Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement

Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement
This handout photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2016, shows work on uncovering of an ancient settlement in Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. ( Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)

Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday they have unearthed a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem, describing it as the oldest discovery of its kind in the area.

Israel's Antiquities Authority said the excavation exposed two houses with well-preserved remains and floors containing pottery vessels, flint tools and a basalt bowl.

Ronit Lupu, the authority's director of excavations, said the items are representative of the early Chalcolithic period, beginning around 5,000 B.C. Similar developments have been found elsewhere in present-day Israel but not in Jerusalem.

"This is the first time we found architecture of this kind in Jerusalem itself," she said. "We are talking about an established society, very well organized, with settlement, with cemeteries."

During the Chalcolithic period, people began to use tools made from copper, while continuing to use stone tools as well.

Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement
This handout photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2016, shows a basalt bowl found at a site of an ancient settlement in Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)

The site was discovered while authorities were doing roadwork in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat.

It remains unclear how large the development was. The excavation covered an area of just 50 square meters (about 500 square feet), and there were no immediate plans to expand the work, Lupu said.

Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement
This handout photo released by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2016, shows polished flint axe and blades, and a gemstone bead found at a site of an ancient settlement in Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in northern Jerusalem in what they say is the oldest discovery of its kind in the area. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority via AP)

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Citation: Israeli archaeologists discover 7,000-year-old settlement (2016, February 17) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2016-02-israeli-archaeologists-year-old-settlement.html
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