Archeologists unearth 3,300 year old complex in Israel

PHYS.ORG ^ | 10/16/2014 | Bob Yirka

[Red Badger]

A team of archeologists working in Israel's Tel Burna dig site have unearthed the remains of a large stone complex dating back approximately 3,300 years. Information about the finding was presented at the recent European Association of Archaeologists' meeting held in Istanbul.

Initial examination of the ruins suggests the site was an ancient cult complex—a rather large one at that with side walls measuring up to 52x52 feet. Thus far archeologists have uncovered mask fragments (parts that covered the nose), connected cups (their purpose has yet to be discovered), scarabs (stone representations of the beetle typically used as an amulet) and very large vessels known as pithoi.

The relics suggest the site was use as a cult complex, likely dedicated to the worship of a god, though the researchers can't say with any certainty which one that might have been. The most likely candidate, they told the press recently, is the storm god Baal, who was worshiped by many Middle Eastern peoples during the time that the complex was active. Like many others, he was believed to be a fertility deity, one of the most important or popular of the time. Other gods have not been ruled out, including the war goddess Anat. Other evidence of worship was burnt animal bones, suggesting sacrificial rituals.

The connected cups are particularly intriguing as examples of them have been seen before—the ones found at the new dig site are believed to have come from Syria, due to their design. Though there is scant evidence of their use or purpose, archeologists generally believe, the researchers report, that they were likely cultic objects. Because of the newness of the site, the artifacts have not yet been tested for residue analysis—the researchers are eager to find out what was held in the large pithoi, some of which were nearly as large as a full grown person—some at the site were sunken and some held smaller vessels inside of them.

The site has not been fully excavated yet and leaders of the excavation team noted that unlike most other excavation efforts, digging at Tel Burna, including the newly found complex, can be conducted by amateurs if they are so inclined to help out.

[Red Badger]

One of the large pithoi mentioned in the article:

A massive cult complex, dating back about 3,300 years, has been discovered at the site of Tel Burna in Israel.

While archaeologists have not fully excavated the cult complex, they can tell it was quite large, as the courtyard alone was 52 by 52 feet (16 by 16 meters). Inside the complex, researchers discovered three connected cups, fragments of facemasks, massive jars that are almost as big as a person and burnt animal bones that may indicate sacrificial rituals.

http://telburna.wordpress.com/

MORE INFO HERE:

http://www.livescience.com/48262-ancient-cult-complex-discovered.html

[Red Badger]

PinGGG!......................

[RitchieAprile]

why would they think the animal bones indicate rituals?
Maybe it just indicates a food court with grilled meat..

[Red Badger]

When you think of ‘Animal Sacrifice’ in the ancient world, think BAR-B-QUE............................

[minnesota_bound]

Archeologists find something like this and get all excited. Imagine way in the future, archeologists discover the Mall of America!

[Red Badger]

After the glaciers return there won’t be much left that isn’t ground into dust........................

[SunkenCiv]

archive.archaeology.org/0911/features/syria_aleppo_temple_storm_god_citadel.html

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger. Ping to this earlier topic, oops. One of *those* topics.

join or quit view topics view or post blog bookmark post new topic subscribe

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger. Missed yours, posted a duplicate, alas.

[SunkenCiv]

whoops.

http://archive.archaeology.org/0911/features/syria_aleppo_temple_storm_god_citadel.html

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[publius911]

The connected cups are particularly intriguing as examples of them have been seen before—the ones found at the new dig site are believed to have come from Syria, due to their design. Though there is scant evidence of their use or purpose, archeologists generally believe, the researchers report, that they were likely cultic objects. Because of the newness of the site, the artifacts have not yet been tested for residue analysis—

Sometimes "experts" simply 'overthink' things.

Obviously, they are primitive ear protectors, aka headphones.

[publius911]

Archeologists find something like this and get all excited. Imagine way in the future, archeologists discover the Mall of America!

Or a giant recycling center...

[Red Badger]

Are the cups size DD or EE?......................

[Red Badger]

Images from left to right, top to bottom: Bes figurine, the ‘Lady of Burna’ figurine, nose from a mask, unique triplet vessels connected to each other, Egyptian scarab. Credit: The Tel Burna Excavation Project. -

See more at:

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/bronze-age-cult-complex-discovered-judean-foothills-baal-109283#sthash.n0Iu8gTJ.dpuf

[Slings and Arrows]

The relics suggest the site was use as a cult complex, likely dedicated to the worship of a god...[.] The most likely candidate, they told the press recently, is...Baal

Have they found his Soulstone yet?

[Slings and Arrows]

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Red Badger]

Time to Baal out!....................

[morphing libertarian]

Thanx

[Red Badger]