In Israel, ritual objects of the Canaanites, an ancient group mentioned in the Old Testament, were recently unearthed — together with a 5,000-year-old wine press.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) made the announcement of the discovery near Tel Megiddo on Nov. 5. The dig occurred during the construction of Highway 66 in the Jezreel Valley.
Tel Megiddo is famously referenced in the Book of Revelation. The location is known as “Armageddon,” which is closely tied to the Hebrew term “Har Megiddo,” which means “mountain of Megiddo.”
ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER 1,600-YEAR-OLD WINE FACTORY HIDDEN NEAR ANCIENT MOUNTAIN CASTLE
Regarding chronology, the discoveries spanned from Israel’s Early Bronze Age, approximately 3000 B.C., to the Late Bronze Age, around 1270 B.C.
The most notable object was the wine press hewn from rock, which authorities described as the oldest ever found in Israel.
“This wine press stands out, one of only a few identified from such an early time when cities first arose in our area,” officials stated.
“Until now, there was circumstantial evidence that wine might have been made 5,000 years ago, but we lacked definitive proof. … [T]his wine press finally offers fresh and unambiguous evidence that early wine production did indeed happen here.”
ANCIENT ESTATE TIED TO GROUP IN THE BIBLE UNEARTHED WITH ‘FASCINATING’ TREASURES IN ISRAEL
Archaeologists also uncovered compelling and fully intact evidence of a Canaanite religious practice dating back 3,300 years, including a ceramic shrine model and ritual vessels shaped like animals.
The IAA noted that the vessels “were carefully placed in the ground in a systematic burial as ritual offerings.”
“These comprised a small ceramic model of a shrine, storage containers, imported jugs and small jugs from Cyprus, and a distinctive and remarkable collection of vessels, likely used for libations, or the ceremonial pouring of liquids,” the release mentioned.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Historians suggest it served to pour precious liquids — like milk, oil, or wine — into a funnel during rituals.
The burial sites indicate a religious cult existed outside the city, probably made up of local farmers unable to enter the main temple.
This enabled them to “present dedications of liquids or valuable agricultural goods,” the release indicated.
“Some of these offerings were found as unbroken pottery vessels buried beside a large rock formation, which may have functioned as an outdoor altar outside the Canaanite city of Megiddo,” researchers commented.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
In a statement, officials said the recent excavation “uncovered a new segment of the area between the known settlements in the city.”
They added, “The 5,000-year-old carved wine press situates the origins of the local wine industry in a very early urban-settlement setting, while the offerings from around 3,300 years ago show the continuation of ritual dedication and libations outside the sacred area within the tell, perhaps reflecting aspects of the local Canaanite folk religion.”
Eli Escusido, IAA director, noted that the discoveries are “revealing, layer after layer, the rich history concealed and embedded in the soil here.”
He added, “The uncovering of ancient wine-making facilities, along with the evidence of folk worship beyond Megiddo, allows us insight into the daily life and beliefs of the region’s inhabitants over millennia.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
This isn’t the only recent find at the Tel Megiddo site.
Earlier in the year, archaeologists announced they’d discovered evidence of a biblical battle at the location.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, archaeologist Assaf Kleiman stated that pottery at the site suggested the presence of an Egyptian army, specifically the soldiers who defeated King Josiah.
“The finding of so many Egyptian vessels, including fragments of serving bowls, cooking pots, and storage jars, is an unusual occurrence,” Kleiman commented.
“We, therefore, interpret it as representing Egyptians who resided at Megiddo in the late 7th century, possibly as part of a military force that arrived at the site after the fall of the Assyrian Empire.”
