Archaeologists have uncovered rare artifacts from an ancient African Christian community in Israel, including figurines with prominent African features, burial offerings, and other items that provide insight into life in the Negev Desert 1,500 years ago. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery, emphasizing the cultural significance and the rarity of the find.
The finds were discovered during an excavation at Tel Malḥata, a mound in the Arad Valley of the Negev Desert, which served as a crossroads for merchants from the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Africa. The objects, including multiple figurines with human face shapes, were found in 1,500-year-old graves of women and children. These figurines, described as ‘heads of African figures, carved in black wood,’ were crafted from bone and ebony wood, a rare material originating from southern India and Sri Lanka.
Researchers noted that the figurines may have represented ancestors or reflected personal identity and tradition. The artifacts, carefully placed among the deceased, were exceptionally well-preserved after 1,500 years. The IAA called the find a rare discovery, highlighting the cultural diversity of the region at the time. The study also suggested that the figurines may have been worn as personal items, symbolizing identity, tradition, and memory.
In addition to the figurines, burial offerings such as glassware, bronze bracelets, and jewelry made of stone and alabaster were also found. The IAA highlighted that the discovery provides a deeper understanding of the cultural exchange and integration of diverse peoples in the region over centuries. This latest find joins other remarkable discoveries, such as the oldest-known Chinese inscription in Israel and a 3,800-year-old Canaanite amulet uncovered by an Israeli child.
Eli Escusido, director of the IAA, described the findings as ‘moving, not only from an archaeological perspective, but also on a human level.’ He emphasized that the Land of Israel has always been a crossroads of cultures, with individuals bringing their traditions and beliefs to the region over time.