Some of the stone dishes found
In the course of excavation along Highway 437 in the Binyamin area, between the Adam settlement and Hizme, an ancient center of stone utensil manufacture was recently discovered. When the laws of tumah and tahara were followed, there was a demand for stone vessels since they do not become tomei.
The dig is being carried out by a group from the staff of archaeology of the civilian administration. Relics were found, not only of vessels but also of an entire manufacturing site which included several quarries close to one another. Stone relics were unearthed in almost every site bearing different shapes, such as cups, bowls, trays and other various utensils very carefully crafted in different styles.
Thirty years ago, another such center for the crafting of stone vessels was discovered, also located near Hizme. Common to the two centers is the fact that they shared excavations, creation and distribution of these stone vessels which were marketed in Jerusalem and its environs.
The officer of the excavation staff of the civilian administration, Benny Har-Even, said that his department will continue to supervise the areas in order to preserve their historical value, and the unearthed archaeological artifacts from Judea and Samaria.
