Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

Dr. DEBBY HERSHMAN (R), Israel Museum Curator of Prehistoric Cultures and the Face to Face Exhibition, displays a map of the origins of a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

Dr. DEBBY HERSHMAN, Israel Museum Curator of Prehistoric Cultures and the Face to Face Exhibition, holds up a stone mask, one of a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

Dr. DEBBY HERSHMAN, Israel Museum Curator of Prehistoric Cultures and the Face to Face Exhibition, holds up a stone mask, one of a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

Visitors tour the Archaeology Wing at the Israel Museum, founded in 1965 and ranked among the leading art and archaeology museums in the world.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

JAMES SNYDER, Director of the Israel Museum; "It is extraordinary to be able to present side by side this rare group of ancient stone masks, all originating from the same region in the ancient Land of Israel." The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

Visitors tour the Archaeology Wing at the Israel Museum, founded in 1965 and ranked among the leading art and archaeology museums in the world.

Israel Museum Unites World's Oldest Masks

The Israel Museum brings together for the first time a rare group of 9,000-year-old Neolithic stone masks, the oldest known to date, all originating in the Judean Hills and Judean Desert. Masks are believed to have represented the spirits of dead ancestors. This is the first time that the majority of masks will be on public display.