Ancient Figurine Discovered by 7-Year-Old Boy in Israel

“Ori was even honoured with a certificate of appreciation by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) for finding such a historic artifact…”

While out on a hiking trip around the archaeological mound at Tel Rehov in Israel, Ori Greenhut, 7, found a small 3,400 year old statue with ties to the Bible, making for an exciting and fun trip. Ori was even honoured with a certificate of appreciation by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) for finding such a historic artifact.

Moriya Greenhut, Ori's mother, says. “Ori returned home with the impressive figurine and the excitement was great. We explained to him this is an ancient artifact and that archaeological finds belong to the State."

The Greenhut family turned the find over to the Israel Antiquities Authority, and representatives of the IAA came to the Shaked Elementary School in Kibbutz Sede Eliyahu in order to present Ori with a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship and tell him what they know about the figurine. Esther Ledell, Ori’s teacher, said, “It was an amazing occasion! The archaeologists entered the class during a Torah lesson, just when we were learning about Rahel stealing her father’s household gods (trafim; Genesis 31). I explained that the household gods were statues that were used in idol worship, and all of a sudden I realize that these very same idols are here in the classroom!”

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