Israeli archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a 5,500-year-old Canaanite blade factory in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel. This site, located near Tel Aviv, reveals the existence of a sophisticated, organized society capable of professional specialization in craftsmanship.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery in a Facebook post in late July, revealing that the workshop is the first of its kind found in southern Israel. The site contains large flint cores used to produce extremely sharp, uniformly shaped blades. These blades were used for cutting, butchering, and harvesting, indicating a range of practical applications.
The artifacts will be displayed at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, further emphasizing the significance of the Canaanite blade industry in the ancient Near East. The IAA links the discovery to the ‘Canaanite blade industry,’ referring to an ancient people described in the Bible as inhabiting the region before the Israelites.
Archaeologists suggest that the tools align with the material culture of Canaan during the time of Abraham, showcasing how sophisticated the industry was. According to the IAA, ‘Only exceptional individuals’ knew how to craft Canaanite blades, highlighting the specialized skills required for such craftsmanship.
The discovery deepens the understanding of craftsmanship in Israel and the urbanization during the Bronze Age, as per the IAA. The organization emphasized that the site provides clear evidence of a complex society with advanced social and economic structures existing even at the beginning of the Early Bronze Age.
The findings add an invaluable dimension to the understanding of Canaanite society, offering rare insights into a civilization that predated the Israelites and was central to biblical narratives. The site’s location in Kiryat Gat, with its numerous underground pits used for craft production and storage, suggests a well-planned and organized industrial complex during the Bronze Age.