Bizarre 3,800-Year-Old ‘Thinking Man’ Jug Unearthed In Israel

A team of Israeli archeologists discovered an ancient jug bearing the image of a "thinking man" that is believed to be approximately 3,800 years old.

The statuette of a person on the jug appears to be in deep thought, sitting with knees bent and head rested on hand, just like "The Thinker," a famous bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin in 1902.

The Israel Antiquities Authority said that the jug, which dates back to the Middle Bronze Age, has been found during an excavation in Yehuda, a Bronze Age city located in the territory of the Israelite tribe of Dan. It is where several similar potter jugs have been unearthed before.

"It seems that at first the jug, which is typical of the period, was prepared and afterward the unique sculpture was added, the likes of which have never before been discovered in previous research," Gilad Itachi, who directed the excavation, said as reported by Reuters.

"One can see that the face of the figure seems to be resting on its hand as if in a state of reflection," he added. The statuette is about 7 inches tall, which is much smaller than Rodin's bronze sculpture, which stands at around 73 inches.

The scientists unearthed an offering pit containing a treasure of ancient items like arrowheads, an ax head, daggers, sheep bones and some bones, which were believed to be the bones of a donkey. Apparently, these items are probably funeral offerings, which could have been offered to a valuable member of an ancient community.

The discovery was made before the construction of a residential building in the modern city that now sits atop of the ancient location, Ancient Origins reports.

The newest finding hints at a code of power used in the ancient times. The bronze weapons and the ceremonial weapons are linked with the idea of a military leader. On the other hand, the unique ceremonial vessel is possibly related to feasting with the ruler of the ancient city.