Tag Archive for City of David

For centuries archaeologists proved Jews are indigenous to Israel

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. Continue Reading »

Historical Tour of Jerusalem’s Newly Excavated Pilgrims’ Path

WATCH and see the newly unveiled path called “Pilgrims’ Road” used by ancient Jewish visitors 2000 years ago during the three great pilgrimage feasts, Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Festival of Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot), as well as where Jesus spoke to the masses.

By Israel Today Staff

 

A 350-meter (382 yard) section of a path leading up to the Temple Mount has been opened for visitors after a ten-year excavation project. The newly unveiled passageway is called “Pilgrims’ Road” because it is now clear that this is the footpath that was used by Jews during biblical times to ascend the Temple Mount, bringing sacrifices to the Lord during the three Pilgrimage Feasts–Passover (Pesach) , Pentecost (Festival of Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot). Continue Reading »

Palestinians accuse the United States of ‘Judaizing’ Jerusalem

After Palestinian administrative official condemned US diplomats for their planned participation in the upcoming City of David event as supporting the ‘Judaization’ of Jerusalem, the US envoy snapped back saying, ‘We can’t ‘Judaize’ what history and archeology already prove.’

By Tal Polon

 

US envoy Jason Greenblatt on Sunday slammed the PA for accusing the US of supporting the “Judaization” of Jerusalem, calling the claim “ludicrous.”

King David’s Citadel in Jerusalem’s ‘Old City’ – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

The PA claim was connected to expected US participation in an inaugural ceremony for the “Pilgrim’s Road” at the City of David excavation site near the Old City of Jerusalem. Continue Reading »

“Servant of the King” seal unearthed in City of David

Once again, the archaeological find of yet another unearthed artifact not only supports Jerusalem to be an ancient Jewish city, it corroborate the accounts written in the Holy Bible.

By David Lazarus

 

A Rare and Exciting Discovery: A 2,600-year-old seal with impression bearing the words: “belongs to Nathan-Melech, Servant of the King.”

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reports that the seal was excavated in the City of David along the south-eastern slopes of the Temple Mount and is dated to the First Temple period.

The name Nathan-Melech appears only once in the Bible, in II Kings 23:11, where he is described as an official in the court of King Josiah, who participated in a cleansing of the Temple precincts that King Josiah initiated. Continue Reading »

Rare, 2000+ year-old gold earring unearthed in the City of David, Jerusalem

The dazzling golden earring, definitely worn by someone from ancient Jerusalem‘s upper class, dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century BCE, during the Hellenistic period.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

A Hellenistic-era golden earring, featuring ornamentation of a horned animal, was discovered in the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David National Park encircling walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.

The discovery was made during archaeological digs carried out by the Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University.

The spectacular gold earring, shaped like a horned animal, dates back to the second or third century BCE, during the Hellenistic period. Continue Reading »

Pro-Palestinian NGO maneuvering for control over Israel’s archeological discoveries

While cynical resolutions are passed without credence at UNESCO and other United Nations NGOs with impunity, it would be disastrous for Israel to intrust “neutral” international bodies to oversee archeology discoveries in Jerusalem, for surely first the Jewish connection would disappear, followed by Christianity’s.

BY DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

In Israel, archeology is far more than just science.

Indeed, perhaps more than any other country, the stakes of antiquities unearthed here could not be higher in terms of geopolitical implications used by warring factions to determine “facts on the ground” in the most contested region in the world.

Magdala stone with Menorah that was found in the Archaeological site inside the Migdal Synagogue area – Photo- Wikimedia Commons/Hanay

The battle between right- and left-wing ideologues is evident at archeological sites in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, where discoveries are routinely exhibited to the world as evidence of Israeli sovereignty in the Jewish homeland or as an occupier. Continue Reading »

Israeli archaeologists confirm Babylonian assault on Jerusalem from latest discovery

 

The latest archaeological findings unearthed at the City of David, an excavation site in Jerusalem, help prove the destruction of the ancient Jewish city at the hands of the Babylonians.

By i24NEWS

 

New archaeological findings at a controversial excavation site in Jerusalem help prove the destruction of the ancient city at the hands of the Babylonians.

Less than a week before Tisha B’Av, the Jewish holiday which mourns the destruction of the Jewish temple, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the latest research from its painstaking excavation.

Other artifacts which attest to Jerusalem’s affluence prior to the Babylonian assault on the city 2,600 years ago.

