A remarkable archaeological find has recently been uncovered on the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David, shedding light on the commercial activities and daily life of Jerusalem’s inhabitants during the Second Temple period, dating back 2,000 years. The Israel Antiquities Authority revealed this significant discovery on Wednesday, describing it as a rare glimpse into the past.
The discovery consists of a small stone tablet with an inscription, believed to be a receipt or payment instruction from a person engaged in commercial activity during that era. The inscription, found in the excavations of the City of David, features seven partially preserved lines containing Hebrew names, letters, and numbers. Notably, the name ‘Shimon’ appears alongside symbols representing numbers, often accompanied by the Hebrew letters “mem” or “resh” denoting “money” and “quarters.”
This inscription is a unique find within the city of Jerusalem during the Early Roman period, between 37 BCE and 70 CE. While similar Hebrew inscriptions have been documented in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh, this discovery marks the first of its kind within Jerusalem’s boundaries at that time.
According to researchers, the inscription was carved onto a chalkstone slab, likely used as an ossuary or burial chest, which was common in Jerusalem and Judea during the Early Roman period. The presence of such ossuaries within the city suggests the possibility of local trade or production of these items as commodities.
The Pilgrimage Road, where this discovery was made, was a vital thoroughfare connecting the City of David to the Second Temple gates, serving both pilgrims and commercial activities. The use of receipts for commercial purposes during that era reflects a similarity to modern practices, highlighting the economic and organizational aspects of ancient life.
Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, Israel’s Minister of Heritage, expressed the significance of this discovery in uncovering another aspect of Jewish life from 2,000 years ago, emphasizing the City of David’s pivotal role in Jewish history. Eli Escusido, director of the Antiquities Authority, described the Pilgrimage Road excavations as a flagship project, deepening our understanding of daily life in ancient Jerusalem.
Although the inscription was discovered outside its original context, its dating to the Early Roman period is supported by script analysis, stone type, and similarity to other contemporary inscriptions. This discovery adds another layer to our understanding of Jerusalem’s rich history and the lives of its inhabitants during a crucial period in antiquity.