2,300-Year-Old Village Uncovered Along Road to Jerusalem
- 10 years ago
An ancient village has been uncovered along Israel’s ‘Burma Road’, a main route that connects to Jerusalem.
An ancient village has been uncovered along Israel’s ‘Burma Road’, a main route that connects to Jerusalem.
Experts have estimated that the community peaked in the 3rd century BCE, the Hellenistic period, and was abandoned some time around the year 40 BCE.
It doesn’t appear as if the demise of the village was due to violence of any kind.
More likely is that the residents left because of financial matters.
At the time of their estimated departure, many were flocking to the city looking for work.
Herod had just taken power and was embarking upon massive building projects, including the one at the Temple Mount, and labor was needed.
The recently found rural village appears to have been entirely residential.
Objects found include domestic milling and grinding tools, oil lamps, wine jugs, and cooking pottery.
Architecturally, the structures were single-family homes with several rooms built around a courtyard.
It’s believed the central open-air section was where domestic duties were performed.
The residential community was discovered last June while workers were excavating in preparation for a natural gas pipeline.
Since, the plans for the pipeline have been revised and will bypass the ancient site.
An ancient village has been uncovered along Israel’s ‘Burma Road’, a main route that connects to Jerusalem.
Experts have estimated that the community peaked in the 3rd century BCE, the Hellenistic period, and was abandoned some time around the year 40 BCE.
It doesn’t appear as if the demise of the village was due to violence of any kind.
More likely is that the residents left because of financial matters.
At the time of their estimated departure, many were flocking to the city looking for work.
Herod had just taken power and was embarking upon massive building projects, including the one at the Temple Mount, and labor was needed.
The recently found rural village appears to have been entirely residential.
Objects found include domestic milling and grinding tools, oil lamps, wine jugs, and cooking pottery.
Architecturally, the structures were single-family homes with several rooms built around a courtyard.
It’s believed the central open-air section was where domestic duties were performed.
The residential community was discovered last June while workers were excavating in preparation for a natural gas pipeline.
Since, the plans for the pipeline have been revised and will bypass the ancient site.