Rare First Temple-Period Mold Discovered Beneath Jerusalem's Tower of David
A rare mold used for casting the face of a female figurine, dating to the First Temple period, was discovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Kishle, within the grounds of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, in an announcement made on Monday, July 27. It is the first known mold for producing such figurines ever found in Jerusalem, offering direct evidence that the artifacts were manufactured in the city nearly 2,600 years ago.
The excavations are part of the construction of the museum's new Schulich Wing for Archaeology, Art and Innovation, which will showcase the site's unique heritage through archaeology, contemporary art, and innovation. “The mold was discovered while sifting soil removed from fills and accumulations dating to the First Temple period,” excavation directors Dr. Amit Re'em and Dr. Ayala Zilberstein explained, describing the Kishle dig as one of the most significant archaeological excavations conducted in Jerusalem in recent decades, presenting the city's history in a clear and continuous sequence from the days of the Kings of Judah through the many periods that shaped Jerusalem, up to the British Mandate.
Following its discovery, the mold was transferred to Tamar Gonen, a ceramics conservation and restoration specialist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, who carefully cleaned away every grain of soil and revealed the finely crafted facial features impressed within it. A cast was then produced from the mold, yielding a full reconstruction of the face of a female figurine with clearly defined features and an elaborate curly hairstyle.
(INN/VFI News)
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