Rare Stone Box from Second Temple Period Unveiled in Jerusalem

The discovery offers insights into ancient commercial practices and Jewish purity laws.

A rare multi-compartment stone box dating back to the Second Temple period has been displayed for the first time at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
The box was found in the City of David, suggesting its use in commercial activities along the Pilgrimage Road, a major thoroughfare of ancient Jerusalem.
Its design and material, soft limestone, indicate adherence to Jewish purity laws, as stone cannot become impure according to halacha.
Archaeologists speculate the box may have been used for displaying premeasured goods, highlighting the economic vibrancy of Second Temple Jerusalem.
This discovery adds to our understanding of daily life and trade in ancient Jerusalem, conducted with strict observance of purity laws.