Image Gallery: Ancient Lucky Charms

Ram figurine

The artifacts were found near the remains of an ancient round building at the archaeological site of Tel Moza, outside of Jerusalem.

Ram figurine in hand

"It is known that hunting was the major activity in this period," archaeologist Hamoudi Khalaily said in a statement from the Israeli Antiquities Authority. "Presumably, the figurines served as good-luck statues for ensuring the success of the hunt and might have been the focus of a traditional ceremony the hunters performed before going out into the field to pursue their prey.”

dolomite figurine

This Neolithic figurine was carved out of dolomite and made to look like a wild bovine.

Limestone Figurine

This limestone figurine of a ram, found in Israel, is about 9,500 years old.