‘Monumental’ 3,000-year-old discovery with Tanach origins found under Yerushlayim parking lot

 

Archeologists in Israel discovered a biblically significant moat that divided Jerusalem into two parts hidden beneath a parking lot in the City of David.

The manmade trench — researchers have sought answers on its existence for 150 years — was “one of the monumental fortifications that protected the kings of Jerusalem,” according to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the agency in charge of the dig at the Givati Parking lot.

It is a 3,500-square-foot site that, until about 15 years ago, was used for cars and visitors seeing the Western or “Wailing Wall” of Jerusalem. Other relics spotted at the location span 10 generations of ancient history, including the currency used by the Byzantine Empire of early Anno Domini years.

A pair of recovered, 70-meter sections of moat suggest it was carved to be deep and wide centuries ago, but there are still many mysteries surrounding the significant finding — one that helps put the city’s giant scale into perspective.

“It is not known when the moat was originally cut, but evidence suggests it was used during the centuries when Jerusalem was the capital of the Kingdom of Judah,” said Professor Yuval Gadot and Dr. Yiftah Shalev of the University of Tel Aviv, who led the excavation.

That time period nearly 3,000 years ago began with King Josiah, who took the throne at 8 and ruled in the interest of reform into his early 30s, was believed to have been born around 648 BCE.

The moat — initially believed to be a natural depression when first spotted in the 1960s — is also affiliated with remnants of the ancient, Greek-built Acra Fortress, or Acropolis, previously discovered on the site.

“During those years, the moat separated the southern residential part of the city from the ruling Acropolis in the north — the upper city where the palace and the temple were located.”

A passage from the  Book of Kings depicts King Solomon describing its construction.

The 11:27 verse adds that he “closed up the breach in the wall” and referenced a nearby fortification he erected, called a “millo.”

Solomon, known for his wisdom,  ruled around 970 B.C.

“Once again, discoveries are being revealed that shed new and vivid light on the biblical literature,” said IAA director Eli Escusido.

When you stand at the bottom of this giant excavation, surrounded by enormous hewn walls, it is impossible not to be filled with wonder and appreciation for those ancient people who, about 3,800 years ago, literally moved mountains and hills.”