BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Ein Zippori Discoveries Expose Wadi Rabah Culture

Bible and archaeology news

The Israel Antiquities Authority recently announced the discovery of intricately detailed Neolithic and Chalcolithic artifacts at Ein Zippori in Israel. The artifacts, created between 8,000 B.C.E. and 3,000 B.C.E., include utility objects as well as jewelry and artistic representations.

Excavation directors Dr. Ianir Milevski and Nimrod Getzov said that these finds come from what may be the largest “Wadi Rabah” site, a late Pottery Neolithic culture known for animal husbandry and rectangular angled architecture.

The excavations at Ein Zippori exposed rectangular architecture along with pottery, flint tools and basalt vessels, though artistic and foreign objects have garnered the greatest attention. The discovery of obsidian blades indicated that the Wadi Rabah people had access to long-distance trade networks, as the closest source of obsidian is in Turkey. Yet the blades are overshadowed by the artistic beauty of figurines, seals, amulets and a collection of over 200 black, white and red stone beads discovered together in a small stone bowl.