Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists working at Yehud in the Central District of Israel have uncovered an ancient ceramic jug, about 3,800 years old.
The 3,800-year-old jug, which was broken when it was found, being restored in the laboratories of the Israel Antiquities Authority in Jerusalem, Israel. Image credit: Clara Amit / Israel Antiquities Authority.
The ancient vessel is 7.1 inches (18 cm) tall, and probably dates to the Middle Bronze Age period, c. 1800 BC.
The detailed human figurine on its top resembles Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture ‘The Thinker.’
“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 Dr. Gilad Itach, an excavation director with the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“The level of precision and attention to detail in creating this almost 4,000 year old sculpture is extremely impressive.”
“The neck of the jug served as a base for forming the upper portion of the figure, after which the arms, legs and a face were added to the sculpture.”
“One can see that the face of the figure seems to be resting on its hand as if in a state of reflection.”
Dr. Itach added: “it is unclear if the figure was made by the potter who prepared the jug or by another craftsman.”
In addition to the unique jug, other vessels and metal items were found such as daggers, arrowheads, an axe head, sheep bones and what are very likely the bones of a donkey.
“It seems that these objects are funerary offerings that were buried in honor of an important member of the ancient community,” Dr. Itach said.
“It was customary in antiquity to believe that the objects that were interred alongside the individual continued with him into the next world.”
“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.”
“In addition, a variety of evidence regarding the kind of life that existed there several millennia ago was exposed — among other things, pits and shafts were revealed that contained thousands of fragments of pottery vessels, hundreds of flint and basalt implements, animal bones, and a churn, which is a unique vessel that was widely used in the Chalcolithic period for making butter.”
