Also found ancient seals.
Archaeologists conducting excavations near the new U.S. Embassy building in Jerusalem, in the heart of Arnona, found a huge administrative complex of the Kingdom of Judah. The find is exceptional both from the point of view of its size, and from the point of view of architectural style of buildings was found, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to the Apostrophe.
Excavated by archaeologists, the complex was active in the order of 2700 years ago. It was a lot of warehouses, which occupied a huge area. The purpose of the complex was able to install the artifacts found during excavations. In particular, researchers have discovered around 120 impressions made by seals with a special Royal symbols and inscriptions.
According to him, it was a warehouse for storage taxes. Here were brought here and the products collected as tithes to the kings Hezekiah and Manasseh in the days of the First Temple. According to the findings, in the structure of goods collected as taxes, was dominated by wine and olive oil.
Found collection of stamps is one of the largest such collections of the Jewish Kingdom. The inscriptions on them were typical and were accompanied by special symbols. For example, one of them means “belongs to the king”.
Prints will be sent for additional examination. Scientists hope that they will help you learn more about the system of taxation in Judea.
By the way, discovered the complex was located just three kilometers from the Old town, which served as the administrative centre during the reign of the Judean kings Hezekiah and Manasseh (VIII-VI century BC).
“This is one of the most significant discoveries of the period of the Judean kings in Jerusalem made in recent years. In a place that we have unearthed, there are indications that the public service has distributed food supplies, including surplus agricultural products, amassing these goods and more wealth”, — stated in the press release of the Israel antiquities authority.
Previously a large number of seal impressions were found at excavations at nearby kibbutz Ramat Rachel. According to archaeologists, this indicates that a significant part of the administration of the Kingdom of Judah worked outside of the city of David, at least in the last centuries of the monarchy.
In addition to impressions, and excavations of the complex, the archaeologists found many items that can be clay idols. Some figurines depict women riders and animals.
These sculptures usually are interpreted as items that were used in pagan idolatry. According to the Bible, this phenomenon was widespread in Judah.
Archaeologists say that government agencies may have continued to work after the Assyrian conquest. Previously it was thought that after the destruction of Judah in 586 year BC, this area was abandoned. However new findings, including those made in previous months, suggests that administrative activities were resumed soon after the conquest.
