Photo: VCG

 A Canaanite burial cave dated to about 3,300 years ago was discovered at a Mediterranean beach in central Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said on Sunday.

The squared-carved cave, supported by a pillar in its ceiling center, was located at the ancient port city of Yavne-Yam and unearthed during construction work at Palmachim Beach National Park south of Tel Aviv, the IAA noted.

Whole pottery and bronze vessels were found on the cave's floor, the same place they were put during the ancient burial ceremony, it added.

The different-shaped vessels include deep and shallow bowls, some of which are painted red; footed chalices, cooking pots, jugs and clay candles that contained oil for lighting.

According to IAA archaeologists, some of the jars were produced on the coasts of Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus, such as from the regions of Tyre, Sidon and Ugarit.

Such vessels were brought to the land of Israel in large quantities and were commonly used as burial artifacts, they noted.

Next to the jugs, small storage vessels were found, mainly flasks and juglets, which were intended to store and trade precious materials in small quantities. Arrowheads were also found on the site.

The findings in the cave date back to the Late Bronze Age, when an Egyptian administration existed in ancient Israel.