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Solomons Temple in a Newly Discovered 9th Century B.C. Stone Tablet
Only a decade ago, skeptics were complaining that there was no archaeological evidence for the Judah Kings of the House of David (1008-586 BC) and the Jerusalem Temple of King David's son Jedidiah (better known as King Solomon). However, in 1993, a tablet was found with an inscription by King Hazael of Aram-Damascus in about 825 B.C., which indicated that his father, Hadad II, was victorious in battle against the "foot soldiers, charioteers and horsemen of the King of the House of David" (against Jehosaphat, c. 860 B.C.). A second stone tablet, the "Moabite Stone," revealed in 1995, contains 36 lines of Phoenician script that recounts the rebellion of King Mesha of Moab against King Jehoram of Israel and King Jehosaphat of Judah (recorded in 2 Kings 3:5-27).1
Inscription from Second Temple Period
Tablet contains important independent and authentic source for historical period that climaxed in the Maccabean revolt, the victorious outcome of which is celebrated yearly at Hanukkah.
A unique, 2,200-year-old stele (a stone slab bearing an inscription) was exhibited in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, shedding light on the dramatic historic events in the time of the Second Temple, as told in the second Book of the Maccabees. The Heliodorus stele contains one of the most important and revealing Hellenistic inscriptions in the Land of Israel, said museum Director James Snyder. It illustrates the background of the second Book of the Maccabees and is an independent and authentic source for an important historical period, which climaxed in the Maccabean revolt. The victorious outcome of this revolt is celebrated yearly at Hanukkah. The inscription presents new information about Heliodorus, who was ordered to take hold of the temple treasures. It documents correspondence, written in ancient Greek, between Heliodorus and King Seleucus IV, the ruler of the Seleucid kingdom from 189-175 BC. In this letter, Seleucus calls for the appointment of overseers in the provinces, including Judea. This episode foreshadowed future events. Just 10 years later, King Antiochus IV Epiphanes marched with his legions into Jerusalem, slaughtered its inhabitants, looted the temple treasures and desecrated the Holy of Holies. The inscription likely marks the beginning of the Greek-Seleucid intervention in Jewish religious affairs, which led finally to the Maccabean revolt in 167 BC.
Ark of the Covenant Church in Shiloh [Picture top banner]
An excavation team has uncovered one of the oldest churches in the world dating to the late fourth centurywhere it is believed that the Ark of the Covenant once stood in biblical times.
The team, led by Yitzhak Magen and Yevgeny Aharonovitch, unearthed the church not far from the Jewish settlement of Shiloh in Samaria. The floor of the worship sanctuary is decorated with brightly colored mosaics and many of the inscriptions refer to Yeshua (Jesus). The original church was built in 380 AD. It was probably destroyed by a flood and later replaced by a new building, based on information gleaned from the inscriptions. Aharonovitch says one of the inscriptions is particularly unusual as it mentions the name Shiloh: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on Seilun [Shiloh] and its inhabitants, Amen. This is very rare and indicates that the early Christians revered this place as a holy shrine, Aharonovitch said.
Ancient Church at Armageddon [Top left picture on banner]
The Christian world is buzzing with news of a major find. Israeli archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a third or fourth century church in northern Israel, which they believe could be the oldest ever found in the Holy Land. The church contains a well-preserved mosaic with references to Jesus Christ and images of fish�an ancient Christian symbol. This find is once in a lifetime, chief archaeologist Yotam Tefer told israel today.
Its very, very exciting. Its a very dramatic discovery because an old building of this type has never been found in the Land of Israel. The church was found during renovations at a prison in Megiddo what the New Testament calls Armageddon the site where all the armies of the world will meet for the final showdown between good and evil.
Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).
The word Armageddon is derived from the Hebrew Har Meggido Mount Meggido. It overlooks the Jezreel Valley, a vast area where the armies of the nations will gather for the last battle. Multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14).
This is the place, the site of the last battle, Armageddon, Tefer said. Of course, this is the place. So this is why its so important to the Christian world. Word of the find has electrified Christian believers across the denominational spectrum. [The Bible mentions Armageddon only once, in Revelation 16:16: "And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon." The Greek word Armageddon comes from two Hebrew words: Har Megiddo, meaning "the hill of Megiddo."
The common (but misleading) notion is that Armageddon will be the last, climactic battle to be fought on earth between the powers of good and evil. However, this is not quite right in several crucial respects.
Armageddon or more likely the large broad Valley of Jezreel, or Esdraelon, which Megiddo overlooks will in fact be the staging area for the final great battle of this age, but not the site of the battle itself. That is set not at Meggido but in the Valley of Jehoshaphat commonly reckoned to be the Kidron Valley, immediately adjacent to Jerusalem (see Joel 3:2,9-16).
