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Image: Eilat Mazar and the ancient wall of Jerusalem

Hebrew University has announced that archaeologist Eilat Mazar has excavated a section of an ancient city wall of Jerusalem that probably was built in the tenth century B.C.E. According to Mazar, the wall was probably built by King Solomon.

Below are a few excerpts from the press release:

A section of an ancient city wall of Jerusalem from the tenth century B.C.E. – possibly built by King Solomon – has been revealed in archaeological excavations directed by Dr. Eilat Mazar and conducted under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The section of the city wall revealed, 70 meters long and six meters high, is located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.

Uncovered in the city wall complex are: an inner gatehouse for access into the royal quarter of the city, a royal structure adjacent to the gatehouse, and a corner tower that overlooks a substantial section of the adjacent Kidron valley.

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“The city wall that has been uncovered testifies to a ruling presence. Its strength and form of construction indicate a high level of engineering,” Mazar said. The city wall is at the eastern end of the Ophel area in a high, strategic location atop the western slop of the Kidron valley. “A comparison of this latest finding with city walls and gates from the period of the First Temple, as well as pottery found at the site, enable us to postulate with a great degree of assurance that the wall that has been revealed is that which was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem in the latter part of the tenth century B.C.E.,” said Mazar.

“This is the first time that a structure from that time has been found that may correlate with written descriptions of Solomon’s building in Jerusalem,” she added. “The Bible tells us that Solomon built – with the assistance of the Phoenicians, who were outstanding builders – the Temple and his new palace and surrounded them with a city, most probably connected to the more ancient wall of the City of David.” Mazar specifically cites the third chapter of the First Books of Kings where it refers to “until he (Solomon) had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.”

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In addition to the pottery shards, cult figurines were also found in the area, as were seal impressions on jar handles with the word “to the king,” testifying to their usage within the monarchy. Also found were seal impressions (bullae) with Hebrew names, also indicating the royal nature of the structure.

Image: Handles of jars inscribed with ‘to the king’ (LMLK) that were found at the excavation site.

Photo: Sasson Tiram

If this discovery confirms that the wall was built by Solomon, or, if the wall is dated to the time of Solomon, then this finding will again confirm that Jerusalem was more than just a small city in the tenth century.

Those scholars who take a minimalist approach to interpreting the reigns of David and Solomon continue to affirm that the monarchy of David and Solomon did not exist as the Bible describes it. However, evidence continues to appear that dispute the minimalist view of Jerusalem in the tenth century. Archaeologists have already found a stela mentioning the name of David. Will a discovery of a monument with the name of Solomon be next?

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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Tags: Archaeology, Eilat Mazar,Solomon, Jar Handles, Jerusalem Wall, LMLK Seals

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