Stone vessels' cave: Difference between revisions
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'''Stone vessels' cave''' is a man-made underground quarrying and stone vessels manufacturing complex, dating to the [[Second Temple period]]. It is located east of [[Mount Scopus]], beside the road leading from [[Jerusalem]] to [[Ma'ale Adumim]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Atkinson |first=Kenneth |date=2022-10-21 |title=Judean Piracy, Judea and Parthia, and the Roman Annexation of Judea: The Evidence of Pompeius Trogus |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4467/20800909el.22.009.15779 |journal=Electrum |volume=29 |pages=127–145 |doi=10.4467/20800909el.22.009.15779 |issn=2084-3909}}</ref> |
'''Stone vessels' cave''' is a man-made underground quarrying and stone vessels manufacturing complex, dating to the [[Second Temple period]]. It is located east of [[Mount Scopus]], beside the road leading from [[Jerusalem]] to [[Ma'ale Adumim]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Atkinson |first=Kenneth |date=2022-10-21 |title=Judean Piracy, Judea and Parthia, and the Roman Annexation of Judea: The Evidence of Pompeius Trogus |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4467/20800909el.22.009.15779 |journal=Electrum |volume=29 |pages=127–145 |doi=10.4467/20800909el.22.009.15779 |issn=2084-3909}}</ref> |
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The cave was discovered in the summer of 1999. During the construction of a new road connecting Jerusalem to Ma'ale Adumim, a bulldozer created an opening in the cave ceiling, exposing a huge underground complex curved in chalkstone.<ref name=":0" /> |
The cave was discovered in the summer of 1999. During the construction of a new road connecting Jerusalem to Ma'ale Adumim, a bulldozer created an opening in the cave ceiling, exposing a huge underground complex curved in [[Chalk|chalkstone]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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Revision as of 15:16, 17 June 2024
מערת כלי האבן (in Hebrew) | |
 The entrance to Stone Vessels' cave | |
  Shown within Israel | |
| Location | Israel |
|---|---|
| Region | Judea |
| Coordinates | 31°47′26.2″N 35°15′14.1″E / 31.790611°N 35.253917°E |
| Grid position | Israel Ref. 210166/670117 |
| Type | Quarry |
| Part of | Second Temple period |
| History | |
| Periods | Second Temple period |
| Cultures | Second Temple Judaism |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
Stone vessels' cave is a man-made underground quarrying and stone vessels manufacturing complex, dating to the Second Temple period. It is located east of Mount Scopus, beside the road leading from Jerusalem to Ma'ale Adumim.[1]
The cave was discovered in the summer of 1999. During the construction of a new road connecting Jerusalem to Ma'ale Adumim, a bulldozer created an opening in the cave ceiling, exposing a huge underground complex curved in chalkstone.[1]
Description
The underground complex that was discovered is of two caves consisting of halls and chambers. From the Hasmonean dynasty onwards, there was an increase in observance of Jewish religion practice in the Land of Israel and specifically Jerusalem. Therefor there was more use of stone vessels as according to the Torah and the Halacha they do not contract impurity. Such tools were discovered in highly Jewish populated areas throughout the Land of Israel, as well as quarries in Judea, Transjordan, Galilee and the Golan heights.[1][2][3]
Cave I
The first cave covers an area of 4000 sqm. Near the entrance the ceiling is 4m high while at its rear it is 2m high. Due to its large size and the soft nature of chalkstone, pillars were cut in even distances to prevent from the cave's ceiling to collapse. This divided the cave to large halls and chambers. Along the walls stone shelves were placed so oil lamps could be placed to light the inner and darker parts of the cave. Near the cave's entrance 4 small rooms were curved that probably were used as workshops.[1]
Cave II
The second cave is smaller than the first, its 24m in length and 17m wide, covering an area of 1000 sqm. Pillars and columns were curved in this cave too, but the further in the workers distance from the entrance the taller the ceiling becomes.[1] On one of the pillars the Greek letters 'ON', 'IN' were written in charcoal and between them a delicate drawing of a flower, similar to those found on ossuaries and tombs of that period.[1]
Excavation findings
Within the cave a wide range of stone vessels wasters were found, all discarded after being damaged during production. For the first time ossuary fragments were found within a manufacturing site. Other stone vessels findings included table vessels, delicate vessels and large storage jars, known as "Kallal".[1]
In addition to the stone vessels, 4 coins were found in the caves.[1] The most ancient one dating to 54 CE impressed by Roman Procurator Antonius Felix and three dating back to the Great revolt: one coin from the second year of the revolt 67/8 CE and two from the third year of the revolt 68/9 CE. All the findings in this underground complex are evidence that the cave was active throughout the first century up to the Second Temple destruction in 70 CE.[1]
This discovery might shed some light on the 1910 discovery on an inscription in a tomb at Bet Phage.[1] The inscription includes 23 names and next to each name a small amount of money. The names on the ossuary might be of workers of the ossuary production workshop. The stone vessels' cave could be the working place.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Atkinson, Kenneth (2022-10-21). "Judean Piracy, Judea and Parthia, and the Roman Annexation of Judea: The Evidence of Pompeius Trogus". Electrum. 29: 127–145. doi:10.4467/20800909el.22.009.15779. ISSN 2084-3909.
- ^ Adler, Yonatan. "Jewish Purity Practices in Roman Judea: The Evidence of Archaeology". Academia.
- ^ תעשיית כלי אבן בירושלים בימי בית שני - יצחק מגן.