'Monumental' 3,000-Year-Old Structure Discovered That Confirms Stories From The Bible

A 3,000-year-old building that archaeologists have found supports stories from the Bible.

Two distinct Bible writings make reference to the nine-meter-long moat that is located in Jerusalem's City of David.

The moat now provides evidence that the City of David was once divided in half, which has long been a point of contention among scientists.

The moat was discovered by archaeologists from Tel Aviv University and the Antiquities Authority.

A moat has been discovered in the City of David. Facebook/Israel Antiquities Authority/Eliyahu Yanai, Eric Marmur and Meir Ganon, City of David

It is thought that the rock that was excavated between the Temple Mount and Ophel regions and the City of David formed the moat.

The team explains that the data demonstrate the moat formed during the Iron Age.

This is consistent with the time period when the Books of Kings and Samuel were written.

This is a highly significant discovery.

The city is said to have been divided in half in these writings.

The Israel Antiquities Association (IAA) researchers provided the following explanation:

"This is a dramatic discovery that opens up a renewed discussion about the terms from the biblical literature that refers to the topography of Jerusalem, such as the Ophel and the Millo."

Meanwhile, Dr Yiftah Shalev, who leads the excavation, added: "Such significant construction plants and quarrying in Jerusalem are usually dated to the Middle Bronze Age - about 3,800 years ago (the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE)."

"If the moat was dug during this period, then it was intended to protect the city from the north - the only weak point of the City of David slope."

"We are confident that it was used at the time of the First Temple and the Kingdom of Judah (ninth century BCE), so it created a clear buffer between the residential city to the south, and the upper city to the north."

For years, researchers believed the city was split. Facebook/Israel Antiquities Authority/Eliyahu Yanai, Eric Marmur and Meir Ganon, City of David

The division of the city is mentioned in the first Book of Kings (11:27) when King Solomon is said to have 'built up the Millo and closed up the breach of the city of David, his father'.

Most people agree that the earliest humans arrived in Jerusalem around 3500 BC.

This was during the Early Bronze Age.

"Once again, discoveries are being revealed that shed new and vivid light on the biblical literature," said Eli Escusido, Director of the IAA.

"When you stand at the bottom of this giant excavation, surrounded by enormous hewn walls, it is impossible not to be filled with wonder and appreciation for those ancient people who, about 3,800 years ago, literally moved mountains and hills."