Middle Bronze Age Ceramic Bowl | Time of Abraham Artifact c. 2000–1550 BCE

This ceramic bowl from the Middle Bronze Age is an example of early Levantine craftsmanship, showcasing a simple yet functional design with a rounded body and a wide, open rim. The surface of the bowl is plain, with a natural, weathered finish and subtle marks of age that reflect its long history. Similar bowls have been found at archaeological sites throughout the ancient Near East, providing insight into domestic life and practices during this era. While likely not used for meal preparation, this type of vessel may have been employed for holding grains, liquids, or for ritual purposes.

Artifacts of this kind reveal details about the day-to-day existence of people in the Middle Bronze Age, around the time traditionally associated with the life of Abraham.

Weight: 92.5 grams

Dimensions: 3.5 X8 cm

This ceramic bowl dates back to approximately 2000-1550 BC, during the Middle Bronze Age. This period is marked by significant developments in trade, urbanization, and social complexity in the ancient Near East. It was a time when city-states flourished, and trade routes connected Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Egypt, facilitating the exchange of goods and culture. The period is significant for its association with Abraham, a central figure in religious traditions, symbolizing the early patriarchal age in Judeo-Christian and Islamic history.

Made from clay, this bowl exhibits the traditional hand-shaping techniques of the Middle Bronze Age. Its surface is weathered with age, showing minor wear and imperfections that enhance its historical authenticity.