Archaeologists
Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University have discovered a significant ancient moat in Israel’s City of David. Excavation director Dr Yiftah Shalev said, “It is not known when the moat was originally cut, but evidence suggests it was used during the centuries when Jerusalem was the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, almost 3,000 years ago, beginning with King Josiah.” The moat separated the temple and palace from the lower city.
In this gallery, we explore the discovery, as well as other significant finds in Israel.
Researchers
Researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority said, “This is a dramatic discovery that opens up a renewed discussion about the terms from the biblical literature that refers to the topography of Jerusalem, such as the Ophel and the Millo.”
Middle Bronze Age
Dating back over 3,000 years, the moat aligns with Middle Bronze Age practices and relates to biblical terms like “Ophel” and “Millo” from the Book of Kings.
Strategic role
Dr. Shalev noted the moat’s strategic role during the First Temple period. “During those years, the moat separated the southern residential part of the city from the ruling Acropolis in the north; the upper city where the palace and the temple were located,” he stated.
Dr Shalev
Dr. Shalev added, “We are confident that [the moat] was used at the time of the First Temple and the Kingdom of Judah [in the ninth century BC], so it created a clear buffer between the residential city in the south and the upper city in the north.”
Eli Escusido
Israel Antiquities Authority director Eli Escusido noted the discovery’s impact on understanding biblical literature and ancient engineering. Escusido said, “Once again, discoveries are being revealed that shed new and vivid light on the biblical literature.”
The bottom
Escusido added, “When you stand at the bottom of this giant excavation, surrounded by enormous hewn walls, it is impossible not to be filled with wonder and appreciation for those ancient people who, about 3,800 years ago, literally moved mountains and hills.”
Israeli archaeologists
Israeli archaeologists also recently discovered cremated remains believed to be an Ancient Greek courtesan. The tomb dates to the late 4th or early 3rd century BCE.
Bronze box mirror
A bronze box mirror was found with the remains. This rare find suggested the woman was a hetaira, a Greek courtesan.
Ancient Greece
The mirror’s high quality indicates it was a gift. Courtesans often received these gifts in Ancient Greece.