A rare Judean Pillar Figurine mold, dating to the First Temple period, was discovered in Jerusalem's Old City, marking the first such mold ever found in Israel for that era. This unprecedented find provides direct evidence of local production of these ancient Jewish artifacts within the city itself. The mold, used in antiquity to cast the face of a female figurine, emerged during archaeological excavations within the Tower of David Museum. These digs are preceding construction of the new Schulich Wing for Archaeology, Art, and Innovation.
The mold was unearthed while sifting soil removed from fills and accumulations dating to the First Temple period. IAA Excavation Directors Dr. Amit Re’em and Dr. Ayala Zilberstein confirmed the discovery. They noted the Kishle excavation, ongoing for several years, consistently yields significant insights. Dr. Re’em characterized the find as one of the most significant archaeological excavations conducted in Jerusalem in recent decades. It presents the city’s history in a clear and continuous sequence, from the days of the Kings of Judah through many subsequent periods, up to the British Mandate.
Unearthing Jewish Heritage
After its discovery, the mold was meticulously cleaned by Tamar Gonen, a ceramics conservation and restoration specialist at the IAA. This process revealed its inner design of finely crafted facial features. Conservation and restoration specialist Sviatoslav Klindukhov then created a cast from an appropriate material. The result was a full reconstruction of a female figurine's face, displaying clearly defined features and an elaborate curly hairstyle.
Clay figurines from the First Temple period have been found in almost every excavation conducted in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Until this discovery, however, no production molds for these figurines had ever been found in Jerusalem. This absence had previously raised questions about whether they were manufactured locally or imported. The Kishle discovery definitively answers that question, proving that at least some were produced within the ancient Jewish capital.
Three prominent types of First Temple figurines have been identified: female figurines, known as Judean Pillar Figurines; those depicting a horse and its rider; and zoomorphic, or animal, figurines, primarily representing horses. These clay figures typically measure between approximately 10 and 20 centimeters high. They were often covered in a white coating, with surviving traces of pigment indicating original yellow, red, and black paint. When found, they are frequently broken at the neck, a consequence of the manufacturing technique where the head and body were made separately by hand, with only the face formed using a mold.
A Glimpse into Ancient Challenges
The precise function of the Judean Pillar Figurines remains a subject of scholarly debate, according to IAA Iron Age Curator Debbi Ben-Ami. Their presence in almost every household, as well as in streets and tombs, suggests they were objects of everyday use. Scholars have proposed various interpretations, including representations of a fertility goddess like Asherah, children’s toys, or household amulets intended for protection and good fortune. This newly discovered mold may offer fresh insights into these questions.
Ben-Ami also highlighted that the widespread use of figurines during the First Temple period appears to contradict the biblical prohibition. She quoted Exodus 20:3: “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness.” She acknowledged the archaeological reality of figurines in every home, despite the unclear exact reference of the biblical prohibition. Ben-Ami noted past attempts to name the figurines, such as Asherah, and suggested they might have served as a "mediating figure" for blessings.
Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu offered a profound civilizational perspective on the find. He stated that, according to Jewish sages, the First Temple was destroyed due to three principal sins: idolatry, sexual immorality, and bloodshed. The discovery of this mold for producing figurines in the heart of Jerusalem provides a tangible glimpse into the world in which the prophets of Israel lived. It illuminates the spiritual and cultural realities they confronted. Minister Eliyahu emphasized that when such an artifact emerges from Jerusalem's soil, history becomes real and immediate. This small piece of pottery, he said, tells the story of the beliefs, customs, and spiritual challenges that characterized the capital city in ancient times.
Jerusalem's Enduring Legacy
Eilat Lieber, Director and Chief Curator of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, expressed tremendous excitement over the discovery. She underscored the museum's foundational idea: Jerusalem’s past continues to shape its present. This summer, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in real archaeological research by sifting soil from the Kishle excavations. Every fragment recovered helps illuminate another chapter in Jerusalem's story, making participants true partners in preserving and revealing the city’s foundational heritage.