After excavating the City of David in the 1970s and 80s and finally unearthing the 3,000-year-old archeological jewel that is King David’s palace in 2005, leading Hebrew University of Jerusalem archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar has just uncovered another Old City treasure of incredible historical and biblical significance: a royal compound dating back to the 10th century, B.C.E.
According to Mazar, author of The Complete Guide to the Temple Mount Excavations (2002), this latest dig, the first such find from this time period in the area, provides compelling evidence of the Bible’s depiction of the reign of King Solomon. By following in the footsteps of her renowned archeologist grandfather Benjamin Mazar, Dr. Mazar has revealed the footsteps of Jewish biblical history.
Q1: Tell me in more detail about your latest discovery. What exactly did you find?
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Seal impressions (bullae) with Hebrew names |
We found two sections of a city wall, one 70 meters long and six meters high, and the other 35 meters long and five meters high, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount. Inside the walls we found the remains of a 6-meter-high gatehouse, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse, and an 8-meter-long and 6-meter-high corner watch tower, built of carved stones of unusual beauty, that overlooks the Kidron valley.
We proved to a high degree of certainty that the whole structure was erected in the 10th century B.C.E. and that it was in use during all the centuries until the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E.
On the ground we found a wealth of material that proves the structures were used for royal, public, or administrative purposes: arrow heads, beads, jewelry, figurines, and an archive of dozens of seal impressions bearing decorations, Hebrew names and the inscription ‘the king’ testifying to its use within a monarchy.
In the 80s, we had already uncovered on site the largest storage jars -- 1.15 meters high -- ever found in Jerusalem. On one of them there was a partial inscription in ancient Hebrew indicating that it belonged to a high-level government official, the person responsible for overseeing the provision of baked goods to the royal court.
See related article: Reclaiming Biblical Jerusalem
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Excavation site |
Q2: What is the significance of these findings?
The city wall that has been uncovered testifies to a ruling presence. Its strength and form of construction indicate a high level of engineering. A comparison of this latest finding with city walls and gates from the period of the First Temple, as well as pottery found at the site, enable us to postulate with a great degree of certainty that the wall that has been revealed was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem in the latter part of the 10th century B.C.E.
The wall was likely built by King Solomon in the latter part of the 10th century B.C.E.
This is the first time that a structure from that time period has been found that correlates with written descriptions of King Solomon’s building in Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that he, along with help from the Phoenicians, built a temple, then his own palace, and surrounded them with a city wall to protect both them. The third chapter of the first book of Kings says, “…until he (Solomon) had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.”
Q3: How did you decide where to dig?
Actually, it’s another phase of a series of excavations that started in the 19th century. The first surveyor to excavate here was Charles Warren, who did an underground survey of the shafts and galleries in the area and first described the outline of the large tower in 1867. He was the first to discover the fortification line between the City of David and the Temple Mount.
Then in the 60s, a small section of the fortification line was revealed. Afterwards, in the 70s, my grandfather, Benjamin Mazar, who conducted the Southern Wall excavations next to the Western Wall, excavated the site and revealed quite a lot of constructions that are part of this line. My team excavated there in the 80s and this latest excavation was meant as a concluding one, in order to open the area to the public. It turned out to be much more than I expected.
Q4: How can you be sure that you found what you think you found?
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Dr. Eilat Mazar next to an 8 meter section of the corner tower that was excavated. |
Before this excavation, we had suspicions about what we had found, but we didn’t have enough material on hand to conclude with confidence. Now it’s not much of a question. We can date the fortification line with much more certainty. Pottery shards discovered within the fill of the lowest floor of the royal building near the gatehouse testify to the dating of the complex to the 10th century BCE. And the ruling presence in Jerusalem at this time was King Solomon.
In several weeks we will have the results of the carbon dating. I am confident these results will fit what we see in the pottery. I am also confident that our lab work will produce the same conclusions. We have a lot of material to study: the seal impressions and figurines, the pottery, the botanical finds, the theological finds. This is a huge case study and we are going to gather all the information in order to reveal as full a picture as possible.
Q5: How do you react to those who deny this and other biblically significant archeological findings?
