A Glimpse into Ancient Shiloh: 2,000-Year-Old Jars Discovered
Recent excavations at the ancient site of Shiloh in Binyamin have uncovered remarkable 2,000-year-old finds that have been preserved in pristine condition. Binyamin Regional Council head, Yisrael Gantz: "These discoveries testify to our connection with Judea, Samaria, and the entire land."
- הידברות
- פורסם ה' אב התשפ"ב
(Photo credit: Binyamin spokesman) #VALUE!
A century after the first excavations at the ancient Shiloh site in Binyamin, a new dig has unveiled several rare finds, including five fully intact storage jars neatly lined up inside a structure from the Talmudic period (200–400 CE). These jars were discovered during an excavation led by Dr. Reut Ben Arieh, a resident of Shiloh, under the auspices of the Archaeology Staff Officer in Judea and Samaria.
The jars were found buried beneath a floor, likely to maintain their contents at a cool, stable temperature. Their burial within fill material also kept them completely intact. In a photo released by the Binyamin Regional Council's spokesperson, the jars are shown after the surrounding soil was removed, but they remain in their original found positions.
The Binyamin Regional Council, which operates the ancient heritage site of Shiloh, stated that the excavation aimed to examine the ancient walls and entrance area of the city. The diggers created a section on the southern slope of the tell, revealing layers from all periods of activity at the site, from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period.
The site's Canaanite wall was first uncovered by the Danish expedition, celebrating its centennial this month.
During the current excavation, additional finds were revealed, including coins, a key likely used to open a chest, and even a wooden gaming die that closely resembles modern game dice.
The excavation findings, along with other research concerning Shiloh, were presented at the 12th Shiloh conference, marking 100 years since the initial excavations there.
"We are fortunate to uncover discoveries that testify to our bond with Judea, Samaria, and this entire land," said Yisrael Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council. "These findings bring meaning to our daily efforts in developing this region. There's nothing more moving than understanding how we continue the lives of our ancestors here. This is the eternal story of the Jewish people, and it instills strength in us. Gratitude to the team at Ancient Shiloh, the Archaeology Staff Officer unit in the Civil Administration, and Dr. Scott Stripling for their extensive efforts to ensure the site's success."
