Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Ritual Structure in Jerusalem’s City of David from First Temple Period

In a remarkable archaeological find, a structure dating back to the First Temple period has been unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David, offering new insights into ancient religious practices. The discovery was made on the eastern slope of the City of David, within the Jerusalem Walls National Park, by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

This unique structure, comprising eight rooms carved into the bedrock, spans approximately 220 square meters. Each room was equipped with various elements indicative of ritual use, including an altar, an oil press, a winepress, and a standing stone (masseba), alongside other features like a drainage channel and mysterious V-shaped carvings on the floor. This complex is believed to be the only known site of its kind from this period in Jerusalem, providing a rare glimpse into the religious life of Judeans during the time of the First Temple.

The structure’s use is thought to have ceased around the 8th century BCE, coinciding with the religious reforms under King Hezekiah. According to the biblical narrative, Hezekiah aimed to centralize worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, which involved closing down other ritual sites across the kingdom. Excavation director Eli Shukron from the IAA noted that the site was intentionally sealed during this period, with the standing stone found still in its original location, suggesting it was abandoned rather than destroyed.

Ze’ev Orenstein, Director of Internal Affairs at the City of David, emphasized the significance of this find, stating, “This discovery reaffirms the Jewish people’s millennia-long connection to Jerusalem, not just as a matter of faith but as historical fact.” The structure’s proximity to the Temple Mount, being just a few hundred meters away, underscores its importance in the religious landscape of ancient Jerusalem.

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the First Temple period’s religious practices but also complements the biblical accounts of the era. Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu highlighted the cultural importance of such findings, stating they serve as tangible proof of Jerusalem’s ancient heritage and the Jewish people’s historical roots in the region.

The excavation process, which began in 2010, has been a meticulous effort to understand this period’s history better. The findings were detailed in an article published in the scientific journal “Atiqot,” where Shukron and his team propose that the structure was part of the broader religious life when the Temple was still the center of worship.

This discovery in the City of David, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Jerusalem, continues to reveal layers of history that connect the modern world with ancient times, affirming the city’s enduring significance across millennia.

Article generated from legacy media reports. According to All Israel News:

A unique structure, which was uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on the eastern slope of the City of David, dates back to the First Temple Period and was used for ritual religious practices.

The structure contains eight rock-hewn rooms which contained various elements of ritual practice, including a standing stone (matzeva), an olive oil press and a winepress, both used to provide oil and wine for the rituals, and a carved installation with a drainage channel, which might have held an altar, along with several v-shaped marks carved in the floor, the purpose of which is not yet clear.

In a small cave on the edge of the structure, a cache of objects dating to the eighth century BCE was uncovered, including cooking pots, jars bearing fragments of ancient Hebrew inscriptions, loom weights, scarabs, stamped seals with decorative motifs, and grinding stones used for crushing grains.

Eli Shukron, who directed the excavation for the IAA, said, “The structure ceased to function during the 8th century BCE, possibly as part of King Hezekiah’s religious reform. 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.”