8-Year-Old Discovers 1,700-Year-Old Roman Statuette Fragment in Israel

An 8-year-old boy named Dor Wolynitz from Rehovot, Israel, discovered a 1,700-year-old Roman statuette fragment during a family retreat at the Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert. The artifact, which dates back to the fourth century A.D., was found while Wolynitz was searching for interesting items to show at school. The fragment measures six by six centimeters and depicts part of a human figure with sculpted folds of fabric, indicating a high level of artistic skill. Archaeologist Akiva Goldenhersh, who was present during the find, noted that the statuette may represent the Roman god Jupiter or a Nabatean god called Zeus-Dushara. The discovery is significant as such finds are rare, especially when uncovered on the surface rather than during excavations. Wolynitz turned the artifact over to Israel's National Treasures Department and received a certificate for his actions.