'Bottomless Pit' of Ancient Cult Vessels Discovered in Israel

Submitted by Sean Williams on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 16:26

A massive haul of ancient cultic vessels dating back over 3,500 years has been discovered in Israel. The find, made ahead of gas pipe works at the base of Tell Qashish, near Tishbi Junction, has been described as a 'bottomless pit' of artefacts, and contains over a hundred intact objects - almost unheard of in archaeological circles.

The find includes incense-burning vessels, a sculpted woman's face - seen in the picture below - and various items of tableware. Experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) who made the find believe the artefacts were part of an ancient pagan cult which was wiped out during the Bronze Age.

"In this period, before the Bible, the children of Israel were still in Egypt or the desert," says lead digger Uzi Ad.

"The vessels were used in a pagan cult that worshipped idols."

"It would appear that the vessels were used in a pagan cult that worshipped idols," Ad continues. "During this period it was customary that each city had a temple of its own where special cultic vessels were used."

One theory for their hidden location is that the vessels had been buried to protect them from their town's impending destruction. Another is that they were allowed special treatment simply due to their high religious status.

Ad and colleague Dr Edwin van den Brink are amazed at the discovery - not least because the rock cavity in which it was made appeared to continue forever: each time the team reached the foot of one cavity another appeared featuring another set of items. Some had even been imported from Mycenae in Greece, known for its stunning vases.

The IAA plans to showcase the discovery at an exhibition later this year. The location of the show is unknown as yet.

The find is a welcome high note for Israeli archaeology, whose work threatens to be overshadowed by ongoing rows over excavations at Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

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About The Author

Sean Williams (follow me: e-mail or

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Last three pieces by this author:

New York's Met Museum Records Best Attendance since 2001 | Bettany Hughes Publications you Can't go Without | 3,200-year-old Chariot Linchpin 'Proves Ancient Egyptian City in Israel'

Sean is an English Literature graduate, who currently works as a writer and journalist in London. He enjoys ancient history, theatre and sport. He does not enjoy Big Brother.

Comments

farang:

"The vessels were used in a pagan cult that worshipped idols."

Enough of this nonsense: These "cults" were of the exact same "gods' that the proto-israelites" would have worshiped. "Yahweh" included.

If this man Uzi Ad was intellectually honest, he would not be doing his best to make one think the Israelites were not cultists, too. But that is not his motivation: ""In this period, before the Bible, the children of Israel were still in Egypt or the desert," says lead digger Uzi Ad." You see, what he is trying to do is PROVE THE MYTH of the Bible, just like any 19th century "archaeologist" would do...in the 21st century. he is pushing the myth of some Kingdom of Israel, which NEVER EXISTED. Period.

"Yahweh" was depicted on pottery shards of the 8th century BC "hanging out" with Ba'al, El and Asherah, his "girlfriend", with the ever-present "Golden calf" nearby. The Golden calf WAS Yahweh. Which is why the later 7th century BC writers of the Talmud and OT tried to get Yahweh to say "do not make craven images" because they KNEW it linked "Yahweh" back to cult worship.

Why? Because these were ancient Canaanite cults the proto"Israelites" emerged from. The "Jewish" faith derives it's beginnings from the Cult Of Amun. "Yahweh" was in fact a Midianite "god of thunder/mountain" that Ahkenaton (Moses) adopted when cast out of Egypt for his "One God" cult. Amun was the Egyptian ONE GOD.

This is nothing more than propaganda trying to justify the occupation and theft of Palestinian land (Palestinian=ancient Canaanites too, DNA match, proven) based on a myth written in the 7th century BC: the Talmud and Old Testament.

Nice try though, all dolled up in a scientific looking article. But fact is, ALL of the "Patriarchs" of the jews are in fact stolen from true history of the Egyptian pharaohs and royalty. "Solomon" = Ramses II. "David" was Seti I.

"Deborah" was Hetshepsut. Tut was Joshua (Shiva the Destroyer) and Jesus, Echnaton (Ahkenaton) was Saul, Nathan, The Sun King, his wife Nefertiti was Naomi. The list goes on and on.......while the converted European/Isreali Jewish occupiers try desperately to confirm a myth to justify their theft and genocide.

Won't work. Not any more.

Fri, 11-06-2010 05:01

farang:

"Ad and colleague Dr Edwin van den Brink are amazed at the discovery - not least because the rock cavity in which it was made appeared to continue forever: each time the team reached the foot of one cavity another appeared featuring another set of items. Some had even been imported from Mycenae in Greece, known for its stunning vases."

Huh, what do you know: that "Greek cult" left pottery...but what else?

Oh yeah: they taught the proto-"Israelites" how to count: in Greek. Try counting to ten in "Hebrew" and Greek, then get back to me.

Fri, 11-06-2010 05:16

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