The World's Oldest Crown: What is the secret of a treasure hidden in a hurry 6,000 years ago

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

One of the ten mysterious crowns found in an Israeli cave in 1961, along with other valuable artifacts, is considered the oldest in the world. This unique item is part of the famous Nahal Mishmar treasury, which contains several hundred of the most diverse ancient gizmos. All of them are of great value for science, but the very fact that this crown was worn in some 4000 BC and that its purpose is still a mystery, excites the imagination.

The ancient crown, discovered in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea, dates back to approximately 4000 and 3500 BC. The blackened copper headpiece is shaped like a thick ring. The crown diameter is only 18 centimeters, and scientists assume that it was worn by a man, let's say, a medium-sized one.

Along the upper edge of the crown are five figures - protruding images of doors crowned with horns and vulture birds. These mysterious "doors", funeral birds, a square hole in the crown and the very cylindrical shape of the headdress made scientists think that it was clearly not the ruler who wore it.

Most likely, it was used in some funeral rites, or rather, was worn at ancient funeral ceremonies, which were of particular importance for the people of that time.

Until the moment when the famous treasure was discovered by the archaeologist Pesach bar-Adon, the treasures had been lying unnoticed for many millennia in a natural crevice on the northern side of Nahal-Mishmar, for which the famous find got its corresponding name. The items were wrapped in a straw mat. The cave itself, in which the treasure was found, later became known as the "Treasure Cave".

The 442 valuable artifacts made of copper, bronze, ivory and stone include 240 mace heads, 100 scepters, five crowns, weapons and other valuable items. Many of these items are very mysterious and deserve a separate story.

To determine the age of the treasure, radiocarbon analysis of the rug in which the objects were wrapped, as well as the stick lying under them, helped. It was during this period (about four thousand years BC) that the use of copper became widespread throughout the Levant, which indicates significant technological developments that went along with the major social development in this region.

Items from Nahal Mishmar's pantry appear to have been collected and hidden in great haste. This suggests that the artifacts were sacred treasures that belonged to the abandoned Chalcolithic temple of Ein Gedi, located about twelve kilometers from the place of discovery. Perhaps the treasure was hidden in a cave during some kind of emergency.

The ancient crown and other valuable artifacts keep the secret of those events and, despite all the interesting assumptions, the true purpose and origin of this treasure still remain a mystery to scientists.

Continuing the topic, a story about the mysterious treasures of Israel: the history of ancient gold coins, the purity of which was checked for a tooth.