The Israeli Antiquities Authority has shared remarkable discoveries from the ancient city of Zanoah, mentioned in the Old Testament. During excavations of this historic site, a team of archaeologists uncovered stone walls, pottery, and other artifacts dating back over 3,200 years.
The Bible recounts that around 1406–1407 B.C., after 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites reached the Promised Land, also known as Canaan.
What Artifacts Did the Archaeologists Find?
Researchers discovered walls made up of rows of large white stones. According to scientists, these were likely retaining walls for agricultural terraces in ancient times. They were used to create flat areas for planting crops and to protect steep slopes from erosion.
The team unearthed numerous fragments of ceramic vessels. Among them was a handle from a jug inscribed with the name of King Hezekiah, as described in the Bible, providing further evidence for the biblical narrative surrounding Moses.
About 20 percent of the pottery found was dated to the time when the Israelites arrived in the area after their 40 years in the desert. The remaining ceramic artifacts were produced over the next 900 years, according to the Daily Mail.
Scientists noted an intriguing fragment of a vessel made from white limestone. According to the archaeologists’ description, it featured “a wide rim adorned with a decoration of three concentric bands separated by gaps: the outer and inner bands are narrow and decorated with a rope pattern, while the central band is wide and has a broken mesh design.”
Among the other finds were bowls and jugs. Holes in one of them suggested it might have been used as a lamp. The ancient city also yielded a number of metal objects, although researchers did not specify when they were made. They only reported that among these were bronze ornaments, such as a fragment of a ring and earrings. Additional evidence of ancient human habitation in the region includes iron tools and nails of various sizes.
“Most of the finds, especially those dated to the early Byzantine period, are related to agricultural activities that took place on the slopes of the hills,” the archaeologists reported. They also noted that the large number of artifacts discovered indicates the significance of this site “and underscores its potential importance.”