Israel discovers 2,500-year-old jar with face decoration in ancient Jerusalem

A fragment of a 2,500-year old pottery jar, decorated with a face of an Egyptian god, was discovered in Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reported on Wednesday.

The fragment was discovered in excavations conducted by the IAA and Israel's Tel Aviv University in the ancient City of David in Jerusalem.

The facial features survived are two wide open eyes, the nose, one ear, and a small section of the corner of the mouth.

Jars of this type, called "Bes-Vessels," were very common during the Persian period in Egypt (starting at 525 BC) and in the Phoenician settlements along the shores of the Levant, in the eastern Mediterranean.

Such vessels and amulets were also found in Persia itself, in Susa, Persepolis and other ancient cities, getting there by Egyptian craftsmen who operated there as part of international trade.

In Egyptian mythology, Bes is the protector god of households, especially mothers, women giving birth and children.

Over time, its character developed into a god that protects everything good, and thus is also connected with music and dancing.

Bes figure adorned the walls of houses, pottery, mirrors and other objects, or worn as an amulet around the neck.

Bes often appears as a kind of bearded dwarf with a large face, protruding eyes and tongue sticking out, while wearing a feather hat.

This grotesque figure was probably meant to evoke joy and laughter and to throw out the evil spirits.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)