The presence of livestock remains — burned bones of domestic animals — in the surrounding context suggests that people may have brought animals into the fortress area as the situation deteriorated.

Whatever the specific circumstances, the dolium was there.

And it was big enough for a person to climb into.

The Skeleton And What It Tells Us So Far

The young man’s remains have been moved from the site to receive proper anthropological examination, and that examination is ongoing.

The preliminary characterization — a young male — is based on initial assessment of the skeletal material, but detailed anthropological analysis will provide more precise information about his age at death, his stature, his health history, and potentially his geographical origin.

The posture of the remains in the jar is one of the most significant pieces of evidence available.