When you purchase through radio link on our site , we may earn an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it work .
An smorgasbord of 400 - year - old artefact found along a former Muslim pilgrimage route from Egypt to the Arabian Peninsula may have been used for " wizardly rite " or ceremony , a new study discover .
archaeologist find the collection of goodness in Eilat , a region in southerly Israel . Among the particular were a number of stiff - made objects , include a statuette of a naked woman ( possibly a goddess ) with her hands raised , miniature votive incense altars , rale fragments , fauna figurines and an raiment of coloured quartz pebble and seashell , according to the subject area , published July 14 in theJournal of Material Cultures in the Muslim World .
Archaeologists discovered a number of clay figurines, including that of a woman (left) and an animal (right).
Related : Ancient lettering on jar found in Israel link realm of Solomon and Sheba
It ’s possible that the artifacts were used in rituals intended for divine protection , such as ward off theevil eyeor healing diseases . " This discovery reveals that hoi polloi in the Early Ottoman Period — just as today — consult popular sorcerers , alongside the conventional belief in the official faith , " the researchers said in the statement .
" The artifacts were bump broken , and they may even have been purposely broken in the ceremonies , " the squad lend .
Part of the pilgrimage route in the Eilat mountains where archaeologists discovered the artifacts.
Literary sources show that " there was a requirement for magical ritual among people from different strands of society , " the research worker mark . " Such rituals were carry out day by day alongside the schematic religious rituals — including in the Islamic populace — and it is likely that the pilgrims reach their way to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were no exception . “Medina is a holy cityin Saudi Arabia where Muhammad set off the Muslim community and where his consistency is entombed .
— century of graves reveal Spanish township ’s secret Islamic chronicle
— 2,000 - year - old stone reception discovered in Jerusalem
— Blood - red bulwark of Roman amphitheater unearth near ' Armageddon ' in Israel
The find marks the first time such an array of ritual target has been find in this region .
The IAA will solve with Israel ’s Ministry of Tourism to make the itinerary and nearby archaeological situation a touristry area that will admit " educational activity for the populace emphasizing its cultural inheritance role , " according to the statement .
' If it was a man , we would say that ’s a warrior ’s grave ' : weapon system - filled burials are shaking up what we eff about women ’s purpose in Viking lodge
' It was deliberately hide ' : Gold hoard of closely 600 coins find in Czech Republic may go steady to World War II
The ceaseless surveillance of forward-looking life could worsen our brain role in slipway we do n’t full infer , disturbing study suggest
