2102. MAHTA, OR INCENSE SHOVEL, BRONZE, 2 – 3RD.C. AD.FOUND IN JERUSALEM. THIS TYPE OF INCENSE SHOVEL WAS USED IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM TO REMOVE ASHES FROM THE ALTAR OR FOR BURNING INCENSE. IT IS FREQUENTLY DEPICTED INANCIENT SYNAGOGUE MOSAICS FLANKING THE TORAH ARK TOGETHER WITH THE MENORAH, THE SHOFAR, THE LULAV AND THE ETROG. ‘And Aaron shall take a mahta full of coals of fire from off the altar¦
Photograph by Zev Radovan
