Wooden relic from First Temple era survives ancient destruction in Jerusalem
In a remarkable find, archaeologists uncovered ancient wooden beams from the destruction of Jerusalem's First Temple, dating back over 2,600 years to 586 B.C. These preserved sycamore beams, covered in melted plaster, are believed to have supported the roof of an inner courtyard. By analyzing the growth rings, researchers have accurately dated this crucial archaeological evidence, providing an…
In an archaeological excavation at the Givati Parking Lot in Jerusalem's City of David, researchers recently uncovered charred wood remnants believed to be from the First Temple era, dating back approximately 2,600 years to the destruction of Jerusalem's First Temple in 586 B.C. The thick beams, made of sycamore wood, were discovered as part of an interior courtyard's roof, having collapsed during the ancient disaster.
The preservation of these beams can be attributed to a layer of melted plaster from the building's walls, which sealed the burnt wood beneath and shielded it from decomposition over the centuries. This remarkable find offers a more precise timeline for the temple's destruction, narrowing the window to just a decade through the analysis of growth rings and radiocarbon testing.
The discovery aligns with traditional dates commemorating the fall of the ancient city at the hands of the Babylonians, remembered each year through the observance of Tisha B'Av.
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