First Temple Destruction: Charred Beams Unearthed in Jerusalem

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University discovered charred wooden beams in Jerusalem’s City of David dating back to the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. The beams, likely from a roof of an inner courtyard, were preserved under melted plaster for 2,600 years.

The discovery is notable because wood with a high number of growth rings is rare in Israel, allowing for more precise dating, potentially within a ten-year range, than previously possible for finds from that period. Researchers believe the remains were deliberately left exposed by those rebuilding Jerusalem after the destruction as a form of collective memory.

The excavation took place shortly before Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of both Temples. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu stated the beams serve as a powerful reminder of the Jewish people’s historical connection to Jerusalem.