It is month old news but so much has been happening lately that I never mentioned the big new find that was announced last month by the Israel Antiquities Authority. On September 3rd, the IAA had a special reveal of three complete limestone proto-Aeloic capitals that date to the First Temple period. In case your archaeological literacy has gotten rusty, a capital is the stylish topper to a column. To be sure, these kinds of capitals have been found before in Davidic sites like Jerusalem and Megiddo. In fact, the modern state of Israel chose a picture of the Aeolic capital with its date palm motif to put on their five-shekel coin as a tribute to the Jewish First Temple.
What was special about these capitals however is that they are the most beautifully preserved limestone capitals ever found and they actually seem to be hidden on purpose. The workmanship on them is superb quality. They were buried, one on top of the other at a site near Armon Hanatziv’s promenade in Jerusalem, a beautiful mile long pathway in Southern Jerusalem with stunning views of the city.
