A rare clay mould dating to the First Temple period has been identified during archaeological excavations at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, providing the first direct evidence that certain figurines common in ancient Judah were being produced in the city itself.
The mould, which was used to create the face of a female figurine, was recovered during excavations in the Qishla complex by archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Although numerous figurines dating to the First Temple period have previously been recorded in Jerusalem, researchers said this is the first production mould of its type documented in the city.
The object was recovered while archaeologists were sifting soil removed from fills and accumulated deposits dating to the First Temple period, according to excavation directors Dr Amit Ram and Dr Ayla Zilberstein.
“The excavation at the Qishla, which has been underway for several years, continues to surprise time and time again,” the archaeologists said.
They described the Qishla project as one of the most significant archaeological excavations carried out in Jerusalem in recent decades, offering evidence spanning the period of the kings of Judah through successive phases of the city’s history and into the British Mandate era.
Following its recovery, the mould underwent conservation by Tamar Gonen, a specialist in the conservation and restoration of pottery at the IAA. The cleaning process exposed fine details of the face preserved in the mould.
Conservator Slava Kalindukhov subsequently used the mould to produce a reconstruction of the original figurine head. The resulting replica revealed clearly defined facial features and an elaborate curly hairstyle.
The object could help archaeologists answer a longstanding question about where Jerusalem’s Iron Age figurines were manufactured.
“Clay figurines from the First Temple period are known from almost every archaeological site excavated in Jerusalem and Judea,” Ram said.
Until now, however, archaeologists had not identified moulds used to manufacture them in Jerusalem, leaving open the possibility that the objects were produced elsewhere and brought into the city.
“The discovery of the production mould in the Qishla is, therefore, the first of its kind in Jerusalem, and provides direct evidence that at least some of the figurines were made in the city itself,” Ram said.
Figurines in everyday life
Figurines of this type are generally dated to the later First Temple period, between the eighth and sixth centuries BCE. Made from clay, they typically stood between about 10 and 20 centimetres high.
Many examples survive with their heads separated from their bodies, a characteristic associated with their manufacturing technique. The body and head were produced separately, with the body generally shaped by hand and the head formed using a mould.
Archaeologists recognise three principal categories of figurines from the period: female figures often known as Judean pillar figurines, horse-and-rider figures and zoomorphic figurines representing animals, particularly horses.
The female figures typically feature prominent hairstyles and hands positioned beneath the breasts. Some surviving examples also preserve evidence of white coatings and pigments, suggesting that the objects were once decorated in colours including yellow, red and black.
Despite their prevalence, the precise purpose of the figurines remains the subject of archaeological debate.
Debi Ben-Ami, an Iron Age researcher at the IAA, said their presence in houses, streets and tombs indicates that they were objects associated with everyday life.
“The meaning and function of the figurines are still not entirely clear,” she said.
Researchers have proposed several interpretations over the years. Some have associated the female figures with fertility and the goddess Asherah, while others have suggested that they could have served as children’s toys.
Another interpretation is that they functioned as protective or blessing figures — effectively household amulets intended to bring good fortune, protection or prosperity.
Ben-Ami said researchers hope the Jerusalem mould could provide fresh evidence for addressing some of the unresolved questions surrounding their production and use.
Excavations beneath the Tower of David
The Qishla excavations are being conducted as part of work associated with the planned Schulich Wing for Archaeology, Art and Innovation at the Tower of David Museum.
The new wing is intended to present archaeological remains beneath the museum alongside contemporary art and other exhibits relating to Jerusalem’s history.
The museum is also opening part of the archaeological process to families during its summer programme. Visitors will be able to participate in dry and wet sifting of soil from the Qishla excavations under a programme organised with the IAA.
Participants will sift excavated material for pottery, bullae and other archaeological remains before the material is sorted and examined.
The newly documented mould, however, stands apart from the more routine material recovered at the site. By providing physical evidence of the manufacturing process behind a class of objects already well represented in Jerusalem’s archaeological record, it offers researchers a new perspective on craft production and daily life in the city during the final centuries of the First Temple period.
Sources : IAA