I don’t have to react. It’s very important to stick to the facts and let the facts draw the picture. These facts draw a picture of a central power in the 10th century B.C.E. You can ignore what the Bible tells us about King Solomon, but you can’t get around the fact that at the time Jerusalem was very strong and led by a monarch and those who deny the biblical picture still have to deal with that reality. Everyone is free to suggest their own interpretations, but the data doesn't lie. The history of the Jewish people in Jerusalem is a scientific fact. History is in the past, and you cannot change history.
There are always people who try to twist the evidence one way or another and there are always attempts to rewrite history. The Moslem Waqf [the religious authority that administers the Temple Mount] has been claiming for years that there was never a temple there. As a member of the public Committee Against the Desecration of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, I have done my best to alert the world to the Waqf agenda to destroy all proof of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem.
They are destroying the most important evidence of the history of the Jews.
It disgusts me to think of the ruins that have been destroyed in the 40-acre area around the Temple Mount that falls under Waqf jurisdiction. They are destroying the most important evidence of the history of the Jews. It is completely uncivilized.
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Q6: How does this find compare to your other discoveries?
No one has ever found such a trove of artifacts from 10th century B.C.E. in Jerusalem, and certainly not so well-stratified or attached to such a monumental construction as a city wall. We are very lucky that this wall was built directly on the bedrock.
There have been other findings from King Solomon’s time period in Megiddo, Chatzor and Gezer, but never before in Jerusalem, and this makes this finding very unique and very exciting for me.
Q7: As a Jew, how does this discovery make you feel?
I never felt that the Jews in Israel needed any further proof of their history in Jerusalem. It has been proven each generation, as we go along. But this discovery is about making that history more tangible. And I believe strongly that you need to appreciate your past in order to understand your future. I feel a great sense of continuity.
I also feel the continuity of the dig itself. It’s the same site. It’s a continuation of what we did in the ’80s, a continuation of my grandfather’s work, and it’s a continuation of the story of the ancient Jewish core of Jerusalem. It’s all about continuity.
(25) Stephen Balga, August 24, 2013 3:48 AM
Temple Mount Dig
I worked first as a volunteer then as a paid "digger" in 1975 and 1978 at the Temple Mount Excavations under Benjamin Mazar. I helped uncover area of the Wall that now dates to the first Temple period. I still have photos showing these stones with Prof Mazar in the background. We knew even in 1975 that much of this area had its beginning in the first Temple perion.
(24) Stafford B Williams, June 1, 2013 4:57 AM
An excellent report to read and exciting.
I brought groups from Australia in 1981, September 08 and again in January 2010 and September 2010. Can you please advise when this new find was discovered?
(23) Avraham Fisher, May 31, 2013 8:01 PM
Yishar Kochech Sheyirbu kmotech bYisrael
I had the great privilage to study in Hebrew University and to graduate in Jewish History and Mikra[Biblical studies]I took a course that your father taught in the year 1968.I follow your sacred work and your courageous attempts to stop the destruction on Temple Mount.Hopefully one day the words of the commander Mota Gur when he and his soldiers entered the Temple Mount during the six day war;"Har Habayit Byadenu" will be trully fulfilled
(22) Isaac Haskiya, May 28, 2013 3:09 PM
We know our history no matter what our enemies say.
Denying a nation´s identity by questioning her past is a cheap argument. It might come handy on Monday and when facts are discovered on Wednesday they will be questioned and denied just for the sake of destruction by so-called hostile intellectualism. That kind of argument is not only cheap but stupid too.
I appreciate archeologist Mazar enormously, especially when a sadistic history-vandal tells me that David Hamelech did not exist. She knows a lote better.
Luckily we have a state with a very effective army, exactly like David and Shlomo Hamelech had.
We Jews must be very uncomfortable to some people since our existence and our history is a threat to what they believe is right or wrong.
(21) Ady, March 6, 2013 2:58 AM
This is all very interesting. I listen and read about the uncovering of our ancient home lands with great interest as should all the faithful be they Jews or gentiles.
(20) Susan Brenner, November 21, 2011 4:32 AM
Our roots
Thank you for all your wonderful work which shows us the truth. Have you gone on the discovery program at all. We all need that type of exposure now that the PA is saying we never existed in this area! Lies are something I despise since I try to be a truth seeker. The Arabs trashed King Solomans stable...I was there sifting through the debris...they had no regard for saving any sign of the Jewish Kingdom...surprise surprise!
