Discovery of Mysterious ‘Biblical’ Temple Near Jerusalem May Shed Light on Holy City, Scientists Say

The Tel Motza complex was unearthed outside Jerusalem back in 2012, but excavations of the site are expected to continue this spring, with archaeologists hoping to find more artefacts confirming their theory of “sanctioned” temples.

An ancient temple complex discovered near Jerusalem sheds more light on the Holy City but at the same time raises new questions, Fox News reports, referring to an opinion from Tel Aviv University scientists.

In the structure’s area archaeologists discovered human and horse-shaped figurines in the shape of animals and people as well as a stand decorated with lions and sphinxes that researchers suggested could have been used by an ancient cult.

Additionally, the archaeologists found a stone altar, a stone offering table and a pit filled with ash and animal bones in the area.

Fox News quoted Tel Aviv University doctoral student Shua Kisilevitz as wondering in a statement whether a “monumental temple really existed in the heart of Judah, outside Jerusalem” and whether “Jerusalem knew about it?”

He was echoed by Tel Aviv University Professor Oded Lipschits, who insisted that “despite the biblical narratives describing Hezekiah’s and Josiah’s reforms, there were sanctioned temples in Judah in addition to the official temple in Jerusalem”.

“Our discoveries thus far have fundamentally changed the way we understand the religious practices of Judahites”, he pointed out.

Sourse: sputniknews.com