Persian Clay Figurines from Maresha

Prof. Amos Kloner and Adi Ehrlich
Israel Antiquities Authority

The excavations of the lower city of Maresha reveal that the Hellenistic Period was the time of the flourishing of the ancient city. No architectural remains from the Persian period have been found on the site, though in one of the caves (Cave system 75) an occupation level from the Persian period has been found, as well as Iron Age and Hellenistic strata. The Persian period was represented mainly by small finds, including pottery, lamps and figurines.

Most of the Persian period figurines were found in the rich fills in the underground caves. These fills contained mainly Hellenistic, but also Persian and Iron Age, artifacts. Some of the caves were filled by erosion or by collapses from the above-ground structures. But the fills with the richest finds were those deliberately deposited in the caves, probably at the end of the second century BCE.

Since the Persian period figurines were not found in situ, their archaeological contexts do not assist in determining either date of manufacture and use or functions.

The Cave Systems

Cave system 84

Cave system 84 is located on the southern slope of the lower city. In it are more than 40 rooms, including an olive press, colombaria, cisterns, and other rooms.

Cave system 75

The excavated area in Cave system 75 consists of one main hall, in which four occupational levels have been found (Iron Age II; Persian, early Hellenistic, and late Hellenistic), and two colombaria. 60/92 84-15-580-s1

Cave system 147

Cave system 147 is a large colombarium near Cave 75. The figurines were found in the rich fill inside the cave.

Cave system 128

Cave system 128 is located near Cave 84.

Cave system 53

Few cisterns were dug below the upper houses in this area. In one of the cisterns a figurine of the Persian rider type was found, no. 53-205c-753.

Area and Cave system 61

Area 61 consists of four above-ground houses and many underground caves connected to them.

Areas 930, 940

Areas 930 and 940 border each other. These areas are located east of Area 61, under the new road from the Tell to the Sidonian caves. These areas were excavated in preparation for the paving of the road.

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