Israeli archaeologists during excavations on the site of an ancient Canaanite temple in the city of Lachish found a bronze scepter of bronze, topped with a layer of silver. Scientists believe that this is the first known fragment of one of those “divine statues” in full size mentioned in the Bible and other ancient texts.
according to Haaretz, the discovery was made by experts from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It was made in the biblical city of Lachish, built on the Judean plain. During excavations of Canaanite temple, the archaeologists found a bronze scepter age of about 3200 years. From the top, but only one side, it is covered with a thin sheet of silver.
Scientists believe that the scepter could be the first archaeological evidence that in the Levant there were “divine statues” in full size. Still of themselves or statues or their fragments have never been found.
According to Professor Yossi Garfinkel, which is why this discovery is one of a kind. He believes that the scepter is all that remains of the great statue of the God that decorated the temple in ancient times.
the Artifact was discovered in a place that was considered the Holy of holies in the Canaanite temple. About “divine statues” science is known from Mesopotamian texts. They say that these statues were installed in the most secluded part of the temple. In these texts there are descriptions of the scepters that the gods were holding. Find exactly corresponds to them.
for Information about “divine sculpture” in full size are not only in the texts. So, in Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was previously found stone bas-relief. It depicts the soldiers, who robbed the temple in the Levant. They carried out of the building just such a statue.
Earlier in Cyprus was discovered a fairly large metal “sculptures of divine origin” and height of 36 cm and 56 cm. But in the Levant have never found even sculptures of such relatively small size. The length of the sceptre is just over 11 inches, and its width is four inches. Scientists noticed that outwardly, it resembles a modern spatula. However, that is not a working tool, say engraved with cryptic symbols.
“the Significance of this complex image, I is not yet clear – says Garfinkel. – Sometimes I think that the engraving on the scepter resembles a human figure with a large head, two diagonal outstretched hands and schematically illustrates the torso and legs. Perhaps this form has no semantic meaning, but represents some astronomical or magical symbol”.
According to him, this artifact is what the Bible calls “divine scepter”. For example, a scepter is mentioned in stories about Chuthe ‘ cons made it through Moses. Open remains the question of why still not found the statues of the gods in full size. After all, they, apparently, used to decorate temples throughout the region.
“These statues could be made from wood or other perishable materials – suggests Garfinkel. – Perhaps they were adorned with precious metals and stones, and attracted thieves: while often plundered temples and tombs, this is not a product of modern society.”
by the Way, next to the scepter, archaeologists discovered two small figurines of certain divine beings. Perhaps these figures depicted the God Baal. In addition, in the area of the temple was excavated bronze weapons, gold earrings, gold wire and plenty of beads.
