Archaeologists working in the ancient Philistine cemetery in Ashkelon, Israel, have made an unusual discovery. During a recent excavation, they uncovered the 3,000-year-old skeleton of a man with a small juglet stuck to his skull.
The juglet, which measures just a few inches in height, was found nestled against the man’s skull and is believed to have been deliberately placed there as part of a burial ritual.
According to the researchers, the man was likely a member of the Philistine people, who lived in the area during the Iron Age. The Philistines were a seafaring people who were known for their advanced culture and fierce military prowess.
While the discovery of the juglet is certainly unusual, it’s not the first time that archaeologists have found objects placed with the dead in ancient burials. In fact, such practices were quite common in many ancient cultures and were often used to provide the deceased with food, drink, or other items they might need in the afterlife.
What makes this discovery particularly interesting is the fact that the juglet was placed directly against the man’s skull. This suggests that it may have had a specific symbolic or spiritual significance in Philistine culture.
As archaeologists continue to study the ancient Philistine cemetery, they hope to learn more about the culture and practices of this fascinating ancient civilization. The discovery of the juglet is just one small piece of a much larger puzzle, but it’s a reminder of the incredible richness and complexity of our human history.