Since the early 19th century, archeologists have been drawn to Jerusalem to determine the validity of the Bible and their excavations discovered definitive connections of Jews to the Land of Israel as far back as 3000 years ago.

By David Billet

Sometimes the dirt that lies beneath our feet can contain the answers to the questions that we have always been seeking. Since the early 19th century, archeologists have been drawn to Jerusalem to determine the validity of the Bible and the historical connection of the Jewish People to this disputed land. While once seemingly impossible, ancient artifacts have been uncovered that definitively proves the Jewish connection to the land of Israel and enables us to witness the Biblical stories from the past before our eyes today.

Staircase leading down in Warren’s Shaft, City of David (Jerusalem, Israel) – Photo: Davidbena via Wikimedia

As early as the 19th century, a leading British archeologist, Charles Warren, uncovered a previously unknown part of the City of David. Warren was trained as an engineer and was also a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers Corps. Warren began by excavating the area that was south of the Temple Mount, which led him to discovering a massive fortification. Warren then excavated at the foot of the Temple Mount, which would be nearly impossible to conduct today due to legal obstacles, and uncovered a tunnel that connected to a spring of water. This tunnel connected the City of David to a vital water source and has been named “Warren’s Shaft.”

While many attack the strength of the Bible and the legitimacy of the Jewish claim to the land of Israel, they need to look no further than Warren’s Shaft to witness ancient Biblical stories coming to life today.

Next, Eilat Mazar, the granddaughter of a leading Israeli archeologist, Benjamin Mazar, uncovered a wall that connected to King David’s Palace.

Sir Charles Warren’s (1840–1927) bucket, used in 1867 is unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David dig site. – Photo: Rhododendrites via Wikimedia

Mazar was raised on the belief that the Bible can provide a roadmap to understanding the land of Israel. Following her family tradition, and after studying the Book of Samuel, Mazar believed that she knew the location of King David’s palace.

After raising the necessary funds to conduct such an excavation, Mazar uncovered a massive wall structure that was dated to the same time-period as King David and was in the exact location as described by the Book of Samuel.

This wall is also connected to what is known as the “Stepped Stone Structure,” which Mazar believed to be an ancient royal palace that was used by the Israelites. Like her grandfather, Mazar became a leading Israeli archeologist and has proven that the Jewish presence in Jerusalem today is as alive as it was almost three thousand years ago.

Finally, countless other Jewish artifacts have been uncovered dating to both the First and Second Temple, and to the centuries that followed. In 2016, the New York Times reported that the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered a rare piece of Papyrus that dated to 2,700 years ago, which stated the Hebrew word for “Jerusalem.” Additionally, Theo Siebenberg began excavating underneath his home in the Old City of Jerusalem in the 1970’s and uncovered a Mikvah, an ancient aqueduct, pottery, ancient coins, and a burial vault. The Siebenberg House is now a world-renowned museum that can be seen by the public and highlights the ancient connection of the Jewish People to the land of Israel.

The historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel is undeniable, as seen from the countless artifacts which have recently been discovered. From Charles Warren in the 19th century, to Eilat Mazar and the Siebenberg House today, the more one searches for the truth underground, the more one will discover that the Jews have been rooted in the land for almost three thousand years. Whenever the Jewish connection to the State of Israel is questioned, we must never forget that simply looking down at our feet, and wondering what lies below, may contain the answers that we have searched for all along.

About the Author:

David Billet – Facebook

David Billet is a student at Fordham University School of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Queens College, CUNY.

As a hobby, he writes articles on the current political landscape, public policy and anti-Semitism.

To date, he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Times of Israel and almost twenty other media publications.

View original Arutz Sheva publication at:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/322187

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