Charred remains of Solomon’s temple-era roof discovered in Jerusalem
Experts have discovered charred wooden structures that may help establish a more precise date for the destruction of Solomon’s Temple.
Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered massive wooden beams that were charred during the destruction of the First Temple by the forces of Nebuchadnezzar II. The discovery, made during recent excavations in the City of David, supports the historical account of the events of 586 BC, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The charred remains of cedar structures were discovered by specialists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University. The artifacts were found inside a building that collapsed during the massive fire that engulfed Jerusalem when the city was destroyed on the orders of the Babylonian king. According to excavation director Efrat Bocher, the beams most likely formed the roof over the inner courtyard of a wealthy First Temple-period residence.
The wood survived for 2,600 years thanks to a layer of plaster that melted in the intense heat, ran down the walls, and effectively sealed the timber beneath it.
The unusually large number of tree rings preserved in the beams is of particular scientific value. Dr. Johanna Regev said the discovery enabled researchers to narrow the dating of the events to within just ten years, compared with the centuries-wide range previously available.
Researchers believe that when Jerusalem’s inhabitants later returned to rebuild the city, they deliberately left some of the rubble untouched, preserving the ruins as a reminder of the catastrophe they had endured. Dr. Yiftah Shalev said this “landscape of memory” served as a visible testimony to the destruction, over which new layers of the city were subsequently built.
As the UOJ previously reported, archaeologists hope to locate the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem.
