Jug decorated with camels etc. excavated in Negev

THERIO-ORNAMENTAL CERAMICS: Archaeologists in Negev unearth 1,200-year-old jug decorated with camels. Artifact daubed with red pattern and trio of animals, considered advanced for its time, discovered near olive press in Yatir Forest (Rossella Tercatin, Times of Israel).

A 1,200-year-old clay jug painted in bright colors and ringed with camels and a mystery beast was unearthed by archaeologists at the Horvat Anim site in the Yakir Forest, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Thursday.

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Cool jug. Notably also:

The jug was unearthed during conservation and preparation efforts by IAA and KKL-JNF preceding the public opening of the Horvat Anim site.

Once open, visitors will also be able to access the synagogue remains, originally discovered some 40 years ago.

“Around 1,500 years ago, the Yatir region was part of an area known as the ‘Daroma,’ where Jewish and Christian communities lived side by side,” Shmueli said. “There is no doubt that the synagogue discovered in Anim served as the religious center for the Jewish population living there.”

For more on the history and archaeology of the site of Anim, including that synagogue, see here.

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