A remarkable 5,000-year-old settlement is revolutionizing our understanding of early urbanization in ancient Israel.

Excavators from the Israel Antiquities Authority have unveiled an extraordinary discovery near Beit Shemesh at Hurvat Husham, during preparations for the expansion of the city’s western industrial zone. Situated in the center is a remarkable 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.

Within this ancient structure, a room was found containing approximately 40 vessels preserved exactly as they were left during the Early Bronze Age. Ancient Israel experienced a remarkable metamorphosis during the Early Bronze Age. As populations soared, communities developed intricate social structures and political hierarchies for the first time. Cities arose with impressive fortification walls, religious complexes, and public buildings, while trade networks flourished, connecting the region with Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, and distant Mesopotamia.

Particularly intriguing are the numerous miniature vessels that were found, whose small size suggests they served symbolic rather than practical purposes.

“It’s fascinating that these vessels were placed here just before the site’s final abandonment,” noted excavation directors Ariel Shatil, Maayan Hamed, and Danny Benayoun. “The room shows signs of burning, with vessels toppled onto each other, hinting at a dramatic end. Laboratory analysis of residue within these vessels will reveal whether they contained water, oil, wheat, or perhaps exotic substances.”

Adjacent to the temple, archaeologists discovered a complex featuring large standing stones arranged in rows – evidence of an earlier, open-air ritual space that preceded the enclosed temple.

“It seems that originally there was an open cultic activity area for the general public which then transformed into ritual activity in an enclosed compound with more controlled access,” explained Dr. Yitzhak Paz, the IAA’s Early Bronze Age expert. “This development process on the site, along with other processes, attests to an increase in social complexity.”

The team’s findings will be presented at the upcoming 17th “Discoveries in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Surroundings Conference” at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel.