Pictures: Pagan-Cult Worship Objects Found
Preserving Artifacts
Israel Antiquities Authority conservator Elisheva Kamaisky (pictured in the authority's offices in Jerusalem) was brought to the archaeological site to do the first evaluation of the pagan-cult goods.
"We are now cleaning and restoring the vessels," archaeologist Edwin van den Brink said. "Then we will conduct all sorts of analyses ... which will allow us to see where the vessel[s] came from."
Other tests will analyze residue found on the inside of the vessels' walls to determine whether they held, for example, oil or honey.
"We will get a pretty good idea about the daily cult within the temple," said van der Brink.
The pagan temple has not yet been discovered, he added, but it's likely located about 330 feet (100 meters) away from the rock hollow.
Published June 16, 2010
