You never know. What led us to Tel Burna was the possibility of studying the borderland between Judah and the Philistines in the Iron Age. The site might even be Biblical Libnah (Joshua 21:13; 2 Kings 8:22; Isaiah 37:8; 2 Kings 24:17–18). When we surveyed the site, however, we discovered a large Late Bronze Age (1550–1200 B.C.E.) Canaanite settlement on the western slopes of the tell, just inches below the surface that featured a large public building with an adjacent courtyard. Here we uncovered some extraordinary finds that provided insights into the Canaanites and their religious world.
The overall plan of the building is still unclear. It had a large courtyard of approximately 52 square feet. The outside walls of the building were built of large field stones, and the floor was largely composed of exposed bedrock. The finds from the courtyard suggest that the building may have been a temple. They seem at least to indicate that religious activities took place in the courtyard.
Many animal bones and much pottery lay on the surface of the courtyard. Two complete tabuns (ovens) also suggest religious activity. This was confirmed by several chalices, goblets and cup-and-saucers. Apparently the ritual involved eating and drinking.
Inside the building we discovered nose fragments of two ceramic masks, which were apparently used for ceremonial purposes. Openings for the mouth and eyes can clearly be seen on the masks. The masks were obviously meant to be worn by a human, as they were sized and shaped to fit the human face instead of to adorn an idol.
Several figurines also were found in the building. One is a fragment of a Canaanite plaque with a figurine depicting a standing nude female figure holding two small infants, with the infants’ inner hands grasping the woman’s breasts. It is published here for the first time.
The head of a locally made horse figurine with incised facial features was also found in the building.
In the courtyard, many Cypriot imports were discovered, including various bull figurines. One piece of a Mycenaean bull figurine was decorated in the Late Helladic tradition.
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Three unique Cypriot votive vessels found on top of a carved flat stone added to the indication that cult and ritual activities occurred here.
On the other hand, large Cypriot pithoi and seals suggest that economic and administrative activities also took place here. The integration of cultic and economic functions is not unusual, however.
The exact nature of the building (and its courtyard) continues to elude us. Perhaps further excavation will provide more clarity. The existing clues are certainly intriguing. Apparently some kind of cultic activity took place here. Perhaps the structure served as a temple, which also collected taxes, or was an administrative building with certain cultic affiliations. Some kind of ceremonial drinking (as evidenced by the goblets) and feasting (as evidenced by the animal bones) almost certainly occurred here. Perhaps a ceremonial procession ended here in the courtyard, as evidenced by the mask fragments made to fit a human face.
If you would like to help us solve the mysteries, please come help us dig—the new evidence will surely be illuminating.
You never know. What led us to Tel Burna was the possibility of studying the borderland between Judah and the Philistines in the Iron Age. The site might even be Biblical Libnah (Joshua 21:13; 2 Kings 8:22; Isaiah 37:8; 2 Kings 24:17–18). When we surveyed the site, however, we discovered a large Late Bronze Age (1550–1200 B.C.E.) Canaanite settlement on the western slopes of the tell, just inches below the surface that featured a large public building with an adjacent courtyard. Here we uncovered some extraordinary finds that provided insights into the Canaanites and their religious world. The overall […]
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