Notwithstanding the popular concept of the Battle of Armageddon, the Bible makes no specific prediction for a war fought at Armageddon between two human armies precisely at Christ�s return. However, the Bible does say that the armies of the East and West will be drawn to the infamous valley by lying demons (Revelation 16:14). From there they will march to Jerusalem. There they will fight the returning Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:14-20; 16:14; 19:11-21; Joel 3:12-14).
Historical Tiberias Excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have been taking place in Tiberias at three different locations on the Sea of Galilee. Archaeologists discovered a Roman stadium dating back to the first century, which is also mentioned in the writings of Flavius Josephus. Inhabitants of this ancient town used the stadium for various events such as chariot racing and a gathering place for special occasions. In 67 AD, the Romans captured thousands of Jews and assembled them in the stadium. After a bloody battle between the Romans and Jews near Migdal, a town on the Sea of Galilee that was home to Mary Magdalene, the Romans executed 1,200 of the elderly and sick, and sold the remaining 37,000 inhabitants into slavery.
Remnants from the early Islamic period (633) were also discovered. The findings include coins, glass, pottery, iron equipment and the well-preserved remains of a building from Ottoman times (1516).
In another area, archaeologists uncovered layers from the early Islamic, Crusader (1099), Mameluk (1260), and Ottoman (1516) periods. After discovering loads of washed up remnants from the Roman Period (70), archaeologists concluded that during these times the western part of the city must have been located higher up the hill. At the city park, archaeologists uncovered the remains of houses, courtyards and whitewashed cisterns found in a settlement from the 9th and 10th centuries. Researchers say that during this time, the city reached its peak in expansion. Despite the huge earthquake of 749 AD, which struck the entire country and destroyed many communities, the city expanded northward. AA archaeologist Moshe Hartal, a leader of the excavations, said they're making an important contribution to understanding the dimensions of Tiberias during different periods. Their findings can also contribute to better city planning, as authorities seek to preserve the ancient ruins.
Herods Quarry
Quarry that supplied stones for Herod's renovations of the Second Temple found at a time when Moslem authorities are trying to destroy any proof of the existence of the Israelite temples.
By Netanel Doron
Israeli archaeologists believe they have found the quarry that provided the biblical King Herod with the huge stone blocks used to renovate the Second Temple compound. It was discovered in Ramat Shlomo, a relatively new suburb of Jerusalem about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of the Old City. The municipality planned to build a school at the site, but archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) went in first to make sure that construction did not harm artifacts that could be buried there. In the wake of the find, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski halted construction of the school and provided $90,000 for continuing the excavations. The quarry covers an area of some 5,000 square meters (54,000 square feet) and consists of massive stone blocks from 9 to 24 feet (3 to 8 meters) long. This is the same size as the stones seen today on the foundations of the Temple Mount and parts of the Western Wall. The 20-ton stones were hewn out of bedrock. Rabbi Haim Richman of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem sees this as a confirmation of the presence of God, saying the quarry was found at a time when Moslem authorities are trying to destroy any proof of the existence of two ancient Temples on the Temple Mount. God is sending a kiss to the Jewish people, as if He wants to say: Do not fear, I did not forget you. There are those who want to give the Temple Mount away, and there are those who want to take it away from you, but I have great plans for you and the holy Temple. The Temple will be the center of the world again, Rabbi Richman said. AA archaeologist Yuval Baruch said the stone blocks were cut in steps: First, deep and narrow crevices were hewn around the projected piece of stone. Then dozens of iron stakes were driven into the bottom side of the stone block, a few inches apart, until the stone could be broken out of the bedrock. Archaeologists found one of these iron stakes, about 6 inches (15 cm.) in length, which was lodged in the stone for the past 2,000 years. Members of the upper class at that time used this white limestone, called malcha (royal), for public buildings and palaces. But while many quarries have been found in and around Jerusalem, stones with these gigantic measurements could not have been hewn from them. This is the first time stones which were used to build the Temple Mount walls were found, Baruch said. The quarry sits on Mount Shuafat, about 240 feet (75 meters) higher than the Temple Mount. A road was built next to it and oxen in pairs pulled the giant stones downhill to the temple area. Archaeologists also found coins and pottery shards dating back to the time of Herod, who was the Jewish proxy ruler of the Holy Land under Roman occupation from 37 BC until his death around 4 BC. Known as the master builder, his most famous construction project was the renovation of the Second Temple, replacing a smaller structure built after the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Archaeologist Ehud Nesher said the quarry was a massive public project worked by hundreds of slaves. This is the work of Herod, he said. This is a sign of him.
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