Archaeologists found two rare artifacts: a decorated bronze incense shovel and a bronze jug.
The shovel in particular is associated with worship in the Temple: “You shall make the altar…You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans; all its utensils you shall make of bronze” (Exodus 27:1-3).
“The incense shovel that was found is one of 10 others that are known in the country from the Second Temple Period,” said IAA archaeologist Dina Avshalom-Gorni, who headed the dig. “From early research in the world it was thought that the incense shovel was only used for ritual purposes, care for the embers and incense that were burnt in ritual ceremonies.”
The IAA has conducted extensive excavations at Magdala in recent years. One of the most important finds is a synagogue from the Second Temple...
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