Pagan Rituals Have Modern Ties The altar's bull heads—a symbol of "strength and power"—probably represented the god Zeus, according to Israel.

The pagan altar is 60 centimeters tall and it is decorated with bulls' heads, from which dangle laurels wreaths. There is a strap in the middle of each floral wreath and bull's head.

Pagan Altar Finding Disproves Jewish Protesters May 20, 2010 / 12:34 PM EDT / AP ...

Dr. Yigal Israel of the Israeli antiquities authority inspects an ancient pagan altar that was uncovered in Ashkelon, Israel, Thursday, May 20, 2010. Tsafrir Abayov / AP May 20, 2010, 2:51 PM EDT ...