An ancient stone relief depicting a lioness nursing her cubs has been unearthed in Israel, as reported by Haaretz. The artifact spent nearly two millennia buried underground, and the chemical elements it absorbed through the ages have caused considerable deterioration. Many fine details are lost, yet the overall scene remains legible, including the clearly visible nipples where the cub feeds.
The basalt carving was discovered near Ein Nashut by a group of local students during a three-day excursion through Israel’s northern ancient villages. The find adds a tangible link to the long histories that shaped the landscape of this region.
One of the guiding voices on the expedition, teacher Mordechai Aviam, described daily fieldwork that focuses on historic villages and the architectural markers that distinguish Jewish settlements from Christian ones in that period. The moment of discovery came as a sudden reminder of how fragile heritage can be, with the possibility that the statue had lain unnoticed for generations and could have been stolen or removed if not observed at the moment of its uncovering.
More comprehensive details about the artifact will emerge only after a careful, systematic study. For the purpose of documentation, the team transported the 28-kilogram statue on a makeshift stretcher to a secure location for exam and preservation work. This kind of careful handling is essential for ancient pieces that carry both historical meaning and fragile material integrity.
The discovery underscores how much of the past rests below the surface, waiting to reveal itself through patient fieldwork and collaboration among students, teachers, and researchers. It also invites broader inquiry into the symbolism of lion imagery in ancient Mesopotamian and Levantine cultures, where lions often signified strength, protection, and the guardianship of sacred spaces. The presence of a nursing cub in this depiction adds a maternal dimension that may reflect beliefs about lineage, nurture, and the social roles institutionalized within village life during antiquity. This kind of iconography offers a window into daily life, religious practice, and artistic conventions of the era. The discovery is a reminder that stone and sculpture continue to speak across the centuries to those who listen closely, even when the surface shows weathered textures and chipped edges. (Haaretz)”