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In pictures: 'Magical bowls' among relics seized in Jerusalem

News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority ArtefactsYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Bone and ivory items from the biblical period were uncovered along with the ancient pottery

Hundreds of ancient artefacts, including bowls decorated with "spells", have been found by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Israeli police in a raid on the home of a suspected illegal dealer in Jerusalem.

News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority "Swearing bowls" recovered in a raid in JerusalemYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
These "swearing bowls", inscribed with ancient Hebrew script, were used against curses, demons, diseases and pests
News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority Fragments of a "swearing bowl" recovered in a raid in JerusalemYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
The bowls date back some 1,500 years and were buried under floors of houses in the belief that they would provide protection
News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient relief depicting four winged lionsYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Bone and ivory objects were also recovered, including this relief depicting four winged lions marching one after the other
News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient tabletYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Israeli officials said it was "extremely rare" to find decorated ivory - such as this one depicting two griffons - dating from the 8th or 9th Century BC
News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority CoinsYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Hundreds of coins, which along with the pottery were due to be "cleaned up" with chemicals, were also discovered
News imageYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority Spear headYoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Israeli authorities said illegal traders encouraged looters to plunder antiquity sites, thereby "obscuring parts of human history"

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