A 5,500-year-old Canaanite blade factory was discovered in Kiryat Gat, Israel, providing a rare link to an ancient group central to the Bible. The workshop, located in the Nahal Qomem archaeological site, is the first of its kind found in southern Israel.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) made the announcement in July, revealing large flint cores from which extremely sharp blades were produced. These blades were used as knives for cutting and butchering, as well as harvesting tools like sickle blades.
Pictures shared by the IAA show long flint blades recovered, along with the large stone cores that were struck to produce them. The artifacts will be put on display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem.
The discovery highlights the sophistication of the Canaanite blade industry, which dates back to the time of Abraham. According to the IAA, only exceptional individuals knew how to craft these blades, indicating a complex social and economic structure in the local society.
The excavation provides valuable insights into the organization and urbanization of Israel during the Bronze Age, shedding light on a previously unknown aspect of ancient craftsmanship.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-blade-factory-tied-major-group-bible-exceptional-individuals