Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered two Roman-era marble busts in northern Israel on Monday, June 15, 2024 [1], [2].
The discovery provides a rare glimpse into Roman portraiture and the social transitions of the region. Because the artifacts were found in a near-intact state, they offer significant data on the artistic standards and cultural shifts occurring during the late Roman period.
The busts are estimated to be 1,700 years old [1]. They were discovered within an ancient winepress, a location that suggests the items may have been intentionally hidden. Researchers said the portraits might have been concealed to protect them from early Christians, who often targeted Roman pagan imagery during their rise in influence [1], [3].
Finding two such pieces in a single location is uncommon. Most Roman-era sculptures found in the region are fragmented or heavily weathered due to time and environmental exposure. These specific pieces, however, remain remarkably preserved [1], [2].
The Israel Antiquities Authority presented the two busts [2] following the excavation. The site in northern Israel continues to be a point of interest for researchers studying the intersection of Roman administration and local agricultural industry, specifically the production of wine, during the second and third centuries.
Archaeologists are now working to determine the identity of the figures depicted in the marble. While the busts are high-quality examples of the era's craft, the specific individuals they represent remain unknown [3].
“Two Roman-era marble busts, about 1,700 years old, found in a near‑intact state”
The discovery of high-status Roman art hidden in a utilitarian space like a winepress suggests a period of acute social or religious tension. The act of concealing these busts indicates that the owners valued the objects enough to hide them rather than destroy them, reflecting the complex transition from Roman paganism to Christianity in the Levant.
