New discoveries in the City of David
February 19th, 2007 by Leen RitmeyerOn the About page, I mentioned that “things are developing so rapidly in the world of Biblical Archaeology” Yet, some of the finds were not totally unexpected.
It was exciting to read last year, and recently again (on Todd Bolen’s blog) and here too, about the excavations conducted by Eilat Mazar in the City of David. She found remains of a large monumental building, possibly the palace of King David. Seven years ago, Kathleen and I published a book called “From Sinai to Jerusalem“. It has a chapter called ‘King David’s palace and the Ark of the Covenant’. We wrote the following: “Scholars agree that David’s palace could only have stood on the summit of the hill occupying the area previously fortified by the Jebusites. The Bible gives no details of the style of building used, but we do know that the materials used in its construction, dressed building stones and cedar wood, were not in common use. No architectural remains firmly attributable to the palace have been found …”
This statement is no longer valid in the light of the new discoveries. No plans have been published yet, but parallels with other buildings and the finding of an proto-aeolic capital by the late Kathleen Kenyon made it possible for me to have proposed a reconstruction drawing of David’s palace some ten years ago. Minor details may need to be changed, but I believe that the location of the palace in relation to the stone-stepped structure and the basic outline of my reconstruction drawing are still correct.
© Ritmeyer Archaeological Design, 2007
These excavations may prove archaeologically that Jerusalem was indeed the capital of Israel during the reign of David and beyond. Some have argued that this city was too small for a capital city. Does size matter? Look at some modern examples of capital cities which are by no means the largest cities in their respective countries: Washington DC (USA), Canberra (Australia), Brasilia (Brazil) and of course modern Jerusalem (Israel). The new evidence that has come to light indeed boosts the credibility of the Biblical record.
Posted in Jerusalem, News, History, Excavations, Research |
February 20th, 2007 at 9:11 am
I have made a link to your nice blog at http://biblicalstudies.info under SCHOLARLY, then BLOGS. Also made a reference to it and your new book under my BLOG. Check the nice photo I got of you with Bryant Wood at the NEAS meeting.
February 21st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Hmm, not surprising that Bryant Wood would be interested in a find of this sort. I hope that there will be clear voices from mainstream archaeology on the developments regarding these new discoveries, although inevitably my students and many other interested parties will gravitate to the voices claiming that it either proves the Bible right or that it is irrelevant since minimalists “know” that there was no kingdom in David’s time.
February 23rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Dr. Ritmeyer,
Thank you for this blog. Here in the U.S. we have a hard time getting information such as this. I was directed here from Todd Bolen’s excellent blog. I had the pleasure of spending 3 1/2 months in Israel studying with Todd, and I cannot wait to get back! Thanks again!
-Robert
February 28th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
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April 3rd, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Dr. Ritmeyer,
I also like to thank you for establishing this blog. Your prodigious Temple Mount research clearly shows where the Temple was located. Three years ago I purchased the Herodian Temple Mount model that you designed, and I continue to enjoy it on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to your designing a model of the Temple complex itself. I’m sure it will be great! Keep up the great work!!!