These massive structures and huge boulders with walls as thick as 16 feet were discovered by archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar just above a"stepped-stone structure"-the retaining wall of Jebusite's Jerusalem (12th Cent BC). The Stepped Stone Structure (a 60-foot high, terraced structure) was a support structure for a Canaanite fortress that, according to the Bible, King David captured. The fortress is known as the "Citadel of David" or "Fortress of Zion" or "Stronghold of Zion" in the Bible (2 Samuel 5:6-7). You can also see more details about the "stepped walls" in the later part of blog.
Did David built a Palace above these stepped walls? Yes says Mazar. Based on biblical references and archaeological artifacts discovered from the period of King David (10th Cent BC), Mazar is confident that she has discovered the 'Palace of King David'. Another very interesting discovery is the clay seals from First Temple Period. Two clay seals (bullae) from 8th -6th Cent BC, bearing the names of two Biblical personalities viz. Gedaliah ben Pashur and Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu have been recovered from the site during 2oo5-2008. Astonishingly, both the characters appears in a single verse from the Book of Jeremiah in the Holy Bible (38:1). Both were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple!
If really these massive structures are remains of the Palace of King David, the discovery could be one of the landmark findings in the field of biblical archaeology and a strong fitting reply to those who deny the existence of David's Kingdom. Although her claim is substantiated by strong evidences, not all are happy to buy the theory. Excavations are still going on vigorously and interesting findings are reported very frequently.
Did David built a Palace above these stepped walls? Yes says Mazar. Based on biblical references and archaeological artifacts discovered from the period of King David (10th Cent BC), Mazar is confident that she has discovered the 'Palace of King David'. Another very interesting discovery is the clay seals from First Temple Period. Two clay seals (bullae) from 8th -6th Cent BC, bearing the names of two Biblical personalities viz. Gedaliah ben Pashur and Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu have been recovered from the site during 2oo5-2008. Astonishingly, both the characters appears in a single verse from the Book of Jeremiah in the Holy Bible (38:1). Both were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple!
If really these massive structures are remains of the Palace of King David, the discovery could be one of the landmark findings in the field of biblical archaeology and a strong fitting reply to those who deny the existence of David's Kingdom. Although her claim is substantiated by strong evidences, not all are happy to buy the theory. Excavations are still going on vigorously and interesting findings are reported very frequently.
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