(19) Ros Haldeman, February 13, 2011 5:48 PM
586BC
Is there conclusive evidence of a 586/7BC destruction of Jerusalem yet ? Where can I read an article about this please ? bye RH
(18) ruth housman, November 18, 2010 7:43 PM
ancient and hallowed "earth"
I like it that the words earth, once urth, contained the name, Ruth, which is a story about coming home, to a new home, in following the footsteps of Naomi. This beautiful story of ongoing excavations in and around The City of David and the dates going back to Solomon augment the wonder. I hope sometime to see this. I did see some of the early excavations several years ago. This is wonderful work and truly rewarding, for us all. I never had any doubt about the veracity of these stories. It's wonderful to recover our historic roots and everyone should feel glad about these continuing discoveries. We have, as a peoples, deep roots in this area and to doubt this, is now, totally not possible. Amazing work done by people with the echo of Amaze in their names: MAZAR. With thanks for a very uplifitng article. We are called the Wandering Jews and, as a peoples we did find, our way home, and history and herstory, in these archaeological findings, does so totally affirm that we do belong In Israel. There should be no question given these ongoing discoveries.
ruth housman, May 28, 2013 10:00 PM
WOW women of wisdom
I just rediscovered this amazing article and my comment. And I have just several hours ago told a stock broker named Nomi her advice is sound and that, after all, Ruth follows Naomi. I hope one day this article is brought to her attention, this being the day I visited The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit at Boston's MOS. Life is filled with astounding that cannot be denied as this feat of archaeology is revelatory. The scrolls, Yadin's contributions and the astonishing timing of The State of Israel and the receipt of the four scrolls on this day, all lend themselves to a major real life emotion picture! The reel world, or, the real world? It feels like merger to me. A Divine Story by a Master Storyteller.
(17) harold, June 8, 2010 11:13 PM
bural spot
i beleive King David's tome isnt to far away from that spot
(16) Tamping, April 18, 2010 10:35 AM
I treasure development and progress for getting complete and accurate information, proving that the real "Promise Land" is for Israel. upon searching, reading, studying content of Holy Bible together with the ancient civilization 6,000 yrs ago, it only proves the reality that Jerusalem is the MAIN capital of Israel. the tribal division of land in Israel includes area of Jordan. I'm Praying that may the political leaders of Israel stand firm not to negotiate and compromise Jerusalem. they can check from the bokk of Nehemiah, Ezra and Daniel that Divine provision of GOD will be manifested and fulfilled in this last day. "SHALOM"
(15) Stephen Balga, April 17, 2010 2:46 AM
Unearthing Biblical Jerusalem
I was one of those who first excavated the site along the sothern part of the Temple Mount Excavations in 1975. I remember talking with Prof Mazar abouth the significance of the Iron Age remains we were finding under the large Herodian building we were excavating. It was obvious of the reuse of the site over time. I also recall the remains of Iron age storage jars found in-situ adjacent to the foundation of the Ummayad palace overlooking the site found at the end of my tenure at the site. I worked on this site for much of 1975 and the Summer of 1978. It was and as time showed a rich and revealing patch of Jerusalem. I am so happy for Eilat and her discoveries. Her grandfather would be so proud in her vindicating his beliefs.
(14) Sol Goldberg, April 15, 2010 8:20 PM
Out with the Wakf
Is it not time for the Government of Israel to remove the Wakf from Jerusalem and install a responsible authority to oversee the well-being of the Temple Mount and its environs, and thus preserve and not destroy our Jewish history as told in stone and artifacts.
(13) Anonymous, April 14, 2010 8:23 PM
A good expose which should be shared with the U.N.
I feel that the information should be shared with those who continue to berate Israel; the U.N. To split Jerusalem between those who don't share in its history or who believe that we don't have any right to the land is a shandah.
(12) sher, April 14, 2010 3:10 PM
keep digging
i absolutely agree, i was horrified when i heard that there were times before that the palestinians were hauling out rocks and rubbles out of the temple mount, one of those piles could contain valuable pieces of shards or potteries belonging to King Solomon's period. keep digging so we can share to the whole world, jerusalem is for israel.
