Structure discovered in Jerusalem’s City of David dates back to the first Temple, study finds

An ancient building discovered on the eastern slope of the City of David within Jerusalem’s Walls National Park is thought to have been used for ceremonial activities during the First Temple period, a new study shows.

The building has eight rooms and contains things like altars, standing stones, oil presses, and wine presses.

Eli Shukron, the leader of the excavation, said in an article published in the scientific journal Antiqot that the undiscovered structures may have been used by the inhabitants of Judah for cult or religious activities.

Research has revealed that the structure, which has an unusual overall shape, dates to the First Temple period and was discovered during excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David.

Ancient tomb discovered by archaeologists belonged to doctor who treated Egyptian pharaoh

“When we began excavating the City of David in 2010, we found that the site had been sealed with fill from the 8th century B.C. (B.C.), indicating that it had ceased to be in use during that time,” Shukron said. “We The standing stones were found still standing in their original positions, and other rooms in the building were also well preserved.”

Shukron’s article suggests that the building consisted of eight rock-hewn chambers used for ceremonial purposes and was not far from the sanctuary on the Temple Mount, nearly a few hundred meters away.

It is also the only known building of its kind from the Jerusalem period and one of the few found in Israel.

Church’s hidden staircase lets archaeologists unearth 400-year-old tomb

A carved device is thought to be an altar, with a drainage channel. (Image credit: Kobi Harati, City of David)

The building itself covers an area of ​​about 220 square meters and has eight rooms, each with a different purpose.

In one room is an oil press used to produce oil. Another contains a press for wine making.

Other rooms contain items such as a carved device with gutters, which researchers believe was an altar; a large standing stone; and V-shaped carving marks on the floor, but researchers are still confused about the purpose of the carvings.

Archaeologists discover one of the world’s oldest Christian churches

Mysterious carvings were discovered on the floor of the building. (Image credit: Kobi Harati, City of David)

Shukron speculates that the carvings may have been used as bases for tripods used in ritual events.

There is a small cave at the edge of the building, which contains some objects dating back to the 8th century BC. Items in the collection include cooking pots, jars containing fragments of ancient Hebrew inscriptions, loom weights, scarabs, seals and millstones used to crush grain.

Shukron and his team believe the structure was in use until the reign of the kings of Judah in the 8th century BC.

Artifacts with strange inscriptions unearthed in Jerusalem’s Holy Site: ‘Unusual location’

A collection of artifacts found in a cave near the building. “The cave is a storehouse of artifacts.” (Image credit: Eli Shukron)

“The building ceased operations in the 8th century B.C., possibly as part of King Hezekiah’s religious reforms,” ​​Shukron said.

The Bible says that Hezekiah wanted to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem, and to do so, he abolished ceremonial sites throughout the country.

It also describes that during the First Temple period, other ceremonial sites were used outside the temple, and that King Hezekiah and Josiah implemented reforms that eliminated these sites.

Archaeologists stumped by strange 7,000-year-old alien statue: ‘Raises questions’

Illustration of a carved room found in the City of David. (Photo: Shalom Kveller, City of David)

“Nearly 3,000 years later, Jerusalem’s biblical legacy continues to be unearthed in the City of David, and its relevance and significance will only continue to grow over time, to billions of people around the world, not just millions. ) is of great significance,” ev Orenstein, director of the Interior Department of Ze David City, told Fox News Digital. “Unlike most ancient sites, Jerusalem’s biblical heritage remains timeless and timely – not limited to museums and history books – but an essential component in understanding today’s world – past, present and future.”

In 1909, British explorer Montague Parker discovered the northern part of the building while searching for the Ark of the Covenant and Temple treasures in Jerusalem.

Shukron did not begin excavating the property until 2010, which lasted several excavation seasons.

Click here to get the Fox News app

“This discovery in the City of David reaffirms the Jewish people’s continued connection to Jerusalem for more than 3,000 years – not just as a matter of belief, but as fact – from biblical times to modern times,” Orenstein said.