A New Segment of the Low-Level Aqueduct to Jerusalem uncovered

The aqueduct was the primary source of water supply to Jerusalem consecutively for 2000 years.

A segment of the low-level aqueduct to Jerusalem has been exposed over the last few weeks in the neighborhood of Armon Hanatsiv in a joint project of the Israel Antiquities Authority with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Moriah Jerusalem Development Corporation.

Winding along a 21 km route from Solomon’s Pools, south of Bethlehem, to the Temple Mount, this ingenious water system initiated by the Hasmonean kings to increase the water supply to Jerusalem astounds us to this very day. The aqueducts were used until approximately 100 years ago, during the British Mandate 100 years ago, when the invention of electric pumps replaced them.

According to Ya’akov Billig of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “two aqueducts—the low-level and high-level aqueducts—brought water from Solomon’s Pools, located between Bethlehem and Efrat, to Jerusalem. It amazes us to think how they managed in antiquity to make the accurate measurements of elevation along with such a long distance, choosing the route along the mountainous terrain and calculating the necessary gradient, all without the modern, sophisticated instruments we have today.”

Presently, segments of the low-level aqueduct are being uncovered under Alkachi street in the Armon Hanatsiv, in an excavation directed by Alexander Wiegmann of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Conservation experts will preserve the aqueduct and other archaeological finds for future public exhibitions following the excavations.

2100-Year-Old Agricultural Farmstead uncovered next to Nahal Arbel in Eastern Galilee

The discoveries, including agricultural implements, storage jars, and tens of weaving loom weights, shed light on little-known activity in this area in the Hasmonean Period

A well-preserved 2100-year-old, Hellenistic Hasmonean period agricultural farmstead containing finds that may have been abandoned in haste was uncovered at Horbat Assad next to Nahal Abel in Eastern Galilee. Excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority before the Mekorot Company project to transfer desalinated water to the Kinneret uncovered tens of loom weights used for weaving garments, large ceramic storage vessels, and iron agricultural implements, including various picks and scythes. The coins retrieved date the farmstead to the second half of the second century BCE.

The excavation was financed with the assistance of Mekorot to promote the NIS 910 million Northern Carrier project under a government resolution. Its objective is to carry desalinated water to the basin to maintain the water level and anchor a continuous water supply for households, agriculture, and neighboring countries.

According to Dr. Amani Abu-Hamid, Director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "We were fortunate to discover a time-capsule, frozen in time, in which the finds remained where the occupants of the site left them, and it seems that they left in haste in the face of impending danger, possibly the threat of a military attack. The weaving loom weights were still on the shelf, and the storage jars were intact. We know from the historical sources that in this period, the Judean Hasmonean Kingdom expanded into Galilee, and it is possible that the farmstead was abandoned in the wake of these events. More research is required to determine the identity of the inhabitants of the site."

In addition, the foundations of buildings, pottery vessels, and other finds dating to the Iron Age, the 10-9th centuries BCE, were uncovered.

VP Development and Customers Department at Mekorot, Avi Malul: "Mekorot's development work in coordination with the Israel Antiquities Authority is already in the general planning stage. The Antiquities Authority's work at the site is for the strategic project to transport surplus water from the desalination plants in central Israel to the north and Kinneret."

Eli Escusido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "This interesting and significant find came to light in the excavation carried out before the implementation of the Mekorot water project. The Israel Antiquities Authority and Mekorot cooperate to preserve the farmstead, at the site itself or in the immediate vicinity."

Approximately 1800 coins, cuneiform tablets and ancient rings recovered in an antiquities raid

This week, approximately 1800 ancient coins, pieces of jewelry and seals, clay cuneiform tablets, and an ancient bronze figurine were seized from the home of a Modiin resident, thwarting an antiquities dealer’s plan to sell the objects abroad. Among the recovered items are ancient coins from the Persian Period, the time of the Hasmoneans, and the time of the Great Revolt, including a coin with the name “Simon,” the leader of the Bar Kokhbva rebellion.

During the search, conducted by the inspectors of the IAA’s Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit with the assistance of the Modiin Police Department, fresh earth was discovered on some of the coins and objects, indicating that these objects were removed from antiquity sites illegally. “It is heartbreaking to think about the many antiquity sites which were destroyed for the monetary gain of merchants selling valuables of our heritage,” says lan Haddad of the Israel Antiquities Authority.  “We are talking about our collective history, and it will be impossible to reconstruct.”

