Description

Herodian period Ointment Juglet- Jesus time Pottery

The Herodian period is one of the most flourishing and prosperous periods of the Holy Land in antiquity. During this period King Herod the great established a number of glorious cities and sites, including Caesarea, Herodium, and perhaps his most important work: the expansion of the Temple Mount and the renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was at its peak, as was the entire region of Judea at that time. Socially, however, this period was characterized by social polarization and the emergence of sects within Judaism, which sometimes struggled with each other. Into this reality appeared the figure of Jesus Christ, during the first century AD.

One of the most sought-after and valued pottery groups is that of the “Herodian Pottery”, of which the vessel on display belongs. This vessel began to be used probably only at the end of King Herod’s life and is more characteristic of the first century BC. This vessel was common throughout the first century AD, and is also found in the assemblages of the days of the great revolt of Judea against Rome (66-70 AD).

The vessel on display, which is actually a juglet, was made of light clay and designed in a simple way: a rounded body and a handle descending from a simple rim to the shoulder. It should be noted that this juglet is significantly larger compared to other juglets of the same type, which makes it more unique and rare. As for the functional use of the vessel, it is assumed that it was intended for water storage for personal use, or for storing expensive oils.

This Juglet, which dates back to the 1st Century BC – 1st Century AD, to the days of King Herod and the days of Jesus, is an excellent testimony to the material culture of the people of Judea during this important period in the Holy Land. The excellent preservation of the juglet and its relative size make it a vessel of even greater historical and collectible significance.