Discovery of a Scarab Seal at a Pottery Workshop
A small scarab seal, measuring just 14.6 millimeters in length, was uncovered at a pottery production site near Tel Yavne. Dated to the 7th century BCE, this artifact belongs to the Iron Age II period. Its surface features astral symbols, including a crescent moon and an eight-pointed star, pointing to religious practices intertwined with the industrial setting of the Assyrian era. What makes this find particularly significant is its well-defined archaeological context.
The seal was found on a work surface within a large pottery complex, where excavations revealed a cluster of nine kilns. An additional four kilns of the same general type were discovered in Area M2. Located roughly 20 meters from the pottery kilns, the seal was recovered alongside storage jars, a mortar, and loom weights. Carved from reddish limestone, it depicts a bearded man, a cult stand, a crescent moon, an eight-pointed star, and a tree resembling a cypress.
Symbolism and Significance of the Find
The crescent moon and star on the seal are interpreted as symbols of the moon god and Venus, the primary female deity. To date, no exact parallel to this seal has been found in the Southern Levant. However, similar motifs appear on seals from sites such as:
- Akko
- Tel Jemmeh
- Jerusalem
- Megiddo
- Shikmona
The seal was recovered from a dated excavation layer within a clearly defined industrial complex.
In addition, other archaeological digs have yielded a light-brown stone seal estimated to be 2,700 years old. Another seal is noted to date from the late 8th century BCE, placing it in the period of the Kingdom of Judah. These excavations were directed by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Although small in size, the seal is exceptionally well-preserved. This discovery adds fresh insights into the religious and cultural practices of the region in ancient times.
The unearthing of the scarab seal near Tel Yavne underscores the importance of archaeological research in studying the religious and cultural dimensions of ancient life.
The symbols engraved on the seal reflect a syncretism of beliefs that existed during that period. They also hint at the significant role pottery production played in both the economic and religious life of a society shaped by Assyrian cultural influence.