The archaeological treasures of Jerusalemcontinue to come to light. A rare mold used for the production of figurines dating back to the First Temple period has been discovered for the first time in Jerusalem during excavations at the Tower of David Museum.
“Although numerous figurines from this period have been found in Jerusalem, this is the first time ever that a mold used to make them has been found in the city,” say researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
As part of the summer activities at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, families will be invited to sift through soil from the excavations at the Kishle in the hope of unearthing additional archaeological finds.
During recent archaeological excavations conducted by theIsrael Antiquities Authority at the Kishle, a rare mold used to cast the face of a female figurine, dating to the First Temple period, was discovered.
The excavations are part of the construction project for the new Schulich Wing, dedicated to archaeology, art, and innovation, at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. The new wing will complement the Museum’s permanent galleries, showcasing the site’s unique heritage through archaeology, contemporary art, and innovation, and revealing the extraordinary remnants of Jerusalem’s past that lie beneath visitors’ feet.
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“The mold was discovered while sifting through soil removed from fill and accumulations dating to the First Temple period,” explain Dr. Amit Re’em and Dr. Ayala Zilberstein, directors of the excavations on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“The Kishle excavation, which has been underway for several years, continues to surprise us time and again. It is one of the most significant archaeological excavations conducted in Jerusalem in recent decades, presenting the city’s history in a clear and continuous sequence: from the time of the kings of Judah, through the many periods that shaped Jerusalem, up to the British Mandate.”
Following the discovery, the mold was handed over to Tamar Gonen, a specialist in ceramic conservation and restoration at the Israel Antiquities Authority, who carefully removed every grain of soil. The conservation work revealed the delicate details of the mold and the finely modeled facial features imprinted within it.
The mold was then handed over to Sviatoslav Klindukhov, a conservation and restoration specialist, who made a cast of it using an appropriate material. The impressive result is a complete reconstruction of the face of a female figurine, featuring clearly defined features and an elaborate curly hairstyle.
“Clay figurines from the First Temple period have been found in nearly all archaeological excavations conducted in Jerusalem and throughout Judea,” says Dr. Amit Re’em. “Until now, however, no production molds for these figurines had ever been discovered in Jerusalem. This raised the question of whether they were manufactured locally or imported from elsewhere. The discovery of this mold at the Kishle is therefore the first of its kind in Jerusalem and provides direct evidence that at least some of these figurines were produced within the city itself.”
These figurines date to the end of the First Temple period, between the 8th and 6th centuries B.C. Made of clay, they were generally between 10 and 20 centimeters tall. In most cases, they were found with broken necks; this is due to the manufacturing technique, in which the head and body were made separately by hand, while only the face was molded using a mold.
Archaeologists recognize three main types of statuettes from the First Temple period:
- Female statuettes, commonly known as “Judean column statuettes,” which typically depict women with prominent hairstyles and their hands positioned beneath their breasts.
- Statuettes depicting horses with riders.
- Zoomorphic (animal) figurines, which mainly depict horses, although other animals also appear.
The figurines were covered with a layer of white engobe, and traces of pigment still visible indicate that they were originally painted yellow, red, and black.
According to Debbi Ben-Ami, curator of the Iron Age Section at the Israel Antiquities Authority: “The meaning and function of these figurines are not yet entirely clear. The fact that they were found in nearly all dwellings, as well as on the streets and in tombs, indicates that they were everyday objects. The identity and purpose of the Jewish columnar figurines remain a subject of academic debate. In the past, they have been interpreted as representations of a fertility goddess—perhaps the goddess Asherah—and some have even speculated that they were children’s toys. However, they may instead have served as mediating or blessing figures, functioning as household amulets intended to bring blessings, protection, and good fortune. “We hope that the mold recently discovered in Jerusalem will provide new insights and help answer some of the questions that continue to occupy researchers.”
Eilat Lieber, director and chief curator of the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem: “The discovery of the first mold for producing figurines dating back to the First Temple period has sparked tremendous excitement among all of us. The Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem is founded on the idea that Jerusalem’s past continues to shape its present. This summer, visitors will have the extraordinary opportunity to participate in a real archaeological excavation by sifting through soil from the Kishle excavations. Every fragment recovered helps shed light on another chapter in Jerusalem’s history, making participants true partners in the preservation and promotion of the city’s extraordinary heritage.”
As part of the summer activities at the David’s Tower Museum in Jerusalem, families are invited to sift through soil from the Kishle excavations in the hope of uncovering additional artifacts. The activity involves hands-on fieldwork; closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Please note that this activity is not accessible to people with disabilities.
For information and dates: https://www.tod.org.il/event/kishle-families/
For further details: Caroline Shapiro /caroline@tod.org.il / +972 54 490 9277