The coins recovered date to different periods: silver coins from the Hellenistic Period, bronze coins from the Roman Period, and Jewish coins from many periods—Persian, Second Temple, Hasmonaean Kingdom, Great Revolt, and the Bar Kokhbva rebellion. During the raid, an extraordinary Jewish silver coin of the silver “sheqel” type from the days of the Great Revolt (67 CE) was discovered in a work room in the state of being cleaned. On one side of the coin appears the inscription “Jerusalem the Holy” decorated with a cluster of three pomegranates. On the other side of the coin, the inscription “Sheqel of Israel Year 2” appears above a goblet decoration.

In another room in the house, dozens of coins in mailing envelopes addressed to recipients were found being readied for mailing abroad. According to Haddad, “The operation by the IAA Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit jointly with the Modiin police enabled thwarting the smuggling of the ancient objects from Israel to foreign markets. The suspect admitted to illegal dealings in smuggling hundreds of coins out of Israel and purchasing coins from robbers and merchants operating illegally.

According to Eli Escusido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The inspectors of the IAA struggle day and night with the phenomena of robbery of antiquities and illegal trading in antiquities. The ancient finds belong to the State and the public; a unique story about the history and heritage of the country can be learned from each and every coin. Traders who are not authorized in antiquities and acquire coins from robbers and thieves encourage the theft of antiquities that are torn away from their historical context. The IAA will continue its operation with the cooperation of additional enforcement groups to prevent the illegal antiquities trade.”

The Jerusalem Elite in the Kingdom of Judah Preferred Wine with Touches of Vanilla

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Antiquities Authority examined jars unearthed during excavations in the City of David National Park. They were surprised to find remnants of the exotic spice from 2600 years ago. The researchers: "The discovery of vanilla fantastically illustrates which luxury products came here - possibly from India and its surroundings, thanks to Jerusalem sitting on the international trade route."

A surprising discovery in the City of David has been discovered: A new study by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University reveals that wine jars from the end of the First Temple Period, bearing the symbol of the trade from the Kingdom of Judah, remnants of vanilla spice were found - the luxurious spice, which came to Israel from afar.

The wine jars, dating to the days of King Zedekiah - the end of the kingdom's glory days, were discovered inside storage rooms of buildings in two different archeological excavations in the City of David in the National Park. One excavation, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, is located on the eastern slopes of the City of David hill. Another excavation, under the joint management of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, was conducted in the Givati ​​Parking Lot, west of the hill.

The two buildings unearthed in the excavations were destroyed in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, and the jars were discovered smashed inside the rooms under a collapsed building. A new study, published in recent days in the prestigious scientific journal Plos One, published the results of unique chemical tests that identified the remnants of molecules that have been preserved in the tiny spaces on the side of the pottery vessel.

The study examined eight jars from both buildings, and in all of them, clear evidence was found for wine storage.

However, what surprised the researchers were organic residues, which indicate that the wine was enriched with vanilla - an exotic and valuable spice, until recently, was not known to be available to the Old World before the arrival of Columbus. Ayala Amir identified the remains of the contents of the jars, a doctoral student in the Department of Archeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University, who conducted the research in the laboratories at the Weizmann Institute and Bar-Ilan University: "Vanilla markers are an unusual find, especially in light of the fire that occurred in the buildings where the jars were found. The results of the analysis of the organic residues allow me to say with confidence that the jars contained wine and that it was seasoned with vanilla."

The discovery of vanilla is related to an international trade route that crossed the Negev during the 7th century BCE, initially - under the auspices of the Assyrian Empire and later - probably under their heirs - the Egyptians and possibly even the Babylonians.

According to Ortal Chalaf and Dr. Joe Uziel, the Directors of the Excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, who uncovered the group of jars on the eastern slopes of the City of David Hill: "The opportunity to combine innovative scientific studies examining the contents of jars opened a window for us, to find out what they ate - and in this case - what they drank in Jerusalem, on the eve of the destruction."

The excavation of Prof. Yuval Gadot and Dr. Yiftah Shalev in the Givati ​​Parking Lot in the City of David revealed the second set of jars, where an impressive two-story surviving building was uncovered that may have served as a bureau of senior officials in the kingdom. The easternmost room on the ground floor was probably used as the wine cellar of the building. More than 15 jars and several other vessels for storing liquids were found in it, one of them massive. "The room was so crowded that it was hard to understand how people could move inside it," the researchers say.

