An Archaeological Mystery: Why Ancient Hebrews Made Figurines of Naked Women
In First Temple-period Judah, statuettes of women holding up their breasts were apparently a must-have item, but were they images of Yahweh’s wife, fertility figurines, or something else?
Their name couldn’t possibly sound less exciting: Judean Pillar Figurines. But behind this dry technical nomenclature lies a headscratcher that has stumped experts for more than a century. Ever since archaeologists began digging up the remains of Jerusalem and the surrounding Kingdom of Judah from the First Temple period, one find has consistently cropped up: thousands of clay statuettes of an apparently naked woman using her hands to hold up her breasts.
Comments
SUBSCRIBERS JOIN THE CONVERSATION FASTER
Automatic approval of subscriber comments.
Already signed up? LOG IN
In the News
Paid by IFCJ
ICYMI
Jewish Law Above All: Recordings Reveal Far-right MK's Plan to Turn Israel Into Theocracy
Why I’m Turning My Back on My Jewish Identity
Down and Out: Why These New Immigrants Ended Up Leaving Israel
The Reality Behind ‘The White Lotus’ Sex Work Fantasy
This ‘Dystopian’ Cyber Firm Could Have Saved Mossad Assassins From Exposure
