An ancient street was uncovered in Jerusalem earlier this month, revealing what commercial life was like in the Old City 1,500 years ago, and now archaeologists have hit a wall. In a very good way.
A section of Jerusalem's city wall dating back to the 10th century B.C. was found. And some see possible proof of the Bible in the discovery since King Solomon may have created the structure, as described in the First Books of Kings, according to a report today in Science Daily.
Photo of a 20-foot (6-meter) section of the ancient street discovered in Jerusalem's Old City earlier this month.
Credit: Associated Press
The 70-meter-long (230-foot-long), six-meter-high (20-foot-high) wall complex contained "an inner gatehouse for access into the royal quarter of the city, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse, and a corner tower that overlooks a substantial section of the adjacent Kidron valley."
WATCH: The latest digs and discoveries of ancient cultures.
Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say the wall is located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.
Several digs in Jerusalem's Old City over the past few decades have turned up smaller artifacts, including multiple jars and containers, a 2,000-year-old earring, and an 1,800-year-old figurine.
A section of Jerusalem's city wall dating back to the 10th century B.C. was found. And some see possible proof of the Bible in the discovery since King Solomon may have created the structure, as described in the First Books of Kings, according to a report today in Science Daily.
Credit: Associated Press
The 70-meter-long (230-foot-long), six-meter-high (20-foot-high) wall complex contained "an inner gatehouse for access into the royal quarter of the city, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse, and a corner tower that overlooks a substantial section of the adjacent Kidron valley."
WATCH: The latest digs and discoveries of ancient cultures.
Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say the wall is located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.
"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 assurance that the wall that has been revealed is that which was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem in the latter part of the tenth century B.C.E.," said Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.The finding is significant because not only does it showcase the incredible engineering abilities of the time, but also it's the first evidence of a structure that correlates with "written descriptions of Solomon's building of Jerusalem," Mazar told Science Daily.
"The Bible tells us that Solomon built -- with the assistance of the Phoenicians, who were outstanding builders -- the Temple and his new palace and surrounded them with a city, most probably connected to the more ancient wall of the City of David." Mazar specifically cites the third chapter of the First Books of Kings where it refers to "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."Mazar believes the city wall complex could have served as commercial space and security stations. The excavations were carried out in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Company for the Development of East Jerusalem.
Several digs in Jerusalem's Old City over the past few decades have turned up smaller artifacts, including multiple jars and containers, a 2,000-year-old earring, and an 1,800-year-old figurine.
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