Archaeology in Review

12th-century Fresco on Display

{image_1}After three years of renovation, the Israel Museum reopened the end of July, and a large, 12th-century fresco (wall painting) was displayed there for the first time since its discovery in 1999. It was found next to the Garden of Gethsemane in the “Abbey of St. Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat.” Because most of the abbey had been destroyed by the Muslim Sultan Saladin (c.1138–93), the excavators were surprised to find that the 9 x 2.7 meter (29.5 x 8.8 feet) painting had survived. The original height was nine meters, so only the bottom third remains.

100 Ancient Vessels Found

{image_1}Before the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land, which was occupied by pagan Canaanites, God told Moses“…and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them”(Deut. 31:16). This summer, some of the vessels used in the worship of these gods were unearthed by Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)—intact.

Arched Aqueduct Bridge Uncovered

{image_1}In the October 2009 issue of the Dispatch, we published an article about parts of Jerusalem’s ancient, lower level aqueduct being uncovered just below the Yemin Moshe community and on the southwestern boundary of Sultan’s Pool (near Hebron Road). Now, more of that same water system has been partially unearthed north of Sultan’s Pool across the street from the Tower of David. It is a spectacular arched bridge holding another part of the aqueduct that conveyed water to the Temple Mount.

Greetings from Napoleon III

{image_1}Not all archaeological discoveries in Israel go back thousands of years. For instance, earlier this year, an impressive gold coin bearing the likeness of Louis Napoleon III was exposed in an archaeological excavation of the Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA] in Yafo [Jaffa or biblical Joppa, old part of Tel Aviv].

Teaching Conservation

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Last year, the first international conservation training program in Israel was opened in Acre (or Akko). In an effort to solve the existing shortage of archaeological conservators, “Saving the Stones” provides practical training with Acre—a World Heritage site and one of the oldest ports in the world—as its classroom. Students gain experience in ancient masonry work, fresco treatment, and building conservation using materials and techniques utilized in antiquity.

A “New” Jaffa Gate

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The Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA] Conservation Department has completed the rehabilitation work of Jaffa Gate, the main entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. It was unveiled on Independence Day [April 20].  Being some of Jerusalem’s most important cultural heritage assets, the Old City walls of Jerusalem were built by Sultan Suleiman (1520–1566), the ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

King Solomon’s Wall Uncovered

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A section of an ancient city wall in the Old City of Jerusalem from the 10th century BC, possibly built by King Solomon, has been revealed in archaeological excavations directed by Dr. Eilat Mazar. The preserved portion is 70 meters long [230 feet] and six [20 feet] meters high, located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.

Jerusalem Street Unearthed in Old City

{image_1} A friend and I went to the Old City of Jerusalem late December last year and found quite the mess! Between the Tower of David Museum and the entrance to the shuk (market), the street was all torn up because new sewer and telecommunication lines were being laid. It wasn’t until February, that the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced they had made an amazing find there.

1,400-year-old Wine Press Discovered

{image_1} One of the largest wine presses ever revealed in an archaeological excavation in Israel was recently exposed in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The impressive press is 1,400 years old, from the Late Byzantine period (sixth to seventh centuries AD), and measures 6.5 x 16.5 meters (21 x 54 feet). It was discovered southwest of Kibbutz Hafetz-Haim, east of Ashdod.

Unique Find—A Marble Hoard

{image_1} In an excavation that was conducted north of the Old City wall of Akko, a unique find was discovered from the Crusader period (13th century)—a hoard of 350 marble items.