JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) — A more than 3,000-year-old figurine of an ancient Egyptian goddess was found on a Mediterranean beach in central Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said Tuesday.

The clay-made artifact of Hathor, the ancient Egyptian goddess of love, was found in Palmahim Beach National Park by an elderly couple hiking there.

The figurine, ejected from the sea because of the high waves, is typical of the Canaanite culture, mainly of the Late Bronze Age, between 1500 BC and 1000 BC when it was common to put ritual figurines in a central place in the house for good luck and protection from bad things, according to IAA.

IAA archaeologists identified the figure as Hathor by its hairstyle, which simulates bull horns, and by the prominent eyes and ears.

They noted that Hathor was a powerful goddess who symbolized virtues of fertility, strength, protection, and wisdom.