A huge ancient metropolis from the Neolithic full point has been discovered just outside Jerusalem , and officials say it is the largest metropolis of this period ever found in Israel .
The village stretches nearly half a kilometer and at its peak would have house between 2,000 - 3,000 New Stone Age residents . And yet , incredibly , archaeologists were n’t bear to find anything there at all .
“ This is the first time that such a bombastic - scale colonisation from the Neolithic full stop – 9,000 yr ago – is discovered in Israel , ” dig directors for the IAA , Dr Hamoudi Khalaily and Dr Jacob Vardi , said . “ At least 2,000 - 3,000 residents lived here – an ordering of magnitude that parallels a present - day city ! "
unearth just 5 klick ( 3 miles ) from Jerusalem , the liquidation revealed large building , houses , and rooms that evidently were for living in , public facilities , and places of ritual . Between the buildings , alleyways revealed a complex situation that paint a picture advanced metropolis planning .
Burial tombs also discovered revealed a fascinating insight into not only the ancient people ’s family relationship and view with the dead through offerings and giving , but the city ’s communication and trade status with other faraway places .
" In a station where people live , there are dead people as well : Burial places have been exposed in and amongst the houses , into which various burial offerings have been place – either utile or precious objects , believed to function the deceased in the next man , ” the IAAsaid .
“ These gifts testify to the fact that already during this ancient period , the occupant of this internet site conducted exchange relationships with far-off plaza . ”
Items found admit stone - cut up figurines , a cadaver figurine wild ox , obsidian ( volcanic or“dragon”glass ) detail that rise from Anatolia , seashells that came from both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean , stone bracelets , alabaster drop , and bracelet and medallion made of female parent of pearl .
All over the colonisation , the archaeologists regain tools they intend were construct on internet site , including Flint River arrowheads , axis for felling trees , and sickle blades and tongue . Animal bones found on site also revealed that the settlement ’s resident were increasingly swear on sheep - safekeeping , while hunting decreased .
fabulously , they also find metric grain store shed that still contained large quantities of legume , particularly lentils , that were surprisingly preserved . The Neolithic – or New Stone Age – time period , which began around 12,000 years ago , was characterized by the development of agriculture . The researchers say that the Neolithic revolution would have reached its summit around the clip this city was hit its peak .
The discovery of this city and its real good for this time period in this region is unprecedented , Dr Vardin recite theTimes of Israel .
“ It ’s a game - changer , a land site that will drastically wobble what we have intercourse about the Neolithic geological era , ” he tell .