On the handles of some of the jars, a seal impression in the shape of a rosette appeared, indicating that the jar and its contents were part of the royal administration of the Kingdom of Judah. The number of jars and impressions on them indicate the economic importance of wine and the drinking culture as a tool for expressing status and power. On the importance of the wine-drinking ceremony in the local culture, one can learn from the rebuke of the prophet Amos about "the complacent in Zion ... You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches.... You drink wine by the bowlful" (Amos 6: 1-7). Social events and ceremonies combining wine drinking were also every day in many other cultures: Evidence of them can be found, for example, in the Greek symposium ceremonies - or the Eastern empires, such as the Ahasuerus feast, mentioned in the Book of Esther. "Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and the royal wine was abundant, reflecting the king's generosity." (Esther 1: 7).

Examination of the contents of the jars revealed that some of them had been reused several times since, in some of them, remnants of olive oil molecules were also discovered. These findings indicate the complexity of the economic system and the advanced mechanism for collection and redistribution.

According to Prof. Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University and Dr. Yiftah Shalev of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "To date, we have not had direct evidence of the use made of such jars. Some suggested wine or olive oil, but there was no direct evidence of the vessels themselves. Molecular analysis now allows us to expand the boundaries of knowledge and imagination. Now, we begin to piece together the jar puzzle. The wine, perhaps, is not a big surprise, but the fact that it is seasoned with vanilla is amazing. "

According to Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The terrific cooperation between the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University brought us on a tray - or in this case, a goblet - information about the drinking habits of the nobles of Jerusalem, in the days when the First Temple stood. New scientific tools continue to contribute new information to the study of the past, even after many years of archaeological research in the city."

Ancient magical bowls, carrying spells and incantations in the Hebrew script, uncovered in the home of a Jerusalem resident

Hundreds of ancient finds, including rare bone and ivory artifacts from the biblical period, were seized during an operation by the Antiquities Authority’s robbery prevention unit and the Lev HaBira police against a Jerusalem resident suspected of illegal trade in antiquities

Rare and decorated bone and ivory items from the biblical period and ancient bowls dating back some 1,500 years, bearing spells and incantations in Hebrew, were uncovered in the home of a resident of the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem, suspected of illegal trade in antiquities. Hundreds of antique coins, glassware, and weapons were also discovered during a cooperative search by the Antiquities Authority’s Robbery Prevention Unit and Lev HaBira police.

The incantation bowls, known as the “swearing bowls,” were used as a kind of amulet in ancient times and dated back to the 8th-4th century CE. It was common practice to bury them under the house floor for protection.  Inside the bowls, magical inscriptions were written in the Babylonian-Aramaic language. The inscription in the bowl is meant to fight curses, demons, diseases, and pests.

According to Amir Ganor, head of the Antiquities Authority’s Robbery Prevention Unit, “bowls of this type came from ancient sites in the area of Mesopotamia, now present-day Iraq. According to their personal needs, the text was written by artists for a specific client. Occasionally, as can be seen in one of the bowls, a figure of the “night” demon was painted in the center of the bowl, representing the individual that the bowl was meant to ward off. In 2003, following the war in Iraq, thousands of stolen “incantation bowls” began to enter international trade markets.”

The Israel Antiquities Authority believes that the suspect repaired the bowls and restored them to put them up for sale. Besides the antiquities, various chemicals were seized in his house, which were allegedly intended for the restoration of the pottery, as well as for cleaning ancient metals and coins.

In addition to hundreds of coins, rare items from the biblical period were discovered in the suspect’s house - bone and ivory objects decorated in Phoenician style, with Egyptian motifs, that included scenes from the animal world, alongside geometric ornaments. In one of the objects appear two griffons - winged lions whose face is human, facing each other. The second artifact included a description of a convoy of four-winged lions marching one after the other. Similar ivory objects have been discovered in past excavations in an antiquity site in Samaria, where a large collection of ivory - known as “Samaria Ivories” was discovered – as well as at other antiquity sites such as Tel Megiddo. These are decorative items that were attached to wooden furniture by nails in the 9th and 8th centuries BC. Finding decorated artifacts made of ivory from this period is extremely rare, and the assessment at the Antiquities Authority’s Robbery Prevention Unit is that the artifacts were excavated illegally in one of the biblical mounds in Samaria or in Northern Israel.

