A remarkable archaeological find has come to light on the eastern slope of the City of David, within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. This unique structure, spanning approximately 220 square meters, was used for ritual practices during the First Temple period, according to a recent article published in the scientific journal ‘Atiqot. This discovery is the first of its kind in Jerusalem.

The structure, excavated by the Israel Antiquities Authority under the direction of archaeologist Eli Shukron, dates to the 8th century BCE, a time when the kings of Judah reigned.

It consists of eight rock-hewn rooms, each equipped with specific installations, including: an altar with a carved drainage channel, a large vertical stone (masseba) associated with ritual activities, a winepress, an olive press, and a mysterious series of V-shaped marks on the floor of one room, possibly serving as a base for a tripod used in religious ceremonies.

Jerusalem temple structures
An oil press and a winepress nearby: used for producing small quantities of oil and wine for ritual purposes. Credit: Kobi Harati / City of David

On the edge of the structure, a small cave containing a collection of artifacts dating to the 8th century BCE was found. Among the items were cooking pots, jars with inscriptions in ancient Hebrew, loom weights, scarabs, seals stamped with decorative motifs, and grinding stones used for milling grain.

According to Shukron, the site fell out of use in the 8th century BCE, coinciding with the religious reforms of King Hezekiah. The Bible describes how Hezekiah centralized worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, eliminating scattered ritual sites across the kingdom. This effort sought to consolidate religious practice in a single sacred location, marking a significant shift in the religious life of Judah.

“When we began excavating the City of David in 2010, we discovered that the site had been sealed with fill from the 8th century BCE, indicating it was abandoned at that time,” Shukron said. “The vertical stone remained in its original place, and the other rooms of the structure were surprisingly well-preserved.”

Jerusalem temple structures
The standing stone uncovered during the excavation: “The most significant and dramatic find revealed”. Credit: Vladimir Naikhin / Israel Antiquities Authority

Although modern excavations began in 2010, the northern part of the structure was initially discovered in 1909 by Montague Parker, a British adventurer searching for the Ark of the Covenant and other Temple treasures.

However, it was through the extensive work of the IAA that the full scope and ritual purpose of this site were uncovered.

The article published in ‘Atiqot is part of an IAA initiative to consolidate its research and publications, making them freely available to the public.

Jerusalem temple structures
Illustration of the carved rooms discovered in the City of David. Credit: Shalom Kveller / City of David

This effort aims to foster a broader understanding of Israel’s rich archaeological discoveries and their impact on the study of ancient history.


SOURCES

Autoridad de Antigüedades de Israel

Shukron, Eli; Freud, Liora; Roth, Helena; Avisar, Reli; and Bocher, Efrat (2024) Evidence of Worship in the Rock-Cut Rooms on the Eastern Slope of the City of David, Jerusalem, ‘Atiqot: Vol. 116, Article 5. DOI: doi.org/10.70967/2948-040X.1126


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