Levant, Nahal Mishmar
Copper alloy; H. 3 5/8 in. (9.1 cm)
Lent by Israel Antiquities Authority (L.1994.74.9)
Ten cylindrical objects were found in the Nahal Mishmar hoard. The sides on this example are slightly concave with narrow scalloped rims. The outer face is incised with two bands of herringbone design moving in opposite directions and separated by an undecorated band. Other examples are incised with a star or triangles. Like many of the objects in the hoard, it is unclear what purpose the cylinders served. Perhaps they functioned as stands for vessels with a pointed base. Indeed, two of the cylinders were provided with small feet. Other cylinders from the hoard may have been worn as crowns. These have projections soldered onto their rims. Some have knobs while others are decorated with small, schematic animals: one cylinder has flat bands that may have originally joined to form a kind of cap.

















