In June 2025, Israeli archaeologists unearthed the remains of a headless female donkey beneath a Bronze Age house in Tell es-Safi, the site of ancient Gath. The donkey, dating back approximately 5,000 years, had its legs bound together, and its head was severed and placed on its belly, in the opposite direction of its body.
Three other donkeys were discovered buried in a similar manner. While these animals were not decapitated, their skulls faced east, likely toward the sunrise, which researchers believe was part of the ritual. Isotope analysis of their tooth enamel revealed that the donkeys originated from the Nile Valley, specifically Egypt.
The discovery sheds light on the religious practices of the Canaanites and provides new insights into ancient international relations and trade. According to Elizabeth Arnold, an anthropologist at Grand Valley State University, the sacrifice of such a valuable animal could have been an extravagant display to emphasize the owner's wealth or prestige.