Rare and unique artifacts have recently been uncovered in the Negev Desert, shedding light on the unexpected cultural diversity in the region 1,500 years ago, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced
“Finding African figurines in local Christian graves is a rare and important discovery,” said Dr. Noe Michael of the Antiquities Authority and the University of Cologne, who led the dig. “It deepens our understanding of the cultural diversity of the inhabitants of this region during the 6th and 7th centuries.”
Five small figurines, including heads of African figures carved from black wood, were discovered in ancient graves at Tel Malḥata, a site located in the Arad Valley east of Beer-Sheva. The graves, dating back to the 6th-7th centuries CE, belonged to women and children.
The findings were recently published in the Israel Antiquities Authority’s peer-reviewed Atiqot journal.
