Thousands of arrowheads and jewelry: This is what was found in an ancient settlement near Jerusalem

July 16, 2019   

An ancient settlement was discovered during archaeological excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority at Motza roundabout, initiated and financed by the Israel Roads Company. The excavations are being conducted as part of the Highway 16 project to build a new entrance to the city of Jerusalem. The transportation project will connect Highway 1 to the south of Jerusalem (the 'Beit Vegan' area) via two double tunnels. Among other things, thousands of arrowheads, jewelry, and figurines were discovered at the site. The archaeological site is located about 5 km west of Jerusalem, on the bank of the Sorek River, near springs and near the fertile valley and the ancient road that led from the Shephelah to Jerusalem. These optimal conditions were a major factor in long-term settlement in the area. Dr. Hamoudi Khalaila and Dr. Kobi Vardi, directors of the excavation at Motza on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said that the excavations uncovered large buildings, including rooms that were used for living, as well as public areas. Alleys were uncovered between the buildings, indicating advanced planning of the settlement. Plaster was sometimes used in the buildings to create floors and seal installations. The researchers: "Where people live, there are also dead people: burials were uncovered at the site between and within the houses, with various burial offerings being placed in some of them - useful or valuable objects. These burial offerings indicate that the site's inhabitants had trade relations with distant places. Among other things, unique stone items of unknown origin were found in the tombs, obsidian (volcanic glass) items from Anatolia, and shells, some of which were brought from the Mediterranean and some from the Red Sea. Stone bracelets in several styles were found in the excavation, which were crafted by a master craftsman. "Based on the size of the bracelets, we assume that they were worn mainly during childhood. We also found alabaster beads that were carefully worked, and pendants and bracelets that were made from mother-of-pearl shells." Many flint tools made at the site were uncovered in all areas of the excavation, including thousands of arrowheads used for hunting and perhaps also for fighting, axes used for cutting down trees, and flint knives. Built-in storehouses were uncovered within the settlement, which contained a huge amount of legumes, among which lentil seeds stand out. The preservation of the seeds is astonishing given the age of the site. This finding indicates intensive agricultural activity. In addition, it can be concluded that the domestication revolution reached its peak at this stage: the animal bones at the site indicate that the people of the settlement increasingly specialized in sheep herding, and the place of hunting in the subsistence economy gradually diminished. Photos: Eyal Marko and Yaniv Berman, Israel Antiquities Authority [Gallery]