3,800-Year-Old Grave Pit Filled with Weapons and ‘Thinking Man’ Found in Israel

A magnificent vessel decorated with a male figure was discovered together with daggers, an axe head and arrowheads that were apparently buried as funerary offerings for one of the respected members of the ancient settlement.

An offering pit containing a treasure of copper weapons and ceramic assemblage has been discovered in Yehuda, a Bronze Age city located in the territory of the Israelite tribe of Dan (Jos 19:40,45), some 13 km East of Tel Aviv-Yafo.

The excavation area. Photographic credit: EYECON Productions, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Among the discoveries are prestige items in excellent condition that the archaeologists believe belonged to the chieftain of the city. Bronze daggers, arrowheads, the head of an axe and a highly decorated drinking cup were found inside the offering pit, along with dozens of ceramic jars, pots and vessels.

The discovery was made by the Israel Antiquities Authority, prior to the construction of a residential building in the modern city that sits atop of the ancient.