Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday they have unearthed a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem, describing it as the oldest discovery of its kind in the area.
Israel’s Antiquities Authority said the excavation exposed two houses with well-preserved remains and floors containing pottery vessels, flint tools and a basalt bowl.
Ronit Lupu, the authority’s director of excavations, said the items are representative of the early Chalcolithic period, beginning around 5,000 B.C. Similar developments have been found elsewhere in present-day Israel but not in Jerusalem.
“This is the first time we found architecture of this kind in Jerusalem itself,” she said. “We are talking about an established society, very well organized, with settlement, with cemeteries.”
During the Chalcolithic period, people began to use tools made from copper, while continuing to use stone tools as well.
The site was discovered while authorities were doing roadwork in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat.
It remains unclear how large the development was. The excavation covered an area of just 50 square meters (about 500 square feet), and there were no immediate plans to expand the work, Lupu said.
This handout photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2016, shows polished flint axe and blades, and a gemstone bead found at a site of an ancient settlement in Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)
This handout photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2016, shows a basalt bowl found at a site of an ancient settlement in Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Israel has had residents for a large part of human history. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
This not only pre-dates the Abrahamic period but would also be pre-Noidic flood.
EXCELLENT, I LOVED THE PHOTO OF THE PRE WAR BLENDER MADE OF STONE.
This is a wonderful opportunity, if ok with Israel, to have University students from all over the world participate in this most important, recent find. Of course, safety of Israel and the students… are the first consideration. This is very exciting.
how can this bethe muslems say jews did not exsist before 1947 mohamid must have started this and when he rode off in his horse lightning some on stole the property right barack?
God bless Israel and Gods Chosen! I am thrilled at the finding but not surprised. On behalf
Of my late deceased mother…La Chaim Israel land of the Jews!!!
Just because they find a settlement doesn’t mean it was Jewish.