Givati Parking Lot dig

Part of Hoard from Heraclius time thet was found in the site

The Givati Parking Lot dig is an archaeological excavation located in the City of David neighborhood, the original center of the city of Jerusalem. The dig is conducted by Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the City of David Foundation.[1]

Royal palace

Among the discoveries is an ancient building believed to have been the palace of Queen Helena of Adiabene.[2][3]

Interesting finds

In 2010, the dig produced a small, Roman-era cameo of Cupid. It is made from onyx. The cupid is in a "striking" blue on a dark brown ground, he has wings and curly hair. The round cameo would have been an insert in a piece of jewelry. Cupid’s left hand rests on an overturned torch, symbolizing death, so it was probably a mourning piece.[1][4]

In 2008 archaeologists uncovered a hoard of 250 gold coins dated to the 7th-century.[5]

See also

Coordinates: 31°46′23″N 35°14′11″E / 31.773056°N 35.236389°E

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "2,000 year-old cameo found in Jerusalem," Aug. 30, 2010, Jerusalem Post.
  2. ↑ "Second Temple palace uncovered," Etgar Lefkovits, Dec 5, 2007, Jerusalem Post.
  3. ↑ "Israeli archaeologists uncover 2,000-year-old mansion,"
  4. ↑ "Israel archeologists uncover 2,000-year-old cupid in City of David dig Israel Antiquities Authority says added inlaid semi-precious stone is of the 'Eros in mourning,' one of a group of visual motifs linked with mourning practices." Aug. 30, 2010, Ha'aretz.
  5. ↑ "Buried Treasure Found Outside Temple Mount," Hillel Fendel, Dec. 22, 2008, Israel National News.
Excavation in City of David, Givaty parking lot Jerusalem 12.10.2011