Jewish artifacts found in Israel from 3,800 years ago
צילום: EYECON הפקות, באדיבות רשות העתיקות
Ancient 'thinking person' statuette unearthed in Israel
A team of Israeli archaeologists and high school students have discovered a 3,800-year-old pottery jug bearing a statuette of a person who appears deep in thought; 'To the best of my knowledge such a rich funerary assemblage that also includes such a unique pottery vessel has never before been discovered in the country,' said one of the archaeologists at the site.
A team of Israeli archaeologists and high school students have unearthed a 3,800-year-old pottery jug bearing a statuette of a person who appears deep in thought, sitting with knees bent and head rested on hand.
The Israel Antiquities Authority said on Wednesday the jug, dating back to what archaeologists refer to as the Middle Bronze Age, had been found during an excavation in the central town of Yehud.
"It seems that at first the jug, which is typical of the period, was prepared and afterwards the unique sculpture was added, the likes of which have never before been discovered in previous research," said Gilad Itach, who directed the excavation, which included teenage diggers.
Jewish artifacts found in Israel from 3,800 years ago (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority,Clara Amit) (ילום: קלרה עמית, באדיבות רשות העתיקות)
The statuette is about 18 cm (7 inches) tall.
Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority, EYECON (צילום: EYECON הפקות, באדיבות רשות העתיקות)
"One can see that the face of the figure seems to be resting on its hand as if in a state of reflection," he said.
Photo: Maxim Dinstein, Israel Antiquities Authority) (צילום: מקסים דינשטיין, באדיבות רשות העתיקות)
Other vessels and metal items were found such as daggers, arrowheads, an axe head, sheep bones and what are believed to be the bones of a donkey.
The excavation site (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority, EYECON) (צילום: EYECON הפקות, באדיבות רשות העתיקות)
Itach said the collection seemed to be funeral offerings, likely of an important member of an ancient community.
Archeologists and volunteers work to uncover lost items (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority, EYECON) (צילום: EYECON הפקות, באדיבות רשות העתיקות)
"To the best of my knowledge such a rich funerary assemblage that also includes such a unique pottery vessel has never before been discovered in the country," he said.
The statuette was the latest discovery by the Israel Antiquities Authority, which is charged with carrying out excavations at all major building sites across the country to ensure that no relics are destroyed.
In recent months its teams have found treasures from gold coins to an ancient mosaic.
