Rare ancient stone mask discovered in Judea

Archaeologists have discovered a rare stone age mask in Judea, one of only 15 masks of this type discovered at the time.

This rare and fascinating stone mask dates from the Neolithic period (New Stone Age). Discovered several months ago, it is currently being studied by experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Geological Survey of Israel. The results of the initial study on the mask will be presented tomorrow (Thursday) at the annual meeting of the Prehistoric Society of Israel.

The information received by the IAA's Antique Theft Prevention Unit in early 2018 resulted in the recovery of the impressive stone mask. The chief officer of the Department of Archeology of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, Mr. Hananya Hizmi, was informed of the discovery of the mask. An investigation revealed the probable archaeological site in which the mask had been discovered, in the Pnei Hever area, in southern Har Hevron. Its characteristics, as well as other discoveries derived from the contexts in which it was discovered, testify to the fact that the mask is 9000 years old and is dated from the pre-Columbian Neolithic B period.

According to Ronit Lupu of the IAA's Anti Theft Prevention Unit, "the mask is a unique discovery in the archaeological world. It is even more unusual to know which site it comes from. The fact that we have information about the precise location in which it was discovered makes this mask more important than most of the other masks of this period that we know today. The mask is in pinkish yellow limestone, carefully fashioned with stone tools to look like a human face. Four holes were drilled along the perimeter of the mask, probably to bind it – possibly to the face of a living person, or perhaps to a post or other artifact designated to present it. According to Lupu, "to discover a stone mask, with such a level of finish, is very exciting. The stone has been completely smoothed and the characteristics are perfect and symmetrical, delimiting even the cheekbones. He has an impressive nose and a mouth with distinct teeth. "

Mr. Omry Barzilai, head of the archaeological research department of the IAA, said, "Stone masks are linked to the agricultural revolution. The transition from an economy based on hunting and gathering to old agriculture and the domestication of plants and animals has been accompanied by a change in social structure and a sharp increase in ritual and religious activities. . The ritual discoveries of this period include figurines in human form, plaster skulls and stone masks. "

Ancestral worship was practiced at that time. "It was part of the ritual and the preservation of the family patrimony that had been accepted at the time," explains Ronit Lupu. "For example, we find skulls buried under the floors of domestic houses, as well as various methods for shaping and taking care of the skulls of the dead. This led to the plastering of skulls, the modeling of facial features and even the insertion of shells for the eyes. Stone masks, like Pnei Hever's, are similar in size to the human face, which is why scholars tend to badociate them with such worship. "

There are currently around fifteen known masks from this period, only two of which have been discovered in a clear archaeological context – which means we know where they come from. The remaining masks are part of private collections around the world, making their study more difficult. The importance of this new mask is that it has been traced to an archaeological site that can be studied. The site can help us understand the material culture, the everyday world in which the mask was made, probably for worship purposes.

The mask of Pnei Hever joins other masks attributed to the pre-pottery Neolithic B period found in the southern Hebron Hills – region of the Judean Desert. The discovery of Pnei Hever's mask reinforces the hypothesis that the southern region of the Hebron Hills was a center for the production of stone masks, and most likely also for ritual activities from the pre-Neolithic B period. -pottery.

Dr. Omry Barzilai and Ronit Lupu of the IAA will present the initial research on the mask tomorrow (Thursday) at the annual meeting of the Prehistory Society of Israel to be held at the Israel Museum.