What’s new:
Two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve soldiers, Natanel Melchior and Alon Segev, came across an unexpected treasure while patrolling an IDF staging area — a pottery oil candle dating back to the Byzantine era and over 1,500 years old.
Why it matters:
The discovery of the “sandal candle” not only sheds light on the enduring history of the region but also stands as a testament to the IDF’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage amidst its defense operations. Furthermore, the successful collaboration between the soldiers and the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) underscores the importance of preserving such artifacts for historical and educational purposes.
Details:
The reserve soldiers, from the 404th battalion of the 282nd artillery brigade, discovered the artifact while on duty. Initially misperceived as an ordinary piece of pottery, the object attracted their attention due to its unique shape. Upon realizing the potential significance of their find, the reservists reached out to the IAA, which confirmed the object’s historical value and provided the soldiers with a “good citizenship” certificate in recognition of their contribution.
Big picture:
The ancient candle, dubbed as the “sandal candle” by regional archaeologist Sara Tal, is indicative of the common lighting methods used during the Byzantine period, particularly in the lowland regions of Southern Israel, near Gaza. IAA Director Eli Escozido highlighted the various challenges and surprises that military operations in such a historically-rich area can present, emphasizing the commitment to cultural preservation even in times of conflict.
Go deeper:
In his remarks, Escozido encourages everyone to report any archaeological finds to the IAA, allowing the experts to examine and derive maximum historical insight from the items. He reminds the public of the crucial need to leave such artifacts in their original setting upon discovery and not to remove them, ensuring that archaeological integrity is maintained.
Bottom line:
This incident is a reminder of Israel’s deep historical layers and brings to light the vigilance and civic awareness demonstrated by individuals serving in the IDF. This ancient oil candle discovery enriches our understanding of past societies and the evolution of day-to-day technologies, illustrating how even in the modern age, connections to antiquity still surface in unexpected ways.
This story was first published on jpost.com.