Israel finds sculpted skulls of New Stone Age

Israel found three skulls from the New Stone Age at a north archaeological site, Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Wednesday.
The 9,000-year-old skulls, which were found sculpted, were apparently placed on benches in a house to be worshipped by younger generation, the IAA said.
Similar custom was also identified in Syria, Turkey and Jordan.
Dr. Hamoudi Khalaily, director of the excavations, said the sculpted skulls were identified as a phenomenon of the New Stone Age.
The practice included the reconstruction of all of the facial features of the deceased through sculpting the skull with a variety of materials such as plaster, according to Khalaily.
The excavations, which are being conducted by the IAA, are part of work initiated by the Israel National Roads Company, prior to the construction of an interchange at the Movil Junction in the north.