Rare Artifacts from the First-Temple Era Discovered in Jerusalem

Israeli archeologists recently made a groundbreaking discovery in Jerusalem when they unearthed a rare set of well-preserved column heads, also called capitals, believed to be a part of a mansion during the First Temple Period.

“This is a very exciting discovery. This is a first-time discovery of scaled-down models of the giant Proto-Aeolian capitals, of the kind found thus far in the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel, where they were incorporated above the royal palace gates,” Yaakov Billig, Director of Israel Antiquities Authority’s excavation, said. “The level of workmanship on these capitals is the best seen to date, and the degree of preservation of the items is rare,” he added.

A video on the City of David Ancient Jerusalem’s Facebook page captures the excitement of the researchers as the artifacts are being uncovered. The column heads were excavated at the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem and the excavation was headed up by the City of David Foundation and the Israel Antiquities Authority.

According to CBN News, the stone artifacts found from the dig were originally created out of limestone. Each column capital features an ancient symbol dating back to the biblical Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

The same ancient symbol can be found on Israel’s contemporary five shekel coin.

It is believed by researchers that the ancient estate was erected between the period of kings…