“Antiquities belong to all of us. They are our heritage.” Says Eli Escusido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “Unauthorized antiquities dealers encourage looters to go out and destroy ancient sites in search of finds for sale on the antiquities market. In the name of greed, they plunder antiquity sites, removing the finds from their historical context, thus obscuring parts of human history”.

Documents were seized in the suspect’s home to shed light on his connections with antiquities robbers and unauthorized dealers. Following the investigation of the suspect, the Antiquities Authority inspectors arrived at an auction house in the central area, where they seized additional ancient artifacts that had been put up for sale by the suspect in violation of the law. Ancient weapons, glassware, and bronze and silver coins were found among the finds.

At the end of the investigation, the case file will be transferred to the Antiquities Authority Legal Bureau to examine the filing of an indictment concerning the attempted trade in antiquities without a permit, failure to report the discovery of an antique, failure to register a collection and possession of property suspected of being stolen - criminal offenses, for which the statutory penalty is up to three years in prison.

1,500-year-old marble pillar discovered at the beach in Ashdod, Israel

Two policemen on routine patrol in Ashdod’s sand dunes last week uncovered an impressive 1,500-year-old marble pillar that was uncovered by recent rains.

Ashdod police officers Itai Dabush and Sagiv Ben Gigi were on their routine patrol at the beach when they ran across something jutting up from the ground north of the Ashdod-Yam Fortress. They called Shlomit Katan, a manager at the municipal hotline, and inspectors from the Israel Antiquities Authority were called in to inspect the object.

The pillar, which was found lying in the sand, measured about 1.6 meters and, amazingly, was found in one whole, unbroken piece. According to the IAA, the pillar is part of the remains of a large Byzantine church that was located in the area some 1,500 years ago. “Finding a complete pillar in this condition is a very rare find, especially on the beach where people are walking by every day,” Ashdod subdistrict archaeologist Avi Levy said. “It is not something you find every day.”

The pillar, which was found lying in the sand, measured about 1.6 meters and, amazingly, was found in one whole, unbroken piece, he said. “This find is very important because it gives us a rare peek through the window of that period, and the wholeness of the pillar is impressive,” he added. The marble from which the pillar was made is not from Israel, and it needs to be analyzed by IAA experts to pinpoint its origin, Levy said.

“The column appears to have been uncovered following recent rains in the area,” IAA Director-General Eli Escusido said. “Any such discovery adds another piece to understanding the cultural puzzle of Israel in ancient times.” He praised the vigilance of the police and the director of the municipal hotline.

“Shema Yisrael” Pendants Discovered in Archaeological Excavations in the Sobibor Extermination Camp in Poland

The pendants were uncovered in areas where victims were forced to undress before being herded into the gas chambers and near one of the mass graves

Over the past decade, archaeological excavations in the Sobibor extermination camp have uncovered three pendants bearing depictions of Moses and the tablets of the Law opposite the Hebrew prayer “Shema Yisrael” (“Hear O Israel”). The excavations were directed by Wojciech Mazurek from Poland, Yoram Haimi from the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Ivar Schute from Holland, assisted by local residents.

The metal pendants are different from one another, inscribed by hand. Over the past year, researchers have identified their origin in Eastern Europe: from Lviv in Ukraine and Poland, and Czechoslovakia.

According to archaeologist Yoram Haimi of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “Little is known about the stories behind the pendants, which are heartbreaking. It has been possible to identify a kind of tradition or fashion among the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe with pendants inscribed with “Shema Yisrael” on one side and a depiction of Moses and the tablets of the Law on the opposite side. But were they distributed in synagogues by local Jewish communities or possibly produced for individual orders? Research of the pendants is ongoing, and we invite the public to provide us with details concerning them.”

One of the three pendants was discovered in the archaeological excavations in the remains of the building where victims were undressed before being led to the gas chambers: over the floor of the building were scattered dozens of women’s hairpins and jewelry and also a pendant. Another pendant, on which Latin numbers were inscribed on the tablets of the Law, was uncovered in the area where victims were undressed in Camp II. A third pendant, on which only the side with the inscribed prayer survived, was discovered next to a mass grave.  

Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “The personal and human aspect of the discovery of these pendants is chilling. They represent a thread running between generations of Jews – a thick thread, thousands of years old, of prayer and faith. This moving discovery reminds us once again of the importance of settlement in our land and our obligation to reveal the past, know it, and learn from it. I congratulate IAA archaeologist Yoram Haimi for his initiative in excavating the extermination camp and making the Holocaust tangible in the face of hatred and Holocaust denial.”