Jerusalem to many is the world inside the walls of the Old City with all its charms and sanctity. However, few realize that the original Jerusalem is outside the present city walls! The following snaps may not be appealing to you, but the site depicted below is one of the most precious and coveted archaeological sites in the world. It is here the first Jerusalem existed and where King David probably built his palace. The region is called "Area G' and it is the expedition terminology for the Jebusite Jerusalem (12th Cent BC), which later was conquered by David. Area G is one of the largest Iron Age structures in Israel. The archeological exploration of the City of David began in the middle of the 19th century and continues to this day. A casual glance into the area will show you ancient stones arranged as stepped wall like structures. These stepped walls are considered by many archeologists as the "Citadel of Zion" mentioned in King David's conquest of the city (2 Samuel 5:9). The stepped stone structures are believed to have helped to support a huge palace complex built into the hillside. In other words, David might have built his palace above these stepped walls!
Following are the important attractions from Area G:
"Ahiel's House"
In the middle of the stepped walls, remains of a four-room home from the First Temple Period (7th Cent BC) are visible. This is a typical Israelite house from those periods. There were four columns which supported the roof and the remains of them are still visible. The house was named 'Ahiel's House' after an inscription on a pottery fragment found in the house contained the personal name Ahiel. The house was later destroyed along with the Jerusalem Temple in 586 BC.
"Bullae House"
Archeologists discovered 51 royal seals inscribed in ancient Hebrew from the city of David-one of the most important discoveries ever made in Jerusalem. The house from where these seals are discovered is known as the "Bullae House". Bullae refer to clay sealings. The bullae were made of soft clay and affixed to a string binding a papyrus document and then stamped with a seal. To open and read the document, the bulla sealing had to be broken in order to separate it from the string. When the Romans sacked and burnt the entire Jerusalem (70 AD), the Bullae House would also not have been spared. When the documents were burnt, the clay seals also got fired and baked. No wonder why the seals are well preserved and fully legible even now. What makes these seals so special apart from its ancient Hebrew writings; names are identified that perfectly match with personalities mentioned in the Holy Bible. One is Gemaryahu son of Shafan, an official at the court of King Jehoiakim of Judah (Jeremiah 36:10; see also 11-12, 25) and the second biblical personage is Azaryahu son of Hilkiyahu, a member of the family of high priests during the First Temple period (1 Chronicles 9:10).
"Burnt Room"
This house is called the "Burnt Room," after the thick layer of charred debris covering its floor was discovered. The house is also from 1st Temple period (8th and 7th centuries BC). Inside the "burnt room" of Area G were found Judean and Babylonian arrowheads- reminding us the destruction of First Temple of Jerusalem (586 BC).
"Toilet Seat"
Another very interesting discovery is a limestone toilet seat embedded in the plaster floor, with a 2m cesspit beneath it. Four toilets have been found in the City of David. The one displayed near the "House of Ahiel" dates probably from the 1st Temple period (7th Cent BC). A 2700 years old toilet!
Following are the important attractions from Area G:
"Ahiel's House"
In the middle of the stepped walls, remains of a four-room home from the First Temple Period (7th Cent BC) are visible. This is a typical Israelite house from those periods. There were four columns which supported the roof and the remains of them are still visible. The house was named 'Ahiel's House' after an inscription on a pottery fragment found in the house contained the personal name Ahiel. The house was later destroyed along with the Jerusalem Temple in 586 BC.
"Bullae House"
Archeologists discovered 51 royal seals inscribed in ancient Hebrew from the city of David-one of the most important discoveries ever made in Jerusalem. The house from where these seals are discovered is known as the "Bullae House". Bullae refer to clay sealings. The bullae were made of soft clay and affixed to a string binding a papyrus document and then stamped with a seal. To open and read the document, the bulla sealing had to be broken in order to separate it from the string. When the Romans sacked and burnt the entire Jerusalem (70 AD), the Bullae House would also not have been spared. When the documents were burnt, the clay seals also got fired and baked. No wonder why the seals are well preserved and fully legible even now. What makes these seals so special apart from its ancient Hebrew writings; names are identified that perfectly match with personalities mentioned in the Holy Bible. One is Gemaryahu son of Shafan, an official at the court of King Jehoiakim of Judah (Jeremiah 36:10; see also 11-12, 25) and the second biblical personage is Azaryahu son of Hilkiyahu, a member of the family of high priests during the First Temple period (1 Chronicles 9:10).
"Burnt Room"
This house is called the "Burnt Room," after the thick layer of charred debris covering its floor was discovered. The house is also from 1st Temple period (8th and 7th centuries BC). Inside the "burnt room" of Area G were found Judean and Babylonian arrowheads- reminding us the destruction of First Temple of Jerusalem (586 BC).
"Toilet Seat"
Another very interesting discovery is a limestone toilet seat embedded in the plaster floor, with a 2m cesspit beneath it. Four toilets have been found in the City of David. The one displayed near the "House of Ahiel" dates probably from the 1st Temple period (7th Cent BC). A 2700 years old toilet!
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