In a ceremonial nod to Purim, the Israel Antiquities Authority has disclosed the the public a a ceramic jar fragment bearing a human face and dating back to the Persian period (4th-5th centuries BCE) that was discovered in 2019.
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The artifact was unearthed during archaeological excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority in collaboration with Tel-Aviv University at the Givaty Parking Lot site, located in the historic City of David, Jerusalem. The jar, embellished with exaggerated facial features including two large, wide-open eyes, a nose, one ear, and a fragment of the mouth, presents a unique find from this era.
According to Professor Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University and Dr. Yiftah Shalev of the Israel Antiquities Authority, while pottery from this time period has been found in the past in the City of David, this is the first time that this type of vessel has been found during archaeological excavations in Jerusalem or anywhere in the Judean highlands.
These types of jars are called "Bes-Vessels," and they were very common in Egypt, the Phoenician settlements along the Levantine coast, and Persia during the Persian period. In Egyptian mythology, Bes is the protector deity of households, especially mothers, women during childbirth, and children. Over time, he became regarded as the defender of everything good and became associated with music and dancing.
His figure adorned the walls of houses and various vessels (pottery and various everyday objects, such as mirrors) or worn as an amulet around the neck. Bes usually appears as a kind of bearded dwarf with a large face, protruding eyes, a tongue that sticks out, and wearing a feathered hat. This grotesque figure is apparently intended to evoke joy and laughter and drive away the evil spirits.
The figure of Bes as a protector god was apparently adopted by the Phoenicians, and many amulets made in his likeness, as well as Bes vessels, have been found in numerous archaeological excavations of Persian Period settlements along the coast. Such vessels and amulets were also found in Persia itself, in Shushan, Persepolis, and other cities, reaching there by Egyptian craftsmen who operated there as part of the international trade economy of the period.
The Israel Antiquities Authority unveiled the Persian-era find for Purim, highlighting that the story of Esther and Mordechai, read annually on the holiday, occurred under Persian rule, prompting the artifact's timely reveal.
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