Unique Glass Panel Restored

March 31, 2008

The panel is made of glass platelets and gold, forming geometric patterns. The entire panel is in the shape of a Greek sigma. According to IAA, “The panel is unique in that the glass platelets inlaid in it were made using two techniques. Most of the platelets were made by a special technique of “gold-glass”; there are platelets that were made of multicolored, opaque glass known as “mosaic glass.”

The process of manufacturing the platelets was very complicated and required special expertise. The platelets are decorated with two motifs: a molded cross and an eight-petaled rosette. Yael Gurin-Rosin, head of the IAA’s glass department, said that while they know generally how the glass panel was constructed, it couldn’t be duplicated today—even using modern means and equipment.

The IAA also said, “This panel is the first of its kind to be exposed in an archaeological excavation in the country. It is unique both from the standpoint of its state of preservation and that of its quality and nature and, to the best of our knowledge, it is the only one of its kind in the world.” Despite years of studying and restoring the glass panel, archaeologists are still unsure what its purpose was.

By Will King, Correspondent, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio

Photo Credit: Photos by Nicky Davidov

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority