Archaeologists Uncover 2,200-Year-Old Pyramid
Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed a 2,200-year-old pyramid, Ancient Origins reported.
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Ministry of Heritage worked together with volunteers from across Egypt to uncover the massive structure, which dates back to the late fourth century B.C. through the early second century B.C., when the Ptolemies and Seleucids were battling for control over ancient Palestine.The pyramid was built from 'hand-hewn' stones and features a waystation underneath the structure for use in trade. Within the structure, archaeologists discovered remarkably well-preserved wooden tools, textiles, Greek papyrus documents, colored beads, sewing needles, weapons, and bronze coins from the Ptolemies period as well as that of Antiochus IV.
'What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert,' the excavation's directors said in a joint statement posted to the Israel Antiquities Authority's Facebook page. 'This pyramidal structure is huge, and made of hand-hewn stones, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms. Already in the first excavation week, the volunteers found written historical documents, exceptional bronze vessels and remains of ancient furniture, which thanks to the desert climate were preserved in amazing condition. This is a very promising site — every moment new findings are discovered.'
The excavation is part of an ongoing archaeological project funded by the Ministry of Heritage which began in 2017. It aims to preserve the historical relics of the Judean Desert, a region which faces threat from looting and illegal excavations. In the eight years since its inception, the initiative has searched over 110 miles of the desert, identifying some 900 caves that were once used by ancient peoples during different historical periods.
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