Exciting discovery:
A 2,000-year-old oil candle from the Hasmonean period was discovered on the eve of Hanukkah in the City of David National Park, around the walls of Jerusalem.
The candle was discovered as part of excavations of an entire house, which is currently taking place on the eastern slopes of the City of David. In the center of the candle is a hole into which the oil is poured, and at the end of it is another, smaller hole, into which the wick used for lighting was inserted. At the end of the candle you can notice the soot marks that have accumulated, as a result of using the candle.
Dr. Philip Okosbobitz, the excavation director, reacted: "While these candles are not uncommon and are quite a few digs, but reveal a candle Hasmonean city of David, just before Chanukah It's definitely exciting."
Another said: "The excavation in the city of David never ceases to yield important findings "Which testify to the long and rich history of the City of David and of the entire region."
The oil candles were used in the past for everyday needs such as lighting the houses, but they were also used ceremoniously as in lighting Shabbat candles and Hanukkah candles.
Throughout the various periods there have been changes in the shapes of the oil candles, and for each period there are oil candles belonging to it, which helps in the dating of structures in archeological excavations.
As mentioned, the oil candle that was recently discovered dates from the Hasmonean period, and its exposure near Hanukkah aroused great excitement among the excavation crews at the site.
Treasures from the past
Disclosure of finds from different periods of Jerusalem is not reserved for archaeologists only.
The activity, which is being held in the City of David in collaboration with the Nature and Parks Authority in the "archeological experience" in the Zurim Valley National Park, allows participation in the filtration of archeological dirt, which originates from excavations that take place throughout ancient Jerusalem.
It was recently published in "Israel Today" about a pure silver coin from the Second Temple period, which was discovered by an 11-year-old girl from Petah Tikva who came with her family to the activity.
During Hanukkah, the coin will be displayed in the Zurim Valley National Park.
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