting educational and community initiatives. We have recently also finished upgrading the entrance road to the park, which has been transformed to give the park the dignity it deserves. I am convinced that the restoration and conservation work in the park, the new archaeological discoveries, and the development work – including new accessible paths – will contribute significantly to the park’s natural beauty and strengthen its status as the most beautiful and well-kept national park in Israel.”

Shelby White, Trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, noted “When Leon and I visited Ashkelon in 1985, we did not imagine that our ties with that ancient seaport would last for over three decades. I am glad that the odeon, one of the many archaeological discoveries made by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, will now be restored, and the famous Roman sculptures of Ashkelon will be returned to their original location. Thanks to this, visitors to the Ashkelon National Park from Israel and around the world will be able to imagine this great city in all its ancient glory.”

Against the Evil Eye

Forty years after its find, an ancient amulet bearing the Divine Name and intended to ward off demons has been handed over to the Israel Antiquities Authority. The fascinating amulet, dated to the Byzantine period (some 1500 years ago), was found at Arbel, where there was once an ancient Jewish settlement.

The amulet bears four Greek letters: I A W Θ, representing the Jewish Divine Name (Yahweh, IHYH). “The fact that the amulet was found on the site of a Jewish settlement that contained a synagogue in the fifth-sixth centuries CE suggests that Jews also carried amulets at the time,” says the find’s researcher archaeologist Dr. Eitan Klein of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

A necklace pendant used as a protective amulet and dating from the Byzantine period (equivalent to Talmudic times in the Galilee) has been handed over to the Israel Antiquities Authority. The amulet – which bears Greek inscriptions and engravings and was found near Arbel’s ancient synagogue some forty years ago by the late Tova Haviv, one of the first members of the moshav – has now been given to the National Treasures Center by a family member. The bronze pendant attests to its owner’s beliefs and fear of the evil eye and harmful demons. 

The amulet is a necklace pendant made of bronze. The obverse bears the figure of a rider on a galloping horse. The rider’s head is encircled with a halo, and he thrusts a spear down toward a female figure lying on her back. Engraved in a semicircle above the rider is a Greek inscription that reads: ‘The One God who Conquers Evil.’

Beneath the horse’s legs are four Greek letters: I A W Θ, which stand for the Jewish Divine Name (Yahweh, IHYH).

An eye depicted on the reverse is pierced by arrows and by a forked object. The eye is threatened from below by two lions, a snake, a scorpion, and a bird. On the upper part of the same side is the abbreviated Greek inscription: ‘One God.’

According to the amulet’s researcher Dr. Eitan Klein, Deputy Director of the Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit, “the amulet is part of a group of fifth–sixth-century CE amulets from the Levant that were probably produced in the Galilee and Lebanon. This group of amulets is sometimes called ‘Solomon’s Seal,’ and the rider is depicted overcoming the evil spirit – in this case, a female identified with the mythological figure Gello/Gyllou, who threatens women and children and is associated with the evil eye. The eye on the reverse is identifiable as the evil eye, being attacked and vanquished by various means. Therefore, the amulet was probably used to guard against the evil eye, possibly to protect women and children.” 

During the Byzantine period, Arbel was a Jewish settlement, and it is often mentioned in historical sources from the Talmudic period. It had a linen-production industry, and many sages visited and taught there. “Although scholars generally identify the wearers of such amulets as Christians or Gnostics, the fact that the amulet was found within a Jewish settlement containing a synagogue in the fifth-sixth centuries CE may indicate that even Jews of the period wore amulets of this type for protection against the evil eye and demons,” says Klein. “I wish to thank the amulet’s donor for demonstrating good citizenship, and I appeal to anyone who has previously found ancient artifacts to hand them over to the National Treasures Center, since objects of this kind tell the story of Israel’s history and heritage and they belong to all Israel’s citizens, both legally and in terms of their cultural value.”

A “Lucky” Bronze Oil Lamp Meant for Good Fortune Was Uncovered During Excavations of the City of David’s Pilgrimage Road

The First Discovery of its Kind in Jerusalem and One of the Few in the World:

A rare bronze oil lamp, shaped like a grotesque face that is cut in half, was recently discovered in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David National Park.

Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists Ari Levy and Dr. Yuval Baruch believe that the lamp, which was discovered in the foundations of a building built upon the pilgrimage road, was intentionally deposited in order to bring good fortune to the building’s residents. “The offering of this lamp may attest to the importance of the building, which may have been linked to the protection of the Siloam Pool, the city’s primary water source.”

