10 Artifacts That Verify An Ancient Jewish Presence In Israel

In an age of ever increasing antisemitic sentiment and never ceasing talking points targeting the validity of the Jewish nation of Israel, we are highlighting just 10 of the numerous artifacts that verify the ancient Jewish presence in Israel.

1. Dead Sea Scroll

• 300 B.C. – 200 A.D.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found by accident in 1947 by a Bedouin boy. Hundreds of scrolls, preserved in ceramic jugs, and dated from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century BC.

The scrolls constitute the oldest preserved collection of Biblical books, including every book except for the book of Esther.

2. Tel Dan Stele

• 900 B.C.

Found in Tel Dan (Northern Israel), the stone monument describes wars with the Arameans (modern day Syria).

One of the kinds of Aram placed a large Stele describing his military victories in the north of Israel. It clearly mentions both the “King of Israel” and the “House of David” being defeated by Aram, whilst attesting to the existence of the royal house of David.

3. Ketef Hinom Silver Scrolls

• 700 B.C.

Found in the burial halls of the Hinom Valley, a pair of tiny silver scrolls no larger than the size of a cigarette butt, contained the most ancient Biblical text ever discovered it contains a blessing from the book of Numbers.

4. Black Obelisk

• 900 B.C.

The Black Basalt Salt Pillar mentions the House of Omri (Joram, son of Ahab). The pillar also describes Jehu, King of Israel who destroyed the House of Ahab, killing the last of his line. Going further, the pillar speaks of the Jehu’s submission to Shalmaneser.

5. Mesha Stele

• 840 B.C.

This large stone monument was written from the perspective of the Moabite King Mesha, speaks of the oppression they suffered from Omri, King of Israel. It also mentions the House of David and the tribe of Gad.

6. Temple Warning SIgn

• 1st Century A.D.

This sign warned non-Jews from entering the Temple: “No Gentile may enter beyond the dividing wall into the court around the holy place; whoever is caught will be to blame for his subsequent death.”

This sign was one of many which set the boundary to the temple beyond which non-Jews may not pass.

7. Iudea Capta Coin

• 71 A.D.

In addition to the victory arch, Ceasar Vespasian also minted many coins after the victory inscribed with the latin phrase “Iudea Capta” – Judah has been captured (by the might of Rome).

8. The Arch of Titus

• 1st Century A.D.

The Arch describes the victory of Titus, including the destruction of the temple, portraying a procession of Jewish exiles carrying the relics from the temple, including the famous golden menorah or lampstand.

9. Siloam Inscription

• 800 B.C.

This sign etched into stone described the final stages of King Hezekiah’s tunnel was found on a wall of the tunnel. The stone also describes how two groups dug from opposite directions until they met and connected the two parts of the tunnel.

10. “Place of Trumpeting” Cornerstone

• 1st Century A.D.

This large sculpted cornerstone was found south of the Western Wall, with the Hebrew inscription “to the place of trumpeting.”

The stone fell from the top of the temple mount, probably whilst the Romans were destroying the city. The location where this stone was found, is where priests would blow trumpets to announce the Sabbath.

Conclusion

The Jewish people are inseparably and irrefutably connected to the Land of Israel, and have been so for thousands of years.

So no, the nation of Israel didn’t start in 1948 with the help of the United Nations, its history extends back thousands of years and we have history to back up this truth!

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