Researchers digging at UNC Charlotte’s ongoing archaeological excavation on Mount Zion in Jerusalem have announced a second significant discovery from the 2019 season–clear evidence of the Babylonian conquest of the city from 587/586 BCE.
The discovery is of a deposit including layers of ash, arrowheads dating from the period, as well as Iron Age potsherds, lamps and a significant piece of period jewelry–a gold and silver tassel or earring. There are also signs of a significant Iron Age structure in the associated area, but the building, beneath layers from later periods, has yet to be excavated.
The dig is staffed by a host of volunteers, including UNC Charlotte students. The project has been a favorite summer activity for many from UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program, the University’s highly selective national program for undergraduate scholars.
“ I spent countless hours in the city of Jerusalem and was a part of [the] official excavation,” says Miles Shen, a Belk Scholar and Levine Scholar, who joined the study abroad trip this past summer. “It was rewarding for me; I knew that I was one of the first people to literally touch history.”
"Participating in the Mount Zion dig has been an amazing opportunity for the Levine Scholars,” said Diane Zablotsky, director of UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program. “Although they are from different backgrounds and study in different majors, they shared a unique experience that left them with a deep appreciation of archaeology, the history of Jerusalem, and broadened worldview."
The Mount Zion Archaeological Project, co-directed by UNC Charlotte professor of history Shimon Gibson; Rafi Lewis, a senior lecturer at Ashkelon Academic College and a fellow of Haifa University; and James Tabor, UNC Charlotte professor of religious studies; has been in operation for more than a decade and has made numerous significant finds relating to the ancient city’s many historical periods, including the announcement made in July 2019 on evidence concerning the sack of the city during the First Crusade. The current find is one of the oldest and perhaps the most prominent in its historical significance, as the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem is a major moment in Jewish history.
The team believes that the newly found deposit can be dated to the specific event of the conquest because of the unique mix of artifacts and materials found–pottery and lamps, side-by-side with evidence of the Babylonian siege represented by burnt wood and ashes, and a number of Scythian-type bronze and iron arrowheads that are typical of that period.
The ash deposits, similarly, are not conclusive evidence of the Babylonian attack in themselves but are much more so in the context of other materials.
“For archaeologists, an ashen layer can mean a number of different things,” Gibson said. “It could be ashy deposits removed from ovens; or it could be localized burning of garbage. However, in this case, the combination of an ashy layer full of artifacts, mixed with arrowheads, and a very special ornament indicates some kind of devastation and destruction. Nobody abandons golden jewelry and nobody has arrowheads in their domestic refuse.”
“The arrowheads are known as ‘Scythian arrowheads’ and have been found at other archaeological conflict sites from the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. They are known at sites outside of Israel as well. They were fairly commonplace in this period and are known to be used by the Babylonian warriors. Together, this evidence points to the historical conquest of the city by Babylon because the only major destruction we have in Jerusalem for this period is the conquest of 587/586 BCE,” he said.
Jewelry, although a rare find, is just the type of household items you might find at a conflict site. The unexpected and rare piece of jewelry found is apparently a tassel or earring, with a bell-shaped gold upper part. Clasped beneath is a silver part made in the shape of a cluster of grapes. Gibson noted that this discovery of jewelry “is a unique find and it is a clear indication of the wealth of the inhabitants of the city at the time of the siege.” The only other discovery of jewelry in Jerusalem from this period was made many years ago in 1979 in an Iron Age tomb at Ketef Hinnom outside the city.
The researchers say that finding evidence of a critical historical event is what makes the discovery particularly exciting. Lewis, another co-director of the project, explained that “It is very exciting to be able to excavate the material signature of any given historical event, and even more so regarding an important historical event such as the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem."
The Mount Zion archaeological project is directed by Gibson and Tabor from the UNC Charlotte College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, in conjunction with Lewis of Ashkelon Academic College and Haifa University, and with sponsorship from Aron Levy, John Hoffmann, Cherylee and Ron Vanderham, Patty and David Tyler and others, and facilitated by Sheila Bishop for the Foundation for Biblical Archaeology.
The site is within the “Sovev Homot” park administered by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Other substantial remains of the multi-period ancient city were uncovered during the 2019 season, including vaulted basements from the time of Herod the Great, a Byzantine street which was the south-westerly continuation of the main city street known as the Cardo Maximus, and a sunken defense ditch that ran in front of the fortifications which greeted the Crusader’s when they attacked Jerusalem in 1099 and hindered their assault on the city.
The complex architectural sequence of superimposed structures dating back 3,000 years or so is being carefully mapped by a team of recorders and draftsmen headed by Steve Patterson. UNC Charlotte has been conducting archaeological excavations in Jerusalem since 2006 and much vital historical and archaeological information has been steadily extracted from the digging operations.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Mount Zion dig site was hands down the most memorable and unique experience of my life so far,” said Miles Shen, recapping his rich experience of a new culture and the lasting connections he made.
"Participating in the Mount Zion dig has been an amazing opportunity for the Levine Scholars,” said Diane Zablotsky, director of UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program. “Although they are from different backgrounds and study in different majors, they shared a unique experience that left them with a deep appreciation of archaeology, the history of Jerusalem, and broadened worldview."
Excerpts from article originally published on Inside UNC Charlotte
Photos: provided by Miles Shen
