In a remote cave overlooking the Dead Sea, researchers have discovered a Neolithic production site for ritual masks. The site contains several semi-finished masks carved from local limestone, representing the earliest known evidence of standardized ritual art production in the Levant. These masks, characterized by large eye sockets and bared teeth, are believed to have been used in ancestor worship or shamanic ceremonies.
The discovery of the workshop, rather than just isolated masks, is a major breakthrough. It indicates that the creation of these sacred objects was a specialized craft conducted in specific, isolated locations. Alongside the masks, archaeologists found flint carving tools and piles of limestone chips, allowing them to reconstruct the specific techniques used by these prehistoric artisans over 9,000 years ago.