Discovered in the City of David, across from the Western Wall, were mysterious 3,000-year-old carvings. In an archaeological excavation carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David, a discovery was made that continues to perplex archeologists.  The V-shaped carvings were cut into the limestone floor, and each V is approximately 2 inches deep and 20 inches long.

“The discovery was made in a complex carved out of the bedrock near the Gihon Spring. The archeologists, Professor Roni Reich and Mr. Eli Shukrun believe that the discovery is dated sometime between the 18th Century BCE and the 8th Century BCE. The archaeologists at the dig cannot find any clues that explain why the shapes were carved and what they mean.

Ancient Jerusalem's mysterious "V"

Excavations at the City David have been ongoing for a number of years, and the room is located near the only natural water supply to Old Jerusalem. One interesting clue is that the walls were built in very straight lines and the floors are very level, indicating that the structure was important to whoever built it.

A century-old map of an expedition led by the British explorer Montague Parker 100 years ago includes the shape of a ”V” drawn in an underground channel not far away. Another fact that may, or may not, be a clue is that is not known if the room was built during Jewish rule of Jerusalem or by idol worshippers centuries beforehand.

One more clue: a stone, similar to a grave marker of today, was found upright in the room and may date back to a pagan era.

In a statement issued by the Israel Antiquities Authority, January 26, 2009; archaeologists have discovered an 1,800-year-old marble figurine of what is believed to be the head of a Roman boxer. The bust was found during excavations in the area of the Givati car park in the City of David, across the street from the Dung Gate leading to the Western Wall (Kotel).

The figurine, which depicts the head of a man with a short, curly beard, is carved from pale yellow marble and might indicate the raw material came from Asia Minor, according to excavation directors Dr. Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets. The high level of finish on the figurine is extraordinary, while meticulously adhering to the tiniest of details, the two archaeologists”Its short curly beard, as well as the position of its head, which is slightly inclined to the right, are indicative of an obviously Greek influence and show that it should be dated to the time of the Emperor Hadrian or shortly thereafter (2-3 CE). This is one of the periods when the art of Roman sculpture reached its zenith.

The stylistic motifs of the figurine, such as the short hair style, the prominent lobes and curves of the ears, as well as the almond-shaped eyes, suggest that the object most likely portrays an athlete, noted the archaeologists, probably a boxer. In fact, a bronze sculpture of a boxer currently on display in the Berlin State Museum (“The Boxer”) strongly resembles the figurine found in Jerusalem. The two researchers added that two tiny holes drilled into the neck of the figurine, which contained the remnants of metal that was inserted in them, indicate that this had been a suspended weight which was used with hanging scales characteristic of the Roman period.

Miniature bronze images of athletes and philosophers as well as other figures were commonly used as suspended weights in regions under the control of the Roman Empire from Pompeii to Sepphoris. The figurine, which is the only one of its kind ever seen in this region, apparently was brought into the region by traveling merchants, according to the archaeologists. It is assumed that this marble weight belonged to a family of merchants who originally came from somewhere in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Being a precious object the weight was passed down from generation to generation in the family until sometime in the fourth-fifth century CE when an unidentified merchant was so unfortunate as to stay in the public building which is currently being uncovered. Likely a very severe tremor struck the building, and resulted in its complete destruction.

Not long ago, one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever found in Jerusalem was discovered at the same site, consisting of 264 gold coins. It was found at about the same time that a gold earring, inlaid with expensive pearls and remarkably well preserved, was also uncovered at the site.

Ancient Marble Figurine of a Roman Boxer Found in City Of David

Ancient Marble Figurine of a Roman Boxer Found in City Of David 2

Oldest Hebrew Text Discovered at King David’s Border Fortress

Archaeologists have discovered what they say is the oldest Hebrew text ever found, at a site they believe was King David’s front line fortress in the war against the people of Pleshet, also known as the Philistines. The site overlooks the Elah Valley, where the young David slew Goliath, the Philistine giant, with a well-aimed shot from a sling. A tunnel built thousands of years ago – and which may even have been used during King David’s conquest of Jerusalem – has been uncovered in the ancient City of David, just outside the Old City and across the street from the Dung Gate.

Archaeologists Uncover King Solomon’s Copper Mines

An international team of archaeologists may have uncovered the copper mines owned and operated by the biblical King Solomon during a dig at Khirbat en-Nahas, an ancient mining and metallurgy district of more than 450 square miles in southern Jordan.

First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem
A tunnel built thousands of years ago – and which may even have been used during King David’s conquest of Jerusalem – has been uncovered in the ancient City of David, just outside the Old City and across the street from the Dung Gate.