A number of wall paintings were found in the excavations at Ghassul, the more famous of which is the Ghassul star, the spook masks, the bird and the so-called “tiger” painting.

The Ghassul star, of which a copy hangs in the Museum, high above the showcases is perhaps the most know. (The original is on display at the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem). Plenty has been written about its significance, and the possible symbolism. It may be worth remembering that the process of making and renewing the painting may have been as important as, if not more than, the finished image, as suggested for the site of Çatal Höyük in Turkey.

The material culture of the painted structures often differs from other houses: with concentrations of ceramic cornet cups, large animal horns and child burials, as well as fine ceramic, stone, bone and shell items. All this suggests some form of ritual function, that remains unclear to us, possible related to clan and lineage.