Discovery of Mysterious Ancient Pillar in Jerusalem Could Rewrite History of the Menorah Symbol
The Discovery Of An Ancient Pillar Head That May Depict A Menorah In Jerusalem
Israel Antiquities Authority/FacebookThe stone capital as it was found in the field in 2020.
According to a Facebook post from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the limestone capital was first discovered in 2020, during excavations ahead of the construction of a new entrance to the city. It was found resting upside-down in a Byzantine-period building (from between the sixth and seventh centuries C.E., not long after the fall of Rome) but archaeologists suspect that it was moved from its older, original location, very likely an ancient Roman settlement.
Each of the capital’s sides on its upper section is decorated with an eight-branched “candelabrum” and each of its sides on its lower section is decorated with eight leaves.
But if this pillar head does depict a menorah, what was it doing in a Roman settlement?
Israel Antiquities Authority/FacebookIAA excavation manager Anna Eirich cleaning off the stone capital that may depict a menorah.
“It seems this capital stood atop a column in a magnificent building or on a street, in a late Roman period settlement here (second-fourth century C.E.),” excavation managers Dr. Uzi Ad and Anna Eirich stated in the IAA Facebook post. “From its local context and finds this settlement was apparently populated by descendants of Roman army retirees. If so, what was a capital with a menorah decoration on it doing here of all places – a distinct Jewish symbol? This is a true conundrum.”
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