An archaeological team has unearthed the oldest basket ever discovered so far in the Judean Desert, as well as new biblical fragments and the skeleton of a little girl who lived about 6000 years ago.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousThe huge woven basket found in recent days in the Judean Desert, in Israel, dates back to about 10 500 years ago. According to archaeologists, it is the oldest such artifact ever discovered so far. Although thousands of years have passed, the basket has been preserved in excellent condition.
"This is the most exciting discovery of my life," said archaeologist Haim Cohen, who teaches at the University of Haifa. “The basket has a capacity of around 92 liters. We do not yet know what type of weave was used to make it, but analyzes are underway. However, we can already say that two people wove it and that one of them was left-handed “.
After analyzing the basket materials, the researchers concluded that the basket was produced about 10 years ago, in the Preceramic Neolithic. The ancient basket was found perfectly intact and closed by a lid.
Biblical manuscripts and the skeleton of a little girl were also found
The basket dating back to 10 500 years ago is not the only exceptional archaeological find unearthed in these days in the Judean Desert, to be exact in the so-called Cave of Horror. The team of researchers found new fragments of biblical scrolls, dating back to 2000 years ago.
The Israel Antiquities Authority has made extraordinary discoveries in the Judean Desert.
Fragments of a Bible scroll, hidden 1900 years ago, have been excavated. 1/4#Israel @IsraelAntiquity #archeology pic.twitter.com/kjoFkBtXtu
Embassy of Israel (@IsraelinSenegal) March 17, 2021
As the Israeli Antiquities Authority explained, these are the first fragments found in the last 60 years. The texts, written mainly in Greek, contain portions of the book of 12 minor prophets, including Zechariah and Nahum.
Magnificent and rare finds discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve
This is a story you do not hear every day >>Today we unveil magnificent and rare finds discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority in a challenging operation carried out in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve.For the first time in approximately 60 years, archaeological excavations have uncovered fragments of a biblical scroll.This unique operation exposed additional finds that were left behind by Jewish rebels who fled to the caves at the end of the Bar Kokhba Revolt ? a cache of coins from the Revolt, a 6,000-year-old, partially mummified skeleton of a child wrapped in cloth, a huge intact basket and lid that, as far as we know, is the oldest basket in the world that has been found completely intact and much more!–The national project of surveying and excavating in the desert caves in the ravines of the Judean Desert has been undertaken since 2017 under the direction of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Staff Officer of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria. The project is funded by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage.Ever since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered over 70 years ago, the desert caves have been targeted by antiquities looters. The climatic conditions inside the caves have enabled the exceptional preservation of scrolls and ancient documents, which are cultural heritage assets of immense importance. This is the rationale behind the execution of this operation – to rescue these rare and important heritage assets from the clutches of robbers.Would you like to learn more? We invite you to watch our video >>–Can you feel the excitement? Share!?: Yaniv Berman, Courtesy of the Israel antiquities authority
Posted by Israel Antiquities Authority on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
The partially mummified skeleton of a little girl who lived about 6000 years ago was also found outside the Grotta dell'Orrore. Much of the Judean Desert still remains to be explored, and more exciting new discoveries about the past may emerge in the coming years.
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