2,200-year-old structure uncovered in Judean Desert

(JNS) — A 2,200-year-old pyramid-shaped structure from the days of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid rulers is being unearthed in the Judean Desert in one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations in the area, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday.

The mammoth structure discovered just north of Nahal Zohar near the Dead Sea is made of hand-hewn stones, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms, the state-run archaeological body said.

Two millennia old historical documents written in Greek on papyrus, bronze coins, weapons, wooden tools and fabrics have been found at the site remarkably well preserved due to the desert climate.

The excavation is part of an extensive Judean Desert operation initiated about eight years ago to save archaeological finds endangered by constant illicit excavation and thieving in this region.

It was not clear what the purpose was of the enormous building—which was originally attributed to the First Temple period— and whether it served as a guard tower, a monument or the mountaintop of a grave remains a mystery, the IAA said.

“The Judean Desert survey is one of the most important archaeological operations ever undertaken in the State of Israel’s history,” said Eli Escusido, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “The discoveries are exciting and even emotional and their significance for archaeological and historical research is enormous.”

The excavation at the site will continue for the next three weeks and is open to volunteers from the public, the IAA said.