Biblical Site Tied to Ark of the Covenant Unearthed at Convent in Central Israel
A massive 8th century BCE man-made platform discovered at a Catholic convent in central Israel may have served as an ancient shrine to the Ark of the Covenant, said leading Tel Aviv University archaeologist Israel Finkelstein. Excavation uncovers a unique, monumental structure previously unknown in the region. The site is said to have hosted to Ark of the Covenant, and remains of the monumental elevated podium have been unearthed on a Judean hilltop long associated with the location of biblical Kiriath-Jearim.
Geopolitical Significance of Kiriath-Jearim
Unearthed at Kiriath-Jearim, the shrine gives potential new insight into the political machinations of the sibling kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Enshrining the ark story was a strategic geopolitical act. The large elevated platform, Finkelstein believes, was constructed by the northern kingdom as a shrine to the biblical story of the ark. Finkelstein told The Times of Israel that “the excavations at Kiriath-Jearim shed light on the strength of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in the early 8th century, including, possibly, its domination of Judah.” They also illuminate an important theme in the Bible – the Ark and its history.
Biblical Context and Historical Narrative
According to the Hebrew Bible, the spot was the 20-year home of the legendary Ark of the Covenant until taken by King David and paraded to Jerusalem. Was it a shrine — or the site of David’s triumphant parade of the legendary ark? According to Römer, an internationally known expert on the Hebrew Bible, the biblical stories surrounding the Ark of the Covenant served pragmatic political purposes. The kernel of the original narrative was to legitimate Kiriath-Jearim as the new sanctuary of the shrine after the destruction or the abandonment of Shilo.
Scientific Mission and Excavation Details
The joint expedition by Tel Aviv University and the College de France is not on the trail of the elusive ark, however. Indeed Finkelstein, the dig’s co-director, does not believe the Ark of the Covenant existed. Rather, it is in search of physical evidence from almost three millennia ago of the geopolitical situation in the border town, located between the two monotheistic kingdoms. Alongside some 50 student volunteers, in the summer of 2017 Finkelstein and co-directors Thomas Römer and Christophe Nicolle broke ground on the Shmunis Family Excavations at Kiriath-Jearim. In the upper terrace at Kiriath-jearim, a massive wall was unearthed some 15 cm below topsoil.
Summary of Archaeological Data
- Location: Kiriath-Jearim, near the central Israeli-Arab village of Abu Ghosh.
- Primary Discovery: Massive 8th century BCE man-made platform and monumental podium.
- Institutional Partners: Tel Aviv University and the College de France.
- Project Name: Shmunis Family Excavations at Kiriath-Jearim.