For You Lot Data - 9,000-Year-Old Rock Mask Unveiled Inward Israel

H5N1 rare 9,000-year-old rock mask was lately unveiled past times the State of Israel Antiquities Authority. This fascinating as well as rare rock mask, which dates to the Neolithic period, was discovered several months agone as well as is currently existence studied past times experts of the IAA as well as the Geological Survey of Israel.

The 9,000-year-old rock mask discovered inwards the southern Hebron Hills surface area of the West Bank inwards early on 2018 
[Credit: Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit/Israel Antiquities Authority]

Information received at the IAA’s Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit at the offset of 2018 led to the recovery of the impressive rock mask. The Head Staff Officer of Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration inwards Judea as well as Samaria Mr. Hananya Hizmi was informed on the finding of the mask. An investigation revealed the likely archaeological site inwards which the mask was originally found, inwards the Pnei Hever share of southern Har Hevron. Its characteristics, inwards improver to other findings from the contexts inwards which it was discovered, bear witness that the mask is 9,000 years onetime – dated to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period.

According to Ronit Lupu of the IAA Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit, “The mask is a unique finding inwards the archaeological world. It is fifty-fifty to a greater extent than odd that nosotros know which site it came from. The fact that nosotros lead maintain information regarding the specific identify inwards which it was discovered makes this mask to a greater extent than of import than virtually other masks from this menstruum that nosotros currently know of.” The mask is made of pinkish-yellow limestone, carefully shaped amongst rock tools to resemble a human face. Four holes were drilled along the perimeter of the mask, in all probability inwards gild to necktie it – maybe to the confront of a living person, or maybe to a pole or other designated artifact inwards gild to display it. According to Lupu, “Discovering a mask made of stone, at such a high marking of finish, is rattling exciting. The rock has been completely smoothed over as well as the features are perfect as well as symmetrical, fifty-fifty delineating cheekbones. It has an  impressive olfactory organ and  a oral cavity amongst distinct teeth.”

The rare rock mask dates to the Neolithic menstruum [Credit: Clara Amit/Israel Antiquities Authority]

MD Omry Barzilai, caput of the IAA Archaeological Research Department, said that “Stone masks are linked to the agricultural revolution. The transition from an economic scheme based on hunting as well as gathering to ancient agriculture as well as domestication of plants as well as animals was accompanied past times a alter inwards social construction as well as a abrupt growth inwards ritual-religious activities. Ritual findings from that menstruum include human-shaped figurines, plastered skulls, as well as rock masks.”

Ancestor worship was practiced during this period. “It was role of the ritual as well as retentiveness of identify unit of measurement heritage that was accepted at the time,” says Ronit Lupu. “For example, nosotros honour skulls buried nether the floors of domestic houses, every bit good every bit diverse methods of shaping as well as caring for the skulls of the dead. This led to plastering skulls, shaping facial features, as well as fifty-fifty inserting shells for eyes. Stone masks, such every bit the i from Pnei Hever, are similar inwards size to the human face, which is why scholars tend to connect them amongst such worship.”

There are currently 15 known masks inwards the basis that engagement from this period, of which solely ii were discovered inwards a clear archaeological context – meaning: nosotros know which site they came from. The remaining masks are inwards individual collections throughout the world, which makes it to a greater extent than hard to report them. The importance of this novel mask stems from the fact that it has been traced to an archaeological site that tin live studied. The site tin assist us empathize the cloth culture, everyday basis inwards which the mask was produced, in all probability for purposes of worship.

The mask from Pnei Hever joins other masks attributed to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B menstruum discovered inwards the southern Hebron Hills – Judean Desert area. Discovering the mask from Pnei Hever strengthens the supposition that the southern Hebron Hills surface area was a view for producing rock masks, as well as virtually likely also for ritual activities inwards the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period.

MD Omry Barzilai as well as Ronit Lupu of the IAA volition introduce the initial enquiry of the mask tomorrow (Thursday, 29 Nov 2018) at the State of Israel Prehistoric Society annual coming together to live held at the State of Israel Museum.

Source: State of Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs [November 28, 2018]


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