Continue Reading »

2,500 yr-old seal from 1st Temple period found in Jerusalem

 

Israel Antiquities Authority admits “Finding seals that bear names from the time of the 1st Temple is hardly a commonplace occurrence, & finding a seal that belonged to a woman is an even rarer phenomenon.”

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

Who was Elihana bat Gael?

An exceptional woman during Jerusalem’s First Temple period, some 2,500 years ago, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

A view from the Jerusalem excavation site in the City of David

A rare seal bearing her name was recently unearthed in a large ancient building during excavations carried out in the Giv’ati parking lot at the City of David, in the Jerusalem Walls National Park, the IAA announced on Sunday. Continue Reading »

Beneath a once paved parking lot archaeologists uncover Greek King Antiochus’ fortress in Jerusalem

 

After a century of searching, archaeologists in Israel say they have found the remnants of the ancient Greek fortress used to fight the rebellion led by Judah Maccabee, that’s celebrated in the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

BY Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

 

Researchers have long debated the location of the Acra, built more than 2,000 years ago by Greek king Antiochus Epiphanes. Many asserted it stood in what is now the walled Old City, at spots like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or by the hilltop where the two Jewish temples once towered.

The site in Jerusalem where the remnants of Acra have been found – Photo: AFP

After a century of searching, archaeologists say they have found the remnants of an ancient Greek fortress once a center of power in Jerusalem and a stronghold used to fight the rebellion celebrated in the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. Continue Reading »

Unearthed Steps to the Temple Mount Baffle Archaeologists Digging in City of David

A unique stepped structure, maybe the Temple Era ‘Stone of Claims’, has been excavated on the subterranean street ascending from the Siloam Pool to the Temple Mount.

By Arutz Sheva staff

An intriguing find consisting of an impressive pyramid-shaped staircase constructed of large ashlar stones was uncovered in an archaeological excavation currently conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The excavation is located in the Jerusalem Walls National Park in the City of David, site of ancient Jerusalem, and is being carried out in cooperation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation.

Dr. Joe Uziel atop unique find.

Continue Reading »

Jerusalem Building Committee passes controversial City of David visitors’ center

Elad group received permission for a 16,600 square-meter building as gateway to City of David in Jerusalem.

 

 

The Jerusalem Regional Planning and Building Committee approved the construction of a controversial visitors’ center for the City of David just outside the Old City walls. The committee heard objections to the huge project for eight hours before approving it Thursday evening.

Illustration: IDF soldiers during a tour of The City of David in East Jerusalem.

IDF soldiers during a tour of The City of David in East Jerusalem. – Photo: Emil Salman

Residents of Silwan, where the center will be located, claimed the large structure, which is intended for serving tourism and educational services for the City of David National Park, does not take the needs of local residents into consideration.

Continue Reading »

Massive Biblical Fortress Unearthed in City of David

 

With walls that were built from massive stones ranging from 6-10 feet high, the ancient Canaanite-era structure is believed to have been the largest fortress in the Land of Israel, until the time of King Herod.

By Yori Yalon

 

Continue Reading »

1st ever Hasmonean-era home unearthed in City of David, Jerusalem


Large treasure of coins discovered on the site, dating back to the period of Antiochus II through  Antiochus VII.

 

 

The first-ever Hasmonean structure to be found in Jerusalem has been uncovered in recent months in the City of David area. The large structure Hasmonean-period is located in the Givati parking lot, across from the entrance to the City of David National Park and only a few dozen meters from the Temple Mount.

Hasmonean-era structure.

Hasmonean-era structure uncovered in Jerusalem archaeological digging.- Photo: Emil Salman

Hasmonean-era Jerusalem is well known from the historic descriptions of Josephus and small archeological finds, including pottery and coins, from the period. Continue Reading »

Discovered Jerusalem of gold treasure then hidden

Archaeologist Eilat Mazar uncovered the golden treasure 7 months ago but kept it secret to prevent the site from being looted.

Continue Reading »

Ancient Curse Unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David

Inscribed on a lead plate the 1,700 year old curse was found at archaeological dig in the City of David. It appears to have been ordered by a woman from a professional magician.

By Ari Yashar

 

On Wednesday the Israel Antiquities Authority released the discovery of a 1,700 year old curse found at the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem.

Ancient Curse – Clara Amit, courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority

The curse, inscribed in Greek on a rolled-up lead plate, was found at the Givati parking lot dig site opposite the City of David.

The text was determined to be a curse written by a professional magician, according to the analysis of Dr. Continue Reading »