Detecting a mysterious dolphin near the Gaza strip

A group of archaeologists has found a rare dolphin statue near Kibbutz Magen, 20 km from the Mediterranean Sea, on the border between the Gaza Strip and the ruins from the end of Byzantime and early Muslim periods.

The mysterious dolphin statue near the Gaza strip

A group of archaeologists have found a rare dolphin statue near Kibbutz Magen, 20 km from the Mediterranean Sea , on the border between the Gaza Strip and the ruins from the end of Byzantime and early Muslim periods. The statue depicts a dolphin sucking a fish in its jaw, carved from marble, about 40cm tall. It may be part of a larger sculpture array, possibly a god or goddess.

Marble dolphin statue

Archaeologist Alexander Fraiberg said the statue may have originated in Rome.

Dr. Rina Avner, a Roman archaeologist, said the sculpture could represent Aphrodite , the Greek goddess of beauty and love. According to legend, Aphrodite was born from sponges and was described with an eel to emphasize the goddess's sea origin.

The statue of Aphrodite stood on the shell, below were two dolphins

Another theory is that the statue can portray Poseidon , the sea god, who often goes with dolphins. Poseidon is a brother to Zeus and Hades.

Statue of Poseidon with dolphins

In the first stories of dolphins, Homers explained how the god Apollo had founded the temple at Delphi. In Roman mythology, dolphins carry the souls of the dead to 'Blest Island '. Dolphins are also mascots following Dionysus or Bacchus, the god of death and rebirth.