Archaeologists digging in Jerusalem said in August that they had uncovered ‘clear’ archaeological evidence affirming the account as described in 2 Kings 25 of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem more than 2,500 years ago.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) uncovered Babylonian-style arrowheads and layers of ash alongside lamps, potsherds, and gold & silver jewellery they believe is either a tassel or earring. The items were unearthed at the geographical location the siege would have occurred.
‘For archaeologists, an ashen layer can mean a number of different things,’ said UNC Charlotte Professor of History, Shimon Gibson. ‘It could be ashy deposits removed from ovens; or it could be localised burning of garbage. However, in this case, the combination of an ashy layer full of artefacts, mixed with arrowheads, and a very special ornament indicates some kind of devastation and destruction. Nobody abandons golden jewellery, and nobody has arrowheads in their domestic refuse.’
The arrowheads were common and ‘known to be used by the Babylonian warriors,’ he said. Gibson added: ‘This evidence points to the historical conquest of the city by Babylon, because the only major destruction we have in Jerusalem for this period is the conquest of 587/586 BC.’
