How an unusual clay jug is associated with the development of ancient society

When ancient people learned how to store food, this was an important step in the development of civilization. Societies became settled, they had their own clear hierarchy, elites and other attributes from which the states were built. An unusual clay vessel has recently been discovered, which proves that the ritual storage of products was common more than 7000 years ago. This proves that at that time complex social and cultural mechanisms already existed within societies.

Tower in miniature

The oldest evidence of the ritual storage of products was found during excavations in the prehistoric site of Tel Zaf. Unusual clay pots over 7,000 years old show the ritual and political significance of large-scale food storage in the ancient Near East.

During excavations at Tel Cafe two years ago, researchers discovered numerous clay shards in a room located in the center of several silos and kitchens. When the shards, which belonged to one vessel, were able to be put together, scientists were surprised to find a miniature jug about 20 centimeters high with a small hole on its side.

While all clay vessels open from above, like most dishes in a modern kitchen, this vessel has a dome shape, is closed from above and covered with red clay balls. Most likely, it is not functional, but plays a ritual role. This is also indicated by the fact that in form it repeats silos, in which a large amount of grain was stored. Probably, he somehow had to contribute to the richness of the crop and help to preserve it, and was also used in rituals as part of the ceremonies preceding the placement of wheat and barley grains in silos or their removal from storage.

More food, better society.

The archaeological site of Tel Zaf is located in the Jordan Valley, on the Israeli border with the Kingdom of Jordan. It was first discovered in the late 1940s and excavated from the late 1970s, and then in 2004-2007. Since 2013, a group of scientists has been researching the economy of this settlement.