The ancient quarry (Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority)
Where else but in the Holy Land, Israel, would one expect to see the most extraordinary archeological finds? People probably think that Israelis find pieces of history in their backyards every day. While this is not the case, frequently people in Israel stumble onto amazing archeological pieces of the past when simply taking a walk through the desert.
Here now is Jewish Business News’ list of the five biggest archeological discoveries made in Israel in 2024.
Ancient Jerusalem Quarry Discovered: Massive Site from Second Temple Era Unearthed
Archaeologists in Israel have unearthed the largest Second Temple-era quarry ever discovered in Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim Hi-Tech Park – located in the northwest part of the city. This remarkable find offers a rare glimpse into the city at its zenith, just before its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
The quarry yielded two stone vessels, objects that are ritually pure according to Jewish law. Such discoveries are indicative of a Jewish population. These significant artifacts will be on display to the public at the recently opened Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem… read more here
Rare 6,000-year-old Ivory Vessel Made of Elephant Tusks Found in Israel
Israeli archeologists have done it again. This time they uncovered a rare 6,000-year-old ivory vessel made of elephant tusk, dated to the Chalcolithic period, in an excavation in southern Israel.
The ivory vessel, they said, attests to trading ties with Egypt in the region stretching back to the Chalcolithic period. Found shattered to pieces in the excavation, it was “brought back to life” in the treatment laboratories of the Israel Antiquities Authority. It seems to be part of a cultic vessel deposit burial. The vessel will be displayed this Thursday at the annual Israel Prehistoric Society Conference… read more here
Did Israeli Archeologists Find Evidence of Ships in the Negev Desert
A Byzantine-period church wall revealed in the Negev has something unusual on it. The wall, from 1,500 years ago, has a display showing contemporary ships; even though, the Negev is a desert and the church is not located near any body of water.
The Israel Antiquities Authority conducted the excavations in the Bedouin town of Rahat, located north of Be’er Sheva. The excavations are part of a Rahat neighborhood expansion program led by the Authority for Development and Settlement of the Bedouin in the Negev… read more here
Ancient Evidence of Sennacherib’s Campaign Impact on Judah Unearthed Near Jerusalem
In a groundbreaking discovery near Jerusalem, archaeologists have unearthed evidence of the significant impact Sennacherib’s military campaign had on the Kingdom of Judah’s economy. During excavations funded by the Israel Land Authority and conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority prior to the construction of the new Mordot Arnona neighborhood, researchers identified changes in the Judahite administration dating back to the reign of King Hezekiah, following the Assyrian invasion and its aftermath… read more here
Jerusalem of Gold: A 2300-year-old Gold Ring Found in the City of David
In another amazing discovery, Israeli archeologists uncovered a 2300-year-old gold set with a precious stone ring in the ancient City of David, located just to the south of the Old City of Jerusalem’s walls.
The ring was found in the joint Israel Antiquities Authority – Tel Aviv University excavation. Its small diameter leads experts to suggest it is a child’s ring, either girl or boy, who lived in Jerusalem during the Hellenistic period ) sometime between the mid 4th and the mid 2nd centuries B.C. The find will be exhibited to the public for the first time in the free Jerusalem Day conference arranged by… read more here
Honorable Mention:
Rare First Temple Era Stone Seal Unearthed in Jerusalem Archaeological Dig
A remarkably rare and unique stone seal from the First Temple period, dating back approximately 2,700 years, was unearthed near the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount in the Davidson Archaeological Garden during excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the City of David organization. The seal features a name inscribed in paleo-Hebrew script and a winged figure.
The object, which was engraved with mirror writing, served as both an amulet and a tool for legally signing documents and certificates. It has a convex cut on each side and a hole drilled through its length, allowing it to be strung onto a chain and worn around the neck… read more here
