2,200-Year-Old Hellenistic Structure Unearthed in Judean Desert

Archaeologists identify the monumental building as part of a larger excavation effort, uncovering coins, weaponry, and preserved artifacts from the Hellenistic period.

• The structure, initially believed to date to the First Temple period, has been re-dated to the Hellenistic era, approximately 2,200 years ago.
• Measuring 11 by 11 meters and preserved to a height of 6.5 meters, the building was constructed with monumental stone blocks, suggesting its importance.
• Coins and artifacts, including some minted under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, link the site to the Ptolemaic and Seleucid rule in the region.
• Nearby discoveries include a caravanserai used by travelers and merchants, as well as a grave added long after the structure's original construction.
• The excavation is part of an ongoing eight-year survey of the Judean Desert, aiming to uncover and preserve archaeological treasures.

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