The Discovery of an Unusual Pottery Vessel

Archaeologists always try to search for new things. Taking one step ahead the researchers of the University of Haifa and the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin have found oldest evidence of food storage rituals during excavations at the prehistoric site of Tel Tsaf that is a site located in the Jordan Valley, at the Jordan River and Israel's border.  The vessel is estimated to be around 7,000 years old.

The vessel is supposed to be used for ritual purposes, ensuring that some specific people or groups could store large quantities of crops in the vessel. The pot was used to store the extra food grains that remained after using the quantity that was needed for survival. During this excavation at the courtyard of Tel Tsaf, a number of silos have been found that were used for large-scale grain storage. The site was near Jordan River that reflects that people used to get good amount of grains at that time and that’s why they needed these vessels to store grains for future use.

This is the first evidence of mass food storage in the region from 7,500 to 6,500 years ago in this region. The vessels have 20 centimetre of height and a small window-like structure on its side having opening on the top. It seems that storing grains in them was a part of their ritual to ensure economic prosperity. 

Content: www.sciencedaily.com

By: Anita Aishvarya