The excavation was conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Jerusalem Walls-City of David National Park and funded by the City of David Foundation, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

This special bronze lamp was deliberately buried in the foundations of the building, dating to the Roman Period, subsequent to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 CE (late 1st-early 2nd century CE). In the opinion of the site’s archeologists, the lamp was a foundation deposit (a ritual burial of an offering in the foundations of a building). “Foundation deposits (offerings) were prevalent in the ancient world and were intended for luck, and to ensure the continued existence of the building and its occupants, and they were usually buried under the floors of buildings or foundations,” explained Dr. Yuval Baruch and Ari Levy, archeologists on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

In actuality, the artifact is half of a lamp. It was poured into a sculpted mold that was shaped like half of a face of a bearded man with a grotesque appearance. The tip of the lamp is shaped like a crescent moon, and the handle is shaped like the Acanthus plant. The decoration that appears on the lamp is reminiscent of a common Roman artistic motif, similar to a theatrical mask.

According to the archaeologists, “This lamp is a unique find, and as far as we know, the first of its kind discovered in Israel. The uniqueness of the current object is that it is only half a face.” Researchers are debating what this means. It may have been simply a practical matter. The lamp may have been attached to a flat object or wall, serving as a wall lamp, but the possibility that it was an object used in some sort of ceremonial ritual should not be ruled out.

According to archaeologist Ari Levy, director of the excavations on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The building where the lamp was discovered was built directly on top of the Pilgrimage Road at the end of the Second Temple period. The construction of such a massive structure in the period after the destruction of Jewish Jerusalem demonstrates the importance of the area even after the destruction of the Second Temple. It is possible that the importance of the building, and the need to bless its activity with luck by burying a foundation deposit, was due to its proximity to the Siloam Pool, which was also used in the Roman period as the central source of water within the city.”

After the bronze lamp was found, it was handed over for treatment and preservation in the metal laboratory of the Israel Antiquities Authority and put in the care of Ilia Reznitsky. During the treatment, another exciting discovery was made - inside the lamp was its wick, which was unusually preserved. The wick, which is a very rare find, was submitted for examination by Dr. Naama Sukenik, curator of organic materials at the Israel Antiquities Authority. Upon microscopic examination, Dr. Sukenik identified that it was a wick made of flax. Future stages of research will try and identify any oil residue left on the wick, which will help determine whether the lamp was used, and if so, what oil they used to light it.

According to Dr. Yuval Baruch of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “Decorated bronze oil lamps were discovered throughout the Roman Empire. For the most part, such oil lamps stood on stylish candelabras or were hung on a chain. Collections around the world contain thousands of these bronze lamps, many of which were made in intricate shapes, indicating the artistic freedom that Roman metal artists possessed. Meanwhile, this half of a lamp, and in fact half a face, which was discovered in the City of David, is a very rare object, with only a few discovered in the whole world, and is the first of its kind to be discovered in Jerusalem.”

Impressive 1600-year-old mosaic uncovered during archaeological excavations in Yavne to be publicly displayed in a plaza at city’s cultural center

The mosaic was found during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority, financed by the Israel Lands Authority before the development of a new neighborhood * Archaeologists say it may have graced a mansion in the affluent neighborhood located near the industrial area

An impressive 1600-year-old mosaic found during archaeological excavations in Yavne is to be placed on public display at the city’s cultural center, in a joint initiative launched by Yavne municipality, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and the Israel Land Authority.

In recent years, the Israel Antiquities Authority has been conducting large-scale archaeological excavations to the southeast of Tel Yavne as part of the Israel Land Authority’s city development program. The excavations, directed by Dr. Elie Haddad, Liat Nadav-Ziv, and Dr. Jon Seligman, unearthed an extensive industrial zone in operation for several centuries.

According to the archaeologists, this is the first time that such a pavement has been uncovered in Yavne, and its preservation is excellent. In their opinion, “The pavement may have been part of a splendid residential building in a wealthy neighborhood adjacent to the industrial zone.”

The mayor of Yavne, Zvi Gur-Ari, states that “Archaeological preservation and awareness of the past are important values in the life of the city of Yavne, which has a magnificent history. In an age of progress and accelerated development in all fields of life, future generations should also see how the city has evolved throughout history. We will continue to work with the Israel Antiquities Authority to ensure public access to the finds and continued research and understanding of the city’s past and its historical importance.”

