After thousands of figurines found, this object changed everything

A rare mold for casting a female figurine's face from the 6th century BCE was discovered in the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations at the Kishle compound in Jerusalem. This is the first evidence that figurines from the First Temple period were produced in the city itself, not just brought to it.

A rare mold for casting a female figurine's face, dating to the First Temple period (6th century BCE), was discovered in the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations at the Kishle compound in the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. The exceptional find changes the understanding of the production of clay figurines known from the Kingdom of Judah, providing the first evidence that they were also produced in Jerusalem itself. The mold was found during soil sifting from First Temple layers, and after cleaning and restoration in conservation laboratories, conservators managed to reconstruct the figurine's face, including clear facial features and a detailed hairstyle of curls. Dr. Amit Re'em and Dr. Ayla Zilberstein, excavation directors, noted that the Kishle excavation continues to yield exceptional finds and presents a historical sequence of Jerusalem from the days of the Kings of Judah to the British period. Similar clay figurines have been found at hundreds of sites across Judah, but until now no production mold had been found in Jerusalem. The purpose of the figurines is not agreed upon by researchers: Debbie Ben-Ami, curator of the Iron Age at the Israel Antiquities Authority, mentioned interpretations such as a fertility goddess representation, toys, or amulets. Meanwhile, the Tower of David Museum will open family activities during the summer vacation, including a tour and soil sifting from the excavations.