Israel Antiquities Authority / Youtube

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a structure in Jerusalem’s City of David that appears to date from the First Temple Era. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) referred to the structure as “the only one of its kind found in Jerusalem.” The structure was discovered on the eastern slope of the City of David. The structure, measuring 220 square meters (over 2,300 square feet) is made of a series of 8 rock-hewn rooms, with archaeologists believing it was used for ritual practices. The rooms contained their own unique items, indicating different uses. For example, there was an oil press, a winepress for making wine, what appeared to be an altar that contained a drainage channel, and a “masseba,” a large standing stone. There is also a room with V-shaped carvings on the floor, which site excavator Eli Shukron suggested could have been used as the base for a tripod, which was used for rituals. A cave was also discovered, with items such as grinding stones, cooking pots, and loom weights, all dating from around the 8th century AD while the First Temple was still standing.

The dating of the structure is also significant for its connection to the Biblical account of King Hezekiah. “The structure ceased to function during the 8th century BCE, possibly as part of King Hezekiah’s religious reform,” stated Shukron. “According to the Bible, Hezekiah sought to centralize worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, abolishing the ritual sites scattered across the kingdom. The Bible describes how, during the First Temple period, additional ritual sites operated outside the Temple, and two kings of Judah—Hezekiah and Josiah—implemented reforms to eliminate these sites and concentrate worship at the Temple.” The site had been discovered filled up, indicating it had ceased being used during the days of Hezekiah.

Archaeologists published their findings in ‘Atiqot. Amichai Eliyahu, Israel’s Minister of Heritage, celebrated the find. “This unique structure uncovered in the City of David is an exciting testimony to Jerusalem’s rich past. Such discoveries make our connection and historic roots – going back thousands of years – tangible, in Jerusalem and other sites where the Jewish culture and belief system emerged.” The Times of Israel suggested there might be future plans to open up the space to the public in the future, though nothing has been definitively decided. There also remains the possibility of further excavation as “there are always surprises.”

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