Due to the rare discovery of jewelry, Gibson speculated that their excavation site could be one of those “great houses” mentioned specifically in Scripture. “This spot would have been at an ideal location, situated as it is close to the western summit of the city with a good view overlooking Solomon’s Temple and Mount Moriah to the north-east,” he said.
The Bible describes King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laying siege to Jerusalem and specifically burning down the temple, the palace and “all the great houses” (2 Kings 25:9).
A group of archaeologists believe they’ve found one of those great houses and their discoveries support the biblical story.
The Mount Zion Archaeological Project, co-directed by UNC Charlotte professors Shimon Gibson and James Tabor, as well as Haifa University fellow Rafi Lewis, announced their uncovering an arrowhead, potsherds and a piece of jewelry among other artifacts in a layer of ash at an excavation in Jerusalem.
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