Israeli Archaeologists Find Ancient Weight from First Temple Period
Israeli archaeologists found an ancient weight from the time of the first Jewish temple built by Solomon.
The weight was found near the Western Wall beneath Wilson’s Arch, an ancient stone arch, in Jerusalem.
According to CBN News, the weight is the measurement of two shekalim.
“The weight is dome-shaped with a flat base. On the top of the weight is an incised Egyptian symbol resembling a Greek gamma (γ), representing the abbreviated unit ‘shekel.’ Two incised lines indicate the double mass: two shekalim,” said Dr. Barak Monnickendam-Givon and Tehillah Lieberman, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The shekel weight system was used during the First Temple period for annual taxes that were used for temple maintenance.
“According to previous finds, the known weight of a single shekel is 11.5 grams, thus a double shekel should weigh 23 grams – exactly as this weight does. The accuracy of the weight attests to advanced technological skills as well as to the weight given to precise trade and commerce in ancient Jerusalem. Coins were not yet in use during this period, therefore the accuracy of the weights played a significant role in business,” said Dr. Monnickendam-Givon and Tehillah Lieberman.
The weights would have also been used for sacrifices, offerings, food and other items.
“How exciting, in the month of Tishrei, whose symbol is the scales of justice, to find a souvenir from the First Temple period,” said Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
The director also added that the find is significant during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Actually now, when coming to the Western Wall is so restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic, this finding strengthens the eternal connection between the Jewish nation, Jerusalem, and the Western Wall while offering us all encouragement,” he said.
Photo courtesy: ©Israel Antiquities Authority Facebook
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