The multicolored mosaic pavement, dated to the Byzantine period (4th -5th century CE), was unearthed in archaeological excavations directed by Avishag Reiss of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The floor is decorated with colorful geometric motifs and has a black rectangular frame. “At first, we did not realize that the floor is multicolored,” said Dr. Elie Haddad and Dr. Hagit Torgë. “We assumed that it was simple white mosaic paving belonging to yet another industrial installation. But black patches dotted around the mosaic suggested that it was more than one color and prompted us to remove the whitish patina that had coated it for years. The conservation director went to work cleaning the mosaic with a special acid,” they add, “and to our astonishment, a colorful mosaic carpet was revealed, ornamented with geometric motifs.”
Once the mosaic had been documented, drawn, and photographed in the field, it was removed and temporarily transferred to the Israel Antiquities Authority’s mosaic workshop at the Rockefeller Museum, where it has been treated and preserved by the authority’s conservation experts.

In cooperation between the Israel Antiquities Authority and Yavne municipality, which endeavors to make archeology accessible to the town’s residents. With the assistance of the Israel Land Authority, a suitable location has been found for the mosaic – in the plaza near Yavne’s cultural center.

The municipality is currently preparing the infrastructure for the mosaic for the benefit of Yavne’s citizens and the general public. The mosaic’s relocation and preservation will be carried out using ancient technological methods and employing materials similar to those used in antiquity. During the work, the site will be open to the public, thus enabling everyone to see and enjoy the conservation process and the gradual uncovering of the mosaic.

Archaeologist Diego Barkan from the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Tel Aviv District welcomes the fruitful cooperation between the Israel Land Authority and Yavne municipality. “I am happy that the mosaic will be displayed in a central location in the city so that the values embodied in its heritage are preserved and made accessible to the general public.”

A challenging Israel Antiquities Authority operation has uncovered thrilling finds in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve

The finds include dozens of fragments of a biblical scroll from the Bar Kokhba period, a 6,000year-old skeleton of a child, and the oldest complete basket in the world

For the first time in approximately 60 years, archaeological excavations have uncovered fragments of a biblical scroll. The scroll, which is written in Greek, includes portions of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets, including the books of Zechariah and Nahum

Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists discovered the scroll fragments and other rare finds in a dramatic and challenging national operation to prevent looting of antiquities in the Judean Desert.

"These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates. And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those are things that I hate—declares the Lord."

These verses, from Zechariah 8:16–17, were discovered in a cave where Jewish refugees hid almost 1900 years ago. The verses, written on dozens of parchment fragments, were found in a complex and challenging national-archaeological operation undertaken by the Israel Antiquities Authority on the cliffs of the Judean desert since 2017 to prevent antiquities looting. The historic discovery comes 60 years after the last discovery of biblical scrolls in archaeological excavations. In addition to the scroll fragments, the operation uncovered additional extraordinary finds from various periods: a cache of rare coins from the days of Bar-Kokhba, a 6,000 year-old skeleton of a child – likely female, wrapped in a cloth and mummified, and a sizeable complete basket dating back 10,500 years, likely the oldest in the world.

The national project of surveying the caves of the Judean Desert and their excavation is undertaken in desert caves and ravines since 2017, by the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Staff Officer of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, and funded by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. Today, its results were first unveiled.

The Dead Sea Scrolls include the earliest known copies of the Biblical Books. As such, they are considered the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century. The scroll fragments, which bear verses from the books of the prophets Zechariah and Nahum and are written in Greek, were retrieved from the Cave of Horror in the Judean Desert reserve's Nahal Hever by clinging to ropes between heaven and earth. The cave, roughly 80 meters below the cliff top, is flanked by gorges and can only be reached by rappelling precariously down the sheer cliff.

Warning: The National Parks Authority prohibits any attempted entrance to the cave

Additional finds left behind by the Jewish rebels who fled to the caves at the end of the Bar Kokhba Revolt include a cache of coins from the Revolt bearing Jewish symbols such as a harp and a date palm, arrow- and spear-heads, woven fabric, sandals and even lice combs.  

Ever since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered over 70 years ago, the desert caves have been targeted by antiquities looters; the climatic conditions inside them have enabled the exceptional preservation of scrolls and ancient documents cultural heritage assets of immense importance. As such, they are sought after by cave looters, who risk life and limb in their search, as well as damaging the caves and destroying historical evidence.   

