An extraordinary archaeological discovery at Khirbet Khusham, near Beit Shemesh, unveils a critical phase in the development of human society in Israel—the transition from village life to urban living. The excavations, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in preparation for the expansion of the ‘Brosh’ industrial zone, uncovered a settlement from the Early Bronze Age IB (late 4th millennium BCE), with rare artifacts indicating the beginning of urbanization.
At the center of this discovery stands an impressive public building, which researchers believe may have served as a temple. Inside, a special room was found containing around 40 pottery vessels in pristine condition, many of them tiny vessels likely used for ritual purposes. “The artifacts remained in their original positions, as if frozen in time,” explained excavation directors Ariel Shatil, Maayan Hemed, and Danny Ben Ayon from the Israel Antiquities Authority. “Notably, the vessels were placed shortly before the site was abandoned, with burn marks indicating the dramatic end of the settlement.”
Another unique find was a complex of stone stelae discovered near the public building. According to Dr. Yitzhak Paz, a Bronze Age specialist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, the stelae represent an earlier phase of open-air ritual activity that later developed into more formalized worship within an enclosed structure. “This reflects the increasing social complexity of the time,” Paz noted.
The site’s significance is further emphasized by the discovery of two pottery kilns, among the oldest found in Israel. These findings, along with the settlement’s size and character, indicate early professionalization and institutionalization that marked the dawn of urbanization in Israel.
Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, highlighted the importance of this discovery for understanding human development in the region: “Israel’s unique geographic location made it a focal point for early civilizations. Khirbet Khusham adds an important layer to our understanding of early urbanization in this area.”
The findings will be presented at the 17th annual “New Findings in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Surroundings” conference at the National Archaeological Campus in Jerusalem, where researchers and enthusiasts can learn more about this fascinating discovery.
