#first-temple — Public Fediverse posts

Jerusalem: first-ever mould for First Temple period figurine faces discovered

An exceptional discovery in Jerusalem. During archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Kishle, within the grounds of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, a rare mould used for casting the face of a female figurine has come to light, dating to the First Temple period. The find emerged while sifting soil from fills and accumulations of that era. The excavations, ongoing for several years as part of the construction of the museum’s new Schulich Wing for Archaeology, Art and Innovation, have already revealed a continuous sequence of Jerusalem’s history, from the days of the Kings of Judah through to the British Mandate.

From soil to a reconstructed face

Following its discovery, the mould was handed to ceramics conservation specialist Tamar Gonen, who carefully cleaned away every grain of soil, revealing the delicate detail impressed within it. Conservator Sviatoslav Klindukhov then created a full cast from the mould, producing a complete reconstruction of the figurine’s face: clearly defined features and an elaborate curly hairstyle.

First Temple figurines: a debate that remains open

Clay figurines of this kind are known from almost every excavation conducted in Jerusalem and throughout Judah, dating between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE. Standing roughly 10 to 20 centimetres tall, they were made in two stages: the head and body were shaped by hand, while only the face was formed using a mould — which explains why most surviving examples are found broken at the neck. Archaeologists recognise three main types from the period: female figurines, known as Judean Pillar Figurines, typically shown with elaborate hairstyles and hands positioned beneath the breasts; horse-and-rider figurines; and zoomorphic figurines, mostly depicting horses. All were coated with a white slip and, according to surviving traces of pigment, originally painted in yellow, red and black.

Until now, no production mould for these figurines had ever been found in Jerusalem, leaving open the question of whether they were made locally or imported. “The discovery of this mould at the Kishle is therefore the first of its kind in Jerusalem, providing direct evidence that at least some of these figurines were produced within the city itself,” explains Dr Amit Re’em, one of the excavation directors.

Household amulets or images of a goddess?

The meaning and function of these figurines remain a matter of scholarly debate. As Debbi Ben-Ami, Curator of the Iron Age at the Israel Antiquities Authority, notes, the fact that they have been found in almost every household, as well as in streets and tombs, suggests they were objects of everyday use. They have previously been interpreted as representations of a fertility goddess — possibly Asherah — while others have suggested they were simply children’s toys. A further reading sees them as household amulets, intended to bring blessing, protection and good fortune. Researchers hope the newly discovered mould will help shed further light on these long-standing questions.

A dig open to the public

Eilat Lieber, Director and Chief Curator of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, described the excitement the find has generated among the team, noting that this summer visitors will be able to take part directly in the research by sifting soil from the Kishle excavations themselves.

📽️ VIDEO: Jerusalem: first-ever mould for First Temple period figurine faces discovered

https://youtu.be/4yrVqNDkvn4

Source: Israel Antiquities Authority

Burnt Wooden Beams from Jerusalem’s First Temple Destruction Unearthed in the City of David

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable set of charred wooden beams dating to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE during excavations at the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David, within the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The discovery, made by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, provides rare physical evidence of one of the most significant events in the history of the ancient city: the destruction of the First Temple.

The massive timbers were found inside a First Temple period building that collapsed during the devastating fire that accompanied the Babylonian conquest. According to archaeologists, their extraordinary preservation was made possible by an unusual combination of circumstances. As the building burned, wall plaster melted and flowed over the collapsed beams, sealing the charred wood beneath it and protecting it from decay for approximately 2,600 years.

A roof structure frozen in time

Excavation director Efrat Bocher believes the beams originally supported the roof of an inner courtyard within the building. When the structure was destroyed by fire, the roof collapsed onto the floor, where the timbers remained buried beneath layers of debris.

https://youtu.be/1P2lfAdk8hU

Wood rarely survives for millennia in the climate of the southern Levant, making the discovery particularly significant. The find offers archaeologists an exceptionally well-preserved glimpse into the architecture and construction techniques of Jerusalem during the late Iron Age.

A breakthrough for dendrochronological research

One of the most important aspects of the discovery is the unusually high number of tree rings preserved in the beams. According to Dr. Johanna Regev of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the timbers provide an unprecedented opportunity for dendrochronological analysis.

Until now, wooden remains from the region have generally allowed dating within broad chronological ranges spanning centuries. These newly discovered beams, however, contain enough growth rings to potentially narrow dating to within a decade, offering a level of precision rarely achieved for archaeological contexts from the First Temple period.

A landscape shaped by memory

The excavation team also suggests that Jerusalem’s inhabitants, after returning to rebuild the city, may have intentionally left portions of the destruction untouched. According to Dr. Yiftah Shalev, who co-directs the excavation with Prof. Yuval Gadot, preserving the ruined remains may have served as a deliberate act of collective remembrance.

This concept, often described as a “landscape of memory,” is known from other ancient societies, where visible traces of catastrophe were intentionally retained to commemorate dramatic historical events. In Jerusalem, the archaeological evidence appears to reflect a conscious decision to build a new city while preserving material evidence of its destruction beneath later occupation layers.

Announced shortly before Tisha B’Av, the annual Jewish fast commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, the discovery carries particular historical and symbolic significance. For the excavation team, these charred beams represent a direct and deeply moving witness to the moment when ancient Jerusalem was consumed by fire.

Opening image: 3. The burnt wooden beams discovered in the City of David. Photo Reut Vilf, City of David

Source: IAA – Israel Antiquities Authority

⬆️ @Faithslayer202

Fact-checked by #Britannica ➡️ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Philistine-people

Also, from the same article, "The Canaanite Phoenicians on the Syrian coast re-established their trading communities after the #Philistine and Aramaean invasions."

So, #Philistines were #Aegean, while #Canaanite were #Phoenicians.

Regardless of genealogy, they were not natives, but invaders.

#FirstTemple destroyed by #Babylonians was a human artifact, not a religious reference.

@SteveSilent @InternetDev @Lassielmr