"The aim of this national initiative is to rescue these rare and important heritage assets from the robbers' clutches," says Israel Antiquities Authority's director Israel Hasson, who launched the national operation. "The newly discovered scroll fragments are a wake-up call to the state. Resources must be allocated for the completion of this historically important operation. We must ensure that we recover all the data that has not yet been discovered in the caves before the robbers do. Some things are beyond value." Hasson adds, "The desert team showed exceptional courage, dedication and devotion to purpose, rappelling down to caves located between heaven and earth, digging and sifting through them, enduring thick and suffocating dust, and returning with gifts of immeasurable worth for mankind."

Avi Cohen, the CEO of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, said: the scroll fragments containing biblical texts, the coins, and the additional finds from the Second Temple Period that were found in this unique project directly attest to the Jewish heritage of the region and the inseparable bond between the Jewish cultural activities and our place in this land. It is very exciting to see these finds and expose them to the public, finds which shed great light on our history. These finds are not just important to our own cultural heritage but to that of the entire world. Without the consistent and coordinated action of the various government offices, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Civil Administration, these special assets would not be made accessible to the public, rather would remain in the possession of antiquities looters. The ministry will continue to be part of the project in order to complete the mapping of the caves that contain similar finds. The continued project includes the combination of extraordinary professionals and advanced technologies, and we are proud of this unique cooperation, which we applaud".   

Raz Frohlich, the CEO of the Ministry of Sports and Culture, said: This is a historic discovery, on an international level at this time. Alongside progress and technology, we are reminded of the rich historical heritage of the Jewish people. The importance of this event took an additional turn for me on a personal level when dozens of youth took part in the excavations and were given the chance to meet with the Jewish ethos, which lives on from the days of the Bible, face to face. The Ministry of Culture and Sports will continue to invest in the exposure of our cultural treasures – for future generations.  

According to Hananya Hizmi, Head Staff Officer of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, "This is definitely an exciting moment, as we present and reveal to the public an important and significant piece in the history and culture of the Land of Israel. In as early as the late 1940s, we became aware of the cultural heritage remains of the ancient population of the Land of Israel with the first discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Now, in this national operation, which continues the work of previous projects, new finds and evidence have been discovered and unearthed that shed even more light on the different periods and cultures of the region. The finds attest to a rich, diverse and complex way of life, as well as to the harsh climatic conditions that prevailed in the region hundreds and thousands of years ago. In addition to the current operation, the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria has invested extensive effort and resources over the years in conserving antiquity sites throughout Judea and Samaria for future generations, while actively enforcing measures to deter antiquities looters from operating in the region."

Since the operation began in October 2017, three teams led by Oriah Amichai, Hagay Hamer and Haim Cohen have been systematically surveying the caves in the desert cliffs. The survey is being conducted under the administrative auspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority's Southern Region, headed by Pablo Betzer. According to Head of the Antiquities Authority Surveys Department Dr. Ofer Sion, the head of the theft-prevention unit Amir Ganor, and the deputy head of the theft-prevention unit Dr. Eitan Klein, to date, 80 km of desert caves have been surveyed. The complex operation included employing drones and reaching virtually inaccessible caves with the aid of rappelling techniques and mountain-climbing equipment. In addition, archaeological excavations were conducted in select caves. The meticulous survey, which included zoological and botanical aspects, is expected to shed light on the study of the Judean Desert caves. Dozens of youths and members of pre-military preparatory programs joined the archaeological excavations in those areas that are relatively accessible. This is part of the Israel Antiquities Authority's educational program policy, which seeks to nurture a young generation in the country that is connected to its heritage.

