See the report on the discovery of a cultic building (temple) and dump/trove of cultic instruments from Iron Age west of Jerusalem, at Tell Motsa’ (Israel Antiquities, past December 2012). Excavations were conducted before the completion of Highway 1, near “Netivey Israel”.
The remains, which are dated to the beginning of the kingdom of Judah (2750 years ago, so Iron IIA), include clay figurines of men (one bearded) and horses, and are a wonderful witness to cultic customs in the Jerusalem area at the beginning of the royal period in Judah. Archaeologists: Anna Eirikh, Dr. Hamoudi Khalaily, and Shua‘h Kisilvitz (sp?). According to them, the cultic building is exceptional especially when considered on the background of near absence of contemporary temples in Judah at the time of the setting of the first temple (strange reasoning). The uniqueness of the building is all the more striking because of its proximity to Jerusalem (striking to those who believe in descriptive powers of biblical accounts). [Indeed, especially given the date they propose, –750, i.e. the time of such kings as Uzziah, Azariah, Jotham, Jehoahaz and Ahaz, and prophet Isaiah (740-700?). Note the tribute paid to Tiglath-Pileser in 742]
Tell Motsa’ is a very important archaeological site. Following the Highway 1 project, new excavations have been taking place in the area. It is proposed that the place be identified with biblical Motsah (Jos 18.26), in Benjamin, at the border with Judah. The discoveries made over time at this site indicate its importance in the organization of the kingdom of Judah. For instance: a public building, a large warehouse building and a large number of silos. The site would have functioned as a grain warehouse for Jerusalem, managed by a high-rank administrator.
The current excavations add a new dimension to the interpretation of the site. Part of a large building from the beginning of the monarchy (IA IIA), with massive walls and a broad opening to the East, as in other NE temples. The sun light would illuminate first any object placed inside the temple and symbolizing divine presence. In the courtyard of the temple was found a square building, an altar it seems, and in its vicinity was found a heap of cultic objects. They include clay pots in cultic style, some decorated, and a group of clay figurines of two types: narrow heads of men (anthropomorphic) with flat headdresses and curly hair; second, animal figurines mostly of harnessed cows. Influence from the coastal area (Philistine?).
The discovery of cultic installations in Judah, especially the clay figurines, is usually considered to be part of domestic cults. In a few places were found the remains of high places and temples in which were done religious rituals. Tell Motsa’ is evidence for the existence and functioning of temples and ritual places, even in the Jerusalem area (and I would add: in relation to the kingship and under their control), before the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah.
A horse with mouth open, bare feet of a human figure presumably standing on its back: cf. goddess Anat in LB. Compare Nos. 71 and 72 of Keel-Uehlinger’s Gods, goddesses, and images of god (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998), pages 67–68, about the qudshu type goddess.