Site of King David’s Palace. Photograph courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority
Archaeologists in Israel claim that they have uncovered King David’s palace, the possible site of the battle between David and Goliath, and a royal storeroom at Khirbet Qeiyafa near Jerusalem.
The discovery of the two large structures comes after a seven-year joint excavation of the ancient city of Khirbet Qeiyafa by Hebrew University and the Israel Antiquities Authority. The site dates back to the early 10th century BCE, soon becoming a key strategic location on the main road between Philista and Hebron, but it is believed to have been suddenly deserted by its inhabitants around 980 BCE.
The archaeologists unearthed 200m of the ancient city’s wall including two gates, a pillar building, and 10 houses, demonstrating a heavily fortified Judean city which could have have been the location of a central administration for Judea during the period. They also found a number of religious artefacts, pottery, metal tools, and official seals from the period.
The discovery has resulted in the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to recommend cancelling an urban redevelopment project on the site, preferring plans to build a park on the location.