The fragments of the Greek scroll of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets discovered in the operation was written, uniquely by two different scribes. The conservation and study of the fragments, conducted by Tanya Bitler, Dr. Oren Ableman, and Beatriz Riestra of the Dead Sea Scrolls Unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority, has allowed for the reconstruction of 11 lines of text, partially preserving the Greek translation of Zechariah 8:16–17. Also identified, on another fragment, are verses from Nahum 1:5–6, "The mountains quake because of Him, And the hills melt. The earth heaves before Him, The world and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before His wrath? Who can resist His fury? His anger pours out like fire, and rocks are shattered because of Him." When comparing the text preserved in the newly discovered fragments to the text known to us from other versions of the text, including the verses known in the Masoretic text, numerous differences are notable, some of which were quite surprising. These differences can tell us quite a bit regarding the transmission of the biblical text up until the days of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt, documenting the changes that occurred over time until reaching us in the current version. Another exciting aspect about this scroll is that despite most of the text being in Greek, the name of God appears in ancient Hebrew script, known from the times of the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Another astounding discovery was found near the rock wall inside the Cave of Horror: A 6,000-year-old partially mummified skeleton of a child, wrapped in cloth. According to prehistorian Ronit Lupu of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "On moving two flat stones, we discovered a shallow pit intentionally dug beneath them, containing a skeleton of a child placed in a fetal position. It was covered with a cloth around its head and chest, like a small blanket, with its feet protruding from it. It was obvious that whoever buried the child had wrapped him up and pushed the edges of the cloth beneath him, just as a parent covers his child in a blanket. A small bundle of cloth was clutched in the child's hands. The child's skeleton and the cloth wrapping were remarkably well preserved and because of the climatic conditions in the cave, a process of natural mummification had taken place; the skin, tendons, and even the hair were partially preserved, despite the passage of time". A preliminary study of a CT scan of the child, carried out by Dr. Hila May from Tel Aviv University, suggests that this child was 6-12 years old.

Another find, currently unparalleled worldwide, was discovered by youths from the Nofei Prat pre-military leadership academy in one of the Muraba'at Caves in the Nahal Darga Reserve: a huge intact basket with a lid that was also exceptionally well preserved due to the high temperatures and extreme aridity of the region. The basket dates to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, approximately 10,500 years ago. As far as we know, this is the oldest basket in the world that has been found completely intact and its importance is therefore immense. The basket had a capacity of 90–100 liters and was apparently used for storage. The basket provides fascinating new data on the storage of products some 1,000 years before the invention of pottery. The basket is woven from plant material and its method of weaving is unusual. When it was found it was empty, and only future research of a small amount of soil remaining inside it will help us discover what it was used for and what was placed in it.

The study of the skeleton is currently being spearheaded by Ronit Lupu of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Dr. Hila May from the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine. The research of the earliest-known basket is being spearheaded by Dr. Naama Sukenik and Dr. Ianir Milevski of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The skeleton and basket were dated using carbon-14, by Prof. Elisabetta Boaretto of the Scientific Archaeology Unit of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

* Before the COVID outbreak, dozens of youth participated in the excavations   

Boy Finds Figurine from Biblical Times (c. 2500 Years Ago) during Trip to Nahal HaBesor in the Northern Negev

The figurine, depicting a bare-breasted woman wearing a scarf, is an amulet that was believed to protect children or increase fertility * Only one similar example, also from the northern Negev, is preserved in the National Treasures collection

A few weeks ago, 11-year-old Zvi Ben-David from Be’er Sheva was on a family trip to Nahal HaBesor when he caught sight of an unusual object. On picking it up, he saw it was a pottery figurine of a woman. His mother, Miriam Ben-David – a professional tour guide – realized that it was an important ancient find and contacted Oren Shmueli, district archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority in the western Negev.

In compliance with current Covid-19 restrictions, Oren met Zvi and his family in their garden. They handed him the figurine, which will now be researched and kept in the National Treasures collection. Zvi was awarded a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

According to Oren Shmueli and Debbie Ben Ami, curator of the Iron Age and Persian periods in the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The figurine that Zvi discovered is rare. Only one such example exists in the National Treasures collection. It was probably used in the sixth–fifth centuries BCE, at the end of the Iron Age, or in the Persian period (the late First Temple period, or the return to Zion). The figurine, 7 cm high and 6 cm wide, was made in a mold. It shows a woman with a scarf covering her head and neck, schematic facial features, and a prominent nose. The woman is bare-breasted, and her hands are folded under her chest.”

Shmueli and Ben-Ami explain, “Pottery figurines of bare-breasted women are known from various periods in Israel, including the First Temple era. They were common in the home and everyday life, like the hamsa today, and apparently served as amulets to ensure protection, good luck, and prosperity. We must bear in mind that in antiquity, the medical understanding was rudimentary. Infant mortality was very high, and about a third of those born did not survive. There was little understanding of hygiene, and fertility treatment was naturally non-existent. In the absence of advanced medicine, amulets provided hope and an important way of appealing for aid.”

The figurine was delivered to the National Treasures collection and is currently being studied by Oren Shmueli and Debbie Ben-Ami of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in collaboration with Raz Kletter from the University of Helsinki in Finland.
The archaeologists say, “The exemplary citizenship of young Zvi Ben-David will enable us to improve our understanding of cultic practices in biblical times, and man’s inherent need for material human personifications.”