Archaeologists in Israel have made an extraordinary discovery that curiously sheds new light on both Bronze Age burial customs and ancient recycling practices. Three textile lamp wicks, approximately 4,000 years old, were uncovered during excavations near Yehud, representing some of the oldest known examples worldwide and providing rare insights into Intermediate Bronze Age illumination technology.
The remarkable preservation occurred through what researchers describe as “a singular event of organic preservation in a humid climate,” according to Israel Antiquities Authority scientists Dr. Naama Sukenik and Dr. Yonah Maor. The discovery was made during development work for a new Yehud neighborhood, funded by the Israel Lands Authority, with findings recently published in Atiqot Journal, Vol. 118.