A recently uncovered rare archaeological artifact was
stolen this week from the Tel Shiloh archaeological site in Israel. Tazpit News Agency reported last week on the discovery
of the artifact, a broken clay pitcher lying in a layer of reddish ashes
that helped to complete the story of the devastation of Shiloh, the ancient
capital of Israel during the First Israelite
commonwealth. The
ashes found attest to a devastating fire the occurred on the site. The dating
of the clay pitcher, 1050 BCE, correlates with the dating of the
limited portrayal of events surrounding Shiloh’s
destruction depicted in Book of Samuel. This artifact is one of its kind, and
it was the first to shed light on the biblical mystery it solves.
The artifact was stolen from the exact location it was
found at, still lodged in the wall. A part of it was left behind.
The site administration filed a compliant with the police
immediately after the theft was discovered.
Avital Selah, director of the Tel Shiloh site, told
Tazpit News Agency he could not find a motive for the theft. “I don’t know what
can be done with it; it has no value as an antique, but does have immense
historical significance. I believe it may be the act of someone who desired to
have the artifact in his possession after hearing about the discovery in the
media. I don’t think there was criminal intent here; I don’t think it was a
professional job, only poor behavior. I call on the person who took the
artifact to return it and save this extremely important historical finding.”
The Tel Shiloh site is now exploring the option of
installing further security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
“These are the treasures of the Tabernacle. We can’t afford to lose them
again,” said Selah.
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