Remnants of King David’s palace unearthed southwest of Jerusalem by Yori Yalon and Israel Hayom Staff

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Seven-year excavation by joint Hebrew University, Israel Antiquities Authority team reveals two large structures believed to have been a part of King David’s palace • Archaeologists says site may be where epic battle between David and Goliath took place.The discovery was made in the site of the ancient city of Khirbet Qeiyafa, which is located southwest of Jerusalem and borders Beit Shemesh and the Elah Valley. The city dates back to the early 10th century B.C.E., and archeologists believe it met a sudden end around 980 B.C.E.Khirbet Qeiyafa, according to the Antiquities Authority, enjoyed is a key strategic location in the biblical Kingdom of Judea, as it was located on the main road linking Philistia, the coastal plain and Hebron.The excavation was able to unearth 200 meters (656 feet) of the city’s wall, two gates, a pillar building and 10 houses. Archeologist believe the Bible’s most famous battles took place in the area — the battle between David and Goliath.

According to the Antiquities Authority, the excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa unearthed a well-planned and heavily fortified Judean city, which appears to have been surrounded by massive fortifications of megalithic stones.Garfinkel and Ganor said that Khirbet Qeiyafa represents “the earliest known example of urban planning in the Judean kingdom,” and that it resembled evidence of urban planning found in excavation sites in Beersheba, Tel Beit Mirsim, Tel en-Nasbeh and Tel Beit Shemesh. The Antiquities Authority further said that hundreds of artifacts were found on the site, including pottery vessels, stone tools and metal objects. Many religious objects typical of the time were found as well, including several seals.

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