Discovery of a 7,000-Year-Old Residential Area in Jerusalem

Remains of a 7,000-year-old residential area have been discovered in Israel. Israeli media reported on Thursday, February 17, that these artifacts were found during two months of excavations in the 'Shuafat' area, north of Jerusalem. Thus, the history of human life in Jerusalem dates back to 7,000 years ago, five thousand years before Christ, extending the city's antiquity beyond previously discussed periods. Bones of human inhabitants of the area were found in these excavations. Remains of 'house walls' as well as 'stone tools', stone bowls, primitive copper tools, and decorative beads belonging to women were discovered at this site. The beads are of two types, and their source has never been seen locally, raising the possibility of 'imports' or transportation from another location, which has intrigued archaeologists. A type of 'sickle' for harvesting grains and a type of stone wheel for grinding grains and wheat have been reported as some of the most significant artifacts found. Additionally, an axe, hammer, and a type of primitive drill or perforator, which were very important for the lives of people at that time, have also been discovered. Alongside human bones, bones of goats and possibly cattle were found, but all the bones have suffered significant damage over time. The foundations of the stone walls of two 'houses' discovered at this site are said by Israeli archaeologists to be 'well preserved'. According to Haaretz, reaching these remains did not even require deep excavation, as these artifacts were found just one meter below the current ground level. The excavations were conducted in an area where Israel planned to build a road, but the potential existence of archaeological artifacts halted the road construction. 'Omer Berzelai', an official from Israel's Cultural Heritage Organization, told Haaretz that the remains found are in the closest location to the ancient city of 'Prophet David'. The human bones found have been sent to the laboratory to hypothesize what the food sources of the people in this area might have been. These are considered the remains of the oldest human settlement in this region and are likely related to the 'Neolithic' or 'Chalcolithic' period, on the verge of the 'Copper Age'. In human history, the 'Neolithic' period refers to the era from 8,000 to 4,000 years before Christ, which is the final stage of the 'Stone Age'. After that, humans began to use metals, and the 'Metal Age' began with the 'Copper Age', followed by the 'Bronze Age' and the 'Iron Age'. Meanwhile, in some areas like Western Asia, the 'Copper Age' is also referred to the 5th and 4th millennium BC, as the use of copper tools, which heralded a period of human advancement, began. Israeli archaeologists have stated that some of the artifacts found in northern Jerusalem may belong to the 'Copper Age'. On 'Shuafat', where these artifacts were found, there is currently one of the most tragic and densely populated Palestinian camps of the same name, housing tens of thousands of Palestinians just steps away from Jerusalem.