In the excavation, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority as part of a major transportation project on Route 66 carried out by the Israel Roads Company, a wine press for wine production was discovered - one of the oldest ever uncovered in the country - and other unique finds that teach about the popular Canaanite worship that took place outside Tel Megiddo at that time. * The finds will be displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Israel.
Impressive evidence of the expansion of settlement in the Jezreel Valley at the beginning of the urbanization period, and of the Canaanite cult that existed in the land before the Israelites entered the region, was uncovered east of Tel Megiddo. Archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority before the construction of Highway 66, initiated and financed by the Israel Roads Company, uncovered a hewn wine press that is approximately 5,000 years old – one of the oldest discovered in the country, and evidence of the Canaanite folk cult – a model of a small temple and a set of ceremonial utensils, approximately 3,300 years old.
The discoveries are presented today (Thursday, 11/6) At the annual conference on innovations and research in northern Israel excavations, Jointly owned by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the School of Archaeology and Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa and open to the general public.
The archaeological excavations were carried out in the area of the large transportation project promoted by the Ministry of Transportation through the Israel Roads Company on Highway 66. As part of the project, the existing road, which serves as a vital transportation artery connecting Yokneam, the Jezreel Valley and the Gilboa, will be converted to two-lane and two-lane. The extensive archaeological excavations conducted at the site, along a length of approximately 1.2 km, uncovered many finds from different periods. In this context, researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered exceptional finds from the Early Bronze Age 1B (Early Canaanite period) and the Late Bronze Age 2 (Late Canaanite period).
From the early Canaanite period, a small winepress for wine production was discovered, carved into the rock, and consisting of a treading surface and a collection vat. According to Dr. Amir Golani and Barak Tzin, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "This winepress is unique; it is one of the few known from such an ancient period, when the first urbanization also took place in our area. Winepresses are indeed very common in the country, but it is very difficult to date them. Until now, we knew from indirect evidence that wine could be produced 5,000 years ago, but we did not have conclusive proof of this - the 'smoking gun' that would clearly show when this happened in our area. The winepress that was discovered is new and clear evidence of this." Many residential buildings were also uncovered around the winepress - evidence of the expansion of the settlement in Megiddo far beyond the boundaries of the tell.
The excavation uncovered additional surprises; from the Late Bronze Age – about 3,300 years ago, ritual vessels were uncovered, which were evidently carefully buried in the ground, for the purpose of their orderly storage as offerings. The vessels included a miniature model of a temple made of pottery, storage jars, jugs and pitchers imported from Cyprus, and a unique and impressive set of vessels, which was probably used for ceremonial pouring of liquids. This set consisted of a vessel in the shape of a ram (male sheep), and with it a number of small bowls. Vessels of this type are usually discovered only as individual fragments, which makes it difficult to understand their complete form and how they functioned together. Since the set was buried intact and in a manner that hinted at its use, it allows – for the first time in research – a glimpse into the way in which these vessels were used in the ritual ceremonies of the Canaanites thousands of years ago:
"A small bowl, which was attached to the ram's body, functioned as a funnel, and a similar bowl - with a handle - was probably used to pour the liquid into the funnel during a ceremony, the researchers explain. The ram's head was shaped like a spout; after the vessel was filled, the ram was tilted forward - so that the liquid spilled from the ram's mouth and was collected in the small bowl placed in front of it. It appears that the vessel was used to pour a valuable liquid such as milk, oil, wine or another beverage, which could be drunk directly from the spout, or poured into a smaller vessel - for consumption or as a gift."
The researchers believe that the location of the burials of the ritual vessels – underground – but within sight of the area of the great temple that operated at Tel Megiddo during the Late Bronze Age II – indicates a popular Canaanite cult that took place outside the city – possibly by local farmers, who consecrated liquids or valuable agricultural produce such as wine or oil. Some of these offerings were discovered as intact pottery vessels buried next to a large rock outcrop, which was probably an altar next to which the offerings were buried, outside the Canaanite city of Megiddo.
"Megiddo has been excavated for over a century," the researchers conclude. "While it is recognized as a key site in the study of ancient urbanism and Canaanite worship, the new excavations we conducted east of the tell have revealed a new part of the fabric between the known settlement in the city – evidence of which is discovered at the tell – and the activity that took place in the area outside the city. The 5,000-year-old hewn winepress places the beginnings of the local wine industry in a very early urban-settlement context, and the offerings from the period about 3,200 years ago indicate the continuity of consecration and ritual practices outside the sacred complex at the tell."
Netivei Israel CEO Nissim Peretz said: "The Route 66 project is a cornerstone of the 'Connecting Israel' program, which aims to connect the periphery to the center while ensuring safety and transportation continuity. At the same time, the project is being carried out out of a deep commitment to preserving the values of our nature, history and heritage. These impressive discoveries are a national asset, and proof that promoting national infrastructure can take place with full responsibility for the past."
According to Eli Escozido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "The Israel Antiquities Authority's extensive excavations along the route of the road in the Jezreel Valley are revealing, layer by layer, the wealth of history hidden in the soil of this area. The exposure of ancient wine-making facilities and evidence of folk worship outside of Megiddo allow us to become acquainted with the daily life and beliefs of the region's residents over thousands of years. I invite the public to come to our Northern Region conference, which will be held on Thursday this week and is open to everyone, to hear more about the rare discoveries in Megiddo and the North in general."
More of the topic in Hayadan:
