hidden pot

While conserving the mosaic floor in the entry hall of the peristyle house, conservators discovered a small mystery, a pot (Kfar Hananya 3C) hidden in a hole cut in the floor:

Why would a householder cut through a mosaic floor and bury an pot? Fantasies of a treasure hoard circulated wildly.

Carefully the pot was uncovered.

Anticipation mounted. Gatit carefully lifted out the pot.

But when we sifted the contents, only bits of glass and bone, some ashy soil, and one nail were found.

The seemingly disappointing results remind us of the words of a preacher from the region of the Sea of Galilee who said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”