Scientists discovered a crown approximately 6,000 years old, shaped like a thick ring, in a cave in the Judean Desert in 1961.
The crown often symbolizes power, strength, and leadership. This artifact can be associated with high-status individuals such as rulers, commanders, or religious figures. Wearing a crown serves as a tangible symbol of that individual’s status and influence in society, or it may play a part in important rituals and events.
The oldest crown in the world from the Nahal Mishmar hoard. (Image: Hanay/Ancient Origins).
The oldest crown in the world is one of over 400 artifacts found in a cave in the Judean Desert, Israel, near the Dead Sea, in 1961, as reported by Ancient Origins on June 25. This collection of artifacts is collectively referred to as the Nahal Mishmar hoard.
In 2020, the crown was publicly displayed at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University in an exhibition. It dates back to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 – 3,500 BCE.
The crown is shaped like a thick ring adorned with carvings of vultures and raised door motifs. Experts believe this artifact played a significant role in the burial rituals of important individuals during that period.
Other items from the Nahal Mishmar hoard were likely used in rituals related to hunting, livestock herding, agriculture, and protection. The significant weight and value of the bronze artifacts indicate the preciousness of bronze in ancient societies.
The Nahal Mishmar hoard was discovered by archaeologist Pessah Bar-Adon. They were hidden in a natural crevice and wrapped in a mat of reeds, located in a cave north of Nahal Mishmar. A total of 442 artifacts were found, including 240 mace heads, 100 scepters, crowns, horn containers for gunpowder, tools, and weapons made from bronze, ivory, and stone.
Carbon-14 dating indicates that the mat of reeds dates back at least 3,500 years BCE. During this period, the use of bronze became widespread across the Levant, demonstrating that technological advancements paralleled significant social progress in the region.
The items in the Nahal Mishmar hoard appear to have been collected hastily. Therefore, experts suggest that they may represent a sacred treasure belonging to the abandoned Neolithic temple of Ein Gedi, located about 12 kilometers from the cave. They were likely hidden in the cave during an emergency situation. The purpose and origin of the hoard remain a mystery.
