This rare discovery is mentioned in two books of the Bible. It concerns the ruins of an ancient trench built over 3,000 years ago in the City of David, the oldest part of Jerusalem and considered one of the oldest cities in history.
For 150 years, archaeologists have been searching for evidence that the City of David was divided into two parts, as described in the Bible. Now, the IAA team has finally stumbled upon a trench that separated the southern residential area from the upper city to the north.
The trench reached a depth of 30 feet and a width of 100 feet, with steep cliffs on both sides making it impassable.
Research findings indicate that the trench was created during the Iron Age—around the time when the Books of Kings and Samuel were written, detailing the division of the City of David into two parts: Ophel and Millo.
“This dramatic discovery sparks a new discussion about the terms in biblical literature related to the topography of Jerusalem,” researchers stated.
The ancient city was the birthplace of Jerusalem. King David built it to unite Israel around a single capital, as reported by the Daily Mail. The city was constructed atop a narrow, steep ridge overlooking hills and valleys that complicated movement from one area to another.
“It is unclear exactly when the trench was dug, but the data suggests it was used during the centuries when Jerusalem was the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, nearly 3,000 years ago,” noted Dr. Yiftach Shalev, the excavation leader. According to him, during those years, “the trench separated the southern residential part of the city from the dominant Acropolis to the north—the upper city, where the palace and temple were located.”
The IAA confirmed that construction plans of this type are typically dated to the Middle Bronze Age (around 3,800 years ago).
“We are confident that the trench was used during the time of the First Temple and the Kingdom of Judah, creating a clear buffer between the residential city in the south and the upper city in the north,” Dr. Shalev remarked.
Researchers believe the trench was designed to alter the topography of the City of David and demonstrate the rulers of Jerusalem’s power over all who entered its gates, as well as to emphasize their strength and ability to defend their walls.
The archaeological site was first discovered in the 1960s by renowned British researcher Kathleen Kenyon, who thought it was merely a natural valley.
“This discovery sheds new and vibrant light on biblical literature,” said Eli Escudido, director of the IAA. He added that standing at the bottom of the giant trench, surrounded by massive hewn walls, “it’s impossible not to feel a sense of wonder and gratitude towards those ancient people who literally moved mountains and hills around 3,800 years ago.”