Image Details

Wheel-made pottery used to date the fortresses. Imported from the north, wheel-made pottery is useful evidence for dating the Central Negev fortresses to the tenth century B.C., the time of King Solomon. These two-handled jugs from Mesudat Ela clearly show the restorer’s work. Sherds were pieced together to reconstruct the whole vessel; where pieces were missing the restorer added new clay in the proper shape, leaving its color light enough to distinguish the new clay from the darker ancient sherds.