Excavators from the Israel Antiquities Authority have unveiled a significant archaeological discovery near Beit Shemesh that sheds light on early urbanization in Israel. The findings, which will be formally presented at the 17th conference "Discoveries in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Surroundings" hosted at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, include a 5,000-year-old settlement at the site of Khirbat Hoshim, also known as Hurvat Husham.
Led by excavation directors Marion Zindel and Natan Ben-Ari of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the team uncovered evidence of a well-organized community from the Early Bronze Age. Among the most remarkable discoveries is a large public building distinguished by its broad walls and internal benches, which archaeologists believe served as one of the earliest temples ever discovered in the Judean Lowlands. "The site uncovered at Khirbat Khushem is exceptional not only because of its size, but because it reveals to us some of the first characteristics of the transition from village life to urban life," the excavation directors said.
Within the ancient structure, a room was found containing approximately 40 well-preserved vessels, showing signs of burning and toppled onto each other, hinting at a dramatic end. The vessels were preserved in their original place—just as the people who lived there during the Early Bronze Age 1B (the end of the 4th millennium BCE) left them. The excavation leaders, Ariel Shatil, Maayan Hemed, and Dani Ben-Ayun, stated: "The vessels were laid out here shortly before the inhabitants left the settlement. We can imagine how people placed them and left, leaving traces of their life. The presence of traces of fire and fallen vessels indicates dramatic events. Future analysis of the contents of the vessels may reveal whether they contained: oil, grain, water, or something more unusual."
The team plans to conduct laboratory analyses on the vessels' residues to understand their original contents, which could reveal whether the vessels held oil, water, grain, or perhaps rarer substances. Among the vessels, numerous miniature ones were found that were not intended for household needs and were probably used for ritual purposes, along with many tiny tools that seem not to have been used as household items.
Adjacent to the temple-like structure, archaeologists discovered a complex featuring large standing stones arranged in rows, known as stone cultic stelae or "matzevot." Dr. Yitzhak Paz, an expert on the Bronze Age at the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained that these standing stones likely represent an earlier phase of open cultic activity for the community, which later evolved into a more enclosed, restricted space. "This complex is evidence of an earlier, open-air ritual space that preceded the enclosed temple," he said.
Two kilns for producing pottery vessels were also discovered at the site, among the oldest exposed in the country, adding further evidence of advanced craftsmanship and trade during this formative period. Specialists believe that these kilns are among the oldest ever discovered in Israel, highlighting the specialization and standardization in various industries during the Early Bronze Age.
The Early Bronze Age is one of the most complex periods in the history of the Land of Israel, during which dramatic changes occurred in the lifestyle and worldview of the inhabitants of the region. This era saw rapid population growth, the development of complex social hierarchies, and the construction of fortifications, temples, and palaces. For the first time, social complexity was created, as well as a political structure of a hierarchical society.
Trade networks flourished during the Early Bronze Age, extending outward to regions like Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia, evidencing a growing web of regional connections. Intensive trade occurred with neighboring regions, indicating the burgeoning interconnectivity of ancient societies.
At the peak of the Early Bronze Age, urban centers began to emerge in ancient Israel, characterized by impressive fortification walls, religious complexes, and public buildings. Monumental public buildings—walls, fortifications, religious and governmental structures—were already being built during this period, suggesting a society on the cusp of urban development where such structures began to play central roles.
Archaeologists note that within a few generations after Hurvat Husham was settled, larger fortified cities with palaces and public structures, like the nearby Tel Yarmuth, emerged. "The site teaches that thousands of years ago, initial steps were already taken towards the development of urban society in the Shephelah of Judah. A few generations later, we already see in the region large cities, surrounded by walls, with palaces and other buildings—such as at the site of Tel Yarmut, which is within sight from here," the researchers said.
Eli Escuzido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, commented, "The Land of Israel, due to its nature and geographical location, constituted a fertile ground for the development of ancient civilizations. The site of Khirbat Hoshim uncovered by the researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority reveals another important piece in the puzzle of urban development in our region."
The excavation has revealed an impressive array of structures and artifacts, shedding light on the early stages of urbanization in the region and the transition from village life to urban life. Researchers now believe Hurvat Husham holds some of the earliest indicators of urban society in the region. "The Hurvat Husham site stands out not just for its scale but for what it tells us about the move from village to urban life. Here, we see some of the first steps toward urban development, including a society beginning to organize in complex ways," the excavation leaders said.
This discovery is considered one of the oldest temples in the Judean Plain, with similar buildings from such an early period in Israel being rare. The findings at Khirbat Hoshim provide invaluable insights into the processes of urbanization during the Early Bronze Age, underscoring the settlement's role as a bridge from village life to the organized cities that followed.
Sources: The Jewish Press, Makor Rishon, Cursorinfo, Jewish Breaking News
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq