Investigators from the Israel Antiquities Authority, tracking looters at the Ras-Tamim site near Mount Scopus, discovered a huge underground workshop for the production of stone vessels, which operated more than 2000 years ago during the Second Temple period.
The incident began with the discovery of fresh traces of illegal excavations. During several days of covert surveillance, law enforcement officers caught five suspects red-handed. They seized a generator, a metal detector, and special tools for extracting stone. The detainees face up to five years in prison for the destruction of an archaeological site, but the main news was the contents of the cave they were trying to penetrate.
Inside the cave, archaeologists discovered hundreds of limestone fragments, blanks, and production waste. This indicates the existence of an organized industrial center rather than a small craft workshop. Scientists found blocks processed with chisels and products with traces of a lathe. Such products were of critical importance to the society of that time: according to Jewish laws, stoneware, unlike ceramic, was considered impervious to ritual impurity. This made it indispensable in everyday life, especially during food preparation and temple services.
The location of the workshop is also strategic. It was located on an important pilgrimage route leading to Jerusalem from the east. Traders sold ritual items directly near the road, ensuring high demand from travelers.
Near the workshop, burial caves, large reservoirs, and a ritual bath (mikveh) were previously found, painting a vivid picture of a developed industrial-religious area in the vicinity of the ancient city. Today, the found artifacts are presented at the “Criminal Past” exhibition in Jerusalem, which aims to draw attention to the problem of looting that destroys the historical context of monuments.
This discovery underscores the importance of preserving archaeological sites and their context. Finds like this workshop help to better understand the life and culture of ancient Israel. It is important for society to recognize the value of its historical heritage — Israel News | Nikk.Agency.
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