Tuesday, June 05, 2018
RECENT EXCAVATIONS IN AND AROUND JERUSALEM'S OLD CITY ARE HELPING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CITY LOOKED LIKE 2 AND 3 THOUSAND YEARS AGO
In an area below the southern wall of the Temple Mount, across the road from the City of David, Hebrew University Prof. Eilat Mazar revealed construction and fortification walls, which she contends date back to the time of King Solomon. Based on distinctive pottery shards, she identified the city wall which Solomon built on the edge of the Kidron Valley (Kings, I, 3:1). The 6-meter-high wall, built on bedrock, she says, was part of a 10th century BCE city gate and tower system that provided access to and protected the entrance to the royal quarter.
In addition, she found dozens of small seals used for official documents, bullae, and engraved jug handles in ancient Hebrew script from the 7th and 8th centuries BCE. She recently discovered a seal thought to be used by the Prophet Isaiah. Over 50 such seals were found inside the City of David 30 years ago – bearing names found in the Bible.
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/2018/06/recent-excavations-in-and-around.html
