BACK TO TIMELINE
Iron Age II - King David and the First Temple Period
  • The House of Ahiel. Photo: Koby Harati. Courtesy of the City of David Archives.
    The House of Ahiel. Photo: Koby Harati. Courtesy of the City of David Archives.
    View Image
Iron Age II - King David and the First Temple Period

A Witness to the Destruction: the Wealthy Quarter of the City of David

In Area G of the City of David, Prof. Yigal Shiloh discovered signs of the destruction wrought by the Babylonians in Jerusalem, including fallen stones from homes that had been destroyed.

In the picture: A dwelling of the “four-room house” style, which was very popular in the First Temple period, was found in Area G. Potsherds found in the ruins of the house were inscribed in ink with the name “Ahiel,” a name unknown in the Bible.

The house had a courtyard, living quarters on the second floor, and even a private toilet, which shows that its inhabitants were wealthy. In a nearby building a ruined royal archive was found containing seal impressions, one of which bears the name of Gemaryahu son of Shaphan, one of the supporters of the prophet Jeremiah.