Unearth Panel Regarded as Best Sculptural Find in Holy Land (Jewish Daily Bulletin)
The University of Pennsylvania Museum’s archaeological expedition to Beisan has unearthed a magnificent basalt panel which is “by far the best sculpture ever found in Palestine and the equal of the finest Babylonian and Egyptian work,” according to a special report received by the Museum from Alan Rowe, director of the expedition.
The panel, three feet in height and in an excellent state of preservation, was found near the southern end of the great temple of the god Mekal in the Thotmes III level dating from 1501 to 1447 before the Christian era. This level lies directly beneath the Amenophis III level in which was a Canaanite fort tower whose discovery was recorded a few weeks ago.
During the seven seasons in which they have been engaged in excavations at Beisan archaeologists in the Museum expedition have found few examples of Palestinian sculpture there, and those which were found heretofore were of a decidedly crude and inferior workmanship.
For this reason the discovery of the panel which Mr. Rowe describes as the equal of the finest Babylonian and Egyptian sculpture is considered highly important. The fact that passages in the Old Testament refer to the presence of lions in the Jordan Valley during Biblical times also adds interest to the find.
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