Roman statue discovered in Ashkelon after storm damage
A 1.2 meter high statue of a woman was found after part of a cliff crumbled, revealing archaeological treasures.
By Asaf Shtull-Trauring Tags: Ashkelon Israel newsThe massive storm that swept through Israel over the weekend caused a great deal of damage to archaeological sites all along the Mediterranean coast, but also uncovered a an impressive statue of a woman between 1650 and 1800 years old in Ashkelon.
The statue, a 1.2-meter high figure of a woman with her head missing, has been dated to Roman times and is thought to have stood erect in a bath house.
The statue was discovered when a cliff crumbled into the water at a sea-side archaeological dig in Ashkelon. Among the chunks of earth that broke off from the cliff were parts of a large building that apparently were once a part of a Roman bath house.
Sections of a colorful mosaic floor were also ruined. Many shards were washed away by the water.
Archaeologist Dr. Yigal Israel of the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Ashkelon region explained, "It is a lovely white statue that is missing its head and part of a hand. It was apparently imported from Italy, Greece or Asia Minor, and may have represented the goddess Aphrodite."
"The woman depicted in the statue is wearing a toga and leaning on a square stone column," Israel continued. "Her clothing was chiseled meticulously – her toes are delicate, we see her sandals and her small emphasized bosom. Simply a stunningly beautiful statue."
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Roman statue found on the coast of Ashkelon. |
| Photo by: Ilan Assayag |
The statue had fallen from a relatively high precipice measuring approximately ten meters high, but was surprisingly unharmed. Dr. Israel estimated that the statue's head and hand were missing even during Roman times.
"We rescued the statue from the sea waves lapping at it," Dr. Israel said. "It was spotted by a passerby, and with the generous help of Ashkelon city council, we raised it with a crane. We are transferring it to government warehouses in Beit Shemesh."
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ZIOINIST PLEASE LEAVE PALESTINE WE AND THE ROMANS WANT OUR LAND BACK
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Why ship it off to a warehouse? Why not in a public square in Ashkelon so the common folk can enjoy it this beautiful statue? By the way, this is a prime example that it is difficult to get ahead in this day and age.
Near the end of Rome, there were massive architectural projects that had to be ornamented, with sculpture salvaged from earlier constructions, because craftsmen of sufficient skill, no longer existed, to produce new figures. This figure tells us a lot, especially if it was itself salvaged under such circumstances. It took Hundreds of Years for he skill of artists, to equal what was lost when Rome lead itself into ruin.
God what a find. Why arent we creating instead of destroying. Where are the new 12 wonders of the wall. We have the new wall of mosaiq of Iran as a border marker as well will be able to be seen by satellite what about beauty. We have the Atlantis waterpark which is beautiful. What we have the Channel of France. What other great wonders have we created lately. What is in the war areas creating pride and beauty. Creating jobs and will be here 2000 years later. The artistry is there to do. WE were in a class a few people in my group were Awa, Bev, Thomas, David, and a man named Brad Gaines (I know 3 one football player) discussing Robin Hood becoming a non felon to fund his movement to positive before King Richard the Lionhearted returned. So we wrote this combined paper I got a B thought well pretty good. We presented but in learning it I found out most of Sherwood Forest gone and now subburb with nice castle mount there that all left. I thought I making Robin Hood a non thief now creating a township with people earning a living using the funds of the business to run the rebellion as we waiting slowly taking the bad Sheriff down slowly one by one and by replacing his followers with ours. I just looked around the world and wondered where is everything going. Can we create new and change our war thought to adjustment of peace. Karoon entry USA
Thanks, for the information on this. This is a neat article. I enjoyed seeing the ruins in different places when I was in Israel. This statue looks really neat. I am glad someone spotted it.
...it took a storm to reveal an archaeological site? Forgive me but what exactly do you have in Israel, you have no natural resources, no water...archaeology is the only thing you guys have, and it takes a storm to reveal it? Seriously, what have you guys been doing?
Too much idolaters in Eretz Yisrael