10,500 Year Old Basket Unearthed in the Judean Desert

Archaeologists Chaim Cohen and Naama Sukenik with the world’s oldest basket, as found in Muraba‘at Cave. Photo by Yaniv Berman, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority

The climatic conditions of the Qumran Caves on the northern shore of the Dead Sea provide the perfect environment for material preservation.

In a recent and exciting excavation carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority, several important finds have occurred. Archaeologists have discovered a new fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls, believing that the scrolls are a missing part of the “Book of the 12 Minor Prophets” scroll first discovered in 1961.

Other found artifacts included coins from the Bar Kokhba period, 6,000 year old partially mummified remains, ancient Qumran jar fragments, arrowheads from the prehistoric and Roman periods and a perfectly intact 10,500 year old hand-woven basket.

“Teenagers from the Nofei Prat pre-military academy were responsible for the basket discovery, which the Israel Antiquities Authority believes may be the oldest-known basket in the world. Made from woven reeds, it is from the Neolithic period, predating the development of pottery in the region.”