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Archaeology in Israel: 2,800 Yea Old Farmhouse Discovered in Central Israel

December 2014

A massive farmhouse comprised of 23 rooms and estimated to be at least 2,800 years old was unearthed in central Israel in the modern day town of Rosh Ha'ayin.  After weeks of digs supervised by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the discovery was officially announced on December 15 2014.  The building was erected in the 8th century B.C.E. during the Assyrian conquest. 

The area of the farmhouse extends 40 metres by 30 metres and it was used during the Assyrian conquest period as well as the Persian and Helenistic periods.  The discovery included interesting items such as wine presses within the farmhouse and a silo for grain which indicated that the individuals who lived there planned ahead and stored spare food products.  On the floor of one of the farmhouse buildings a coin was discovered bearing the name of Alexander the Great and a picture of Zeus.  According to the Israel Antiquities Authority the building was extremely well preserved, and they will be preserving the integrity of the site for locals and tourists to visit. 


Sources: Times of Israel (December 15 2014), Jerusalem Post (December 15 2014)