Fragmentary figurine found

ANCIENT ARTIFACT: Boy finds ancient Roman treasure on show-and-tell hunt in southern Israel. Dor Wolynitz, 8, was hiking with families of reservists in the Ramon Crater when he spotted an unusual stone, later identified as a fragment of a 1,700-year-old statuette (Ynet News).

The find is a small figurine fragment, measuring about 6 centimeters by 6 centimeters, depicting part of a human figure with carefully sculpted folds of fabric that create the appearance of a cloak draped around the body in soft, flowing lines. Testing conducted by geologist Dr. Nimrod Wieler in the Israel Antiquities Authority laboratories found that the figurine was carved from phosphorite, a lightweight mineral common in the Negev region.

Locally produced. Possibly a divine figure.

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