Cave Between Bethlehem and Jerusalem Yields Royal Capital
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Photo by Yossi Aloni, Makor Rishon
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The Jewish Press recently reported archaeologist Binyamin Tropper, training coordinator for the Kfar Etzion field school, happened upon a Proto-Aeolic capital still attached to its column in a cave south of Jerusalem while assisting a visiting tourist. The Proto-Aeolic capital is one of the most distinguished features of architecture in the First Temple period and was used in palaces and public buildings in Israel and Judah. Tropper indicated he'd been down the cave many times but, due to the direction of his gaze, this time he was able to view the ancient column. The field school's director, Yaron Rosenthal, shared the find with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and was reportedly told they were aware of it and asked him to keep the find quiet.
Some entertain the notion that the IAA has been silent about the find due to political ramifications of the location of the discovery. According to fence lines drawn by the defense ministry in recent months, separating Bethlehem County and Southern Jerusalem, the site is within Palestinian Authority's jurisdiction.
What is particularly significant about this capital is the quality of construction suggests it may have been part of royal architecture and Rosenthal claims it does not appear to have undergone any secondary usage.
According to the Jewish Press article the IAA is making efforts to excavate the find in cooperation with all relevant entities.
In this YouTube video, Israeli archaeologist, Dr. Eilat Mazar, discusses a Proto-Aeolic capital discovered during the 2012 Ophel Excavation.
