Archaeologists, conducting excavations near the new U.S. Embassy building in Jerusalem, in the heart of Arnona, found a huge administrative complex of the Kingdom of Judah.
As reported by the Times of Israel, the find is exceptional both from the point of view of its size, and from the point of view of architectural styles found structures. Excavated by archaeologists, the complex was current approximately 2,700 years ago.
It was a lot of warehouses, which occupied a huge area. The purpose of the complex was able to install the artifacts found during excavations. In particular, researchers have discovered around 120 impressions made by seals with a special Royal symbols and inscriptions.
according to him, it was a warehouse for storage taxes. Here were brought here and the products collected as tithes to the kings Hezekiah and Manasseh in the days of the First Temple. According to the findings, in the structure of goods collected as taxes, was dominated by wine and olive oil.
Found a collection of stamps is one of the largest such collections of the Jewish Kingdom. The inscriptions on them were typical and were accompanied by special symbols. For example, one of them means “belongs to the king”.
Prints will be sent for additional examination. Scientists hope that they will help you learn more about the system of taxation in Judah.
By the way, discovered the complex was located just three kilometers from the Old town, which served as the administrative centre during the reign of the Judean kings Hezekiah and Manasseh (VIII-VI century BC).
“This is one of the most significant discoveries of the period of the Judean kings in Jerusalem made in recent years, according to a press release from the Israel antiquities authority. – In a place that we have unearthed, there are indications that the public service has distributed food supplies, including surplus agricultural products, amassing these goods and more wealth.”
Previously, a large number of seal impressions were found at excavations at nearby kibbutz Ramat Rachel. According to archaeologists, this indicates that a significant part of the administration of the Kingdom of Judah worked outside of the city of David, at least in the last centuries of the monarchy.
in Addition to the prints, during the excavation of the complex, the archaeologists found many items that can be clay idols. Some figurines depict women riders and animals.
this sculpture is usually interpreted as the objects that were used in pagan idolatry. According to the Bible, this phenomenon was widespread in Judah.
the Archaeologists say the government structures feasible�� continued to work after the Assyrian conquest. Previously it was thought that after the destruction of Judah in 586 year BC, this area was abandoned. However new findings, including those made in previous months, suggests that administrative activities were resumed soon after the conquest.