(11) Raymond, April 14, 2010 12:54 PM
To #9 Elisheba
I don't think you would mind if I "corrected" a statement you made to the effect the Muslims wanted to steal your holiest places.... I don't think it's because they want them. Your holiest places have no meaning for them whatsoever. They just don't want you to have them. Plain and simple. According to how I read history, they at one time had possession of most of your holiest sites. It meant little to them, but now that the true owners have retaken their heritage sites, they want to rewrite history and destroy all evidence against them. G-D is with Israel.
Ann, June 19, 2013 2:11 PM
I quite agree with you, Raymond. The same thing happened here, in the "new" world. They don't care, they only want to wipe out and rule.
(10) Desmond, April 14, 2010 8:44 AM
To this day I do not understand why the Israeli troops, under Moshe Dayan, who took back East Jerusalem, allowed the muslims to stay on the holy site of the Temple. They should have kicked them off and taken the consequences. Do you think th world would have regarded Israel any differently to what it does now? As tourists in 2006 I and my group were looked at with hatred and taunted by a crowd as they came from the Friday "prayers". Keep digging Dr Eilat; let the world see the truth. HaShem gave ALL Israel to the Jews, not to any other rabble. And when the rabble have left, there will still be Jews in His city.
(9) Elisheba Batabraham, April 13, 2010 11:46 PM
Well I agree with Dr. Mazar that historical data cannot be changed and I can say that does not answer to political agendas of any kind. The Muslim world must accept that Jerusalem has been populated by jews before the existence of muslims!, there are enough proofs and they must evolve and accept this fact. They have Mecca and Medina, why they want steal our holyiest place and our entire land.
(8) Robert Deutsh, April 12, 2010 8:39 PM
" Belonging to the King" (LMLK) seal impression
The first picture shows a LMLK seal impression on a storage jar handle from the time of Hezekiah king of Judah, dated to the end of the 8th century BC, rather than "bullae" which are seal impressions on lumps of clay usually used to seal documents.
(7) Anonymous, April 12, 2010 2:17 AM
Keep up the Great finds
The most important work she is doing is to show the Second Temple was on the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock does not belong there on top of where the Second Temple was.
(6) Pleasant, April 11, 2010 8:59 PM
Dr. Eilat Mazar:
Wait until you see what you uncover next! Yisroella Tamrook bat Avenu Tameed.
(5) Anonymous, April 11, 2010 4:48 PM
Gratitude
Your Jewish history is the beginning of my Christian History and I relish anything I can read about it. Thank you for your wonderful work
(4) Anonymous, April 11, 2010 4:31 PM
Wonderful discoveries!!! Fantastic article. Wish I had taken the opportunity to participate in a dig when I had the chance.
(3) Fabio P.Barbieri, April 11, 2010 3:57 PM
The victory of tradition
Nineteenth-century historical investigation became increasingly addicted to a destructive "hermeneutic of suspicion", reducing ancient witness to propaganda. Now, in Rome and in Jerusalem, the funeral rites of that hermeneutic are being celebrated. Just as Andrea Carandini has proved that Rome was founded as a city in about 750BC (the traditional date) and was ruled by kings who lived in something very like a palace, so, in Jerusalem, Dr. Mazar has given us stone-hard evidence of the rule a powerful king of Hebrew nationality in Jerusalem in the tenth century BC. The "hermeneutic of suspicion" has had its day, and is reduced to such unscholarly assaults on the evidence as the vandaism of the Waqf. This is a great moment in the history of historical studies, and I congratulate Dr.Mazar.
(2) Sam Davis Omekara, April 11, 2010 2:58 PM
JERUSALEM,; JERUSALEM. ETERNAL AND UNDIVIDED CITY.
This great work of Dr Mazar is further historical proof that Jerusalem has been and will remain the eternal city of the Great King. The Jews have come back and no one will separate them from their eternal heritage.
(1) Miriam, April 11, 2010 2:48 PM
A simple Thank You
As a lover of Jewish history a simple Thank You to Dr. Mazar feels very inadequate. Hashem led you to the site through the veracity of the Torah. But it was you and your capable team who had to do the physical and intellectual work in order to uncover this ancient site. My husband and I are planning a trip to Jerusalem this summer. I pray that we will be able to visit the City of David excavation site to see the progress of your exciting work.