According to research, the structure found in the City of David in Jerusalem dates back to the first temple
An ancient structure uncovered on the eastern slopes of the City of David in Jerusalem’s Walls National Park is believed to have been used for rituals during the First Temple period, a new study suggests.
The structure contains eight parts such as altar, standing stone, oil press and wine press.
Excavation director Eli Shukron said in an article published in the scientific journal Anticot that the uncovered structure was used by Judean residents for worship or religious practices.
According to the study, the structure has a unique overall shape, dates back to the First Temple period, and was revealed by excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David.
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The cult found in the City of David is the only one of its kind found in Jerusalem at this time. (Credit: Kobi Harati, City of David)
“When we started excavating the City of David in 2010, we found that the site was covered with fill before the 8th century BC, which we confirmed fell out of use at that time,” Shukron said. “The standing stone that we uncovered was placed upright in its original position, and the other parts of the building were well preserved.”
Shukron’s article suggested that the structure consisted of eight rock-hewn chambers used for ceremonial purposes, not far from the temple on the Temple Mount, a few hundred meters away.
It is the only known structure of its kind from the period in Jerusalem and one of the few in Israel.
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A carved installation is identified as an altar, a drainage channel. (Credit: Kobi Harati, City of David)
The structure itself covers an area of about 220 square meters and has eight rooms, each serving different purposes.
One unit contains an oil press to produce oil. Another contains a wine press to produce wine.
Other parts include a sculptured installation with a drainage channel, which researchers identified as an altar, a large standing stone; Although researchers are confused about the purpose of the carvings and the surface with the V-shaped carving marks.
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Mysterious carvings were found on the floor of the structure. (Credit: Kobi Harati, City of David)
Shukron hypothesized that the carvings may have been the base of a tripod used during ceremonial functions.
On the edge of the structure there is a small cave containing objects from the 8th century BC. Among the items included in the hoard are cooking pots, jars containing fragments of ancient Hebrew inscriptions, weighing scales, scarabs, stamped seals and grinding stones for grinding grain.
Shukron and his team believe the structure dates back to the 8th century BCE when the kings of Judah ruled.
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A collection of artifacts found in a cave near the building. “The cave served as a repository for artifacts.” (Credit: Eli Shukron)
“The structure ceased to function in the 8th century BC, possibly as part of King Hezekiah’s religious reforms,” Shukron said.
Biblical Hezekiah wanted to centralize worship in the temple in Jerusalem, and in doing so, he destroyed the places of worship around the kingdom.
It also states that in the first temple period, other places of worship were used outside the temple, and that kings Hezekiah and Josiah reformed to eliminate the places.
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An example of the carvings found in the City of David. (Example: Shalom Kveler, City of David)
“After nearly 3,000 years, Jerusalem’s biblical artifacts continue to be found in the City of David, and their importance and significance will increase as time goes on, with millions, if not billions, around the world,” Yves Orenstein, director of interior affairs at the City of David, told Fox News Digital. “Unlike most ancient places, Jerusalem’s biblical heritage is timeless and contemporary – not limited to museums and history books – an essential part of understanding today’s world – past, present and future.”
The northern part of the building was discovered in 1909 by the British explorer Montague Parker in Jerusalem in search of the Ark of the Covenant and the relics of the Temple.
Shukron started digging the property in 2011. It wasn’t until 2010, which spanned several drilling seasons.
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“This discovery in the City of David confirms the continuous connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem for more than 3,000 years – not just in faith, but in reality – from biblical times to the present day,” Orenstein said. .
