Late Bronze Age Votive Set Discovered in Israel

Archaeological investigations near the ancient city of Tel Megiddo in northern Israel have led to the discovery of a remarkable Late Bronze Age votive set. According to a report by Live Science, the excavation was conducted ahead of a road construction project.

Among the findings is a teapot-shaped vessel featuring a ram's head as a spout, along with several small bowls. These artifacts were buried approximately three thousand three hundred years ago, potentially by the Canaanites.

Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority suggest that the vessel may have been used to pour valuable liquids, such as milk, oil, or wine, either for consumption or as a religious offering. Additional discoveries include storage jars, jugs imported from Cyprus, and a dollhouse-sized ceramic model of a Canaanite temple, all found within small pits during the excavation.

The report indicates that local farmers, who may have been unable to travel to the temple in the city, could have utilized a rock outcrop as an outdoor altar for burying their offerings. Furthermore, the excavation team uncovered a five-thousand-year-old winepress carved into the rock, situated in an ancient residential area.

This winepress is considered unique, being one of the few known from such an ancient period when urbanization was just beginning to emerge in the region. IAA archaeologist Barak Tzin emphasized the significance of this winepress in understanding the early urban culture.

The findings of this excavation not only illuminate the religious practices of the Late Bronze Age but also offer valuable insights into the social and spiritual lives of the people during that era. As these discoveries continue to unfold, they contribute to a deeper understanding of ancient cultures and their rituals.

For more on recent archaeological findings, including a redating of the contents of a jug unearthed at Megiddo in the 1930s, reference is made to the article titled 'Secrets of a Silver Hoard.'