Archaeologists in Spain were shocked to find a piece of an Egyptian deity while excavating an Iron Age settlement.
The discovered artifact was formerly one of numerous parts that came together to form a glazed ceramic inlay depiction of Hathor, a strong goddess and protector of women who was also the daughter of the sun deity Ra and consort of Horus, the falcon-headed god.
It is embellished with gold leaf and displays a section of the goddess’ recognizable curly hair. Ancient Egypt was known for its jigsaw puzzle-like artistic manufacturing techniques. The fragments were held together with glue, and a lab is currently analyzing the discovered fragment to try to identify the type of resin that was utilized.
It is the most recent of several recent discoveries at the location, which also include jewelry and ceramics decorated with Egyptian patterns. During the summer of 2021, the study team discovered yet another image of Hathor, this time in the form of a blue quartz amulet. Around 1,000 B.C., it traveled from ancient Egypt to the Iberian Peninsula.
These items raise queries about the region’s past when taken as a group.
“It’s a very surprising site,” the archaeologist Carlos Macarro told El Paīs. “Why did the inhabitants of an Iron Age settlement have Egyptian artifacts? Did they adopt their rites? I can imagine Phoenicians entering the hilltop settlement carrying these objects, wearing their brightly colored clothing. What would these two peoples have made of each other? It’s very exciting to think about.”
Along with Cristina Alario, another archaeologist, and two prehistory professors from the University of Salamanca, Antonio Blanco and Juan Jess Padilla, Macarro is working on the excavation.
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