First Temple-era figurine mold unearthed in Jerusalem's 'most significant excavation' in decades

A rare mold used to create Judean Pillar Figurines, dating back to the First Temple period, has been unearthed in Jerusalem. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery on Monday, calling it one of the most significant archaeological finds in the city in decades.

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The mold was discovered while sifting soil removed from fills and accumulations dating to the First Temple period. The Kishle excavation, which has been ongoing for several years, continues to surprise us time and again.

The artifact, used to cast the faces of female figurines, was found at the Tower of David Museum during excavations for the new Schulich Wing for Archaeology, Art and Innovation. Conservators cleaned the mold, revealing finely crafted facial features, and created a cast that reconstructs the face of a female figurine with distinct features and curly hair.

Judean Pillar Figurines, typically 10-20 cm tall and made of clay, were often found broken at the neck. They were usually covered in white coating, with traces of pigment suggesting they were originally painted in yellow, red, and black. The manufacturing process involved making the head and body separately, with only the face being molded.

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It is one of the most significant archaeological excavations conducted in Jerusalem in recent decades, presenting the city's history in a clear and continuous sequence, from the days of the Kings of Judah, through the many periods that shaped Jerusalem, and up to the British Mandate.

Excavation directors Dr. Amit Re'em and Dr. Ayala Zilberstein described the find as a surprise from the ongoing Kishle excavation. Re'em highlighted the excavation's importance in presenting Jerusalem's continuous history. He noted that while clay figurines have been found frequently in the area, this is the first production mold discovered in Jerusalem, resolving a long-standing question about local manufacturing versus importation.

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Until now, however, no production molds for these figurines had ever been discovered in Jerusalem. This raised the question of whether they were manufactured locally or imported from elsewhere. The discovery of this mold at the Kishle is therefore the first of its kind.