Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered an eight-room structure that researchers say was likely used for religious rituals nearly 3,000 years ago.
Key Facts:
• The site is on the eastern slope of the City of David inside Jerusalem Walls National Park.
• Excavations revealed eight rooms, including an altar, a standing stone, and a wine press.
• Artifacts from the 8th century BCE suggest a link to the First Temple period.
• The structure is close to the Temple Mount, just a few hundred meters away.
• Experts believe it was possibly shut down under King Hezekiah’s religious reforms.
The Rest of The Story:
Archaeologists have been digging at this location since 2010, but parts of the structure were first noted in 1909.
The eight-room design includes separate spaces for making oil and wine, as well as an altar and a large standing stone.
These items fit the profile of ritual use during the Kingdom of Judah.
Researchers point to the biblical accounts of religious reforms enacted by Kings Hezekiah and Josiah.
Those leaders wanted to centralize worship in the Temple of Jerusalem and ban worship at other religious sites.
That could explain why this place was sealed off in the 8th century BCE.
Some rooms still contained tools like cooking pots, grinding stones, and weights with ancient Hebrew inscriptions.
Archaeologists uncover unique First Temple period religious complex with ancient Hebrew inscriptions.https://t.co/pWZy9npUYr
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) January 14, 2025
According to Eli Shukron, the excavation director, the building’s preservation offers a rare glimpse of everyday spiritual life in that period.
The fact it was so close to the Temple suggests it might have served worshippers from the area who preferred smaller, local sites.
Today, leaders at the City of David site say the discovery strengthens the historical link between modern Jerusalem and the biblical city.
They see it as an important piece of evidence in understanding Jerusalem’s religious and cultural heritage.
A new incredible 2700 year old First Temple artefact was unearthed in Jerusalem and publicly presented today.
The 2,700-year-old seal featuring a winged figure and Hebrew script was discovered, revealing the Assyrian influence during the First Temple era in Jerusalem.
The stone… https://t.co/QDV1xG70P3 pic.twitter.com/FzABTs5WEh
— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) August 29, 2024
The Bottom Line:
This finding adds a new dimension to our knowledge about local rituals in ancient Jerusalem.
The structure’s unique features suggest a devoted site for religious ceremonies in the days of the First Temple.
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While these rooms were closed off centuries ago, they now help historians better appreciate Jerusalem’s long-standing spiritual tradition.