An unexpected discovery by an 8-year-old boy in Israel has captured the attention of archaeologists worldwide. Dor Wolynitz, during a family retreat in the Negev Desert’s Ramon Crater, stumbled upon a fragment of a Roman statuette dating back 1,700 years. The find was announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on May 11.

A Remarkable Find

Wolynitz, attending a weekend retreat organized by a paratrooper reserve unit, was exploring the area when he noticed an unusual stone with stripes. His curiosity led him to pick up the stone, which he later showed to Akiva Goldenhersh, an archaeologist and family friend. Initially mistaking it for a fossil, Goldenhersh soon realized the significance of the sculpted folds on the fragment.

The statuette, measuring six by six centimeters, is believed to depict a figure wearing a heavy mantle known as a himation. Made from a phosphorite-type mineral native to the Negev, the artifact suggests local production rather than importation. The high level of craftsmanship indicates the artist’s skill, and the statuette may represent the Roman god Jupiter or the Nabatean deity Zeus-Dushara.

Cultural Significance

The Ramon Crater area, part of the ancient spice route, was a hub of cultural exchange during the Roman and Nabatean periods. This discovery highlights the blend of local traditions with classical influences. Goldenhersh noted that finding such Roman-era stone figurines is rare, especially as a surface find rather than through excavation.

Wolynitz’s responsible actions in handing over the artifact to Israel’s National Treasures Department earned him a certificate for good citizenship. Goldenhersh praised the young boy and his family for their civic responsibility and contribution to preserving cultural heritage.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.